For those who are not aware, the DC in DC Comics stands for Detective Comics, rebranded after the success of the original Detective Comics lines, which first introduced the likes of Batman. Back then, the detective storylines were what readers enjoyed reading, seeing as the 1940s created the likes of Dick Tracy and Tintin, as well as the classic Crime-Noir films and stories that so many creators admire today.

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While many recognize Batman as the world's greatest detective, due in part to his ability to find out everything about anyone and anything, there's a long list of characters who are just as good, and even greater than Batman at solving a case, or finding something out.

10 Ralph Dibney/Elongated Man

Ralph Dibney Elongated Man Justice Society Of America

Often confused with Plastic Man, due mostly to similar powers (although Plastic Man can mold his physical shape into anything) Raph Dibney was a well-respected police officer and detective before gaining his elasticity powers.

He is considered an invaluable member of the Justice League because of his detective skills, which only improved after gaining his powers, allowing him to analyze a crime-scene from different angles without having to enter the room and stretch the size of his corneas in order to better look at fine-details.

9 The Question

The Question Victor Sage DC Comics

A classic detective who's been around since the Golden Age of comics, The Question's an investigative reporter named Victor Sage who hides his face with his now-famous shield-mask. The inspiration for The Watchmen's Rorschach, The Question's skills rival Batman's own, despite not having any gadgets.

He tends to stray from fighting crime and prefers to investigate government corruption, hidden agendas, and conspiracy theories. More often than not, he ends up proving many of those theories true, no matter how ridiculous they may sound.

8 John Constantine

John Constantine Hellblazer DC Comics

If they act like a detective and dress like a detective, then they most likely are a detective. Ever since his introduction in Alan Moore's Saga of the Swamp Thing, John Constantine has been the main investigator behind many magic-related crimes.

Although he is not liked by many of DC's heroes (with the exception of Batman), his expert knowledge in spells and connections in the Magic Underworld allows him to be a master detective in a niche that Batman has little to no knowledge of.

7 Martian Manhunter

John Jones Martian Manhunter DC Comics

To the surprise of many, J'onn J'onzz, the Martian Manhunter, was once a very good detective from the original Detective Comics run. He had originally adopted the alter-ego of John Jones, a detective from Middletown, while he waited for someone from mars to come rescue him.

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His telepathic powers allowed him to read the minds of criminals to see if they know if they were lying, and his ability to shapeshift gave him the upper hand when performing under-cover investigations.

6 Detective Chimp

Detective Chimp The Helmet of Fate DC Comics

Detective Chimp is more than just a common chimpanzee dressed in Sherlock Holme's attire. Bobo T. Chimpanzee (real name unpronounceable) is a super-intelligent ape with the ability to speak to any living creature (in its native language), and eternal youth.

He often worked with Rex the Wonder Dog but also established his own detective agency, which Martian Manhunter has acknowledged to be better than his own. Detective Chimp's adventures have taken him all the way to the Oblivion Bar, a tavern located outside of existence, which is frequented by magic-users with the knowledge and expertise to get there.

5 Jim Corrigan

The Spectre Action Comics Detective Comics DC Comics

Before being murdered, Jim Corrigan was a well-recognized detective who was murdered for getting too close to the truth. After his murder, he was given the task of becoming The Spectre and exacting justice upon those who deserved it (although he often exacts vengeance instead).

He continued to work as a detective after becoming the Spectre but retreated from solving city crimes in-leu of bigger, cosmic crimes, often appearing when justice is needed at the larger, cosmic level. Because of his powers, the only one able to stop the Spectre is the Voice (God) himself.

4 Renee Montoya

Renee Montoya Detective Comics

A classic Gotham City detective who has often assisted Batman in his own investigation, Renee Montoya is one of the best detectives in Gotham City, considered to be better than Jim Gordon, and rivaling Batman in terms of intelligence.

At some point during the pre-52 continuity, she assisted The Question in investigating a possible invasion of Gotham City. She eventually takes over the mantle of The Question, dawning his costume and mask, and is assisted by other heroes in solving high-level cases.

3 Samuel Bradley

Samuel Bradley Legends Of The Dark Knight DC Comics

While Batman may be DC's most famous detective, Samuel Bradley is DC's original detective. First appearing in Detective Comics #1 in the four-part story, The Streets of Chinatown, Bradley is an inner-city private-detective who's a master of disguise, multiple forms of investigation, and mimicry, allowing him to under-cover successfully, often aiding Batman in the process.

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He's been recognized as the longest-running character to first debut in Detective Comics #1, dropping out in Detective Comics #151, but continuing to make appearances in other DC titles.

2 Ted Kord

An image of Ted Kord, the Silver Age Blue Beetle, in action in artwork from DC Comics.

While many DC fans might not acknowledge it, Ted Kord (the second Blue Beetle) is one of the smartest individuals in the DC universe. He's been recognized to be smarter than Batman, a fact that is backed by the millions he made selling inventions and patents, which he then used to fund his crime-fighting lifestyle.

Kord's investigative skills allow him to discover Maxwell Lord's plot to kill the metahumans of the DC universe and to deduce the incoming Infinite Crisis event, both of which Batman was completely unaware of.

1 Tim Drake

Tim Drake Red Robin DC Comics

Despite his age, Tim Drake is one of the best detectives in DC Comics. Trained by Batman himself and fueled by a desire to surpass Batman's own detective skills, Drake has turned his alter-ego, the Red Robin, into a crime-solving detective that rivals Batman's own reputation.

His skills have been sought-after by both the Justice League and Justice Society, and Batman himself has stated that one day, Tim Drake will surpass him as the greatest detective of all time.

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