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When DC Comics launched their Future State line of comics, fans met new heroes and villains who could become mainstays in the DC Universe. From an all-new, all-different approach to the Justice League to an oppressive occupation of Gotham City, fans have exciting stories to look forward to in DC's future.
DC's latest endeavors have indicated that they're ushering in a fresh era of superheroes. From solo comics to team escapades, new heroes are being introduced, and bold stories are being told. While some characters only exist to serve certain narratives, others have demonstrated the potential to become legendary.
10 Fans Can Explore The Folklore In Monkey Prince
Raised by his criminal adoptive parents, Marcus grew up in Gotham City and began to resent heroes after an encounter with Batman. The son of the Monkey King, he soon acquired superhuman abilities of his own thanks to his heritage. With help from his dad's friend, Shifu Pigsy, his dad's friend, Marcus began his journey as the Monkey Prince.
The young hero has already had stories featuring heroes like Batman and Aquaman and has a wealth of storytelling potential. With a wealth of Chinese folklore at the writers' disposal, writers can take Marcus' character in many directions. On top of this, fans should expect more team-ups with other heroes from the DC Universe.
9 Teen Justice Is An Earth-11 Powerhouse Team
Set in Earth-11, Teen Justice is a team of young heroes comprising alternate versions of fan-favorite heroes. Among them is a speedster named Jess Chambers, a non-binary speedster who was introduced during DC's Future State event. With the familiar face, powerful villains, and the mystery surrounding this universe's Raven, their story has proven very engaging.
Teams of young heroes have always been a fan favorite over the years. With the success of the Young Justice TV series and various Teen Titans books and shows, the series has immediate appeal. Earth-11 doesn't get explored that often, presenting a unique opportunity for bold stories and new characters to collide in a familiar setting.
8 Heartless Lives Up To His Name
Introduced as an antagonist to Nightwing, Heartless is a wealthy serial killer who targets the poor and homeless residents of Bludhaven. Having come into a significant amount of wealth after Alfred's passing, the violence prompts Dick Grayson to do even more for the city. However, with Heartless around, things are bound to get more difficult for the hero.
While his progression has been a bit slow, Heartless has proven to be a cunning and ruthless adversary and could very well become one of Nightwing's biggest foes in the future. While Nightwing will undoubtedly put a stop to his villainy, it will be interesting to see how far Heartless is willing to go.
7 Alinta Is Determined To Push Past Her Limits
Previously seen in Future state and formally introduced in Teen Titans Academy, Alinta is a speedster with a troubled past. No stranger to crime, she joined the Teen Titans Academy and clashed with the Suicide Squad, who had previously tried to recruit her.
In Future State, Alinta eventually became The Flash and continued to reject her past. Even in her current adventures, Alinta showed perseverance in the face of every challenge that came her way. Despite her past trauma and the loss of her leg, Alinta was determined to be a hero, pushed herself to new heights, and remained quick to sprint into battle.
6 Duo Introduces A Bold New Story
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When DC announced they were relaunching Milestone, fans anticipated the return of classic characters like Static, Icon, and Rocket. Duo, a new comic from writer Greg Pak and artist Scott Hanna and Khoi Pham, presented a new addition to the Milestone franchise and the Earth-M universe.
Duo follows the stories of Dr. David Kim and Dr. Kelly Vu, whose bodies fuse after a tragic accident. As they learn more about each other and their newfound powers, they set out to discover who's responsible for the accident. Another amazingly diverse addition to the DC/Milestone brand, Duo promises to entertain as Dr. Kim and Dr. Vu navigate their new reality.
5 Red Canary's Identity Has Yet To Be Revealed
Black Canary's character has gone through several changes over the years. However, she's made a name for herself as one of the most fearsome fighters and female heroes in the DC universe. Fighting alongside her lover Green Arrow and her teammates on the Birds of Prey, she's an enduring character with a lot to offer. With all that legacy, anyone taking up the torch has some big shoes to fill.
Red Canary, a new legacy character introduced by Joshua Williamson and Dan Mora, offers lots of story potential. Her true identity remains a mystery, leaving room for creators to experiment with her backstory. While fans have speculated about her true identity, the mystery will make her stories even more intriguing.
4 Dreamer Can Predict Future Events
Much like Ryan Wilder's Batwoman, Dreamer debuted in Supergirl as part of the CW's Arrowverse. During her few appearances in comics, she ended up predicting future events that would lead to Dark Crisis. With her precognitive abilities, her character, and her knowledge, DC fans should expect to see great things from her in the future.
As Dreamer has grown in popularity, even being featured as a skin in Fortnite, there's a lot of room for growth. Her presence has been limited so far, but her powers make her extremely valuable to any team she may join. She may even craft her own destiny as a solo hero. Dreamer's relation to Nura Nal of the Legion of Super-Heroes also lays the foundation for interesting stories, possibly involving time travel.
3 Bolt/White Adam Is Charting A New Legacy
Over the years, Black Adam has become less of a villain. While the new Black Adam movie will explore his power and sometimes brutal nature, the comics depict the character shifting more towards the side of good rather than remaining a villain or anti-hero. With this change comes a new legacy character who can make up for the sins of Adam's past.
Malik White is a descendant of the Kahndaqi king. After the dying Black Adam approached him, Malik was entrusted with his powers and legacy. The young medical student hasn't done much as a hero yet. However, his passion for medicine and his strong stance against injustice will make him a compelling hero going forward.
2 Yara Flor Has Stepped Up As Wonder Girl
Introduced as the new Wonder Woman in Future State, Yara Flor is an interesting addition to the Wonder Woman family. As her potential future already implies, she's capable of great feats and is destined to play a major role in the Justice League and the DC universe.
Now taking the moniker of Wonder Girl, Yora has already crossed paths with the other Amazon heroes. Featured in DC's Trial of the Amazons crossover event, Yora starred alongside iconic characters like Donna Troy, Nubia, and Diana herself. Fans should look forward to more stories exploring her unique heritage and what sets her apart from her Amazonian sisters.
1 Jace Fox Took On The Dark Knight's Mantle
Now officially taking The Dark Knight mantle in the main DC universe, Jace Fox has a lot to prove. Previously seen in Future State, he appeared in the main continuity in The Next Batman: Second Son, written by John Ridley and illustrated by Travel Foreman. In his new series, I Am Batman, with Ridley and artist Oliver Coipel, Jace determined to see what his future held.
While he's still fairly new, Jace has already proven himself to be extremely capable, holding his own on the future Justice League and going up against Sinestro. Jace still has a lot to prove given Bruce Wayne's 83-year history. Nonetheless, with a clear direction from Ridley, fans can expect much more to come from him.