The Justice League is DC's most important superteam, combining its greatest heroes into one of the potent superhero groups in comics. At the core of the Justice League is the Trinity: Superman, Wonder Woman, and Batman. While one of them isn't always the team leader, they're the team's most integral members. However, that doesn't mean there aren't any other important members.
Every fan reads Justice League comics for a different reason and many times it's for characters other than the Trinity. Heroes beyond the Trinity have taken important spots in the League over the years, showing that they're just as iconic as the big guns.
10 Zatanna Is The League's Premiere Magic User
Zatanna is an icon in the DC Universe in general but she's especially important to the Justice League. She was the team's main sorcerer during the Satellite League years, beginning her superheroic career as a member of the team. While later years would see more powerful magic users like Doctor Fate join the team, none of them could hold a candle to Zatanna in terms of efficacy or popularity.
She was gone from the League for a long time but has found a comfortable niche with the Justice League Dark, serving as the team's co-lead in several incarnations before taking over as full leader. Zatanna's importance to the DCU stems from her long-term relationship with the team.
9 Vixen Rose Through The Ranks To Become One Of The Team's Most Trusted Members
Vixen joined the Justice League during one of its least-loved eras, the age of the Detroit League. This could have been the end for her, as most of the other new Leaguers from this time faded into obscurity. However, Vixen had greater things in store for her. She kept showing up around the DC Universe and was eventually brought back to the League post-Infinite Crisis.
Vixen is trusted by everyone and her powers make her a great addition to the team. She was appointed by Batman to lead a Justice League team, which speaks to just how much esteem she's held in. Vixen is a beloved member of the League that won't be kept down.
8 Aquaman Is A Founder Of The Justice League
Aquaman has been with the team since the beginning. For most of those years, though, he wasn't exactly the most important member of the team and he has the unfortunate distinction of leading the Justice League Detroit. For years, his powers held him back but as time went on and he took to a more martial way of doing things, he grew in utility to the League.
Even during his "guy who talks to fishes" years, he was still considered an indispensable member of the team because of his history with it. He's held in even higher esteem nowadays, lending his Atlantean might to the team when they need it.
7 Kyle Rayner Joined The League As A Nobody And Proved He Belonged
Kyle Rayner joined the League during his early years as Green Lantern when he was still proving himself. He always felt like he had some big boots to fill, as his Green Lantern predecessors on the team were all legends, and gained the respect of the older members of the team quickly. Rayner soon became one of the League's most integral members until the return of Hal Jordan.
It took Kyle a long time to realize just how important to the League he really was. Even when everybody had decided he belonged, he'd still have his doubts. None of that mattered, though, as Kyle Rayner stepped up in a way even he thought was impossible.
6 John Stewart Quietly Became One Of The League's Biggest Icons
John Stewart's career in the Green Lantern Corps has been full of ups and downs. The first person to take over for Hal Jordan, he also felt the pressure of living up to Jordan's legacy. But like Rayner after him, he would prove more than up to the task. He even became Batman's preferred Green Lantern and helped the team in some of their most desperate moments.
John's biggest claim to Justice League fame came from being the Green Lantern of the DCAU Justice League, with a whole legion of fans growing up with him as their Green Lantern. Stewart's legacy with the team has made him into one of the League's most important members.
5 Hal Jordan Set The Standard For Green Lanterns On The League
Hal Jordan is one of the greatest Green Lanterns and helped found the Justice League. For years, he held the line for the Green Lanterns on the Justice League, helping the team battle the greatest threats in the Multiverse. He set a high standard for the other Green Lanterns who would join the group, proving just how important he was to its history.
Jordan returned to the League after his Parallax years and had to reprove himself to his fellows. He did a remarkable job, showing just how important a Green Lantern is to the team. Jordan has had his problems but his place in League history is impossible to deny.
4 Barry Allen Was The Heart Of The Justice League For Years
Barry Allen put the Flash on the map again. He also helped found the Justice League, making him one of its guiding lights. He started the Silver Age for DC, introduced the Multiverse to the DC Universe, and served as the heart of the Justice League. He may be as bland as turkey on white bread, but he was often the team's moral compass.
After his return to life, he rejoined the League and was the only Flash to ever be on the League in the New 52. Allen's place in League history is undeniable and his role on the team was one of the most important.
3 Black Canary Is The Justice League's Most Underrated Member
Black Canary is one of the toughest heroes in the DC Universe and she proved that as a member of the Justice League. Dinah Lance has a long history at DC and her time as a member of the League made her a star, setting her up for big things to come. Many people make the mistake of thinking of her as Green Arrow's girlfriend but they have it wrong- Green Arrow is HER boyfriend.
Everyone in the Justice League knows just how important to the team she is. She even led the post-Infinite Crisis League, one of the most powerful and accomplished rosters ever. Black Canary's legend was created by her time with the League, making her one of its biggest icons.
2 Wally West Was The First Former Sidekick To Join The Team
Wally West is widely considered the best Flash. Stepping into his uncle Barry's boots after his death, Wally struggled for years to escape Allen's shadow. He eventually made the Flash mantle his own, joining the League and proving that he was the only Flash the team would ever need. Wally also holds a special place in League history as he was the first former sidekick to join the team.
West became one of the most trusted heroes in League history and eclipsed his uncle Barry's legacy with the team. West proved that he was the best Flash for the job multiple times, taking everything he learned from the heroes he'd worked with and putting it into action.
1 Martian Manhunter Is The Glue That Holds The League Together
Martian Manhunter is the Justice League. One of the team's most powerful heroes, his quiet competence has helped the team through some of their darkest times. He's a founder of the team and is the most trusted member of the group. Everyone knows J'onn is one of the League's most dependable members.
Martian Manhunter has probably served the greatest amount of years with the team; even when members of the Trinity leave, he's there. He's synonymous with the Justice League in a way no one else is.