This is not about Batman, Superman or Wonder Woman. That’s right! This is about characters that comic fans know and love that don’t normally get the spotlight. I wanted to pick 10 characters to share with you, that I truly enjoy and would like to see get more coverage. Fortunately, over the past few years, we have been getting more exposure to DC’s vast repertoire of characters through CW shows or small appearances in an animated series, but you know us fans always want MORE! Here are some of my top favorites.
10.) Grayson. Most people talk about Dick Grayson as Nightwing but I’m a huge fan of him in the “Grayson” series from 2014. A great spy story that would make a fantastic TV series, in my opinion. The series was initially written by Tim Seeley and Tom King, with art by Mikel Janín and Stephen Mooney.
09.) Kyle Rayner: Kyle was created to revitalize the Green Lantern name and title in 1994. He succeeded at in return, Kyle has evolved into one of the most powerful characters in the galaxy. After training to master all seven colors Kyle has become a white lantern, wielding the white light of life. This needs an animated movie.
08.) Etrigan The Demon: I like Etrigan’s initial origin story: Jason Blood being created by Merlin to act as a living prison for Etrigan and had no knowledge of his demonic half. Fun fact, Etrigan was created by Jack Kirby on September, 1972 in The Demon #1.
07.) Catman: Once an unpopular Batman villain, Catman found new life with Gail Simone. She portrayed him as a man who had hit rock bottom and on a journey to rebuild himself. Catman’s status elevated so much that he quickly became regarded as one of DC’s more dangerous fighters and one of its best trackers.
06.) Blue Beetle. Post DC’s 2021 Fandome event, Blue Beetle will be a household name. Good! A character on the Young Justice animated series Jaime Reyes will be getting his own show on HBOMax. His origins have changed, a lot over the years, but I prefer him in the New 52 era.
07.) Alan Scott. Alan was created in 1940 but in June 2012 Alan Scoot come out of the golden age and closet. DC announced that Scott would be reimagined as a gay man. While criticized for not being a “mainstream” character, Alan Scott got new life in the New 52 series “Earth 2.”
06.) Ray Palmer. Thank you Brandon Routh for bringing this character to life on the CW’s Legends of Tomorrow series. My first introduction to the character was in the Blackest Night storyline. I’ll admit, it’s his Indigo costume that caught my attention. Definitely worth a read.
05.) Caitlin Fairchild. Not the GEN13 version you may recall, as I do. No, this version is one of the scientists responsible for the creation of SUPERBOY! I do love DC’s New 52 and seeing the old Wildstorm characters appear in the storylines makes my nerdy heart happy.
04.) The Ray. introduced to readers in 1992, The Ray got some well-deserved attention in the CW’s Arrow-verse Crossover “Crisis on Earth-X.” He was played by Russell Tovey, who is also voicing the character on the CW Seed series Freedom Fighters: The Ray. I can’t get enough bad-ass LGBT representation. Thanks DC!
03.) The White Canary. I love Caity Lotz’s portrayal of the character, Sara Lance. She’s mastered the portrayal of what it means to be a modern role model for young female (and some male) viewers. That’s incredible. If you get a chance to meet her at a convention, do it. She’s fabulous.
02.) Apollo. Apollo is notably one of the first openly gay superheroes in comics. With super powers consisting of superhuman strength, flight, and near invulnerability, he was destined to be a role model for LGBT readers. And that brings us to my number one pick, Apollo’s main man.
01.) Midnighter. A rough, tough and unforgiving LGBT character! I got to know the character as a supporting friend of Dick Grayson and went on to pick up his most recent solo series. Loved it. You will too! Midnighter and Apollo are underrated and deserve DC’s spotlight on TV or in a feature film. It’s time!
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