The Justice League is the premiere superhero team of the DC Universe, on-call to handle practically any threat. Many excellent, extremely competent heroes have led the Justice League over the years, including Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, and the Martian Manhunter.
There are plenty of other heroes qualified for the role, including at least a few outside the many worlds and dimensions of DC. Who from the Marvel Universe would make a great Justice League leader, for instance? As it turns out, the House of Ideas has plenty of worthy candidates, several of which have already served as leaders in the past on their own teams.
10 Iron Man Can Offer Strength, Tech Expertise, And Money
As a brilliant billionaire inventor and wielder of many powerful and versatile armors, Tony Stark could not only give the Justice League a technological shot in the arm but also handle most major threats the team deals with. He’s also an experienced leader, having headed up super teams and organizations alike.
However, Iron Man sometimes pursues ideas with negative consequences. He was willing to relentlessly pursue unregistered heroes during Civil War, including former team members, and isn’t above creating universe-destroying devices and brainwashing teammates for the supposed “greater good.” The League would judge such actions poorly, especially given their own sordid history with mind tampering.
9 Jean Grey Would Complement (Or Substitute) the Martian Manhunter’s Empathy And Psychic Powers
Just as J’onn J’onnz is one of the most caring members of the Justice League, Jean Grey is one of the most empathetic X-Men, thanks to her telepathy providing her a unique understanding of people’s psyche. Should J’onn step away or need a telepathic boost, Jean would be a top choice, given that she’s one of the most powerful psychics out there.
Jean may lack J’onn’s super-strength, but has an extremely formidable telekinesis ability that more than compensates. She has proven herself a strong and capable leader in series like X-Men: Red, and would likely do just as well in the League.
8 Hawkeye Has Just The Right Temperament To Lead A Comedy-Style League (And The Experience To Lead A Serious One)
The Justice League International era is fondly remembered for its heavy emphasis on comedy. While many League leaders of that era were serious types like Batman and Captain Atom, one Marvel character might be able to walk that fine line between funny and serious with relative ease: Hawkeye.
Clint Barton’s definitely got the leadership chops, having successfully led the West Coast Avengers and the Thunderbolts. He’s also a known wisecracker who takes things just seriously enough. He’d appreciate (and occasionally groan at) a comedic League’s antics, but would also know when to get the team back on task.
7 Cyclops Is A Born Strategist, Although The League May Sometimes Find Him Too Rigid
“Scott’s plan worked like a charm” has been a common refrain among the X-Men -- a testament to Scott Summers’ impressive abilities as a tactician. He’s led the team out of some hairy situations and is used to leading and coordinating several people at once.
Cyclops could easily slip into the role of Justice League leader, working with J’onn and his telepathy to guide the team via a psychic link, as he’s often done with Jean Grey and Emma Frost. Scott has been known at times to make questionable moral choices to reach his goals, which Leaguers might take issue with though.
6 Storm Has The Power And The Leadership Skill To Match Several Leaguers
Ororo Munroe is an Omega-Level mutant, capable of altering weather conditions on a scale both massive and precise -- she would fit right in among the powerhouse heroes that frequently form the JLA. Storm is also a remarkable leader, having led the X-Men in several of their most dangerous adventures.
Where friction might arise, however, is in Storm’s occasional habit of using deadly or near-deadly force. While Ororo is often the first to stay that X-Men do not kill, she has made exceptions in the past, nearly killing Callisto and Marrow. While members like Wonder Woman may agree with such exceptions, other Leaguers might not.
5 Hyperion Technically Leads His Own Justice League Already
There have been many Hyperions, but the most famous may be the leader of Earth-712’s Squadron Supreme, a deliberate homage to DC Comics’ Justice League. Hyperion himself is a stand-in for Superman, possessing the Man of Steel’s nobility and many of his powers, and has likely led the Squadron more often than Superman has led the League.
The one thing that might put the Justice League on guard is the fact that Hyperion, along with the rest of the Squadron, took over the United States for a time. Hyperion may have to convince the Leaguers that he truly has learned his lesson since then.
4 Mister Fantastic Would Bring His Staggering Genius To The Team
Reed Richards is one of the preeminent geniuses of the Marvel Universe, capable of inventing just about anything. His intellect likely surpasses even Batman’s in the scientific realm, and his deductive reasoning skills aren’t far off from the Dark Knight’s. He’s also led the Fantastic Four throughout the majority of the team’s existence, rarely faltering in the leadership role.
As leader of the Justice League, Mister Fantastic might just make the League next to unstoppable. He can boost their bases’ security levels to spectacular heights, create antidotes for virtually any supervillain poison, and literally create solutions where there are none.
3 Black Panther Would Provide His Genius, Fighting Skill, And Wakanda’s Resources
Imagine someone who can do everything Batman can, but stronger and faster. T’Challa even has talents the Dark Knight lacks, including the ability to see in various spectra naturally, commune spiritually with his predecessors, and controlling armies of the undead. He is also a scientific genius with the cunning to outwit Reed Richards himself.
Leadership is old hat for Black Panther, who founded the Agents of Wakanda and has led his nation for many years. He’d be able to not only lend his talents to the League, but also Wakanda’s extremely advanced technology and (when the situation calls for it) his army of warriors.
2 Captain America Is A Proven Leader With Fighting Prowess On Par With Batman’s And Kindness On Par With Superman’s
The Justice League is governed by the high-minded ideals of always helping others and doing the right thing, adhering to a strict moral code. All of these traits are shared by the League’s oft-leader, Superman… not to mention the person who has most frequently led the Avengers, Captain America.
Steve Rogers may not share Superman’s impressive powerset, but he shares many of the same principles. He also has more leadership experience, having been trained during the Second World War. On top of that, he’s one of the Avengers’ most skilled fighters and has often led fans to wonder whether he or Batman would win at hand-to-hand.
1 Spectrum Has Virtually All The Power And Skills The Justice League Could Ask For In A Leader
Monica Rambeau would make the perfect Justice League leader. She’s experienced, having led the Avengers and served as the Mighty Avengers’ field leader, and is renowned for her skill at strategy. Furthermore, her powerset is staggering, as she is capable of wielding, absorbing, and turning into everything from neutrinos to cosmic rays—the entire EM spectrum is at her disposal.
Spectrum can also become intangible, shrink like the Atom, assume disguises by manipulating light, and to top it all off, is a trained detective and fighter. As far as team heads go, the League couldn’t ask for better.