A Fresh Start
Fans have been rejoicing as James Gunn has taken the position of co-head of DC. His past superhero projects have received critical acclaim. Meanwhile, his latest Superman trailer has shattered records in terms of interest and views. There’s plenty to be excited about when it comes to Gunn’s universe, including the many characters he’s confirmed in his slate.
1. Superman
By now, most fans are already eager to see the new interpretations of Big Blue. Harking back to its roots, this Superman is softer and has fellow heroes at his side. He also has an integral relationship with a comic-accurate-looking Lois Lane. Rather than separate Clark and Kal, this version argues that the true character is where those two identities meet.
2. Supergirl
Supergirl is known as Kal-El’s cousin from Krypton, but she often arrives on Earth a little older and a fair bit jaded. This take will focus on the sci-fi roots of Kara-Zor-El and, like most stories, will likely involve her struggles fitting in on Earth.
3. Hawkgirl
Hawkgirl can be a bit complicated, especially since she has the annoying habit of being reincarnated every now and then. Either way, she carries a magic-nullifying mace and has angel-like wings to help her get around. By nature, she’s a bruiser and packs quite the punch.
4. Clayface
Few people were expecting a niche character like Clayface to get his own iteration, and this take will focus on the horror elements of the character. For reference, Clayface often involves an actor who turns to crime and undergoes a terrible accident, giving him the ability to shapeshift into others.
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5. Krypto
Krypto the Superdog has been a staple of the animated universe and comic books alike and is Kal-El’s reliable partner when things get tough. According to his origin, he comes from Krypton to protect Kal and was his household pet back on the planet.
6. The Bride
It turns out DC and monsters have been going hand-in-hand for a while. To be specific, the Bride is a take on Frankenstein’s bride, but in the DC universe, she does her best to fight crime thanks to her super strength.
7. Mr. Terrific
Mr. Terrific is another intelligence-based superhero who may be too good for his own good. In past iterations, we have seen him leading the Justice League and commanding the Watchtower, and he will likely continue to be an ally to Kal-El.
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8. John Stewart
There have been many Green Lanterns in the DC universe, and one of the most consistent is undoubtedly John Stewart. With a military background, John was originally a backup Green Lantern in case anything ever happened to Hal, but he quickly became his own character.
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9. Metamorpho
No one expected to see Metamorpho anytime soon. Rex Mason was originally a contract mercenary, but things took a terrible turn when he got too close to an artifact known as the Orb of Ra. While it did give him powers, it did so at a terrible cost, turning him into a hideous and malformed creature.
10. Damian Wayne
Out of all the Robins, Damian Wayne might be the most interesting, since he is, after all, Batman’s actual son. With Batman and Robin side by side. it's all too easy to explore the father-son dynamic that make their comics so successful.
11. Jenny Sparks
Another unexpected project is The Authority, which is about a team of heroes that will do anything to keep the world safe, even if they have to get brutal – and they often do. One of the mainstays from this team is the leader, Jenny Sparks, who can manipulate lightning and electricity.
12. Hal Jordan
Hal Jordan has always been the staple Green Lantern, but past iterations have muddled the character. Working alongside John Stewart, Hal’s story will focus on his space detective tribulations. As one of the original Green Lanterns, Hal was a pilot who was quickly picked to be a Lantern due to his incredible willpower.
13. Apollo and Midnighter
Other characters who make up The Authority are Apollo and Midnighter, which are essentially opposite aesthetics, with one being Superman-esque while the other is Batman-esque. To make things even more interesting, the two are often portrayed as lovers.
14. Booster Gold
Booster Gold is often used as comic relief since few take him seriously. He’s a time traveler from the future who comes back pretending to be a successful superhero, but in reality, he’s just hoping to get rich.
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15. Lobo
Lobo has often gone toe-to-toe with Superman, but we’ll be seeing him face off against Supergirl instead. He too is an alien, but rather than saving lives, he prefers to hunt bounties, making him quite the complex mercenary.
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16. Swamp Thing
Swamp Thing is on the tragic side of horror, and Alan Moore’s run is considered one of the definitive comic series of our time. For reference, after being dispatched by a jealous rival, Alexander Olsen is left in a swamp to rot, but instead, the nature around him fuses into him and turns him into the protector of the Green.
17. Nightwing
Unlike the other characters on the list, Nightwing isn’t guaranteed but has been hinted at. As the original Robin to Batman, Nightwing has quickly carved out his own name and is an original crimefighter in his own right. With all the skills and tools of Batman, minus the brooding attitude, Grayson always ensures a fun story.
18. John Constantine
Constantine is also unconfirmed but has been hinted at, and he likely works well in Swamp Thing’s story. This is because the two have crossed paths many times in comic books, with Constantine being an occult magician in his own right.
19. Peacemaker
Peacemaker was once a lesser-known character that most readers forgot about, but his popularity has skyrocketed thanks to Gunn. Now, Peacemaker is known as the flawed anti-hero who is willing to do anything to protect America, even when it goes too far.
20. Amanda Waller
Speaking of protecting America, Amanda Waller has proven time and time again that she is willing to push the envelope. As the leader of Task Force X, she has contingency plans for many of the heroes around the world and doesn’t trust anyone. As a regular human, she isn’t the most fun person to lead a series, but as a catalyst to explore the rest of the DC world and characters, she works great.
