Comic books are filled with characters who can fly, shoot lasers from their eyes, and even warp reality. Comics are also filled with journalists, photographers, playboy billionaires, and, of course, musicians. Lucifer is a supernaturally gifted pianist, Dazzler can produce one of the greatest concerts of all time, and alternate versions of characters like Mary Jane Watson and Black Canary were popular singers and guitarists in other universes.
Some of the most popular heroes and villains from DC, Marvel, and beyond are musically gifted, and some use those gifts for both the stage and the battlefield. Though entertaining, some comic book musicians are dangerous and turn their musical talents into destructive forces.
10 Josie and the Pussycat Dolls From Archie Comics
Josie McCoy first appeared in the Archie's Pals 'n' Gals comic series. Melody was later introduced in Josie's solo series, She's Josie, with Valerie joining the band in Josie and the Pussycats #45. The trio has been involved in some of the greatest classic Archie comics like Afterlife with Archie, where the trio were transformed into vampires.
The band, like most Archie Comics characters, gained a resurgence of popularity with the release of the Riverdale TV series. The trio has become one of the staples of Archie Comics and Riverdale-related media, and in 2016, Josie and the Pussycats received a new comic series written by Marguerite Bennett.
9 Pied Piper Used Music To Hypnotize Others
From an early age, Hartley Rathaway required the use of devices to hear sounds. Hartley grew obsessed with the scientific workings of sound and vibrations and developed a flute that could emit various types of sonic vibrations. Sadly, he turned to a life of crime by hypnotizing others and calling himself the Pied Piper.
He first appeared in The Flash #106 and became one of Barry Allen's main antagonists. In intense battles, Hartley used his flute to create destructive sonic explosions. After Barry Allen died during the events of Crisis on Infinite Earths, Hartley abandoned his Pied Piper persona and eventually formed a friendship with the new Flash, Wally West.
8 The Wicked + The Divine's Amaterasu Was An Alluring Star
The Wicked + The Divine was a comic book series that combined god pantheons and pop music. Twelve regular human beings discovered they were reincarnated deities that possessed incredible powers. Many of the gods used these powers to become celebrities. One of the most popular gods was Amaterasu, the goddess of the sun and the universe.
Amaterasu used her talents to become a successful pop star. She was rumored to be one of the most powerful gods, which made her one of the most dangerous. While performing, she radiated an alluring, sun-like aura that made the audience fall in love with her.
7 Black Canary Was A Singer In DC Bombshells
There have been several characters in DC Comics who've used the title of Black Canary. Dinah Drake was the original Black Canary of the Golden Age, then Dinah Laurel Lance took up the role in the Bronze Age. Just about every iteration of Black Canary was a skilled fighter who possessed the power to release destructive sonic screams.
Most Black Canaries used this ability solely against criminals, while some used their vocal talents in other ways. The Dinah Lance of the DC Bombshells universe was an adventurer and singer. She traveled the States, performing for American troops during an alternate version of World War II.
6 Rhapsody's Music Can Warp Minds
Rachel Argosy, aka Rhapsody, was a teacher who first appeared in X-Factor #79. Rachel's latent mutant gene manifested later than most, turning her into a mutant when she was an adult. After her hair and skin turned blue, the school board fired her, not wanting to be associated with a mutant.
Her mutant gene gave her the power to fly and manipulate the minds of others. The first time she attempted to use her power, she essentially melted a man's mind. Since then, she's controlled her powers through the use of her violin. With precise mastery, she can completely control people's perceptions of reality.
5 Mary Jane Watson & Gwen Stacy Started A Band In Another Universe
In the reality of Earth-65, Gwen Stacy became Spider-Woman, aka Spider-Gwen. Beyond that, Gwen and the Mary Jane of this universe created a band called the Mary Janes, along with Betty Brant and Glory Grant. Gwen was the drummer while MJ was the lead guitarist and vocalist.
MJ was solely dedicated to the success of the band. Her passion made her intense and very demanding of her bandmates. The integrity of the band was tested after Mary Jane discovered Gwen was secretly Spider-Woman. Their friendship was tested even further after Mary Jane bonded to the Carnage symbiote.
4 Music Is A Huge Part Of Scott Pilgrim's World
Scott Pilgrim is an extremely popular comic book character, especially after the release of the film adaptation, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World. Scott Pilgrim is the bass guitarist for the band, Sex Bob-Omb, who first appeared in Scott Pilgrim's Precious Little Life in 2004.
The story was followed up with five sequels. The six volumes follow Scott's life as he navigates jobs, music, romance, and battles the evil exes of the girl he loves. Much of Scott's life and loves revolve around music. Scott plays the guitar on many covers illustrated by character creator Bryan Lee O'Malley. Much of the comic art was directly recreated for the film's promotional posters.
3 Vanya Hargreeves Brought The Apocalypse In Umbrella Academy
Vanya, along with six other children born at the exact same time, was adopted by Sir Reginald Hargreeves and raised to become superheroes as a part of the Umbrella Academy. For most of her life, Vanya displayed no superpowers, while her siblings could speak with the dead, travel through time, and more.
Instead of fighting crime, Vanya developed skills as a violinist. Through her music, she summoned her latent powers, becoming "The White Violin." Using her violin as her focus, Vanya could create waves of destructive force. This power destroyed the moon and brought a piece of it hurtling towards the planet, ultimately causing an apocalypse.
2 DC's Lucifer Is A Supernaturally Gifted Pianist
Lucifer was created by Neil Gaiman, Sam Kieth, and Mike Dringenberg, and first appeared in Sandman #4 in 1989. Since then, Lucifer has appeared in many DC Comics titles. At the height of his power, Lucifer is a god-like being who possesses knowledge of the creation of the universe and can manipulate reality.
He takes pleasure in being the center of attention, so naturally gravitates toward music and the ability to entertain a crowd. Lucifer has shown off his musical talents in many comics. He admired the "Doomed Piano" in Lucifer vol. 3 #16, he played for a small audience in Neil Gaiman's Lucifer #10, and he took song requests during Sandman: The Kindly Ones.
1 The Dazzler Is Marvel's Most Popular Performer
Alison Blaire, known as Dazzler, first appeared in X-Men #130 in 1980. Pop and rock dominated the music industry in the '80s and the Dazzler was the perfect new comic book character of that era. Just one year after her debut, Dazzler received her own comic book series that lasted four years. The series explored her origins and followed her journey to becoming a pop star.
Dazzler's mutant abilities seem tailor-made for the stage. Dazzler can manipulate sound waves and light, creating all manner of musical notes and lighting effects. She can even use her powers to create energy shields and powerful blasts of energy, but she mainly uses her light and sound manipulations for her performances.