Great heroes need great victories to prove their worth, and luckily DC's roster of protagonists have those in spades. DC Comics created the original icons in superhero comics, starting back in the Golden Age. It's easy to look at the heroes they created all those years ago and see their DNA repeated across the spectrum of superhero media.
Over the decades, DC heroes like Green Arrow, Nightwing, and specially Batman and Superman, picked up some amazing wins against DC's greatest villains that helped define why these heroes are so beloved.
10 Green Arrow
Greatest Victory: Deathstroke In Green Arrow (Vol. 3) #62
Green Arrow is an undeniable icon, setting the stage for the multiple archery themed heroes that came after him. Green Arrow's never really had the deep villain roster that other DC heroes have, so after Identity Crisis teased a new rivalry between him and Deathstroke, fans were excited. Green Arrow had faced dangerous foes, but rarely on the level of Deathstroke.
Green Arrow (Vol. 3) #62, by writer Judd Winick and artist Scott McDaniel, saw the two finally clash. However, Green Arrow was able to out-strategize Deathstroke. He lured the mercenary into a trap, and then beat him in battle, outclassing Deathstroke completely.
9 Aquaman
Greatest Victory: Triton In Aquaman: The Triton Saga
Aquaman spent years after the SuperFriends cartoon as a punchline, but writer Peter David remade the character in the 90s. David's Aquaman showed that he was more than the hero who talked to fish, re-establishing him as an amazing warrior king. David's run is full of great moments, showcasing Aquaman's greatest victory in The Triton Saga, with art by Jim Calafiore.
The son of Poseidon became incensed with Aquaman when the people of Atlantis feared and respected their king more than him. This led to a battle between the two, one that ended with Aquaman killing the god. If anyone doubted his power and skill, this battle silenced them.
8 Barry Allen
Greatest Victory: Destroying Anti-Monitor's Anti-Matter Cannon In Crisis On Infinite Earths #8
Barry Allen is the second Flash. His success heralded the Silver Age expansion of the DC Universe. Barry has many amazing victories in his superheroic career, but only one of them made him into the patron saint of the superhero community.
Captured by the Anti-Monitor during Crisis on Infinite Earths, by writer Marv Wolfman and artist/co-plotter George Pérez, because of his ability to traverse the multiverse, Flash was imprisoned on Qward. In issue #8, he escaped the torments of the Psycho-Pirate, and found Anti-Monitor's anti-matter cannon, destroying it at the cost of his own life.
7 Hal Jordan
Greatest Victory: Defeating Sinestro In Green Lantern (Vol. 4) #25
The Sinestro Corps War is a DC epic, pitting the Green Lanterns against the fear powered Sinestro Corps. Named after their leader, the Sinestro Corps blitzed the Green Lanterns and won some early victories. However, led by Hal Jordan, the Green Lanterns struck back and turned the tide of the war. However, Sinestro's plan culminated in an attack Earth in the story's final chapter, Green Lantern (Vol. 4) #25, by writer Geoff Johns and artists Ivan Reis and Ethan Van Sciver.
As the combined forces of Earth's heroes and the Green Lanterns battled the Sinestro Corps, Hal found himself face-to-face with Sinestro. With both of their rings out of charge, they fought tooth and nail, with Hal beating his long time foe. Hal proved he didn't need a ring to beat the person who taught him everything.
6 Harley Quinn
Greatest Victory: Escaping The Trinity In Heroes In Crisis #2
Harley Quinn's best DC adventures have seen her do amazing things, but none of them stack up to what happened in Heroes in Crisis #2, by writer Tom King and artist Clay Mann. Wanted for questioning over the murders at the superhero psychiatric center Sanctuary, she found herself facing off against the Trinity of Superman, Wonder Woman, and Batman. Then the unthinkable happened.
Harley escaped the three greatest heroes on Earth, using her brains and skill to keep them from getting her. She didn't actually beat any of them in battle, but the fact that she escaped at all was amazing. It's a feat that few, especially those without powers, have ever pulled off.
5 Nightwing
Greatest Victory: Defeating Deathstroke And The Great Darkness In Dark Crisis On Infinite Earths #7
Nightwing's legendary heroics were tested in Dark Crisis On Infinite Earths #7, by writer Josh Williamson and artists Daniel Sampere, Jack Herbert, Giuseppe Camuncoli, Cam Smith, and Rafa Sandoval. Nightwing found himself face to face with Deathstroke with all existence on the line.
This wasn't the Deathstroke he'd defeated so often, but one empowered by the Great Darkness. Nightwing only had the light of his own soul as a weapon, but that proved to be enough. He was able to defeat his old foe and save the multiverse.
4 Wally West
Greatest Victory: Reverse Flash In The Flash: The Return Of Barry Allen
In The Flash: The Return of Barry Allen, by writer Mark Waid and artist Greg LaRocque, Wally West and the world thought Barry Allen had returned. However, this new Barry became evil, but he was actually none other than the Reverse Flash.
Wally had been struggling with his weakened speed powers and was outclassed by the villain. Training with Jay Garrick, Max Mercury, and Johnny Quick, Wally learned about the Speed Force, finally kicking his powers back to high gear. He then defeated his uncle's greatest enemy, proving that he deserved his place as the Flash once and for all.
3 Wonder Woman
Greatest Victory: Ares In Wonder Woman (Vol. 2) #6
Wonder Woman is a warrior and in her many decades of experience, she has had many big wins. However, the one that stands out the most, and would define her modern career as a superhero, is her battle against Ares in Wonder Woman #6, by writer/artist George Pérez with co-writer Len Wein. Wonder Woman had been enmeshed in the God of War's plans and finally took the fight to him.
As the world's powers were driven to the brink of war by Ares, Wonder Woman stepped in and attacked the god. Ares obviously had the advantage, but Wonder Woman was able to out think and out fight him. He fell before her, learning never to underestimate Diana again.
2 Batman
Greatest Victory: Bane In Batman: City Of Bane
Batman and Bane's rivalry has encompassed hellacious battles. All of these were a prelude to the one in Batman: City Oo Bane, by writer Tom King and artists Tony S. Daniel, John Romita Jr., Clay Mann, and Mikel Janin. Bane had defeated Batman and kicked him out of Gotham, ruling the city and using Psycho-Pirate to control an army of villains.
Batman fought his way back in, breaking Bane's power before coming after the villain himself. The two battled in Wayne Manor, and Batman defeated his longtime foe. While it couldn't bring the murdered Alfred back to life, Batman took back his city.
1 Superman
Greatest Victory: Lex Luthor And Solaris In All-Star Superman
Superman and Lex Luthor's battles are the stuff of legends, but none match the one in All-Star Superman, by writer Grant Morrison and artist Frank Quitely. Luthor, having gained Superman's powers by stealing the recipe for a formula the Man of Steel created to give Lois powers, attacked Metropolis alongside Solaris the Tyrant Sun.
First, Superman defeated Solaris, who had transformed the sun's light from yellow to blue. Then, he battled Lex, who ultimately lost because he couldn't handle Superman's powers. Finally, the Man of Tomorrow flew into the sun and started the process of fixing it, laboring there to make sure the Earth's primary would keep shining.