10 DC Villains Who Became Justice Leaguers

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The Justice League is DC Comics’ most famous team of superheroes, and they’ve protected the universe from many dangers. As shown in the Justice League Unlimited series, nearly every hero in the DC universe has been a member at some point. However, it’s not just heroes who’ve joined the League. Several well-known villains have also become members, often because of a massive crisis, a wish to turn over a new leaf, or a necessary, though uncomfortable, partnership. These surprising additions have created exciting conflicts and engaging stories within the team.

Many villains have briefly joined the Justice League, only to revert to their old habits. Despite their short tenures, they often played a key role in defeating major threats. This list also includes characters who began as villains but later became anti-heroes, as their time with the Justice League was crucial in their journey towards a more complex form of heroism.

10) Clock King

Billy Tockman, known as the Clock King, is a minor villain who fights Batman and Green Arrow, famous for meticulously planning his crimes. He joined forces with other lesser-known villains to create a new Injustice League. After unexpectedly stopping a terrorist attack, they attempted to become heroes and were surprisingly invited to join Justice League International. However, instead of being fully integrated, they were assigned to a new branch – Justice League Antarctica – and sent to the remote Antarctic continent. This team was quickly defeated by genetically engineered killer penguins, leading to the immediate disbandment of Justice League Antarctica and ending Clock King’s short-lived attempt at being a hero.

9) Lobo

Lobo, the famous alien bounty hunter, is known for being willing to fight—and even kill—anyone if he feels like it. He’s walked the line between villain and hero, sometimes battling and sometimes teaming up with the Justice League. He officially joined the League when Batman recruited him after freeing Lobo from mind control exerted by the villain Maxwell Lord. As a thank you, Lobo agreed to join Batman’s Justice League of America. Despite his destructive tendencies, Lobo surprisingly formed bonds with his teammates, particularly Atom. However, Lobo couldn’t be contained for long, and eventually returned to his life as a chaotic bounty hunter once he felt he’d repaid his debt to Batman.

8) Killer Frost

Caitlin Snow became the third person to use the name Killer Frost after a lab accident gave her the power to control ice, but also forced her to drain the life force of others to survive. After being captured by Firestorm and a short stint with the Suicide Squad, she was released on parole and sought to turn her life around. Batman offered her a chance at redemption by joining his new Justice League of America team, which she eagerly accepted. She later continued her heroic work with Jon Kent’s team and the Justice League Unlimited. While she can occasionally be tricked into acting like a villain again, Killer Frost is committed to leaving her criminal past behind for good.

7) Major Disaster

Paul Booker, known as Major Disaster, was a villain in the Green Lantern universe who could create chaos and natural disasters. He started as a small-time criminal and joined the Injustice Gang, but later tried to become a hero by applying to the Justice League. He ended up on a different team, Justice League Antarctica, though that group didn’t last. Major Disaster later got another chance with the Justice League Elite, where he helped save the world on several occasions. Sadly, despite his heroic efforts, he eventually returned to crime to provide for his daughter.

6) Harley Quinn

Harley Quinn, known for her unpredictable and often violent behavior, might seem like an unlikely candidate for the Justice League. She began as the Joker’s girlfriend and partner in crime, but eventually left him after realizing their relationship was harmful. Since then, she’s walked a complex path, sometimes acting as a villain and other times as a hero trying to make amends. When the original Justice League vanished, she was chosen to join Jon Kent’s new team. With the return of the original members and the expansion to Justice League Unlimited, Harley joined the large roster, demonstrating how much she’s changed from simply being the Joker’s sidekick.

5) Captain Cold

It makes sense that Leonard Snart, also known as Captain Cold, would become a villain with a code of honor. During the New 52 comic series, he actually helped the Justice League fight off an invasion, and they offered him a place on the team as a thank you. While he seemed sincere about changing his ways, the Rebirth reboot brought him back to being a criminal – once again leading the Rogues and battling the Flash.

4) Black Adam

Teth Adam, originally the first champion of the wizard Shazam and known as Black Adam, was imprisoned for millennia because he misused his incredible power for personal gain. Upon escaping in recent times, he seized control of Khandaq and ruled as a surprisingly effective, though often brutal, leader. Black Adam remains a complex figure – he’s willing to kill if he believes it will protect Khandaq. Seeking redemption, he briefly joined the Justice League. During the Dark Crisis event, he proved his worth by sharing his godly powers with the League, significantly increasing their strength and helping to defeat the Dark Army, despite still being prone to using deadly force.

3) Catwoman

Selina Kyle, better known as Catwoman, started as a villain but evolved into a complex character who often walks the line between good and evil. She was recruited by Amanda Waller to join a government-backed Justice League team, where she helped defend American interests against threats like Black Adam and Shadow Thief. However, it was later revealed that Waller’s true purpose for the team was to monitor—and potentially neutralize—the original Justice League if they became uncontrollable. Catwoman was specifically chosen to be a counterpart to Batman within this scheme. After the team broke up following an invasion by the Crime Syndicate, Catwoman returned to her independent lifestyle.

2) Maxwell Lord

Maxwell Lord wasn’t like most villains; he started as a seemingly helpful member of the Justice League. As a wealthy businessman, he even led the Justice League International for a time. However, it was eventually discovered that Lord had the power to control minds and was secretly in charge of Checkmate, a group dedicated to watching metahumans. His goals went beyond just monitoring – he ultimately wanted to eliminate all superpowered people. After killing Blue Beetle, Booster Gold revealed Lord’s true nature, and Wonder Woman ultimately killed him. Lord went from being the Justice League’s biggest advocate to its most dangerous enemy.

1) Lex Luthor

Lex Luthor, traditionally Superman’s greatest enemy, surprisingly became an ally when Earth was invaded by the Crime Syndicate. He united both heroes and villains to fight them off, and was subsequently invited to join the Justice League. Luthor proved helpful during major events like the “Amazo Virus” and “Darkseid War.” After the death of the Superman from the New 52 universe, Luthor briefly tried to become a hero himself, adopting the mantle of the “Man of Steel.” However, when the original Superman returned, Luthor felt eclipsed once more. He gave up on being a hero, left the Justice League, and went back to his old, scheming ways, convinced that heroism was pointless.

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2025-11-20 23:15