The Most Powerful DC Characters have a lot of the same characters from our list of The Most Popular Superheroes of All Time, but with a few new characters added in!
We’ve already done a Fastest DC Characters of All Time list, so the logical step was to continue in that trajectory and do a Most Popular list.
DC, like Marvel, (I never thought those two would be in the same sentence) has an amazing roster of characters and a multiverse to boot. That means that there are multiple versions of each hero across each earth and reality.
So, yeah – we have the pick of the litter.
The DC Multiverse has a lot of heroes that could claim to be the most powerful among them. I searched across several websites and there was very little consensus as to who the most powerful characters were, except for a few famous characters who many of us are familiar with like Superman, Wonder Woman, etc. What is common among the websites though is the fact that many of the Leaguers in the JLA are present, and there are some mystical beings among the Top 10.
If you want to delve even deeper into more superhero workouts available in SHJ, I highly recommend checking out Jump Rope Workouts Inspired by Superheroes. You can also check out our Justice League Character Quiz to find out which character you should train as.
If you like listicles like this one, here are a few more I think you might like:
- The Most Powerful DC Titans Characters
- The Richest Comic Book Superheroes of All Time
- Top Ten Most Powerful Superheroes of All Time
Of course, we’ve also done a handful of “Most Powerful” and “Most Popular” for other anime and comics so if you’d like to check those out you can visit our other listicles here.
For this one, I scoured the internet for help and almost every single listicle has a different take on who The Most Popular DC Characters are so what I decided to do was compile ALL of them together and place each character in the slot they averaged most and then increasing the length of the normal runner-up slots I normally do in no specific order.
As always, leave your comments below if you were expecting other characters!
MOST POPULAR DC CHARACTERS OF ALL TIME
Number Twenty: Robin (Damian Wayne)
Affiliation: Teen Titans
Hero or Villain: Hero
At number twenty in our list of most popular DC characters of all time is the protege and blood son of Bruce Wayne and Talia al Ghul, Damian Wayne aka Robin!
Robin is a formidable opponent and a superb martial artist. He still has a long way to go to be as skilled as his father, but being trained by the League of Assassins has certainly been a step in the right direction. Damian grew up under the tutelage of Ra’s al Ghul and is well-versed in many martial arts and hand-to-hand combat.
What makes him popular is his rivalry with Nightwing, always trying to see who’s the better Robin, and also his relationship with the rest of the Titans. He may seem cold, but he does care and is considerate of his teammates’ feelings, particularly with Raven, whom he recognizes also is facing the darkness within.
Robin at SHJ:
Robin Inspired Workout Routine
Number Nineteen: Starfire
Affiliation: Teen Titans
Hero or Villain: Hero
Coming in at number nineteen in our list of most popular DC characters is the princess of Tamaran, and Nightwing’s former flame, Starfire!
Starfire is part of the Royal Family on the planet Tamaran. Their species has the ability to shoot pink energy blasts from her fists and learn any language from mouth-to-mouth contact. She uses this in a bit of an awkward first encounter with the Teen Titans, back when Dick Grayson was still Robin. Since then, she has developed into a well-rounded hero able to assist both the Justice League and the Teen Titans in any sistuation and serves as one of the Titans’ leaders along with Nightwing.
Stafire at SHJ:
Starfire Inspired Workout Routine
Anna Diop Workout Routine and Diet Plan
Number Eighteen: Black Canary
Affiliation: Justice League
Hero or Villain: Hero
At number eighteen among the most popular DC characters is the protege of Wildcat and the fiance of Green Arrow, Black Canary! Dinah Lance is an expert martial artist and hand-to-hand combatant. This alone already makes her one tough cookie, but add to that she also has a sonic scream and boom – you’ve got one tough femme fatale.
The Canary as she is called by Green Arrow is a member of the Justice League and often goes on missions as part of the covert team instead of the brawlers sent to root out the enemies. She is often chosen by Batman for stealth missions together with Metamorpho and Katana as all their skills complement each other and add to their stealth abilities.
Black Canary at SHJ:
Number Seventeen: Supergirl (Kara Zor-El)
Affiliation: Justice League
Hero or Villain: Hero
At number seventeen in our most popular DC characters of all time is the cousin of Superman, Kara Zor-El, The Girl of Steel! While looking much younger than Superman, Kara is actually the older of the two. However, when she escaped Krypton with Kal she got stuck in the Phantom Zone for years.
By the time she arrived on Earth Kal-El had already grown up and revealed himself as Superman. She has much of the same abilities as Kal-El, however, she is able to use them more effectively than him as she has had years of Kryptonian training that Superman did not have.
Supergirl at SHJ:
Melissa Benoist Workout Routine and Diet
Number Sixteen: John Constantine
Affiliation: Justice League Dark
Hero or Villain: Hero
Number sixteen of our most popular DC characters is the secretive and brooding Master of the Mystic Arts, John Constantine!
Who’s our favorite chain-smoking magician and British ray of sunshine?
Yeah. Definitely not John (at least the bit about being a ray of sunshine). He’s spot on though for being a chain smoker as he’s never seen without a cigarette in his mouth. Regardless, John Constantine is a powerful magic user and is known for being the go-to person whenever magic crimes or happenings are involved. He’s mastered the mystic arts and is versed in all manner of magic and demonology. If you’ve got a demon problem, John’s your man. He’ll make a bloody mess of things, but he’ll get the job done.
John Constantine at SHJ:
Keanu Reeves Workout Routine and Diet Plan
Number Fifteen: Batgirl (Barbara Gordon)
Affiliation: Justice League, Bat Family
Hero or Villain: Hero
Coming in at number fifteen of our most popular DC characters is the original Batgirl, Barbara Gordon!
Before becoming paralyzed from the waist down and adopting the moniker Oracle, Barbara was a promising university student and the daughter of Commissioner Gordon. When she discovers that Bruce Wayne is Batman, she decides to join his crusade against crime and becomes Batgirl!
What makes Batgirl popular aside from being the first female hero in the Bat Family is the fact that she brings more to the table than just her fighting ability. She’s smart and resourceful, and after being paralyzed by the Joker, she takes over the entire strategy and communications of the Bat Team, providing support on missions from either her apartment or the Bat Cave.
Batgirl at SHJ:
Batgirl Inspired Workout Routine
Number Fourteen: Green Lantern (Kyle Rayner)
Affiliation: Justice League
Hero or Villain: Hero
At number fourteen among our most popular DC characters of all time is our second Lantern. Kyle Rayner took over as Green Lantern after the death of Hal Jordan. He was chosen by the ring after Hal died and makes it his goal to live up to the legacy that Hal Jordan left behind. He patrols Sector 2814 together with his fellow human Lanterns, Jon Stewart and Guy Gardner. For a time he was a member of the Justice League in Hal’s absence but later stepped down when Hal was revived in the Green Lantern Rebirth arc.
Later on in his career as a hero, Kyle Rayner became the living embodiment of willpower as the hero known as Ion. He is also one of the most note-worthy wielders of a White Lantern.
Kyle Rayner at SHJ:
Green Lantern Inspired Workout (Hal Jordan)
Ryan Reynolds Workout and Diet Plan (Hal Jordan)
Number Thirteen: Martian Manhunter (J’onn J’onzz)
Affiliation: Justice League
Hero or Villain: Hero
Coming into the top 13 of the most popular DC characters of all time is the Last Son of Mars, J’onn J’onzz, the Martian Manhunter! As a Martian, J’onn has the ability of shape-shifting and is able to use this to become any creature or thing he envisions. Add to that his abilities to become intangible and to read the thoughts of others and you have one of the most powerful heroes in the Justice League. As such, J’onn acts as the coordinator of the JLA’s global missions and deploys heroes and teams where they are needed most.
Martian Manhunter at SHJ:
Number Twelve: Swamp Thing
Affiliation: The Green, Justice League Dark
Hero or Villain: Hero
Coming in at number twelve in our list of most popular DC characters is the guardian of the green, Swamp Thing! Alec Holland was scientist who worked on a bio-restorative formula in the Louisiana Bayou. When terrorists killed his wife and burned him alive, he tried to escape by diving into the river. The combination of the regenerative formula and the surrounding plant life transformed Alec into the protector of the green, Swamp Thing.
Swamp Thing has been a member of Justice League Dark but has largely been out of the spotlight of the hero scene. He only really appears when humans or their activities threaten “The Green”, the collective energies and consciousness of Mother Nature and of the Earth itself. In Brightest Day, Alec Holland is resurrected as the wielder of the White Lantern and reforms into a more powerful omnipresent version of Swamp Thing, being able to split his consciousness and reappear wherever illegal activities threaten the plants of the earth.
Swamp Thing at SHJ:
NO WORKOUT AVAILABLE…YET
Number Eleven: Green Arrow (Oliver Queen)
Affiliation: Justice League
Hero or Villain: Hero
Coming in at number eleven in our most popular DC characters is the Emerald Archer, Green Arrow! Oliver Queen was the carefree son of the owner of Queen Consolidated but after being stranded on an island for five years, he came back with a mission to rid his city of the criminal element with his newfound skills with the bow and arrow and hand-to-hand combat expertise. That’s the version of Green Arrow the CW showcased, and it was masterfully brought to life by Stephen Amell.
What makes Green Arrow popular is the fact that while he’s rich, he’s learned to use his wealth to help people instead of spending his money on extravagant parties and jet-setting across the world. He has also developed enough maturity that he is a committed relationship with Dinah Lance aka Black Canary.
Green Arrow at SHJ:
The Green Arrow Inspired Calisthenics Workout Routine
Stephen Amell Workout and Diet Plan
Number Ten: Aquaman (Arthur Curry)
Affiliation: Justice League
Hero or Villain: Hero
Starting off our Top 10 in our list of most popular DC characters is the King of Atlantis himself, Aquaman!
Arthur Curry is the son of a human and an Atlantean Queen. Because of his lineage, he has all the abilities of an Atlantean, including being able to breathe underwater, traveling at sonic speeds in water, and being able to withstand the pressures of the depths of the seas.
As King of Atlantis, he also has the ability of a kind of telepathy that allows him to communicate with any sea animal and command them to do his bidding. We see this awesome ability in 2018 when Arthur used his ability to call the creatures of the deep to fight against Ocean Master. For me, that was one of the most badass movie moments of that year, and a solid reason why Aquaman is so popular with DC aficionados.
Aquaman at SHJ:
Aquaman Inspired Jump Rope Workout Routine
Jason Momoa Aquaman Workout and Diet
Number Nine: Shazam (Billy Batson)
Affiliation: Justice League
Hero or Villain: Hero
Coming in at number nine on the list of the most popular DC characters of all time is Shazam, the Champion of the Gods!
Shazam is the literal culmination of all the powers of six immortals – Solomon, Hercules, Atlas, Zeus, Achilles, and Mercury. He has the abilities of superhuman strength, speed, stamina, and flight. He is invulnerable to all types of magic attacks and can summon lightning to strike his opponents by uttering the same words he uses to transform from Billy Batson to his alterego, Shazam.
What makes him popular I feel is the fact that despite looking like a grown man, he’s still a 15-year old kid and it shows in the expressions and reactions that he expresses while in his Shazam form.
Shazam at SHJ:
Shazam Inspired Workout Routine
Zachary Levi Workout and Diet Plan
Number Eight: The Flash (Barry Allen)
Affiliation: Justice League
Hero or Villain: Hero
In eighth place in our list of the most popular DC characters, we have our first speedster, Barry Allen aka The Flash! Barry was a CSI who was struck by lightning and gained the ability to move at superhuman speed. He uses this ability to safeguard his city of Central City.
Together with is friends at STAR Labs, he has fought off an impressive roster of villains and has always come out on top eventually, after figuring out a strategy to defeat each foe with the aid of his team. What makes Barry Allen so popular is that he is a hero with a lot of heart. He cares deeply about his city and its people and is willing to go to extremes to protect those he loves.
Barry Allen at SHJ:
Flash Inspired Workout Routine
Grant Gustin Workout and Diet Plan
Number Seven: Catwoman (Selina Kyle)
Affiliation: Bat Family
Hero or Villain: Anti-Hero
In seventh place in our list of most popular DC characters is the femme fatale, Catwoman! As Batman’s love interest and eventual crime-fighting ally, Catwoman has long graced the pages of nearly all Batman titles, from Batman to Birds of Prey, including her own solo series launched in 1993.
What makes Selina Kyle so popular is the fact that while she does look out for number one, she also deeply cares for Bruce, and is willing to forego her plans to help him in his fight. In the recent two-part Batman movie The Long Halloween, Catwoman shows Batman and Harvey Dent where the mobsters are keeping their cash.
Catwoman at SHJ:
Catwoman Inspired Workout Routine
Halle Berry Workout Routine and Diet
Number Six: The Flash (Wally West)
Affiliation: Justice League, Teen Titans
Hero or Villain: Hero
Just missing the top five and coming in at number six among the most popular DC characters of all time is Wally West, The Flash.
Wally took over the mantle of The Flash after Barry Allen got older. In the Flash War arc, as they are traveling through the Speed Force, Barry admits that Wally has finally surpassed him and become the fastest man alive. Wally has studied the speed force extensively and has thus been able to unlock more abilities than Barry Allen ever did. This has resulted in his improved capability to harness the speed force.
Wally West at SHJ:
Number Five: Nightwing (Dick Grayson)
Affiliation: Justice League, Bat Family
Hero or Villain: Hero
Making it to the top five among the most popular DC characters of all time is the original Robin – Dick Grayson!
Dick Grayson was a member of the Flying Graysons, a group of acrobats at a circus that came to Gotham. After his parents’ tragic deaths, he was taken in by Bruce Wayne and became his ward. Bruce trained him to become Robin the Boy Wonder. When he got old enough, Dick left Batman, settled in Bludhaven, and became the hero Nightwing.
What makes Dick so popular is his natural leadership skills in handling the original Teen Titans, and in becoming his own hero with his own style. Not even Batman can come close to the natural acrobatic skills that Dick has, and when Batman is thought to be dead, Dick takes up the mantle of Batman and brings his training full circle.
Nightwing at SHJ:
Nightwing Inspired Workout Routine
Nightwing Inspired Calisthenics Workout
Brenton Thwaites Workout and Diet
Number Four: Green Lantern (Hal Jordan)
Affiliation: Justice League
Hero or Villain: Hero
At number four among the most popular DC characters of all time, we move into the protector of our space sector, Green Lantern!
Hal Jordan is an ace pilot for the US Air Force as well as a member of the Green Lantern Corps, an organization that patrols the different space sectors of the universe and protects each one from local and intergalactic threats. Hal is the first human Green Lantern, and he is considered to be the greatest Green Lantern to have ever lived. What he may lack in brute strength, he makes up for in creativity – channeling his willpower to create energy constructs from his mind using his power ring.
Perhaps what makes him popular is the fact that he’s given up his life for the world several times, and has come back to life. He first died when he saved his city from a nuclear missile. Later, when he was infected with the Yellow Entity Parallax, he was defeated by the remaining Green Lantern Corps and was reborn. For a time, he also served as a host for The Spectre. He’s died multiple times, but how he dies is what makes him so memorable. It’s always in the service of his city or his country or his planet.
Green Lantern at SHJ:
Green Lantern Inspired Workout (Hal Jordan)
Ryan Reynolds Workout and Diet Plan (Hal Jordan)
Number Three: Wonder Woman (Diana Prince)
Affiliation: Justice League
Hero or Villain: Hero
Coming in and making the top three among the most popular DC characters of all time is our final hero in the JLA’s Big Three – The Princess of Themyscira, Wonder Woman!
Wonder Woman is a woman who can hold her own against almost any foe she comes across, thanks to her Olympian armor, lasso of truth, and well, the fact that she’s part-god. Yeah. Diana is the daughter of Hippolyta and Zeus (yeah, the Big Guy) While her feats of strength are a marvel to witness, she places here in our top 3 because she also has a generous spirit – when she’s not helping the JLA, she’s a UN ambassador and a human rights advocate, and she helps in aid missions in struggling nations.
Wonder Woman at SHJ:
Wonder Woman Inspired Calisthenics Workout
Gal Gadot Workout and Diet Plan
Number Two: Superman (Clark Kent/Kal-El)
Affiliation: Justice League
Hero or Villain: Hero
Coming in at number two among the most popular DC characters of all time is The Man of Steel himself, Earth’s protector – Superman!
I should make a point to say: Superman is the physically strongest Justice League member.
I have to clarify that he’s the physically strongest because there are other leaguers like Shazam and Deadman who are strong in the mystic arts and can hold their own against magic foes that Superman can’t. However, Superman is more popular than them simply because he is the most seen by the people of Earth. He doesn’t hide his face under a cowl or a mask or helmet. People find him very trustworthy and rely on him to save them when things go downhill for humanity.
Superman at SHJ:
Superman Inspired Workout Routine
Tyler Hoechlin Workout and Diet Plan
Henry Cavill Workout and Diet Plan
Number One: Batman (Bruce Wayne)
Affiliation: Justice League
Hero or Villain: Hero
Coming in at number one among the most popular DC characters of all time is Batman! I’ll be honest, many websites were 50/50 on who gets the top spot between the World’s Greatest. But in the end, despite Superman’s appeal and general good-guy All-American vibe, Batman takes the cake.
Why you ask? Batman is a mere human among a pantheon of gods. Whereas all the abilities of many of the other heroes are innate, Batman has had to work his body to the bone and go beyond his physical limits to reach the peak of human ability. He has mastered more martial arts than any other hero and is well-versed in the use of virtually every weapon known to man.
Furthermore, he’s the only hero who realizes the danger of the Justice League and has developed contingency plans against each one. The final nail in the coffin? He’s beaten even Superman. Even with all of the Man of Steel’s abilities, Batman’s strategic mind and careful planning have held Superman at bay and even brought him to his knees.
To quote Bruce from The Dark Knight Returns: “I want you to remember, Clark, in all the years to come, in your most private moments, I want you to remember my hand on your throat. I want you to remember – the one man who beat you.”
Would you place Batman at number one or does Superman give him a run for his money?
Who else would you pull from the honorable mentions to bring up to this list?
Batman at SHJ:
Batman Inspired Calisthenics Workout
Christian Bale Workout and Diet
Robert Pattinson Workout and Diet
But I’d also love to hear who YOU think should be on this list!
The Most Popular DC Characters of All Time (Runner Ups):
Don’t forget to comment your thoughts below.
As always, remember that all these routines should be paired with our Nutrition Pillars; and you can even check out our article on The Top Diets Used Among Celebrities as well.
If you want to step it up a notch on top of these workouts then you can also check out our Superhero Academy and Superhuman System as well.
Now get out there and begin unleashing your inner superhuman!
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Until next time,
Timmy
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