DC Never Gave These Heroes a Chance (And They Should Have)

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Occasionally, DC Comics launches fresh endeavors to entice novice readers by providing entry points for comics. In recent times, there have been numerous such initiatives like the New 52 and All-In, yet one that has been largely neglected is the New Age of DC Heroes. Initially named Dark Matter, this new venture emerged post the Dark Knights: Metal series finale, introducing a whole new roster of characters and squads to address gaps in their heroic ranks. Regrettably, aside from The Terrifics, none of these series gained traction, and the newly created characters have since vanished into comic book anonymity. Despite DC failing to give these heroes a fair chance, they merit another opportunity now.

The Failed Age of Heroes

In the latest era of DC Comics, several original characters were introduced, such as Sideways, Damage, Brimstone, Silencer, a fresh Firebrand, and a revamped Challengers of the Unknown team. However, we’ll concentrate on these unique characters, as legacy characters warrant separate consideration. To clarify, four new heroes debuted, but four that didn’t seem to make a lasting impact. Some might attribute this to their close resemblance to Marvel Comics characters, which arguably set them up for failure from the start. This new crop of heroes was intended to fill gaps perceived by DC executives within the DC Universe. Regrettably, they may have been overly eager in filling these gaps with characters that looked too much like Marvel counterparts. Sideways seems to fit a conspicuously large hole left by Brian Michael Bendis’s Ultimate Spider-Man, Damage resembles a budget version of the Hulk, Brimstone echoes older Ghost Rider stories, and Silencer is almost a more morally flexible Black Widow. However, upon closer inspection, these characters prove to be quite intriguing beyond their apparent design influences.

The character Damage’s ability to transform into a Hulk-like figure for an hour each day is restrictive, yet his unwavering affection for heroes and his longing to free himself from the life he unwittingly accepted creates an intriguing backstory. Brimstone’s mission, which takes him through small-town America to combat individuals who have struck Faustian deals like him, offers a remarkable means of introducing a vast array of villains and characters capable of exploring deep-seated social issues as well as delivering exhilarating comic book battles. I have always been drawn to the complex dynamic of Silencer, who struggles with her role as an assassin while maintaining familial ties; this is a theme that resonates deeply with me. However, it was Sideways who captivated me the most. While he may appear like Spider-Man superficially, his portal powers are fascinating. Initially, he seems to embody typical high school hero stereotypes, but there’s nothing wrong with embracing tropes that work effectively. Although his initial preoccupation with internet fame felt overly contrived in an attempt to connect with younger audiences, his development towards the end of his solo series was emotionally moving and left me eagerly anticipating more of him.

These Heroes Never Stood a Chance

Regrettably, only Sideways was able to break free from his individual series, and even that was to join the troubled team in Bendis’s Young Justice – a run often criticized as one of the weakest with young hero-focused teams. This raises the question: Given these characters’ immense potential, what went wrong? Earlier, I mentioned that these characters faced harsh criticism due to their apparent design as counterparts to well-known Marvel heroes. Despite being unique and having their own compelling stories, they were incessantly compared to more established characters, such as some of Marvel’s most iconic figures like Spider-Man or the Hulk. Many dismissed these new heroes before their debut, while others were put off by DC appearing to imitate Marvel’s work, and assumed that the new versions would be mere imitations of beloved characters they already knew.

As a fan, I can’t help but feel empathetic towards these fresh faces in the comic book world. It seems they were unfairly set up for disappointment due to an overly similar presentation compared to The Big Two publishers. While it’s common practice for ideas and character types to be borrowed within the creative industry, the designs here might have been a bit too daring for many readers to embrace comfortably.

Of course, the responsibility for these books not performing well can’t solely be placed on the company. New heroes often face an uphill battle when it comes to their series, especially at the outset. People tend to be cautious with their entertainment choices, preferring familiar and beloved characters over newcomers, understandably so.

DC may have misstepped in presenting these new characters, but as readers, we should encourage creativity by taking a chance on fresh series every now and then. Even if we don’t end up enjoying it, our support sends a powerful message to DC and Marvel that they shouldn’t shy away from experimenting with new concepts.

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2025-06-29 15:40