5 DC Characters That Have Simply Vanished (& #3 Was Really Cool)

by

For almost a century, DC Comics has created a huge number of characters and sprawling worlds filled with heroes, villains, and everyday people. While iconic figures like Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman have become cultural staples, many other characters have faded into obscurity or disappeared from DC’s stories over the years.

Here are five DC characters you’ve likely forgotten about. Some were always minor players, while others could reappear at any time, but they all leave you wondering what became of them if you even remember them at all.

5) Vibe

Though Cisco Ramon became a well-loved character on The CW’s The Flash, the comic book version of Vibe has largely disappeared. First appearing with Justice League Detroit in the 1980s, Vibe started as a former gang member who became a hero and fought alongside the League, even helping to defeat Despero during Crisis on Infinite Earths. Unfortunately, after the team broke up in 1987, he returned to his old life and was ultimately killed by an android created by Professor Ivo.

Vibe has had a complicated history with revivals and deaths in DC Comics. After initially being brought back only to die again, he reappeared in 2009 during the Blackest Night event, but was destroyed yet again. He did receive a fresh start with the New 52 initiative and even starred in his own comic book series. However, Vibe hasn’t been seen much lately, and his solo series is no longer published. He’s been largely absent since the Forever Evil storyline, though fans are hoping he’ll return in the future.

4) Edge

In 1993, DC Comics introduced a new character in each of their annual publications. Superman: The Man of Steel Annual #2 featured Thomas O’Brien, also known as Edge. Tom was a hardworking young man who had to leave school to help his family financially. He became friends with John Henry Irons and an important member of his community. Sadly, he was later kidnapped by an alien parasite named Angon, which unexpectedly triggered his dormant metagene.

Tom starts his story waking up, severely injured and covered in blades, believing he’d killed everyone around him. It’s later revealed that wasn’t the case, and he ends up teaming up with Steel to fight Angon, becoming known as Edge. That’s essentially all there is to Edge’s story – he only appeared in six comic book issues, all published in the 1990s. While he might not be a particularly strong or well-known hero, the character is intriguing, and it’s a shame he hasn’t been featured more in DC comics.

3) Patricia Powell

You might be surprised to learn that Batman nearly had a romantic connection with a police officer. Sadly, the character was eventually dropped, so it never happened. Patricia “Pat” Powell first appeared in a 1964 Batman comic and was a talented GCPD detective – some might say even better than Batman! She teamed up with the Caped Crusader to solve crimes, and there was definitely a spark between them. Pat was particularly fascinated with Bruce Wayne, bordering on obsession. It was a promising storyline with a lot of potential.

Unfortunately, Pat’s potential was never fully realized. After creator Ed Herron stopped writing Batman comics shortly after the character’s introduction, Pat largely faded into obscurity. It’s a shame, because a GCPD detective who could challenge Batman is a really compelling idea. Beyond that, the possibility of Batman having a strong law enforcement partner besides James Gordon feels like a significant missed opportunity.

2) Sideways

Following the events of Dark Nights: Metal, DC Comics introduced a fresh wave of heroes called the “New Age of DC Heroes.” One of these new characters was Sideways. Derek James was a young man living in Gotham City who gained superpowers after a series of earthquakes. His unique ability allowed him to create portals and travel to different realities throughout the multiverse, earning him the name Sideways.

The Sideways comic series only lasted 13 issues before it was cancelled. While the character reminded many readers of Spider-Man and gained a following, he, like many new DC creations, is no longer featured in current comics. Hopefully, he’ll reappear in the future.

1) Gotham Girl

Let’s be real: Claire Dover, also known as Gotham Girl, hasn’t become a major character, and with good reason. She’s quite similar to Supergirl, simply reimagined with a Gotham City setting. She debuted in DCU: Rebirth #1, created by Tom King, and fought crime alongside her brother, Hank, as Gotham. Both gained their powers from a serum that tragically shortened their lifespans each time they used it – a complex and ultimately sad situation.

After Hank’s death – brought on by a deliberate overdose used to overcome the Justice League, orchestrated by Psycho Pirate – Claire struggles to cope. She briefly allies herself with Bane in an attempt to defeat Batman, but Batman ultimately rescues her, using Platinum Kryptonite to heal her and preserve her powers. Despite occasional reappearances, like a new look in 2022, Claire remains a largely overlooked character, often forgotten by both readers and other heroes.

What do you think? Leave a comment below and join the conversation now in the ComicBook Forum!

https://comicbook.com/comics/list/10-biggest-hero-and-villain-rivalries-in-marvel-comics/embed/#

Read More

2026-03-05 20:14