Of the two largest comic book companies, DC has the advantage when it comes to transforming its superheroes into live-action entities. It began in the 1940s with Batman and Robin movie serials. Since then, their personalities have appeared on both the large and small screens.
Over the last decade, both the Arrowverse and the DC Entertainment Universe (DCEU) have expanded the number of live-action superheroes. However, they've missed some prominent characters that should be given their own treatment in either television or the movies.
10 Thomas Wayne's Batman Should Be Given A Chance
There are two versions of Thomas Wayne Batman that can be given the live-action treatment. The one with the most potential is the Flashpoint version. He's a mix of his son and a true vigilante willing to kill to seek justice.
The other Thomas Wayne Batman is the one established in the Earth 2 comic book from DC's New 52 era. This version does the job to honor his son. Furthermore, he has an addition to Miraclo that enhances his strength and makes him mad at the same time. In either case, a live-action version of this character should reveal how complicated it is to be a dark hero.
9 Plastic Man Should Get The Same Chance As Elongated Man
Back in December of 2020, it was reported that a live-action Plastic Man movie was under development. Why not give the same treatment to Eel O'Brian?
The Arrowverse already gave a spotlight to DC's other stretchable hero, Elongated Man. Thing is, Ralph Dibny's powers are not as versatile as Plas. He can transform into other people and objects. Thus, Plastic Man can take the main role as a show's or movie's protagonist.
8 Ted Kord's Blue Beetle Is Ripe For Live-Action
The third hero to carry the name Blue Beetle, Jamie Reyes, is getting a live-action film. Fans of the character might also want the young man's mentor, Ted Kord, to make an appearance as well. If not, then the second, and longest-running, version of the character should get his own show or movie.
Ted isn't just the comic relief he seemed to be in Keith Giffen's version of Justice League. He's one of the most intelligent scientists on Earth-0. Heck, he worked everything out and discovered there was a new incarnation of Checkmate. That entire story, detailed in Countdown to Infinite Crisis, could be a movie unto itself.
7 Apache Chief Should Get His Due After Super Friends
Apache Chief is a trendsetter when it comes to Saturday morning cartoons. He was the first indigenous superhero to appear in animated form. In fact, the chief was added to the lineup of Super Friends just five months after another First Nation hero, Dawnstar, joined the Legion of Super-Heroes in the comics.
Now, it's time for the character to get the live-action treatment. A version of the hero has appeared in recent DCAU shows like Justice League Unlimited and Young Justice. However, he needs a solo live appearance to generate new interest. Plus, it gives DC a chance to correct some of the more problematic aspects of the character.
6 Booster Gold Can Be The Epitome Of Mass Media
Technically, Booster made his live-action debut during Smallville's last season. Plus, in Legends of Tomorrow, Rip Hunter is described as Gold's son, though the hero doesn't make an appearance. Yet, those are only appetizers that leave fans of the character ready for the main dish.
So far, he's been portrayed as a time-traveling hero. Since there's already someone like that in the Arrowverse, creators of a new show or movie need to go back to the character's origins. In other words, make him a time-lost hero who arrives in the 21st century looking for fame and money. It could be a less violent and vulgar version of The Boys.
5 Mister Miracle Could Have That "WandaVision Vibe"
While a New Gods film is on the DCEU production docket, Mister Miracle shouldn't be part of it. The original version, Scott Free, has never been a hammer-wielding, staff-carrying citizen of Supertown. Instead, his tastes lean more toward a steady job and happy marriage to Big Barda.
With that, a show based on the character could have a WandaVision vibe to it. You have a happy couple and their best friend, Oberon. Mysteriously, they end up battling these horrid creatures from a place called Apokolips. In later episodes, Scott and Barda realize they're part of a god-like culture.
4 Batman Beyond Could Create A Whole New Media Universe
Batman Beyond started a new chapter in the Dark Knight mythos when it premiered in 1999. It created its own universe, complete with its own unique heroes and villains, while it stayed connected to the original themes of Batman: The Animated Series. The same could be done with a live-action series.
Furthermore, it could reunite Will Friedle and Kevin Conroy. Though the former is in his 40s, he still has a youthful look to play Terry McGinnis. Plus Conroy is now close in age to the cartoon's Bruce Wayne. Additionally, since it's in a time all its own, a new movie or TV show franchise could be built around a live-action Batman Beyond.
3 The Question Can Address Our Fascination With Conspiracies
During a 2019 Fatman Beyond podcast, writer and direct Kevin Smith said he would love to do a Netflix show based on The Question. Created in the 1960s by Steve Ditko for Charleston Comics, the character's popularity has risen and fallen in the comics. Recent exposure came from the weekly maxi-series 52 and his role in Justice League Unlimited.
In reality, creating a live-action version of this character is perfect for current times. As seen in JLU and later comics, like the Grant Morrison one-shot for Multiversity, the character sees conspiracies everywhere. They're beneath the surface and go back hundreds, if not thousands of years. A show about The Question could either unravel this trend or create new rumors.
2 Animal Man Should Take The Vertigo Route To Live-Action
It would be wrong to develop a TV show or movie on the superhero version of Animal Man. For the most part, Buddy Baker was a secondary character who had a brief run in the 1960s and slightly more popularity when Grant Morrison reintroduced him. It wasn't until Vertigo took over the title in 1993 that things got interesting.
This was when writer Jamie Delano, who started on the Animal Man series with issue 51, decided to kill off Buddy. Then, he resurrected him as some form of animal elemental that shunned its costume and superheroics and started a church. A show like this would be a perfect addition to the HBO Max lineup.
1 Val-Zod Is A Pacifist Superman
While Calvin Ellis, the Earth-23 Superman, seems to be in the running for the next live-action Superman, the DCEU can't leave out Val-Zod. Introduced in Earth 2, this character became that planet's next Man of Steel. However, it was done reluctantly.
The character was a pacifist who lived a secluded life until discovered. A DCEU live-action program or movie could focus on Val's struggle to not only maintain some form of pacifism but also live up to the legend that once wore the red and blue.