When people think of the Justice League, they think of the Big Seven. Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Green Lantern, Aquaman, and Martian Manhunter are the A-list, the original team that made the Justice League stars. Since then, many other heroes have joined up, forming a solid B-list of talent. These heroes are often quite powerful, extremely skilled, or both, but haven't reached the heights of the Big Seven.
These members of the Justice League all earned their spots, but some of them are better than others. The best of them can fit seamlessly into the most powerful line-ups, and they are extremely entertaining to boot.
Updated on February 1st, 2023 by David Harth: With the announcement of the new DCU film slate by James Gunn and Peter Safran, DC is on everyone's minds. The most interesting thing about the announced films is how many of them are about B and C-list characters. DC has always showcased lower level characters, especially in the Justice League. The team has been home to plenty of lower tier heroes over the years, including some who will appear in DCU movies.
15 Lobo Made For A Dark Horse Choice For The Justice League
Not every DC character respects authority, something that describes Lobo to a tee. The last Czarnian is known for his no nonsense style of doing thing. Of course, to Lobo, no nonsense means destroying anyone and everything in his path. Lobo has traveled from one end of the universe to the other, spreading his own brand of mayhem, usually targeting the worst beings imaginable.
Lobo doesn't really seem like Justice League material, but he joined the second Justice League team that starred in Justice League of America during DC Rebirth. He was his usual gruff self, but the muscle he brought to the team was exactly what they needed on more than one occasion.
14 Jaime Reyes Took Ted Kord's Place As Blue Beetle In The Justice League International
DC's teen superheroes are the best out there, many of them legacy heroes. Jaime Reyes is the third Blue Beetle, taking over as the Blue Beetle after Ted Kord's death. Unlike Kord, he could use the Blue Scarab, which powered the first Blue Beetle. He rose up the ranks of the superhero community, eventually joining the Justice League International after their post-Blackest Knight return to deal with the resurrected Maxwell Lord.
Reyes's time with the group didn't last long, but he showed the veterans of the team just how good he was. Reyes was unfortunately sidelined when Kord was brought back to life, joining the ranks of DC heroes who can't reach their potential. However, the future look bright for Reyes again.
13 Swamp Thing Is Perfect For The Justice League Dark
Swamp Thing is the guardian of the Green, giving him power like few others. Swamp Thing can control the flora of the world effortlessly, allowing him to both heal the wounds of the natural world and punish humanity for its hubris. Swamp Thing's power is such that he's even been able to defeat Superman in the past, something which many find impossible.
Swamp Thing joined the Justice League Dark and was integral in the battles against both the Upside-Down Man and The Batman Who Laughs. Swamp Thing is known for his patience and thoughtfulness. He's like the flora he protects: ready to outlast the fleeting creatures threatening him, always growing stronger.
12 Supergirl Has Had Several Short Stints With The Justice League
Not many DC heroes are stronger than Superman, but the Justice League has been home to several of them. Supergirl has had a long superhero career, but she's actually rarely been a member of superteams, beyond working with the Superman family. She's known for being a solo hero, but she understands the value of working with others.
Supergirl first joined the Justice League after Prometheus's attack on Star City. She stayed with that team until its end, around the time of the Flashpoint reboot, and went solo throughout the New 52 and DC Rebirth. She'd join Jon Kent's short-lived Justice League during Dark Crisis, fighting to help protect the heroes of the Earth.
11 Black Canary Rose To The Leader Of The Justice League
There are few B-list Justice Leaguers more successful than Black Canary. She joined up with the League in the Silver Age, crossing over from Earth-2 because she fell in love with Green Arrow. Since then, her timeline has been changed several times. She's no longer the same Dinah Lance who fought alongside the Justice Society in the Golden Age, but she's more formidable than ever.
Black Canary has become a League mainstay. She's not as well-known as other members of the team, but she's proven to be just as tough in a fight. Canary's an amazing hand-to-hand combatant, her canary cry giving her a powerful offensive weapon, but most importantly, she's a smart hero. She's even risen to become leader of the Justice League, proving that every B-lister is an A-lister looking for a chance.
10 Big Barda Is The Perfect Muscle
Big Barda has served with the Justice League several times over the years. The former Female Fury was the most feared woman on Apokolips before escaping alongside her future husband, Mister Miracle. Since then, she's battled her former allies and helped the Justice League in their battles against evil whenever they call upon her.
Big Barda is the perfect muscle. She's easily one of the greatest, if not the greatest, hand-to-hand combatants in League history. She's superlatively strong and durable, her Mega-Rod the perfect weapon for her. Big Barda's the type of Leaguer that no one wants to be up against.
9 Ice Was The Heart Of The Justice League International
The Justice League International was basically a team of B-listers, and each of them brought something different to the table. Former Global Guardian Tora Olafsdotter, the superhero known as Ice, was the heart of the team. Ice's earnest sweetness was a breath of fresh air in a group that could be a bit full of itself and sarcastic.
While Ice seemed timid and gentle, she was devastating on the battlefield. Her ice powers gave her a wide range of options, and she stayed with the League for years before her death. An eventual resurrection would bring Ice back, always ready to chill evil.
8 Fire Brought The Heat
Beatriz DaCosta was a former Global Guardian, like her teammate Ice, when she joined the Justice League. The Brazilian hero made an immediate impact on the team. Her fire powers made her dangerous in combat, and her scathing wit made her one of the team's most fun members. Fire's friendship was Ice was a nice touch, as the Fire and Ice team fit well together.
Beyond being a beautiful powerhouse, Fire was also a skilled investigator and spy. She was truly a total package member of the League. Fire didn't suffer the foolishness of her teammates easily and always gave as good as she got.
7 Red Tornado Is The Justice League's Best Tank
The DC Universe is full of great robots, but the Justice League definitely has the best. T.O. Morrow created Red Tornado to destroy the team from within, but something no one expected happened. Red decided the League was worth saving and joined the group. Eventually becoming an air elemental, Red would strive to become more human, while proving even an artificial being could be a real hero.
Red Tornado is a tank. He's super strong and durable, and his tornado powers, supplemented by his status as an air elemental, give him devastating long-range attacks. Torndao has always come in clutch for the League.
6 Vixen Is As Versatile As They Come
There are great animal-themed DC heroes. Many of them have had a home in the League, but few are as great as Vixen. The Tantu totem gave Vixen the ability to tap into the Red and take on the attributes of animals, giving her multiple powers she can call upon. She's even been known to copy the powers of those around her, since humans are animals as well.
Vixen overcame being a part of the Justice League Detroit, the least loved incarnation of the team, and proved that she was one of the best. She's a versatile hero who does as much for people in her civilian life as her heroic one.
5 Hawkman Is The League's Resident Bruiser
Hawkman is a venerable DC hero. The former leader of the Justice Society, his time with the League saw him doing what he did best, which is beating bad guys with his mace. He's a master of various weapons and an aerial combat expert, with his Nth metal harness also giving him super strength and a healing factor.
Hawkman never rose as high in the League as he did in the Justice Society, but he still filled a valuable role. He was the team bruiser, the guy who ran in and beat on whoever was in front of him. Hawkman's been known to surprise foes with his ferocity, teaching them violent lessons.
4 Blue Beetle Was The Closest The JLI Had To A Voice Of Reason
Out of DC's best friendships, Booster Gold and Blue Beetle are legendary. It's what Blue Beetle is most known for, but even before that, he was a great hero. He came to the Justice League as a vigilante in the Batman mold, although he wasn't as intense. A smart, skilled crimefighter, his time with the JLI saw him becoming more and more like his irreverent teammates, but he still acted as the voice of reason more often than not.
Ted Kord's time on the Justice League proved he was more than just a costumed vigilante. Sure, he'd start to get a bit excessive with the goofing around as time went on, but he was also the team's most dependable member, always coming through when they needed him.
3 Mister Miracle Is A Master Of All Trades
Many DC heroes have terrible parents, but Mister Miracle had the worst adoptive father ever. Surviving the worst upbringing imaginable on the planet Apokolips, he escaped with his lover, Big Barda. The two became New Genesis's best duo and would eventually join the Justice League during the JLI years.
Mister Miracle proved one of the team's most skilled members, his unmatched versatility putting him above many others. He may not have flashy powers, but he's strong, fast, well-equipped, and intelligent. Miracle is a master at escaping and can determine how to survive any situation. He can do it all, and he does it better than the big boys.
2 Booster Gold May Seem Ridiculous, But He's Got It Where It Counts
Booster Gold is known for being a buffoon. Starting with his ridiculous name, out-of-control sense of humor, and tendency to screw things up, Booster has been the butt of many jokes over the years. Nearly every hero not named Blue Beetle finds him annoying and expects him to mess things up big time. He's always been among the luckiest Justice Leaguers because no one has ever smacked him too hard.
However, Booster Gold has been able to surprise everyone. Underneath the greed and bluster beats the heart of a hero. Booster's armor gave him multiple offensive options, and his cowardice was as much an affectation as anything else. He's personally saved all space and time more than once, which is saying something.
1 Shazam Takes Being A Powerhouse To The Next Level
Shazam's a hero like few others. Young Billy Batson was blessed by the Wizard Shazam with a multitude of powers and became an amazing hero. Shazam has been a member of the League several times, bringing his unique brand of earnest heroism into every battle. He's a Superman-level powerhouse with the wisdom to back it all up.
Shazam brings so much to the battlefield. He's the type of hero that everyone wants to watch their back. He'll do whatever it takes to win, making any sacrifice to keep his team fighting for another day. Few heroes can keep up with him, including the A-listers.