First formed in 1960, The Justice League has been DC Comics’ flagship superhero team for decadesBringing together the company’s greatest heroes like Batman and Superman under one banner. While many readers prefer to see the original founding seven as core members, the team includes a variety of heroes – and villains – from across the DCU. While some didn’t make for great members and others were seen as perfect for the team, some heroes didn’t find the following they deserved.
The membership of the Justice League has ballooned and shrunk several times, Some runs focus on obscure heroes while others go all-in on A-listers. This range has allowed dozens of creators to explore different characters in their prime, showing that even do-it-yourself characters can be great. From Golden Age superheroes to more recent members, some of the team’s best characters continue to be woefully underappreciated and underappreciated by the average fan, and even neglected by some writers.
10 Jauriel
Created by Grant Morrison and Howard Porter
During Grant Morrison and Howard Porter’s run JLAThe group was aided by a fallen angel named Jauriel, who warned them of an impending invasion of Earth by Asmadel. The protagonist is actually one of the four angels who serve the Presence, And his tenure in the League was largely defined by aiding in the war against supernatural and cosmic threats.
His tenure in the League was largely defined by assisting in the war against supernatural and cosmic threats.
The fact that some DC readers forget that the JLA once boasted a literal angel for one member is partly due to his diminished role in the universe, an unfortunate trend that occurs due to many of the characters Morrison has created. His powers include immortality, flight, a sonic scream, and super strength, all of which Makes him a match for the team, much less for his enemies.
9 Blue Beetle ted cord
Created by Charles Wojtkowski and Steve Ditko
The Blue Beetle is one of the oldest mantles in comics, dating back to 1939 when Dan Garrett was under the mask. Ted Cord remains the best of all the Beatles. A brilliant inventor, master detective and skilled fighter, the hero spent most of his existence under Charlton Comics, joining the DCU in 1986. Since then, he has been sought after as one of the sharpest minds in DC, albeit for a combination of reasons. Bringing him to B-lister status – if that.
As a fixture on the Justice League International roster, Ted Kord proved to be an important member of the team, especially when it came to sharing resources like his bug airship. Through his friendship with Booster Gold, he also gave DC one of its greatest superhero partnerships, And his solo series highlighted his skills as a detective and a fighter. Indeed, Blue Beetle is the Batman who prefers a lighter touch to the character, but Cord stands on his own two feet without comparison.
8 big beard
Created by Jack Kirby
The Big Bird made its debut in the pages of Jack Kirby Mr. Miracle series, where she bonds with the titular hero over their shared history on Apokolips. Once a member of Darkseid’s elite group of bodyguard warriors, the Female Furies, she is one of the most skilled fighters to serve in the League. With expertise in all aspects of the New Gods and her experience in battle, the heroine has proven to be a key figure in the Justice League’s fight against evil, particularly Darkseid.
In recent years, Big Bada has been sidelined from the Justice League, no doubt due to how Wonder Woman has made her seem redundant to some writers and readers. In fact, it’s not uncommon for readers to think of her as a knock-off Diana Prince, even though her story differs from that of the Amazon princess. After serving most of his life under Darkseid’s tyrannical rule, Barda’s story is one of overcoming adversity and living a life of love and happiness. Which he does in the suburbs with Scott Free.
7 Orion
Created by Jack Kirby
Orion is the son of Darkseid who, in order to preserve a tenuous peace between Apocypse and New Genesis, was traded to Highfather, who gave his own son to the villain. As a result of his upbringing under the kind leader, Orion swears to protect New Genesis, which he does with all the rage and violence of his father.
Orion is a tragic figure in DC history. Although he survived being raised in Apokolips, he spent most of his life fighting against his own father. Unfortunately, the hero doesn’t spend much time in the League anymore, partly as a result of recent stories casting him as a more nuanced, morally-ambiguous character, whose methods don’t line up with the morals of Superman or Batman.
6 Aztec
Grant Morrison, Mark Miller and N. Created by Steven Harris
Unlike other heroes, Aztec was raised in a life of superheroics by the Q Society from his childhood, A secret society dedicated to the Aztec god Quetzalcoatl, who fought with Tezcatlipoca. This devotion is fruitful in time JLA “World War III” arc, where the Aztecs aided the League in their battle against the evil entity Magedon (Tezcatlipoca).
That’s the real story Having given his life to save the Aztec world, he should be promoted to the top of the league, And its truly unique design makes it even more memorable. His story reflects elements of pulp legend Doc Savage, trained to peak physical condition by the Q Society and using his power suit for justice.
5 Steel
Created by Louise Simonson and John Bogdanov
Steel began life as John Henry Irons, a Metropolis-based engineer who after being rescued Superman assumed the Man of Steel mantle in his wake, before his death. In his next adventure, he is a man of unshakable conscience, driven by a sense of duty to his fellow citizens. He’s also a talented inventor, creating high-tech super-suits that allow him to go toe-to-toe with the world’s biggest bad guys.
Of all the possible Superman successors, Steel stood out as the only one who did not claim to be the true Kal-El, but rather an ordinary citizen motivated by duty. Indeed, he was such a selfless, worthy hero that Lois questioned for a moment whether perhaps he embodied the spirit of her fallen love. Since his creation, Irons has proven himself a valuable ally to both the Man of Steel and the Justice League, Represents the values of ingenuity, hard work and civic duty.
4 Red Tornado
Produced by Gardner Fox and Dick Dillin
Red Tornado started out as a parody of superheroes and was the original figure of Mother Hunkle during the Golden Age. Later, however, he was reunited with an android possessed by the Tornado Champion, though it had changed over the years. Able to create tornadoes with his body, The hero is also gifted with super-intelligence due to his artificial brain.
Red Tornado has one of the most interesting stories in the DC Universe, with 2006 Justice League The series explores his inner love and humanity as he builds a family and finds a human host. The character who helped inspire Marvel’s vision, this underrated DC hero hasn’t had the same success as his counterpart despite having a truly incredible origin story.
Red Tornado is voiced by Powers Boothe in Justice League Unlimited and Jason J. Lewis in Justice League Action.
3 they live
Created by Gerry Conway and Bob Ockner
In the history of the Justice League, few characters have been undervalued relative to their power level like Vixen, who can take on the powers of any creature in the animal kingdom, whether native to Earth or not. Empowered by the Tantu totem, Marie McCabe began as a model who, by night, fought crime, especially those affecting the animal kingdom, such as illegal hunting. McCabe is often portrayed as a more reluctant hero, but his powers have proven key in several stories.
Vixen is especially underrated when it comes to exploring her powers and their full potential. Whereas many creators have already explored clichéd abilities like the strength of a rhinoceros or the speed of a cheetah, He can be so much more, especially if the makers explore the weirder side of the animal world.
2 Tomorrow is a woman
Created by Grant Morrison and Howard Porter
In a story that reads like a love letter to the work of Isaac Asimov, JLA “Woman of Tomorrow” #5 by Morrison, Porter, John Dell, Pat Garrahy and Ken Lopez Evil scientist Dr. Following the creation of an android superhero by TO Morrow and Professor Ivo. Designed to infiltrate and destroy the League from within, the character was programmed to think of himself as a hero, completely oblivious to his true purpose. Although the villain’s programming eliminates the idea of freedom, the hero sacrifices himself at the last minute, ensuring that the destructive machine within him cannot harm his new friends.
Tomorrow may not have had as many appearances as other members of the Women’s League, but her sacrifice for the team has secured her a place in the League graveyard. The character represents a deep desire for freedom Of all the sentient beings, and that alone warrants him a place as one of the most underrated heroes of the team. Due to his limited presence, it is understandable that he is not talked about often.
1 Martian Manhunter
Created by Joseph Samachson and Joe Certa
Martian Manhunter has been a member of the Justice League since its inception and Was one of the heroes who helped defeat Staro. With an array of powers that include invisibility, super strength, shape-shifting, heat vision and telepathy, he is arguably as powerful – if not more so – than Superman. His civilian life as a detective shows that he is more than just his powers, as his character combines aspects of Batman and Man of Steel.
when Justice League The cartoon renewed interest in Martian Manhunter for a new generation, but when it came to comics, he never achieved the success of his peers. In fact, he hasn’t starred in his own monthly ongoing title since the 1990s. While most fans love Batman and Superman, Jon Jones has an equally sad story. The last survivor of his world, the hero chooses to exist as a stranger among humanity, maintaining his green alien form while fighting evil. Despite how the hero helped in the Silver Age, he never caught up with the other Justice League characters – but his story is every bit as compelling.