Unearthed Gems: The Top Underrated Justice League Members in DC Comics

Highlights

Some members of the Justice League, like Hawkman and Zatanna, have been severely underrated and forgotten by both the League and DC Comics fans.

The characters Elongated Man and Firestorm have faced challenges in staying popular and have seen limited appearances in recent Justice League teams and titles. Similarly, Martian Manhunter, one of the League's original members, has been neglected and ignored in modern iterations of the team, including comic books and other media adaptations.

The Justice League has been featured in DC Comics for decades, with some members being long-standing fixtures while others come and go. Although certain members are adored and appreciated by fans as they deserve, there have been others who have not received the same level of recognition.

Initially introduced in 1960, the first Justice League team paved the way for various alternate teams such as Justice League Dark and Justice League International. Despite the emergence of these other teams, the original Justice League remains one of DC's most enduring comic book series. Nevertheless, there are members throughout the League's history who have been greatly underappreciated, both within the team and by fans of DC Comics.

8 Hawkman

A character with a rich history in DC Comics, the original Hawkman first appeared in 1940, making him one of the longest-running superheroes globally. Multiple individuals have assumed the identity of Hawkman over the years, with some joining various iterations of the Justice League.

Among the different personas, Carter Hall has been the primary version consistently featured throughout DC Comics' history. He has frequently appeared as a member of the main Justice League team. However, it was his counterpart, Hawkgirl, who emerged as a prominent character in the animated series Justice League Unlimited, while Hawkman mainly fulfilled a supportive role. Although the character has had live-action appearances in television shows and held a prominent position as a member of the Justice Society in Black Adam, he has been largely disregarded as a Justice League member for an extended period.

7 Zatanna

Zatanna, a captivating and entertaining character, possesses extraordinary magical abilities and was once a prominent member of the Justice League. Unlike other users of magic in DC Comics, Zatanna's persona exudes a sense of lightness and charm. Despite her recent exclusion and the unfortunate cancellation of her HBO Max movie, Zatanna has managed to maintain her popularity among fans. She has found a more consistent role as a member of the Justice League Dark, a team specializing in combating magical threats. However, it is disheartening that Zatanna has yet to make an appearance in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU). Her presence in the DCU should be reinstated, as she is a character deserving of recognition and exploration.

6 Elongated Man

Ralph Dibny, a character in DC Comics, has often been overlooked and not taken seriously. Though he was once regarded as a noteworthy member of the Justice League, this flexible superhero has recently been relegated to a comedic side role. However, he did make his live-action debut in The Flash TV series.

Regrettably, the Elongated Man has not been portrayed as a prominent member of the Justice League in a serious manner for quite some time. While other characters like Aquaman have been given a more serious and popular makeover in the modern era, the Elongated Man has yet to receive a similar revitalization.

5 Firestorm

Firestorm, a character in DC Comics, has experienced a decline in popularity over the past few decades, joining the ranks of B-list characters. Despite being part of the original Justice League team, Firestorm has faced difficulties in maintaining their own title or gaining membership in major teams. Their appearances in Legends of Tomorrow have been their main source of visibility in recent years.

Typically, Firestorm is depicted as two individuals who can merge to become a hero with nuclear abilities. The character has been captivating, having previously maintained their own comic series for a noteworthy duration of eight years in the previous DC continuity. While Firestorm was the last addition to the original Justice League lineup, they have struggled to regain a spot on the mainstream team for quite some time.

4 The Atom

The Atom, portrayed by Brandon Routh, has been a consistent presence in DC Comics, even without being a part of the Justice League. He made his debut in 1961, coinciding with the start of the original Justice League comic series. Despite his impressive powers and intellect, Palmer has often been overlooked for inclusion in various Justice League teams that would greatly benefit from his unique abilities.

3 Black Canary

The Green Arrow has been a consistent member of various Justice League teams and animated series, often accompanied by Black Canary. However, it is important to acknowledge that Black Canary deserves the chance to shine independently, as she possesses an intriguing power and a captivating character.

While facing formidable threats alongside the League, Black Canary and other non-superpowered characters have proven their worth by utilizing advanced technology. Thus, including her in the Justice League team, alongside individuals like Batman who lack powers, would be a valuable opportunity.

2 Cyborg

A key figure in recent team editions, Cyborg's name speaks for itself; his powers were acquired through experiments conducted by his father to save his life, resulting in him becoming part-man, part-machine. As a result, he has become the Justice League's go-to person for technology-related matters and an invaluable asset in battles.

While Cyborg was a prominent member of the Teen Titans for a significant period, he was introduced as an original Justice League member during the 2011 New 52 reboot of the DC Universe. This led to his inclusion in the 2017 Justice League movie, although many fans are still unfamiliar with Cyborg due to his limited appearances in the DCEU outside the film. Consequently, he has yet to have his own standalone projects.

1 Martian Manhunter

Often overlooked and underestimated, Martian Manhunter is an intriguing member of the Justice League who played a crucial role in its formation. Unlike his fellow founding members who continue to be active in modern iterations of the team, Manhunter has frequently been sidelined.

Hailing from Mars, Martian Manhunter has a tragic background intertwined with the enslavement of his people by the ruthless White Martians. Despite having a dedicated fanbase and captivating audiences with his brief appearances in the DCEU, as well as more extensive storylines in shows such as Smallville and Supergirl, he rarely receives his own standalone comic series and is unfairly excluded from contemporary Justice League rosters.