Beyond The Famous Faces
Batman gets all the glory. Superman steals the show. Meanwhile, dozens of brilliant characters languish in obscurity, waiting for readers to finally discover them. The beauty of comics lies not just in their icons but also in their plethora of oddities. So, here are 20 characters that actually deserve their moment in the spotlight. How many have you heard of?
Animal Man: Animal Priorities by DC Kids
1. Ragman
The Suit of Souls isn't just for show. It grants Rory Regan powers from the wicked he's defeated. Created in 1976 by Robert Kanigher, this Jewish vigilante patrols Gotham's poorest neighborhoods while seeking redemption for trapped souls. His mystical rags illuminate dark corners where Batman rarely treads.
Ragman - All Powers from Arrow by All Powers Explained
2. The Creeper
Jack Ryder changed after a scientist's serum and a strange device healed his wounds. The maniacal laugh accompanying his crime-fighting often scares criminals before his superhuman strength even comes into play. His iconic yellow skin, green hair, and red fur appeared in 1968, courtesy of Steve Ditko.
Jack Ryder becomes Creeper by Batman 1
3. Black Orchid
Mysterious and elusive, this violet-clad heroine has died and been reborn multiple times. Her amazing shapeshifting abilities and plant-based powers reached new depths when Neil Gaiman reimagined her origin in 1988. Few adversaries know they're facing a sentient plant-human hybrid until it's far too late.
Black Orchid - All Scenes Powers | Justice League Dark (DCAMU) by Explore Wh!te
4. Doctor Mid-Nite
Operating in the darkness where others fumble blindly has been Charles McNider's specialty. When an explosion took his daylight vision, it granted him perfect night sight instead. This character’s medical background makes him the Justice Society's physician. Plus, his owl companion, Hooty, provides both reconnaissance and companionship.
DOCTOR MID-NITE | Matt Wagner & John K Snyder III Reinvent A Golden Age Hero by The Comic Lounge
5. The Question
Vic Sage uses pseudoderm, a mask made from artificial skin, to become the faceless detective who unravels conspiracies. His successor, former detective Renee Montoya, continued the legacy with equal determination. Both incarnations eschewed superpowers, relying instead on martial arts and an uncompromising drive for truth.
Question talks to Superman by Princess Darkseid
6. Animal Man
Buddy Baker can borrow abilities from any creature within his vicinity. Since 1965, this family man has flown like eagles and struck like cobras while fighting misdeeds. Grant Morrison's legendary 1980s run broke the fourth wall, making Buddy aware he existed in a comic book and confronting his own writer.
Animal Man: Animal Priorities by DC Kids
7. Bat-Mite
Worshiping Batman from the fifth dimension hasn't stopped this reality-warping imp from causing trouble. His magical powers can materialize anything imaginable. Despite good intentions, this character’s fanboy antics regularly turn the Dark Knight's serious cases into absurd adventures that test Batman's note-worthy patience.
8. Amethyst
A normal teenage girl discovered her royal heritage in another dimension at thirteen. The magical Gemworld revealed Princess Amethyst's true birthright in 1983, developed by Dan Mishkin. Her coming-of-age stories mix fantasy with adolescent challenges as she wields powerful gemstone magic against the sinister Dark Opal.
DC Nation - Amethyst: Princess of Gemworld - Level 2: Village of the Frogs (full) by DC
9. B'wana Beast
Mike Maxwell gained his extraordinary power to merge animals into powerful hybrids atop Mount Kilimanjaro. An enchanted helmet and elixir enhanced this game warden on introduction. Though his name and early portrayals reflect outdated colonial stereotypes, later reinventions like Freedom Beast helped redeem this bizarre concept.
10. Hourman
Taking the Miraclo pill gives Rex Tyler exactly sixty minutes of superhuman strength. This amazing work by Ken Fitch is a living example of Golden Age ingenuity with a built-in time limit. The pharmaceutical chemist carefully tracks his hour of power with his signature hourglass, fighting alongside the Justice Society.
McFarlane Toys DC Multiverse Review: Hourman | Asoka The Geek by Asoka The Geek
11. Funky Flashman
It was Stan Lee who inspired this shameless huckster by Jack Kirby. His outrageous schemes and theatrical personality render him more amusing than threatening. In spite of lacking superpowers, Funky's gift of gab and flamboyant style has earned him a cult following as DC's most entertaining industry parody.
Scott Reads Comics Episode 135: Who’s Who (DC Universe) 9 by Scott Pyle
12. Danny The Street
Who would imagine a sentient, teleporting street could become a beloved character? Danny would decorate himself with traditionally feminine establishments to express his drag queen nature. Besides, he communicates through window signs and typewriters while providing sanctuary for society's outcasts. He was first introduced in Doom Patrol.
Scott Reads Comics Episode 135: Who’s Who (DC Universe) 9 by Scott Pyle
13. Ambush Bug
Fourth-wall-breaking predates Deadpool with Irwin Schwab's green-suited antics. This delusional nobody has tormented Superman and confused readers with meta-commentary. Ambush Bug literally teleports through DC continuity, pointing out absurdities and regularly addressing readers directly.
Ambush Bug - Teleportation Power Breakdown by All Powers Breakdown
14. Legion Of Substitute Heroes
Rejected by the Legion of Super-Heroes, these determined teens formed their own team. Interestingly, Color Kid can change object colors, while Stone Boy becomes immobile when changed. Their distinctive weakness? Powers were deemed "too useless" for proper heroics in 1963. Still, their determination makes them endearing underdogs.
Legion of Substitute Heroes #1 Builds Up A Story Then Quits by Son of Capwolf
15. Knight
Cyril Sheldrake carries on his father's legacy as Britain's greatest non-powered hero. Initially appearing in 1950, our aristocratic crime-fighter uses medieval-themed weaponry alongside his squire. Batman Incorporated later brought this international vigilante to prominence, though his long history of protecting England predates the Dark Knight's global expansion.
Batman The Knight Review | Chip Zdarsky by TheComicBookReport
16. Ten-Eyed Man
Visual organs relocated to his fingertips made Philip Reardon uniquely vulnerable. Since 1970, Batman has been able to easily defeat him by tricking him into grabbing cactus spines. He’s a great example of how camp and charm often go hand-in-hand in superhero lore.
Batman vs ten eye man by Hunter warrior
17. The Heckler
Let’s talk about Lex Luthor's henchmen. He once fled when this loudmouth vigilante arrived—not from fear but sheer annoyance. Stuart Moseley uses psychological warfare through nonstop mockery, delivering insults that distract criminals from their schemes. This short-lived figure brings surreal humor to Gotham's grittiness.
18. Zebra-Man
Magnetic powers and hypnotic black-and-white striped skin define Jake Baker. An accident with his "Diamagnetism" experiments in 1960 was a turning point for Zebra-Man, who started as a one-off Batman villain. His unique visual design and scientific background have made him a fan-favorite obscurity.
Zebra Batman vs Zebra-Man Custom Batman Rogue Multiverse Action Figure Review by dHunter's Reviews
19. Anarky
Lonnie Machin became a teenage political radical fighting corruption at just twelve years old. He has challenged Batman's methods with his philosophical stance against hierarchical power. Anarky’s complex moral code and technological brilliance make him a fascinating character who blurs the lines between hero, villain, and revolutionary.
Anarky is a Try-Hard | Beware The Batman by Serum Lake
20. Hawk & Dove
War versus peace is rigged in these superpowered siblings. Don Hall (Dove) represented passive resistance, while Hank (Hawk) favored aggressive action. Their 1968 debut in Vietnam explored political tensions through superheroics. After Don's death, Dawn Granger assumed the Dove mantle, adding romantic tension.
Batman:Hawk:Dove Team Up by Batman The Brave And The Bold Rocks
