The DC comic book universe is a massive space of fiction that features some of history’s most famous and magnificent comic book characters. With greats like Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman, there is no question why the DC empire has lasted over seventy-five years. DC Comics has consistently raised the bar for comic books, publishing over fifty titles continuously and expanding its universe with animation and live-action films.
As the DC universe expanded, the number of characters that made up the universe increased, and so did the types of characters that were created. Not only have DC fostered heroes and villains, but the gray anti-heroes who go the extra mile to get the job done. Anti-heroes are not so bright but not wholly dark members of the DC universe that come in all shapes and sizes. Here are some of the strongest anti-heroes in the DC universe.
8Red Hood
Taken Down Several Assassins Simultaneously
There have been a number of robins who serve as Batman’s partners, but not all who rose to the occasion found a happy ending. Jason Todd was the second Robin to join Batman and found his end at the hands of the Joker. But thanks to some meddling by the League of Assassins and the Lazurus pit, Jason found himself back in the flesh with a new lease on lifeas the Red Hood. Trained by Batman and the League, Jason Todd returned to the streets of Gotham and implemented his own brand of Justice, bringing the most prominent crime lords to their knees in just a single night.
7Azrael
Beaten Batman In Combat
John Paul Valley is the original Azrael. He was a mentally unstable man trained and experimented upon by a secret cult that used him as an assassin to take out threats to their cause. It wasn’t until he clashed with Batman that Azrael found a new path in protecting Gotham City instead of harming it.
Not only has John patrolled the city as Azral, but he also served asthe Batmanfor a time after Bane injured the original. The experiments Azrael underwent enhanced his strength, speed, and reflexes, making him more relatable to a super soldier than an average vigilante. Azrael faced some of Batman’s most treacherous villains, like Bane, and came out the victor, making him one of the strongest members of the Bat Family.
6Etrigan
Sired By Trigon
Etrigan has a long history in the DC universe and is the primordial demon placed inside a human host by Merlin, the Wizard. Hundreds of years old, Etrigan has always been on opposing sides when it comes to evil, but now bound to a host, he lacks the freedom to do anything else. As a demon, Etrigan is gifted with all the virtues and vices of his race, from inhuman strength, speed, and durability to the control of hellfire and magic. There are not many that can stand before the demon Etrigan and have the hairs on the back of their necks stand up.
5Frankenstein
Took Down Kevin Kho
Frankenstein is a character that has begun to show up much more in the DC universe, having multiple appearances in the recent publication of comics starting from DC Rebirth and appearing in the recent animated film where he leads the Creature Commandos. Frankenstein is the monster created by the ambitious Doctor Frankenstein and is the personification of man-made life. Gifted with unstoppable strength and immortality, Frankenstein travels throughout dimensions to face off against diabolical threats.
4Constantine
Conquered The Helmet Of Dr. Fate
John Constantineis one of the most infamous individuals in DC Comics who finds himself on various sides of right and wrong depending on how they favor his interest.
As a master of the mystic arts, John mingles with interdimensional beings, lords of hell, and intergalactic gods on the daily due to his nefarious personality and questionable morals. However, when the right lives are on the line, or the balance is in jeopardy, John always finds himself back on the right path, if only temporarily.
3Black Adam
Wields The Strength Of Hercules
Black Adam is the blueprint for anti-heroes as he possesses all the tools to be one of the greatest heroes to ever live, but past trauma and an inflated ego hold him back from achieving his full potential. Chosen to wield the power of Shazam,Black Adamwas the savior of Kadaq. Unfortunately, Black Adam’s power corrupted his pure heart, and he grew spiteful of those who wronged his people. This negative trait followed him into his second life in the modern age when he found himself more often on the opposing side of the Justice League rather than fighting alongside them. However, there are moments where Black Adam can peel back the tyrannical ruler persona and find himself helping those who can not help themselves.
2Lobo
Fought One On One With Superman
Lobo erupted onto the scene in DC Comics as one of the most drastically different characters the publisher had ever created. As the last living member of his own race, whom he killed with his own hands, Lobo patrols the stars as an intergalactic bounty hunter.
Claiming any names that offer a decent payday, Lobo goes all in as a near-immortal, super-strong main man who does what he wants when he wants. His polarizing personality makes him offputting to most stand-up heroes in the DC universe, and while Lobo might bump heads with a few capes occasionally, he doesn’t align himself with the ordinary crowd of villains.
1The Spectre
Fought The Entire Justice League
The Spectre may not be just one of the strongest anti-heroes in the DC Universe; he may also be one of the strongest beings, period. The Spectre acts as the embodiment of God’s vengeance, seeking out ne’er-du-wells to dish out righteous justice. With near-limitless power and strength, it takes a combined effort for the Spectre to be subdued, but he has never been beaten. The only drawback known about the Spectre is his need for a human host. Over the years, he had many hosts, some of whom weremembers of the Justice League, such as Green Lantern, Green Arrow, and Martian Manhunter.
