These 10 Superhero Sidekicks Should Have Stayed Dead

Over time, sidekicks have become an essential component in the structure of superheroes. Dick Grayson, initially introduced in 1940’s “Detective Comics” #38, was the pioneer among many sidekicks that followed. Originally created to enable children to relate more easily to characters, Robin served as a way for kids to imagine themselves alongside their favorite hero. Since then, the significance of sidekicks has fluctuated; while sidekicks associated with Batman have remained fairly consistent, those from other superhero groups have appeared and disappeared throughout the years in various waves. A resurgence of sidekicks occurred in the 90s, and since then, they have played a crucial role in both Marvel and DC Comics’ superhero landscapes once more.

Over the years, sidekicks have taken on various roles – sometimes sharing the spotlight with the main characters, at others stealing it entirely. In some instances, they serve as a catalyst for dramatic events in the lives of heroes. The death of a sidekick is a trope as old as the superhero itself, having a profound impact not just on the hero but also on readers. Often, these deceased sidekicks are revived due to popular demand. Yet, there have been instances where their return was questionable and perhaps they should have remained dead. Here’s a list of ten such sidekicks who made a comeback, but it might have been more fitting if they had remained in eternal rest.

10) Damian Wayne

In modern comic book lore, Damian Wayne currently holds the mantle of Robin. He first appeared during Grant Morrison’s groundbreaking run on Batman, and is the son of Bruce Wayne (Batman) and Talia al Ghul. Throughout his life, he was groomed to inherit the roles of both Batman and Ra’s al Ghul. At times, Damian made for an intriguing Robin, but his character traits, such as arrogance and overestimation of his own abilities, could be grating.

In the New 52 series, Damian met a tragic end when Talia attempted to take revenge on Batman. This death was dramatic and fitting within the narrative context, as it represented Talia’s desperate attempts to destroy Batman by eliminating everything important in his life. However, DC later chose to resurrect Damian, a decision that, while acknowledging the character’s appeal, seemed unnecessary because it diluted the emotional impact of his death and undermined any potential for compelling Batman narratives that could have arisen from his demise.

Damian Wayne is now Robin after making his debut during Grant Morrison’s popular Batman stint. He’s the son of Batman and Talia al Ghul, who raised him to become both Batman and Ra’s al Ghul’s heir. While Damian could be interesting at times, some viewers found him irritating due to his arrogance and overconfidence.

In a later storyline called the New 52, Damian was killed by Talia in an attempt to get back at Batman. This death was quite shocking and fitting for the story being told, as it symbolized Talia’s destructive desire to harm Batman. However, some comic book fans felt that bringing Damian back was unnecessary because it took away from the emotional impact of his death and potential for thought-provoking Batman stories that could have stemmed from his passing.

In layman’s terms:

Damian Wayne is Robin now, appearing first during Grant Morrison’s run on Batman. He’s Bruce Wayne (Batman) and Talia al Ghul’s son, who they raised to succeed both of them as crimefighters. While Damian had his moments, some people didn’t like him because he was often arrogant and believed himself to be better than others.

In a later comic book series called the New 52, Damian tragically died at the hands of Talia to get back at Batman. This death was fitting for the story being told, as it highlighted Talia’s determination to destroy Batman. However, some fans believed that bringing Damian back was unnecessary because it took away from the emotional impact of his death and prevented interesting Batman stories from developing out of his passing.

9) Sandy the Golden Boy/Sands/Sandman IV

Initially, the original Sandman was depicted as a noir-inspired hero, but his persona evolved due to the popularity of characters like Batman and other superheroes in costumes. He was reimagined with a typical superhero outfit and a sidekick named Sandy the Golden Boy, who served a similar role to Robin, mirroring Speedy from the Green Arrow comics. However, Sandy’s character arc took a turn when he was transformed into a sand monster, effectively sidelining him for years through suspended animation. Eventually, his human form was restored, and he joined the Justice Society of America (JSA) as Sands. At first, he played an essential role within the team, but later he fell out of favor and has since become a largely insignificant character, taking on the mantle of Sandman IV without much noteworthy impact. Bringing him back into the storyline may not have been particularly fruitful, as his presence now seems primarily as a background character.

8) Dum Dum Dugan

In a nutshell, Dum Dum Dugan, a prominent figure in Nick Fury’s Howling Commandos, is renowned for his distinctive appearance and bowler hat. However, many readers may not be aware of a significant detail: Dugan passed away long ago, but Fury has continued to revive him in Life Model Decoy (LMD) robots due to their friendship. Fury often informs these LMDs that he administered the Infinity Formula like himself to remain youthful, although this is merely a ruse as Dugan, in his LMD form, lacks significant impact on current events. Instead, Dugan’s greatest appeal lies in his role as Fury’s deceased comrade, cherished by heroes like Captain America and Wolverine, rather than as an active character in the present.

7) Toro

The initial superhero of Marvel Comics, the Human Torch, debuted on the cover of Marvel Comics #1. He engaged in battles with the Sub-Mariner and later formed a team with Namor and Captain America to participate in World War II. During this period, he acquired his sidekick, Toro. Born with pyrokinetic abilities due to his mother’s exposure to asbestos while working on the original Human Torch robot and his father’s encounter with radium, the Human Torch fought alongside Bucky against the Nazis during the war. Afterward, he led a post-war life that included marriage. The Human Torch reappeared in the Age of Marvels and sacrificed himself while aiding the Sub-Mariner in battling the Thinker. He was later revived and eventually identified as an Inhuman. Toro, however, is a character who has never received much love, and his return was deemed unnecessary by many. Despite this, the Human Torch remains a compelling character, but Toro was essentially a secondary figure.

6) Ben Reilly

The Clone Saga involving Spider-Man wasn’t particularly successful, but it did introduce some notable characters like Ben Reilly. Some debate whether Ben should be considered a sidekick due to his time as Spider-Man, yet his early days as the Scarlet Spider could be seen as him functioning as Spider-Man’s sidekick. Eventually, he took on the role of Spider-Man and was later killed by the return of Norman Osborn in a powerful and poignant storyline. However, Marvel subsequently brought Ben back to life multiple times, which ultimately led to his transformation into the villain Chasm – a character who resents Peter Parker for having a fulfilling life. This shift was unnecessary and has since resulted in the degradation of what once made the character compelling, turning him into an overused stereotypical evil opposite of Spider-Man.

5) Terra

You might be wondering who Terra was an assistant to. The answer may surprise you. In my view, Terra is Deathstroke’s sidekick – the arch-nemesis of the Titans. I understand that this revelation may not sit well with some, and I don’t intend to justify Deathstroke’s behavior towards Terra. But for the purpose of this discussion, let’s consider Terra as his sidekick. She initially joined the Teen Titans to help Deathstroke destroy them, and he was instrumental in teaching her how to use her powers effectively. That’s the essence of a sidekick role.

DC Comics has a tendency to bring Terra back from the dead, which I find problematic. Her death was a significant moment in Titans history, and bringing her back diminishes that impact. It detracts from the emotional resonance of her passing and often results in unsatisfying storylines. I believe it would be best to let her stay deceased.

4) Bucky Barnes

While I understand the excitement surrounding Bucky Barnes’ return, I personally feel that his comeback hasn’t been as rewarding as we might have hoped in the long run. One of the reasons ‘Winter Soldier’ was so compelling was the uncertainty surrounding Bucky’s fate. Swapping him with another character like Jack Monroe wouldn’t significantly alter the storyline.

After taking up the mantle of Captain America for a while, Bucky’s journey didn’t quite reach its full potential. His death in ‘Fear Itself’ was impactful, and since then, his character has faltered rather than thrive. If Bucky had returned to life and been part of remarkable tales one after the other, my perspective might be different. However, this hasn’t been the case.

Either Bucky’s resurrection wasn’t necessary for ‘Winter Soldier’ to remain impactful, or his demise in ‘Fear Itself’ should have been permanent. The stories featuring Winter Soldier since then have been generally underwhelming.

3) Huntress

Helena Wayne, daughter of Earth-Two’s Batman and Catwoman, became Gotham’s protector following Batman’s death, teaming up with Robin (Dick Grayson), and joining the Justice Society. She formed a close bond with Power Girl. Unfortunately, Helena perished during the event known as “Crisis on Infinite Earths.”

Later on, DC introduced another character named Helena Bartinelli, a more aggressive vigilante who often faced criticism from Batman for her violent methods.

Recently, a future version of Helena Wayne resurfaced, worked with the Justice Society briefly, and then ventured into the 31st century to establish a new Justice Society. However, there seems to be little reason for DC to revive any iteration of Huntress, yet they continue to play with legacy characters.

2) Bart Allen

Bart Allen, a character from DC Comics, is often criticized as one of their missteps. In the ’90s sidekick revival spearheaded by Tim Drake and Superboy, Bart was highly popular under the alias Impulse. He even had his own series, written by Mark Waid and Mike Wieringo, which fans still appreciate today. Unfortunately, this series was eventually cancelled and he moved to Young Justice, subsequently becoming Kid Flash in Teen Titans.

In Infinite Crisis #4, Bart played a significant role in defeating Superboy-Prime. At the end of the book, as an adult due to aging in the Speed Force, he became The Flash. However, fans weren’t pleased with this development and he was eventually killed off. He reappeared a few years later in Final Crisis: Legion of Three Worlds to aid in fighting Superboy-Prime once more. Since then, he has been largely insignificant.

He was part of the troubled New 52 Teen Titans series and has since resumed his role as Impulse. The Flash Family, however, has moved on with Wallace West taking over as Kid Flash, and Jai and Irey West emerging as the new generation of speedsters. Despite Bart’s initial promise, his recent appearances have failed to maintain interest among fans. Even his return to the Impulse persona couldn’t prevent this decline in popularity.

1) Jason Todd

As a devoted moviegoer and comic book enthusiast, I must express my disappointment with the portrayal of Jason Todd throughout the years. Originally intended to step into Dick Grayson’s Robin shoes, Jason Todd was unfortunately a significant missed opportunity.

Pre-Crisis on Infinite Earths, Jason was essentially a rebranded Dick Grayson, even sharing similar origins. Post-Crisis, he was given a grittier, angrier backstory – yet the fans never warmed up to him, eventually leading to his demise.

In retrospect, DC could have explored more dimensions of Jason Todd’s character in the past. However, his death proved beneficial to the narrative, serving as a poignant reflection of Batman’s failures.

Reincarnating Jason was questionable, as his return diminished the impact of his original demise. If he had remained a villainous Red Hood, his character arc could have been more compelling. Instead, he morphed into just another edgy anti-hero figure – diluting the potency of what made his death so poignant in the first place.

Of course, if you cherish Jason Todd as a character, that’s entirely up to your personal tastes. But deep down, I believe we all acknowledge that he was better off deceased and that his resurrection tarnished the essence of his original story.

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2025-09-12 22:16