7 Most Problematic DC Heroes and How to Fix Them

DC Comics pioneered the world of superheroes, giving us some of the most iconic fictional characters of all time. These heroes are essentially today’s version of ancient myths, filling a similar role to legendary figures like Hercules and Gilgamesh. Just like myths, superhero stories aren’t perfect, and sometimes flaws become so central to a character that they damage the hero’s appeal. In comic books, this often leads to a character losing popularity, even if they were once hugely successful. Despite this, many fans still cherish the earlier versions of these characters and wish they could return to the heroes they once loved.

DC Comics has a lot of iconic characters, but some haven’t been working well lately. Despite repeated attempts to improve things, these heroes still feel flawed. However, they aren’t beyond saving – with the right approach, seven particular DC heroes could be amazing again.

7) Catwoman

Catwoman is a well-known character, but it’s been a while since she’s been truly compelling. Her solo series in the 1990s worked well because the writers didn’t focus too much on her relationship with Batman, even though they’d flirted with that idea for years. Over time, though, she became defined by her on-again, off-again romance with him, and the interesting aspects of Selina Kyle as an independent character disappeared. The solution is simple: let Catwoman have her own stories and develop as a character separate from Batman. If DC doesn’t want to pair them up, they should keep them completely separate.

6) Deathstroke

Deathstroke is a difficult character for several reasons, and some issues – particularly the storyline involving Terra – are likely unresolvable. But there’s another ongoing problem DC has addressed successfully in the past: portraying Slade Wilson as a hero. He shouldn’t be presented that way at all. Deathstroke is fundamentally a villain, and his solo comics should reflect that darkness. Christopher Priest’s run on Deathstroke during Rebirth was excellent because it consistently emphasized what a terrible person he is. Focusing on his monstrous side is actually the key to making these comics more popular; DC needs creative teams willing to embrace that aspect of the character. While an anti-heroic Deathstroke feels uninspired, leaning into his villainy could significantly improve the books.

5) Red Hood

Red Hood has been given numerous opportunities since coming back to life, but he hasn’t truly succeeded in finding his place. While Jason Todd works well as a morally gray hero, his rebellious persona in Gotham feels stale. The best way to revitalize the character would be to move him to a new city, allowing him to forge his own path and face unique villains. Readers are tired of stories focused on the conflict between Red Hood and the rest of the Bat-Family. Giving him a fresh start with a new supporting cast – perhaps even revisiting his former sidekick, Scarlett, as either an ally or enemy – would be a welcome change and could significantly benefit the character.

4) Power Girl

Power Girl is a popular DC character, but her story has been complicated since the Crisis event. It took a long time to establish her origins – ultimately reverting to her original backstory as a survivor of the old multiverse – and there were awkward attempts to downplay the design of her costume. More recently, she briefly went by the name Paige, but that version felt more like Supergirl than the Power Girl fans know and love. To revitalize the character, she should return to being Kara and reconnect with Superman’s family. Placing her back on the Justice Society as their powerhouse fighter would be a great fit, as that’s when she truly shines. Power Girl is a fantastic character, and it doesn’t take much to get her story right.

3) Starfire

Starfire is a fan favorite, but many wonder if she’s been a compelling character recently. While popular, she hasn’t truly evolved since the 1980s and has largely relied on her connection with Dick Grayson for definition. She needs to develop an identity beyond that relationship. Giving Starfire her own solo series – separate from the Titans and even Dick – would be ideal, allowing her space to grow as a character. Even joining the Justice League independently could be a good start. Given her rich backstory, she deserves to be a major star, and DC should prioritize making that happen.

2) Tim Drake

Tim Drake revitalized the Robin character a long time ago, but he’s been sidelined ever since. He’s been replaced, given different roles, and suffered through a particularly bad run in the New 52 Teen Titans comic. Currently, he feels like a background character. The key to making Tim popular again is to give him his own independent storylines, separate from Batman and the rest of the Bat-Family, just like before. He also deserves a more compelling romantic relationship – his current one isn’t working. Most importantly, let him be Robin again, not Red Robin or just ‘Drake’. Even with Damian currently holding the title, there’s room for two Robins – one working with Batman and another having his own adventures. That’s what Tim and his fans really want.

1) Black Adam

Black Adam had a lot of potential, but hasn’t quite lived up to expectations. Originally a villain from the Captain Marvel comics, he became popular when he joined the Justice Society in the early 2000s. However, his story took a turn for the worse during the ’52’ storyline, reverting him back to being a bad guy. Since then, he’s been portrayed as an anti-villain – someone who sometimes does good things despite generally acting like a villain – but the character has felt directionless. While he’s often part of teams, his 2022 comic series, written by Christopher Priest, focused solely on him and was incredibly well-received. This focus on Black Adam as an individual is what could make him popular again; fans clearly enjoy the character when he’s given space to stand out.

2026-06-14 18:16