Best DC Comics Characters Introduced in the ’90s

Many of the most popular DC Comics characters are now nearly a century old, with Superman and Batman first introduced in the late 1930s. Many core characters have been well-established and continue to dominate the comic book landscape to this day.

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However, a few more recent characters have solidified their status as mainstays in the roster. Some of these characters have even transitioned to live-action adaptations and gained more popularity than the original heroes and villains. The 1990s were an iconic decade marked by grunge music, bucket hats, and Space Jam, during which DC certainly made its mark.

10

Steel

First Appearance: The Adventures of Superman #500 (June 1993)

• Powers: Via Steel Power Armor (Superhuman Strength, Superhuman Durability, Energy Resistance, Scanners)
• Abilities: Genius Level Intellect, Mechanical Engineering, Weaponry, Computer Operation, Computer Hacking, Peak Human Condition

John Henry Irons first gained prominence during the “Death of Superman” arc, where he emerged as one of the contenders seeking to replace the Man of Steel after his apparent demise. Armed with a super-powered suit of armor and a kinetic hammer, Irons aimed to honorably take up the mantle of the fallen hero, unlike some of the other ‘Supermen’ who had more questionable intentions.

Steel eventually became a close ally of Superman and solidified his status as a key member of the Superman Family. He even starred in a live-action movie titled Steel, played by Shaquille O’Neal in 1997. Though the film was poorly received by critics and fans, it showcased the character’s rapid rise in popularity.

9

Azrael

First Appearance: Batman: Sword of Azrael #1 (October 1992)

• Powers: Enhanced Physiology, Superhuman Strength, Superhuman Stamina, Empathy
• Abilities: Hand-to-Hand Combat (Advanced), Swordsmanship, Acrobatics, Genius Level Intellect, Intimidation, Meditation, Medicine

Jean-Paul Valley was the first character to take on the identity of Azrael in DC Comics. He was introduced as a member of the Order of St. Dumas and began working with Batman as a vigilante in Gotham City. In the Knightfall story arc, where Bane famously broke Batman’s back, Azrael was given the responsibility of taking up the cowl in Batman’s absence.

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During this time, he created a more heavily armored Batsuit and used methods to fight crime that were much harsher than those used by Bruce Wayne. When Batman recovered from his injuries, he stripped Azrael of the title of Batman, leading to a confrontation between the two. Following this, Valley descended into madness, suffering from hallucinations and a split personality.

8

Cassandra Cain

First Appearance: Batman #567 (July 1999)

• Abilities: Acrobatics, Artistry, Dancing, Driving, Enhanced Sense of Smell, Investigation, Martial Arts (Dhritishastra, Jujitsu, Muay Thai), Peak Human Condition, Stealth, Tactical Analysis, Precognition, Weaponry (Throwing, Swordsmanship, Stick Fighting)

Batman has had many young heroes serve as his sidekicks over the years, one of whom is Cassandra Cain. She first appeared at the end of the 1990s. Born to assassins David Cain and Lady Shiva, Cassandra was trained from birth to be the perfect assassin. Her training was so intense that it limited her speech, causing her to first understand movement and physicality as her primary language.

Cassandra was later adopted by Batman and became the fourth Batgirl. She eventually adopted the identities of Black Bat and, more recently, Orphan. Cassandra made her live-action debut in the movie Birds of Prey, but her origin story was significantly altered, and she had no connection to Batman. Hopefully, the DC Universe will offer a more accurate portrayal of the character in a future Batman Family movie.

7

Doomsday

First Appearance: Superman: The Man of Steel #17 (November 1992)

• Powers: Unique Physiology (Self-Evolution, Immortality, Invulnerability, Energy Resistance, Energy Absorption, Regeneration, Psionic-Blast, Thermal-Blast, Superhuman Strength, Super-Leaping, Superhuman Stamina, Superhuman Speed, Self-Sustenance, Claws, Venomous and Extendable Claws, Enhanced Senses, Telescopic Vision)
• Abilities: Hand-to-Hand Combat (Advanced), Tactical Analysis

Created many years ago on Krypton, Doomsday is a being driven by pure rage and destruction, with the sole purpose of causing death and devastation. He is best known for being the character who finally killed Superman during the “Death of Superman” storyline, a pivotal moment that shook the comic book world in the 1990s.

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Doomsday possesses a unique ability to never fully die; he becomes immune to whatever killed him previously. As a result, Superman and the rest of the Justice League have battled him multiple times over the years, with each encounter becoming increasingly difficult.

6

Kyle Rayner

First Appearance: Green Lantern (Vol. 3) #48 (January 1994)

• Powers: Via the Green Lantern Ring (Energy Construct Creation, Force Field, Energy Projection, Flight), Reality Alteration
• Abilities: Indomitable Will, Green Lantern Ring Mastery, Artistry, Hand-to-Hand Combat (Advanced), Weaponry, Swordsmanship

The 1990s were a pivotal time for the Green Lanterns. After Hal Jordan, his predecessor, destroyed the Green Lantern Corps in a fit of rage, the last remaining Green Lantern ring was given to Kyle Rayner. He became the sole member of the Corps throughout the 1990s and into the early 2000s.

Rayner is considered one of the greatest Green Lanterns of all time, although he may not be the most famous or popular. He has served as the host for the powerful entities Ion and Parallax and has also taken on the role of the White Lantern.

5

Stargirl

First Appearance: DCU Heroes: Secret Files & Origins #1 (February 1999)

• Powers: Via Cosmic Converter Belt (Enhanced Agility, Enhanced Durability, Enhanced Speed, Enhanced Stamina, Enhanced Strength)
• Abilities: Gymnastics, Kickboxing, Hand-to-Hand Combat (Advanced)

Stargirl is a character associated with the Justice Society of America (JSA), which is the predecessor to the Justice League. Her stepfather was a superhero known as Stripsey, who was the sidekick to the Star-Spangled Kid. One day, she discovered the old equipment belonging to the Star-Spangled Kid.

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She put on the costume and began fighting crime as the second Star-Spangled Kid. Later, she received the Cosmic Staff from Starman and officially became Stargirl. Alongside her stepfather, she fought crime using the S.T.R.I.P.E. armor. Today, Stargirl is perhaps the most famous member of the JSA and was even granted her own live-action series in 2020, titled Stargirl.

4

Impulse

First Appearance: The Flash #91 (June 1994)

• Powers: Speed Force Conduit (Accelerated Healing, Enhanced Senses, Phasing, Speed Force Aura, Superhuman Durability, Superhuman Stamina, Superhuman Speed, Superhuman Agility, Superhuman Reflexes, Vortex Creations, Enhanced Mental Process, Invisibility, Electrokinesis, Speed Scouts, Decelerated Aging, Speed Force Empathy)
• Abilities: Photographic Memory, Multilingualism, Hand-to-Hand Combat (Advanced) (Judo, Firearms, Weaponry, Pressure Points), Criminology, Hypnosis, Mechanical Aptitude

Like many heroes in comic books, those from the 90s also had their fair share of sidekicks. Impulse was introduced as a new ally for the Flash. Bart Allen, the grandson of Barry Allen, traveled to the past to help carry on his family’s legacy.

As a speedster, Impulse possesses the ability to run at incredible speeds along with all the associated powers. This makes him a valuable ally to Young Justice and the Teen Titans. Over time, he eventually adopted the identity of Kid Flash, while Wally West took on the mantle of the Scarlet Speedster.

3

Bane

First Appearance: Batman: Vengeance of Bane #1 (January 1993)

• Powers: Venom Usage: (Superhuman Strength, Peak Human Durability, Peak Human Speed, Superhuman Stamina, Peak Human Reflexes, Accelerated Healing)
• Abilities: Genius Level Intellect (Polymath, Tactical Analysis, Escapology, Multilingualism, Photographic Memory, Martial Arts, Swordsmanship, Meditation)

Bane is notable for being one of the first characters to genuinely defeat Batman, as he famously broke Batman’s back and forced him to retire from his role as the Dark Knight during the Knightfall story arc. Born and raised in Peña Duro, a notorious prison in Santa Prisca, Bane developed an obsession with Batman and Gotham City, even going so far as to uncover Batman’s secret identity.

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Bane is hooked on a steroid called Venom, which significantly boosts his strength. Coupled with his genius intellect, he is able to rival Batman both physically and mentally, making him one of the most compelling villains in Batman’s rogue gallery. Despite being relatively new in the world of comic books, Bane has become a popular character, particularly due to Tom Hardy’s memorable portrayal in Christopher Nolan’s film, The Dark Knight Rises.

2

Superboy

First Appearance: The Adventures of Superman #500 (June 1993)

• Powers: Kryptonian Physiology (Solar Energy Absorption, Heat Vision, Super-Hearing, Enhanced Vision, Electromagnetic Spectrum Vision, Telescopic Vision, X-Ray Vision, Microscopic Vision, Infrared Vision, Flight, Invulnerability, Enhanced Immunity, Superhuman Stamina, Superhuman Strength, Superhuman Speed, Superhuman Agility, Superhuman Reflexes, Super-Breath, Longevity), Tactile Telekinesis (Telekinetic Superhuman Strength, Telekinetic Flight, Telekinetic Force-Field, Telekinetic Force Blasts, Telekinetic Super Hearing)
• Abilities: Hand-to-Hand Combat (Advanced)

Superboy was introduced as a character intended to inherit Superman’s mantle after the events of the “Death of Superman” storyline. He is a genetic clone of both Kal-El (Superman) and Lex Luthor, and he was misled into believing that he was the true Superman, a deception orchestrated by Luthor.

Taking on the name Conner Kent, Superman welcomed him into the family, upon his return, and Conner became his protégé. With powers comparable to those of a Kryptonian, Superboy became a valued member of the Teen Titans and co-founded Young Justice alongside Robin and Impulse.

1

Harley Quinn

First Appearance: Batman: The Animated Series “Joker’s Favor” (September 11, 1992)

• Powers: Toxic Immunity
• Abilities: Acrobatics, Firearms, Swordsmanship, Gymnastics, Hand-to-Hand Combat (Advanced), Indomitable Will, Intimidation, Leadership, Psychiatry, Psychology, Stealth, Pickpocket, Weaponry

Harley Quinn is a unique character in the realm of DC Comics, as she did not originate from the pages of a comic book. Instead, she made her first appearance in the 1992 episode of Batman: The Animated Series. Over time, she evolved into a significant figure in the comic world. Originally named Harleen Quinzel, she was the Joker’s psychiatrist at Arkham Asylum. However, she fell in love with him and became his partner in crime.

For many years, this dynamic remained unchanged. But recently, Harley Quinn has developed into a character in her own right, breaking away from the Joker and embracing a more anti-heroic persona. Margot Robbie’s portrayal of her in the DC Extended Universe (DECU) significantly boosted Harley Quinn’s popularity and propelled her to further stardom.

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