DC's heroes are known for being some of the most powerful in comics. They are the paragons of heroism, their epic power levels and unshakeable morality making them the best of the best. Many of DC's greatest heroes debuted in the Golden Age, with the next great generation of DC heroes coming in the Silver Age. Comics have changed a lot since then and one of those changes is power levels.
Some DC heroes started out much weaker than they are today. This growth in power allowed more epic stories to be told and made DC the home of multiverse shaking threats and the heroes who dealt with them.
10 Red Hood Went From The Weakest Robin To One Of The Best Fighters Around
Red Hood may not have superpowers but he's way tougher than he used to be. Jason Todd always had a core of toughness to him, but he wasn't the most skilled Robin and he was rather stubborn as well, so Batman found it hard to train him. Eventually, Jason ended up dead, but after his resurrection at the hands of Talia al Ghul, he grew in skill immensely.
As Red Hood, Jason Todd went from the weakest Robin to being able to beat Batman in a fight. He became one of the most skilled fighters in Gotham City and since returning to the side of good, has made a huge difference in the fight against crime.
9 Stargirl Is More Powerful Than Ever
When teenager Courtney Starsmore found the Star-Spangled Kid's cosmic converter belt in her step-father's stuff, she never imagined how far she would go. Working with said step-father as Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E.S, she'd eventually join the Justice Society and be given the Cosmic Rod by Jack Knight when he retired.
Since then, Stargirl has become one of the most powerful teenage heroes in the DC Universe. While the cosmic converter belt gave her powers, they were nothing compared to what the Cosmic Rod gave her, which made her that much more of a formidable hero.
8 Cyborg's Powers Have Gotten Way Better Over The Years
Cyborg was never a slouch, but he was rather limited in his early days. He was strong and fast, could take a decent amount of damage, and had his white noise cannon. He was an okay tank for the Teen Titans but was actually one of the weaker members of the team. This would change a lot over the years, as he got stronger, tougher, and all-around better.
The biggest increase to his powers came during the New 52 when he was bonded with a Mother Box. This allowed him to control technology, manifest Boom Tubes, and become all-around more powerful in general. Modern Cyborg would easily destroy his earlier self.
7 Zatanna's Power Has Increased For Years
Zatanna is one of DC's most powerful sorcerers, and she made a name for herself as a member of the Justice League in the 1970s. Even back then, though, she wasn't as powerful as she'd become. While her powers are basically the same, she's been allowed to use them in much more powerful ways over the years and she's taken her place as one of the most potent heroes on DC's magic side.
Zatanna is now DC's premiere magic-user. She's fought demons, gods, and supervillains, learning more and more about magic and the limits of her spellcraft. Zatanna's become so much better over the years.
6 Swamp Thing's Powers Are Completely Different
When Swamp Thing first debuted, he was a pretty basic swamp monster. He had super strength and rudimentary control over plant life, but not much more. Alan Moore changed all of that, introducing the concept of the Green and making Swamp Thing its guardian and personification. This was a massive change for the character and made him one of the formidable beings in the DC Universe.
Swamp Thing is pretty much unbeatable. As long as there is plant life, Swamp Thing can keep fighting. He's beaten Superman every time he's encountered him and that's saying something. Swamp Thing's control over plant life is absolute and has made me him into what amounts to a god.
5 Black Canary Has Changed A Lot Since The Golden Age
Black Canary has been around since almost the beginning of the DC Universe. She has been a member of the Justice Society, the Justice League, and the Birds of Prey, and has grown as a character and hero in unprecedented ways over the years. While she was always tough, she's gotten way more formidable and has won some amazing fights over the years.
Black Canary is not only one of DC's greatest martial artists, but she gained a powerful sonic scream as well. As good as she always was, she's gotten way better and is one of the foremost heroes in the DC Universe.
4 Wally West Became The Most Powerful Flash Of Them All
Wally West is considered by many to be the best Flash, but it wasn't always that way. He began his career as Kid Flash and learned the ropes from his uncle, teamed up with his fellow teen heroes in the Teen Titans, and got better and better as a hero. For a time, his powers kept getting weaker and he had to quit the Teen Titans, only returning to try and save Barry during Crisis On Infinite Earths.
Wally became Flash after Barry's death and kept getting more and more powerful. With the discovery of the Speed Force, Wally pulled far ahead of every other Flash ever. He's the fastest Flash and his powers are greater than even his uncle's.
3 Batman Became The Definition Of OP
Batman has long been facing off against the most dangerous villains in Gotham, but other things about him have changed a lot. While he had always been a member of DC's most important teams, it wasn't until recent years that he basically became the most important member of the team. Batman's evolution into Bat-God, master of prep time, was gradual but now there's no turning back.
Batman has always been a massive part of the DC Universe but he hasn't always been the guy who wins every battle with every character he fights, hero or villain. People love Batman but many fans out there kind of roll their eyes at his unbeatable reputation.
2 Wonder Woman Is Much More Powerful Than In The Golden Age
Wonder Woman is another hero who first appeared in the Golden Age and has survived the trials and tribulations of the industry. She's also grown in power since then, as just about every hero who still exists from that time has, but her development is greater than most. She's gotten way stronger, way faster, and way more durable on top of becoming a more formidable combatant.
Wonder Woman is now one of the most important members of the Justice League, whereas in her earliest days she was the Justice Society's secretary. She's so much more than she was back in those days and is second only to Superman in power and prestige in the League.
1 Superman's Power Is Much Greater Than It Was
Superman's powers have always been in flux and nowhere is that more apparent than looking at his beginnings. While Superman was always strong and bulletproof, he didn't have nearly as many powers as he does now and certainly not as many as he had in the Silver Age, when he was at the height of his powers.
Superman's powers have grown in amazing ways over the years. He's gained the power of flight, all of his sensory and vision powers, and the growth of his strength and durability can only be measured in light-years. Golden Age Superman was a kitten compared to his modern self.