Since Superman first graced the pages of 1938's Action Comics #1 by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, the publisher has showcased an impressive roster of heroes. DC characters also showcased great leadership after the creation of the universe's first superhero team in 1941's establishment of the Justice Society of America. From leaders of major teams like the Justice League to lesser known ones like the Outsiders, there is no shortage of great leaders in DC Comics.

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While the various teams have seen their rosters expanded or changed with some heroes killed off, certain leaders rise to the challenge and command their teams through dark times. And with some heroes leading multiple teams at once, their value goes beyond any one team. With 80 years of history, there are too many great leaders in DC to count, but several have defined themselves by their mentorship and dedication to their teams.

10 Barry Allen's Flash Once Led The Original Justice League

Barry Allen as the Flash in his New 52 costume in DC Comics.

When the JLA first formed in the Silver Age comic The Brave and the Bold #28 by Gardner Fox and Mike Sekowsky, the team was led not by Batman or Superman but by Barry Allen's Flash. Not only has the Scarlet Speedster served as a good leader of the JLA, but he also makes a great head of the Flash Family.

Barry's scientific knowledge, his intimate understanding of the Speed Force and his super-speed brain power all make him an invaluable hero. The younger speedsters look up to Barry thanks to his experience and mentorship.

9 Donna Troy Is A Founding Member Of The Teen Titans

Donna Troy AKA Troia and Wonder Girl, sitting sad and alone in DC Comics

The leadership role of most Titans teams usually falls to a Robin. Dick Grayson led the New Teen Titans in the 1980s and Tim Drake's Robin led the New 52 Teen Titans. However, when discussing the most important players in Titans history, Donna Troy must be a part of the conversation.

As Wonder Girl, Donna was one of the founding members of the Teen Titans. When the team reformed after DC Rebirth, Donna stepped up as team leader in the Titans Hunt series. Donna has a commanding, often imposing, presence and a level of dedication that makes her a great leader. Hopefully, Donna will more frequently slot into the role of leader in future books.

8 John Stewart Is The Best Green Lantern To Lead The Corps

John Stewart makes a sword with his Green Lantern willpower

While Hal Jordan is typically cast as the main Green Lantern, he is better served as the "maverick" solo hero. However, John Stewart has proven he has what it takes to lead the Green Lantern Corps in numerous stories, notably Geoff Thorne's Green Lantern series.

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Not only is Stewart a great leader for the Green Lantern Corps, but he has also proven himself to be an invaluable member of the Justice League. And since his ascension to New God status, Stewart is now undeniably the most powerful Green Lantern currently in DC Comics.

7 Dick Grayson's Nightwing Is The Ideal Teen Titans Leader

Nightwing at the Center of the New DC Universe in Dark Crisis

Dick Grayson as Nightwing has proven to be a key figure within the DC universe, especially in the Dark Crisis On Infinite Earths story. Dick works best as the leader of the Teen Titans team, where he acts as a mentor to younger heroes. Dick helped merge original Teen Titans with new members like Cyborg, Raven, and Starfire joining the team in the New Teen Titans era.

Grayson has also led the Bat-Family in Bruce Wayne's absence. He is a great older brother figure to the younger Robins. After Bruce's supposed death after Final Crisis, Dick filled the cape and cowl and became the new Batman.

6 Alan Scott's Green Lantern Is The Best Justice Society Leader

Alan Scott leads Obsidian, Jade and the Justice Society in DC Comics.

One of the JSA's founding members as well as one of the greatest Golden Age heroes, Alan Scott is a great leader. The JSA, as one of DC's most important teams, works best with its original older heroes there to steer the ship, and Scott is the best among them.

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As a father as well as a leader, Alan Scott is one of the many heroes whose mentorship and value extends beyond just super-heroics. In some stories, Alan proves to be a good friend and mentor to the newer Green Lanterns, despite not being an official member of the corps.

5 Martian Manhunter Has Proven Invaluable

Martian Manhunter yells while using his laser eyes in DC Comics.

At various times in the history of the DC universe, J'onn J'onzz, a.k.a. Martian Manhunter has been a source of great leadership. He consistently proves himself a being of wisdom, patience and understanding at the same level of Superman, with whom he has much in common.

With a power set that rivals that of Superman's, a similarly tragic backstory and a solitary nature, J'onn is often seen as one of the more watchful and stoic leaders. In the 1980s, he was one of the most powerful heroes on the Justice League.

4 Wonder Woman Made A Great Leader For The Justice League Dark

Wonder Woman, aka Diana Prince, smashing through the comic book panel

In 2018's excellent series Justice League Dark, Wonder Woman served as the mystical team's leader. While the team often proved dysfunctional, Diana kept them together through the challenges they faced, and made some tough decisions in her leadership role.

While leading the Justice League Dark, Wonder Woman went as far as to risk her life when she did battle with the dark goddess Hecate. From the dysfunctional nature of the team at the start of the book, Diana leads the broken heroes to face unimaginable horrors and come out better for it.

3 Batman Makes A Great Leader But Also Has His Flaws

Spawn and Batman stalk the shadows in the rain

As he has proven in many JLA and Batman stories, the Caped Crusader is notoriously lacking in trust, even of some of his closest friends. Whether it's spying on his friends or devising plans to defeat them, Batman's trust issues and the problems they create are an obstacle for his teams.

Even when leading the Bat-Family, Batman can often come across as cold and distant, sometimes not caring enough until too late. Although Batman could combine his wits and resources to be the best leader, his personality always gets in his way. Regardless, when the chips are down, there's no one else the Justice League would rather have at their side.

2 Black Lightning Provides Great Mentorship For Younger Heroes

black lightning shoots electricity from his hands

Black Lightning, as a recurring leader of the Outsiders, is the leader Batman should be. Black Lightning's alter ego, Jefferson Pierce, works as a high school principal by day, a role that helps inform his mentorship of the younger heroes under his command.

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The Outsiders are a special operations team created by Batman who sometimes commands them. However, Black Lightning has made for a much better long-term leader of the group. His openness and more even-keeled personality makes him a great leader and a trusted confidant.

1 Superman Will Always Be The Best Mentor And Leader In DC

Superman flies and smiles over Smallville

Batman is a strategic thinker and a powerful force for justice, but his trust issues are a major issue for the Justice League. However, Superman is one of the most level-headed heroes around, and serves as a source of inspiration to others.

Superman's symbolism to the other heroes, coupled with his compassion and strength levels, makes him the ideal leader for almost any team. Stories like Kingdom Come by Mark Waid and Alex Ross have showcased the invaluable and irreplaceable role that Superman takes on in the DC universe, rallying the older generation of superheroes to come out of retirement to set better examples for younger, more violent heroes.

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