These 7 Heroes Should Be the Next Generation’s Justice League

The Justice League will always endure in some form or another within the DC universe. Though their original members may age and face the reality of their mortality, they’ll never truly vanish from the scene. This is due to various factors such as a consistent timeline that keeps them all youthful, or frequent reboots that reset the multiverse when it becomes too expansive.

However, legacy plays a significant role in DC, and its heroes often ponder who will inherit their roles when they decide to retire or face an untimely end. So let’s speculate: if the upcoming generation truly took over the mantle of the Justice League, what would it look like? It’s an intriguing question that fans have long contemplated.

Previously, DC attempted to address this topic through their Future State event, but the selections presented fell short with fans due to the introduction of new and unfamiliar characters. Instead, I’m going to speculate on who I believe are the most plausible candidates for the upcoming generation of Justice League members. Thus, here’s a list of characters that I consider likely to assume leadership roles in the future Justice League.

1) Red Arrow – Lian Harper

Born to Jade Nguyen, famously known as Cheshire, and Roy Harper, better recognized as Red Arrow/Arsenal, Lian currently goes by the name Cheshire Cat. Her life has been far from smooth sailing; she’s traversed through time and space, ending up in Gotham’s East End where she was mentored by Catwoman. Later, she reconnected with Team Arrow and eventually joined them. Given her background and family history, it seems likely that Lian may one day assume the role of Red Arrow, although Emiko Queen currently holds that position. With extensive training from skilled thieves worldwide and a lineage steeped in archery, Lian’s street-smart upbringing in Gotham has instilled in her a knack for defending the underdog, much like Oliver typically does. This unique perspective adds a valuable balance to their team and makes her an excellent candidate for future membership.

2) Flash and Surge – Irey and Jai West

As a passionate movie enthusiast, I firmly believe that Wally’s twins, Jai and Irey, are ideal candidates to carry on the legacy of the Flash. Much like Wally, they’ve had a unique experience outside of time following the New 52 reboot. Now that they’re back in the main timeline, they’ve been impressing everyone as sidekicks to the Fastest Man Alive. What sets these siblings apart is their synergy, and how their powers complement each other. The stories we can craft with them as a team are endless, exploring both the benefits and challenges of always being together. Irey already shows great promise as the next Flash, but Jai’s independent spirit promises an intriguing narrative as he carves his own path. They’re equally capable of protecting their hometown and serving as full-time League members.

3) Green Lantern – Keli Quintela

Initially known as Teen Lantern, Keli wields a gauntlet tapping into the power of will from an altered energy source. Her journeys to the cosmic mall of Necropia hint at untold mysteries within her gauntlet. Speculating, it’s reasonable to consider Keli as a potential future Green Lantern. Given her close ties with the Green Lantern Corps and her expertise in manipulating will-infused constructs, it appears she is destined to receive her own ring someday. When that happens, it follows logically that she would step into the Justice League as an active member while established Lanterns are off on cosmic missions.

4) Trinity – Lizzie Prince

As a passionate movie enthusiast, let me express my excitement about the newest addition to the Justice League: Trinity, daughter of the legendary Wonder Woman. Every superhero team needs a Wonder Woman, and while Lizzie may not be ready to carry her mother’s mantle just yet, she is an Amazon warrior in her own right, unparalleled among her peers.

What sets Lizzie apart is her youthful spirit and fierce determination. Being the youngest member of the team, she will undoubtedly face challenges that will test her mettle. However, I can see stories unfolding where her fellow League members treat her like a little sister, fueling Trinity’s desire to prove herself as an unmatched warrior.

The Justice League embodies the greatest heroes in the DC universe, and the Holy Trinity (Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman) are undeniably their most iconic figures. Lizzie represents the bond between these heroes, a connection that could evolve into a new hero who may one day surpass them all, making her the ideal candidate to join and potentially lead the Justice League in the future.

5) Batman – Damian Wayne

Among various potential successors to the Batman role, such as Dick, Cassie, and Jace, Damian stands out as the most suitable for this Justice League. Being the fifth Robin, Bruce’s biological son, and having always aspired to take on the identity, Damian has a strong connection to the character. Beyond these facts, Damian symbolizes an essential aspect of the Gen-S team by embodying the transformation of the current Trinity of heroes.

Damian embodies Batman’s seriousness and detachment, but also carries the unique experience of having grown up with a family. His relationships with Lizzie and Jon are compelling in their own right, offering a balance to their more extroverted personalities. Damian’s reserved and cynical nature adds an intriguing dynamic, while his cool-headed confidence would provide a useful provocation for the other heroes.

While Damian’s future as Batman is often shrouded in darkness, his inclusion in this Justice League can demonstrate that even those with a troubled past or uncertain future can choose to be heroes today. This portrayal of Batman showcases an inspiring message of redemption and heroism. What could be a more fitting representation of the Batman than that?

6) Superman – Jon Kent

Among all the items listed, this one stands out the most clearly. Known as Superman in contemporary comics, Jon even temporarily took over the lead role when his father was in space. Being a fundamental component of the Justice League, Superman represents everything they stand for – kindness, optimism, and power. Despite sharing these same qualities with his father, Jon grapples with self-doubt, fearing that the burden of his ‘S’ symbol will overwhelm him. In times of crisis, people turn to Superman, making Jon’s journey towards embracing his own Superman identity a rich source for storytelling. With both an inspiring role model and a character who challenges us to strive for greatness, Jon embodies the essence of what it means to be Superman, as the saying goes, “he’s Superman, that says it all.

7) The Captain – Billy Batson

In a unique position on this list stands Billy, who’s previously been a long-standing member of the Justice League, frequently serving as a key figure. Notably, he has been a child trapped within an adult’s body throughout this period, which means even in this fictional timeline, he would still be younger than most others on the list. This makes him an ideal bridge between the original and current versions of the Justice League because his youth allows for a logical explanation as to why he hasn’t retired.

At this stage, Billy would be at the peak of both his personal life and superhero career. He could effortlessly assume the role of a mentor, guiding the other heroes and teaching them what it takes to be part of the Justice League. His leadership would provide wisdom for the future heroes, while also allowing him to relate to them as he is part of their generation.

Billy could now fully realize his potential as a hero, and leading this League would mark an ideal progression for his character. This new role would serve as a fitting development for him, setting the stage for him to mature into the hero he was destined to become.

Here are some characters who I believe would make great core members of the next generation’s Justice League in DC Universe lore. Of course, it is impossible to predict who will actually form that team, and even if they did, a team like this might not exist within our current comic storylines. However, this thought experiment offers an exciting glimpse into possible future stories. Ideally, I’d love to see a “Children of the Justice League” Elseworlds comic featuring these characters.

Here are some characters who could potentially become the next generation’s Justice League members in DC Comics lore. These ideas might not reflect current storylines, but they offer a fun way to imagine future stories. An “Elseworlds” comic focusing on the children of the original Justice League would be fantastic!

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2025-06-20 20:14