The Arrowverse’s 10 Most Powerful DC Heroes, Ranked by How Strong They Are

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The Arrowverse was a hugely successful series of live-action superhero shows, beginning with Arrow and continuing until Superman & Lois concluded. It launched with Arrow, centered around Oliver Queen, and gradually expanded to include popular heroes like The Flash, Supergirl, and the Legends of Tomorrow, as well as Black Lightning and others. The series adapted some of DC’s most beloved comic book stories for television, with the Crisis on Infinite Earths crossover event signaling a turning point, ultimately leading to the end of Arrow. The Arrowverse brought together many of DC’s most iconic and powerful heroes.

Here’s a ranking of the most powerful heroes from across the entire Arrowverse, starting with the original Green Arrow and continuing through the recent conclusion of Superman & Lois.

10) Green Arrow

Though he doesn’t have any superpowers, Green Arrow was a central figure in the Arrowverse and is remarkably skilled in combat and incredibly determined. Similar to Batman, Oliver Queen relied on his training and willpower to overcome challenges. He endured being stranded on a deserted island and defeated a wide range of enemies, even those with superhuman abilities. His death came only through a selfless sacrifice to save the world, demonstrating his strength of character and willingness to do what was necessary.

9) Atom

Ray Palmer, a.k.a. Atom, first appeared in season three of Arrow, played by Brandon Routh (known for Superman Returns). His backstory was changed for the show: instead of the comics, his wife was killed during Slade Wilson’s attack on Starling City. A wealthy tech entrepreneur, Ray purchased Oliver Queen’s company, Queen Consolidated, with the goal of providing free energy to the city. While running the company, he began creating the Atom suit, which initially focused on offensive capabilities, and later gained the ability to shrink – a power from the original DC comics.

8) Black Lightning

Black Lightning is a long-standing hero within the Arrowverse. Jefferson Pierce, the principal of Freeland’s Garfield High School, had actually retired from superhero life before joining the shared universe. But when he sees his city still needs protecting, he returns as Black Lightning while continuing his work as an educator. Unlike some heroes, his powers don’t come from a suit; they were the result of a flawed vaccine he received as a child. This gives him the ability to control electricity, making him a formidable and powerful metahuman.

7) John Constantine

John Constantine is an incredibly powerful magician within the Arrowverse, but his cunning and often underhanded tactics also make him a formidable threat. Originally starring in his own TV show, actor Matt Ryan continued playing Constantine when that series ended, bringing the character into the wider Arrowverse. He became a key member of the Legends of Tomorrow and remains a fan favorite. A true expert in the mystical and occult, Constantine’s power even extended beyond death, as he continued to assist the team even after dying.

6) Martian Manhunter

Martian Manhunter is incredibly powerful, often considered on par with Superman, and his telepathy gives him an edge. In the TV series Arrowverse, J’onn J’onzz is one of the last survivors of the Martian race, having escaped the destruction of his home world and family. He disguised himself as Hank Henshaw while living on Earth. Superman himself has acknowledged J’onn as the most powerful being on Earth in his reality.

5) The Flash

Alongside Oliver Queen, Barry Allen—also known as The Flash—is one of the most recognizable heroes of the Arrowverse. His show ran for many years, and he’s the most popular character with superpowers in the franchise. Barry gained his abilities during an accident involving the STAR Labs particle accelerator, which gave powers to several people. However, The Flash’s powers are greater than anyone else affected by the explosion. By accessing the Speed Force, he can move incredibly fast, heal quickly from injuries, and even travel through time. He’s so swift that he could, in theory, win most fights before his opponents even react.

4) Superman

Superman is widely regarded as DC Comics’ most powerful hero, and that holds true for the most part in the Arrowverse TV series. He’s the classic Superman – a Kryptonian with incredible strength, speed, and invulnerability, with very few weaknesses. What sets him apart isn’t just his power, but his heroic nature – he always prioritizes saving lives and avoids harming others. However, there’s another Kryptonian in the Arrowverse who actually surpasses Superman in strength.

3) Supergirl

Many viewers unfamiliar with the Arrowverse shows might be surprised to learn that Supergirl is, in fact, more powerful than Superman. While both Kryptonians possess incredible strength and resilience under a yellow sun, an encounter in the Arrowverse proved Supergirl’s superiority. During a battle where Superman had lost control, Supergirl actually defeated him. Surprisingly, Superman admitted he wasn’t restraining himself, yet still lost to his cousin.

2) The Monitor

The Monitor isn’t a typical hero, but he’s definitely not a villain. After discovering the Anti-Monitor would destroy all of reality, he traveled across different universes, searching for worlds whose heroes could survive the coming battle. Every world he visited failed the test—until he reached Earth-1, where the heroes proved capable. He then sent Superman and Supergirl to Earth-1 to help prepare for the Crisis on Infinite Earths. The Monitor is an incredibly powerful alien who’s lived for over 10,000 years. He can perceive different dimensions and possesses a wide range of abilities, including manipulating matter at a molecular level, moving objects with his mind, controlling time, seeing the future, bringing people back to life, and granting others powers.

1) The Spectre

The Spectre is a powerful, otherworldly being connected to the energies of the entire multiverse. In comic books, the Spectre has linked with various heroes, acting as a protector and a hero himself. Notably, Jim Corrigan once became the Spectre, and this also happened in the Arrowverse. However, the most significant version of the Spectre in the Arrowverse appeared after Oliver Queen’s death, allowing him to return as this powerful entity to save the multiverse. The Spectre possesses nearly limitless power, rivaling even the Monitor, and has connections to forces like the Speed Force, giving him control over the multiverse.

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2026-02-03 00:41