Through hard work, years of crimefighting, and battling all manner of villains from the Riddler to Darkseid, Batman has earned the title of "World's Greatest Detective." It's as synonymous with him as "The Caped Crusader" or "The Dark Knight." However, there are plenty of other great detectives in DC Comics.
Batman tends to gain more spotlight than most. As a result, there is a wealth of memorable moments where he showed off his intelligence. However, Batman is a human dealing with human issues, whereas characters like John Constantine and Jim Corrigan deal with things beyond the normal plane. Alternatively, characters like the Question and Ralph Dibny use their powers in tandem with their great detective skills to solve crimes.
10 Elongated Man: "Like Plastic Man And Batman Combined"
As he bragged to Booster Gold in Justice League Unlimited, Ralph Dibny is both stretchy and a detective: like Plastic Man and Batman combined. After becoming Elongated Man, Ralph became close friends with Barry Allen and met his wife, Sue.
Ralph and Sue solved crimes and cases all over the world, which earned him a spot in the Justice League. His sleuthing skills are considered second to only Batman and the Question. Ralph and Sue's destinies were ultimately tragic ones. However, he died and was resurrected as Black Lantern during Blackest Night.
9 World's Smartest Chimp
Detective Chimp is certainly one of the oddest additions to the DC universe, mostly appearing in supernatural tales like Constantine or Justice League Dark. Chimp's origins are multi-layered. Beginning as an average chimp with an interest in questioning and answering, Chimp was granted immortality, omni-lingualism, and genius-level intelligence thanks to the Fountain of Youth.
Since then, Chimp has appeared in several factions like Justice League Dark, providing information on supernatural beings and artifacts, and assisting Batman on several cases. Beneath his odd, uncommon exterior, Detective Chimp possesses one of the sharpest, most inquisitive minds.
8 Renee Montoya, Gotham's Finest
Renee Montoya was a character originally created in Batman: The Animated Series. She made her comic debut less than a year after her first appearance. Montoya worked her way up through GCPD, partnering with Detective Harvey Bullock and proving herself a trustworthy ally to Commissioner Gordon – something rare among Gotham's police force.
Eventually, she was chosen by Vic Sage to take over as the new Question. Her great detective skills are proven by the references she piles up. Be it Jim Gordon, Vic Sage, Batwoman, or any of the dozens of heroes she's teamed up with, Montoya has accumulated quite the long list of allies in her field.
7 Barry Allen, Forensic & Speed Force Specialist
Barry Allen works as a forensic analyst for the Central City Police by day and speeds through timelines and multiverses as The Flash (also usually by day). While not officially a detective, Barry Allen is one of the smartest people in the DC universe based on his experience alone.
Not only has he aided both Batman and Hal Jordan in their cases – some as close to home as the mystery of "The Button" and some spanning other galaxies – but Barry also interacts with the Speed Force, which allows him to access all points in time and other universes. If there is an answer somewhere, he can find it.
6 Ted Kord, Technological Genius
Ted Kord is the second individual to don the Blue Beetle mantle. Ted is a character similar to Batman in concept but very different in execution. Ted possesses wealth, which he uses to finance his amazing inventions and gadgetry – including his Bug vessel – and he's a technological genius and detective too.
What sets him apart from Batman is his demeanor and motivations. Ted isn't a tragic character who's seeking vengeance. His outlook is more positive than Batman's but no less noble and righteous. Ted's comedic side shines brightest when working with his best friend, Booster Gold – best exemplified in the new series Blue & Gold.
5 Jim Corrigan And The Spirit Of Vengeance
Jim Corrigan worked as a New York City police detective in 1939. After being murdered, Corrigan's spirit remained and joined with the Spectre – the Spirit of Vengeance – to get revenge on those who murdered him. The Spectre is like the ultimate judge, jury, and executioner (for better or worse).
Jim Corrigan is one of the many souls the Spectre has possessed. However, with each host, the Spectre gains a sliver of their persona. As a natural investigator, Corrigan injected some of his deductive traits into the spirit, contining his investigative work from beyond the grave with limitless supernatural powers.
4 J'ohn J'onzz, Manhunter From Mars
The Martian Manhunter possesses a list of powers and abilities longer than Superman's. On top of all the shape-shifting, invisibility, phasing, and more, J'ohn J'onzz is a telepath. This makes him one of the most powerful and intelligent people on Earth.
While on Earth, J'ohn lives under the guise of John Jones – a police detective – and uses his many powers to help solve cases. His intellect can sometimes come across as cold or distant, but his knowledge of the world and insight into people's minds make him one of the greatest resources for solving any mystery.
3 Constantine, Expert On The Supernatural
Though his methods are questionable and his demeanor even more so, John Constantine (originally created by Alan Moore), is a resource one needs when dealing with the paranormal or supernatural in the DC universe. Constantine seemingly has allies in every corner of the world, above and below, and calls upon these allies more than they'd like.
He provides a unique lens for readers to view the gothic horror side of DC Comics. He's an expert on all things strange and unexplainable and faces these challenges head-on with magical abilities of his own.
2 Someone Who Asks The Hard Questions
The Question is a character who's existed in comic books since 1967, gaining more popularity through his memorable appearances in the Justice League Unlimited animated series. Vic Sage was a journalist who used the mantle of the Question to go places the law wouldn't allow.
Although his methods may seem odd and often extreme, the Question is one of the most dedicated investigators in the DC universe. He will not rest until a case is solved, no matter how detrimental it is to his psyche. The mini-series The Question: The Death of Vic Sage best exemplifies his intelligence and unwavering determination.
1 Tim Drake, Following In Batman's Footsteps
Every one of the Robins excels at a particular thing. Damian is a lethal combatant, Dick is one of the most graceful and acrobatic fighters in DC Comics, and Tim Drake possesses a detective mind that will one day rival Bruce's.
When he was just a boy, Tim deduced the identity of Robin after witnessing him perform aerial stunts reminiscent of the Flying Graysons. After deducing Batman's identity, Tim hesitantly became the third Robin during one of the darkest periods in Batman's life. Tim is definitely a character who deserves more spotlight.