The DC Comics Universe has more costumed individuals than you can shake a cosmic rod at. They come in all varieties: superheroes, super-villains, super-pets, and super-janitors. Then there's a group of individuals who fall into a category that is neither hero, villain, nor pet -- assassins.
Even in the brightness of the DCCU, people still need people to kill other people. This is why there are so many assassins for hire that ask for top dollar. Not only for their services but also their dry cleaning bills. It costs a lot to get out blood stains. For a better idea of these hired killers, here are the 10 of the best DC assassins, ranked.
10 Spectre
"Wasn't the Spectre a superhero?" ask older comic book fans while the newer ones ponder, "Who the heck is The Spectre?" When he was introduced in the 1940s, the Spectre was a member of the Justice Society of America, once he took care of the criminals that killed his human vessel -- Jim Corrigan. However, as the Golden Age ended, he became a narrator and someone the heroes released to save another character, an entire planet, or a table at Olive Garden.
When he was brought back in the 70s by Joe Orlando, he became a true spirit of vengeance with a panache for unique deaths. For instance, instead of setting a criminal on fire, he turned him into a candle so he could slowly melt away. In another example, a kid who steals six dollars is drowned in change. In the ultimate punishment, the Spectre subjected someone who littered to watch every episode of Keeping Up with the Kardashians.
9 Red Hood
Poor Jason Todd. He was one of the Robins, destined to spend time learning at the hip of one of the greatest detectives and fighters. Then, the merciless readers of Batman decided to kill him dead. Luckily, thanks to the machinations of the Lazarus Pit and remorseful creators, Jason returned as a slightly off-kilter assassin named Red Hood.
Since then, Jason has waffled between his darker methods and those of his former mentor. For instance, as DC's Rebirth era commenced, he decided to join the Bat Family again. After taking on an assignment to kill the Penguin, he began to walk a darker path. Yet, as is wont by child-like adults such as Jason, he will probably suckle at the teat of the Caped Crusader at some point. Which, to be frank, is a disturbing image on its own.
8 Lady Vic
Lady Elaine Marsh-Morton, known to the common folk at Lady Vic, has one reason to kill people -- to save her posh English estate. Every farthing she makes, either alone or through her connection with various villain teams, is to stop foreclosure on her ancestral home. Even though they want to put a Dave & Busters in its place.
At the beginning of her tenure as mercenary, bounty hunter, assassin, and Minister of Parliament, Lady Vic spent most of her time in Nightwing's adoptive home of Bludhaven. However, as the DC Universe shifted through its numerous crises and time shifts, she expanded her hatred for other heroes. In one extraordinary moment, she jumped out of an airplane without a parachute to capture Black Canary.
7 David Cain
This skilled assassin doesn't have the power to transform his hand into a gun or built-in radar to pinpoint a target. He's just a cold and calculating killer-for-hire who, frankly, is a crummy father. At least to his daughter, Cassandra. His emotionally abusive attitude toward her helped Cassandra become an expert assassin herself.
Yet, though he treated her like poop under his shoe, he treated a young Bruce Wayne like his non-murdering apprentice. While he passed on many of his skills to a pre-Batman Bruce, he decided not to kill him. Okay, he had an urge to kill him, but he watched a lot of Bob Ross to calm him down. Such pretty clouds.
6 Lady Shiva
It's ironic how Batman, a man who took a vow not to kill anyone, spends a lot of time hanging with assassins. In addition to David Cain, the Dark Knight and his "family" have had an on-again, off-again, non-killing relationship with Cain's wife -- Lady Shiva. Bruce is like a person who enjoys positive feedback and intellectual conversations that hangs out with a politician. It makes no sense.
Yet, despite killing others for profit, Shiva was there for Bruce when Bane broke his back. In addition, she helped train Tim Drake when he took his first tentative steps as the newest Robin. Furthermore, she helped Alfred when he appeared on Cupcake Wars.
5 Lobo
DC's Main Man is the baddest bastich in the galaxy. He's got the superhuman powers, the cool space bike, and the skills to kill everyone from Santa Claus to the population of his entire planet. The only thing not going for him is, well ... let's just say he was never visited by the Good Looks Fairy.
That being said, Lobo does have ethics. If your name is not on the contract, you don't get fragged. That is, unless you call him a name or kill one of his precious space dolphins. On the other hand, if it's scrawled on the contract, then you best find a very dark hole to hide in. Don't worry, he'll eventually find you and end your life. So, win-win.
4 Cheshire
Cheshire is just mean. When she was introduced to the comic book public in New Teen Titans #20 (1986), she tells Roy Harper, then known as Speedy, that's he's her baby's daddy. All the while she tries to kill his teammates. Really, that kind of announcement should be saved for Maury.
While Cheshire had a significant role in the Young Justice animated series, she hasn't been seen much in the DCCU. As an assassin who can go toe-to-toe with Lady Shiva, she deserves to return at some point. Perhaps, to honor the death of her daughter's father, she becomes the new Red Arrow. Or, instead of using poison on her nails, she develops a new line of flavored polishes, eventually selling millions of units on QVC.
3 Constantine Drakon
Not every assassin is connected to Batman. Green Arrow has his very own hired killer in the form of Constantine Drakon. This guy is so skilled that he can grab every arrow Ollie sends his way, including the Boxing Glove. The only one he never has a chance with is his Meringue Pie Arrow. Drakon lets that one hit him in the face so he can eat something.
Unlike the others mentioned here, Drakon didn't have a horrible childhood or a traumatic experience when his parents were killed by an alien spacecraft that contained an Amazon princess. He simply wanted to try out professional killing. Once he knew he was good at it, he decided to be a thorn in Green Arrow's side. It doesn't seem like he has any redeeming characteristics, but he does clean up after himself. Thus, he's become a spokesperson for Clorox.
2 Deadshot
And we're back to an assassin introduced in a Batman comic book. Actually, out of all those listed, Deadshot is the oldest, dating back to issue 59 of the first volume of Batman. That would be 1950 -- ancient times to some of you.
Where he was once a paid assassin with impeccable targeting skills, Deadshot has become an anti-hero over the last few decades. His tenure as one of the original members of the Suicide Squad has increased his leadership and teamwork abilities. To the point he's applied for an Assistant Manager's job at Bass Pro Shops. He keeps getting turned down because he wants to shoot the fish.
1 Deathstroke
There was no doubt Deathstroke would be number one on this list. Not only does he have the best skills among DC's assassins but he's also hilarious. Especially in his movies. He just cracks everyone up. Wait, that's Wade Wilson? Deathstroke is Slade Wilson? Oh, he's okay, too.
Deathstroke is the best of both worlds. He will take on most jobs for money, including capturing and/or killing members of the Teen Titans. Yet, he'll also team up with heroes if he thinks something is too amoral. He's definitely swayed between the two over the last few decades. Maybe it's time for him to settle down and answer the most important question. Are he and Travis Morgan, the Warlord, related?