Comic books are full of wildly inventive gadgets, and the heroes and villains of DC Comics have more than their fair share. These items crafted by the fantastical imaginations of writers and artists to bring even more wonder to the books have become some of the most beloved parts of many characters, from Batman's utility belt filled with everything he'll ever need to Lex Luthor's kryptonite powered armor that lets him go one on one against Superman.
But not every piece of tech is of equal impressiveness. Some stand out from the others as objects that carry that distinct DC Comics feel. These are the gadgets that would feel out of place in the Marvel Universe or any other universe for that matter. They may not be the most important gadgets in the DCU, but they are the most inventive.
10 The Cosmic Treadmill Is A Great Workout
Barry Allen is a police scientist - or Crime Scene Investigator as they're known as today, so how it is that he also happens to be a brilliant engineer and astrophysicist is anyone's guess. Still, after being struck by lightning and electrified chemicals, Barry found himself moving at speeds unheard of and became the hero known as Flash.
It was early in his superhero career that Barry built the Cosmic Treadmill, a device that let him travel through time and to other dimensions as long as he could keep his vibrational patterns in check. The usefulness of this amazing device has carried over the years, but the sheer genius it took to come up with it is always on display.
9 The Purple Healing Ray Is A Medical Marvel
While the Amazons of Themyscira aren't known for their scientific accomplishments, there is little doubt that these women have technology that far surpasses almost anything in "man's world." Not only did the Amazons invent the invisible jet to take Wonder Woman and Steve Trevor off the island, but they also have an amazing device called the Purple Healing Ray that can heal almost any wound.
How the Purple Healing Ray works is a mystery to all but the Themyscirans. What is known is that the device can cure most illnesses and wounds save for cancer or any injury caused by a god.
8 The Mother Box Is The Ultimate Smart Phone
Never one to be without amazing ideas, Jack Kirby created the idea of the Mother Box when he came up with the New Gods. This device, which started off as no bigger than an iPhone, not only holds all the information in the universe on it, it can also open portals across space, heal wounds and, in at least one instance, change a person's physical appearance. Powered by the mysterious Element X, Mother Boxes are sentient computers that are so powerful, not even the gods of New Genesis fully understand what they are capable of.
7 The Phantom Zone Projector Is The Ultimate Prison
After discovering a pocket universe he named "the Phantom Zone" Kryptonian scientist Jor-El built the Phantom Zone Projector, a device that would allow him to send people to this newly discovered dimension. Krypton used the Phantom Zone as a place to store their worst criminals to serve out their sentences for their crimes. In theory, the Phantom Zone was a humane and perfect way to handle criminals, but when Krypton exploded, hundreds, if not thousands, of criminals were left trapped in the Zone, with many being driven mad and becoming a serious problem for Jor-El's son, Superman.
6 Skeets Is The Future Done Right
Once a BX9 security robot at the Space Museum in the 25th century, Skeets became the sidekick to Booster Gold when the two traveled from the future to the present so that Booster could use his knowledge of historical events to become a great hero. Of course, it is really Skeets who has all the historical knowledge, but that has never stopped Booster from hogging all the credit.
Along with being a rather small flying robot filled with knowledge, Skeets is filled with tools that can help make Booster Gold's job easier, and it even has a few weapons that come in handy from time to time.
5 The Legion Flight Ring Is The Future Of Smart Tech
Created by Brainiac 5, the Legion Flight Ring has a name that hides what this device can really do. Not only does it give the power of flight to whoever is wearing it, but the Legion Flight Ring also creates a forcefield around the wearer, protecting them from the ravages of space. The ring also acts as a communication device for the members of the Legion of Super-Heroes, keeping members in touch across the far reaches of the universe. The Legion Flight Ring was created to replace the cumbersome flying belts that the team initially had.
4 The Cosmic Staff Gives Its Owner The Power Of The Stars
Created by Ted Knight, the original Starman, as a successor to his Gravity Rod, the Cosmic Staff is a wealth of power to whoever wields it. Currently, Stargirl is the owner of the Cosmic Staff, which gives her the ability to fly, create forcefields, and project yellow and red stellar energy blasts among other attributes.
In the past, the Cosmic Staff had been shown to be able to open portals to other dimensions, but this ability has not been seen since before Crisis on Infinite Earths, so it is unclear if the Staff can still do this.
3 The Green Lantern Ring Is Basically Magic
Created by the Guardians of the Universe, the Green Lantern Power Rings seek out the bravest beings in the galaxy and gives them what is essentially unlimited power. Each Green Lantern can create anything they can think of, meaning that their power is limited only to their imaginations. The technology of the Green Lantern Power Ring is so impressive that it can even appear to be magic to anyone who doesn't know better. Along with the basics like flight, forcefields, and energy manipulation, a Green Lantern's ring is a database of all the knowledge in the universe, a communication device, and a way to open up portals across space.
2 The H-Dial Gives Power To The Powerless
No one actually knows what the H-Dial is or where it came from. While it may be magical, it appears to be a mechanical device that allows the user to gain superpowers for a time. Initially found by teenager Robby Reed in a Colorado cavern, the H-Dial has had a number of owners over the years.
What is known about the H-Dial is that it seems to have an unlimited power supply and somehow knows which powers the owner will need to deal with their current circumstances. And while a person dials up the letters H-E-R-O to become a hero, they can also use V-I-L-L-A-I-N or H-E-R-O-I-N-E to gain powers as well. If the user dials O-R-E-H, they turn into a monster.
1 The T-Spheres Give Mister Terrific The Upperhand
Invented by the second Mister Terrific, the T-Spheres are flying robotic balls that come with a multitude of functions, including holographic projection, the ability to record their surroundings, linking to other electronic devices, and surveying an area for clues.
The T-Spheres can also be used as weapons, sending out electrical charges that strike Mister Terrific's foes or exploding with enough force to knock down almost anyone, including Shazam. How they work is unclear, but the T-Spheres respond to Mister Terrific's vocal commands and appear to have artificial intelligence, with Mister Terrific once describing his inventions as "curious."