15 Best DC Characters Who Debuted In the 2020s, So Far

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DC Comics has a long tradition of trying out new characters every few years. Even since 2020, only five years ago, readers have been handed dozens, if not hundreds, of new characters to check out. Some are heroes, other villains, and even more fit somewhere in between. In other words, there’s a character for every adventure.

Some characters are an instant hit, while others take a bit more time to settle into the swing of things. One thing is certain – each character has the potential to become something larger than life, given the right plot. Some newly debuted characters are already making waves and forming permanent relationships within the world of DC Comics.

15

Alexis Kaye, aka Punchline

Punchline Is the New Leader of the Royal Flush Gang

First appeared in Batman #89 (2020)

Affiliated with the Legion of Doom and the Royal Flush Gang

Alexis Kaye, aka Punchline, was introduced in 2020 as the Joker’s sidekick. Right from the start, readers were meant to believe her threat and expect nothing but extreme violence from her character. She stood by Joker’s side during the Joker War, where she battled Catwoman and Harley Quinn. After the war, Alexis went through her first drastic change, as she was separated from Joker and put on trial, both in court and in the eye of the public.

Punchline may not be a fan-favorite villain, but there’s definitely potential for this character.She’s already grown and changed a lot, especially now that she’s out from under the Joker’s wing. She has taken over the Royal Flush Gang and will pose a problem to many heroes in the future.

14

Marcus Sun, aka Monkey Prince

Marcus Sun Is the Monkey King’s Clone

First appeared in DC Festival of Heroes: The Asian Superhero Celebration #1 (2021)

Member of Justice League Unlimited

Marcus Shugel-Shen, aka Marcus Sun, is the Monkey Prince. Even though he was raised in Gotham City, he is a clone of the famous Monkey King, hence his title of Prince. Thanks to his genetics, the Monkey Prince has great powers, including the ability to transform between his monkey and human forms. He also has complete control over his emotions, an accelerated healing rate, and perhaps most importantly, the ability to create magical copies of himself.

Thanks to his time in Gotham, the Monkey Prince has developed a unique perspective on heroes. At one point, it seemed like he might take a darker path, given his less-than-enthusiastic views on heroes like Batman. However, after gaining his own powers, the Monkey Prince rose to the occasion and worked hard to protect others and has even teamed up with Batman and other heroes.

13

Sienna, aka Red Canary

Red Canary Is a New Vigilante Inspired by Black Canary

First appeared in Dark Crisis #3 (2022)

Affiliated with Team Arrow and the Justice League Unlimited

It’s not uncommon for one hero to inspire another, creating a surprising chain reaction. In this case, Sienna was inspired by the Black Canary, leading her to adopt the mantle of the Red Canary. She made her debut following Dark Crisis: The Dark Army, during a time when it was believed the Justice League had fallen. Answering Nightwing’s call for heroes, she stepped into the spotlight, and the rest, as they say, is history.

The Red Canary has no superpowers, but that doesn’t stop her from making a difference. She’s highly skilled in martial arts, specializing in Jiu-Jitsu and Eskrima, a form of stick fighting. While little is known about her character, and her backstory remains shrouded in mystery, the Red Canary has plenty of potential for growth, with or without a dramatic reimagining.

12

Nia Nal, aka Dreamer

Dreamer Is a Precognitive Hero

First appeared in DC Pride #1 (2022)

Half human and half Naltorian

Nia Nal, aka Dreamer, hasn’t been around for long, but she’s already shown immense potential. Over the last few years, Dreamer has appeared in comics, the CW’s Supergirl, and even as an optional skin in Fortnite. It’s clear that fans can’t get enough of this character, and there’s plenty of room for Dreamer to grow.

Dreamer is a precognitive superhero with immense power and abilities that include astral projection, energy projection, oneiric travel, and energy constructs. As a Naltorian-human hybrid, she possesses a unique physiology and a long ancestral history. Dreamer is perhaps best known for predicting the events of Dark Crisis. There’s little doubt that her precognitive abilities will continue to play a key role in predicting dangerous events in DC’s future.

11

Respawn

Respawn Has a Lineage and Traits

First appeared in Robin #1 (2021)

Created by Joshua Williamson and Gleb Melnikov

Respawn is Damian Wayne’s clone but with a few alterations. Ra’s al Ghul created Respawn by combining Damian’s DNA with Slade Wilson’s super-soldier formula. Creating a clone of his own grandson would have been bad enough, but Ra’s never even saw fit to give his creation a game.

Given his complicated backstory, Respawn easily has a lot of potential in DC Comics. So far, Respawn has seemed content to follow in the footsteps of Deathstroke, but only time will tell if he sticks with that path. After all, his half-brother/clone followed a similar path for a time before switching over to his father’s side.

10

Sojourner Mullein, aka Green Lantern

A Green Lantern Assigned to the Far Sector

First appeared in Far Sector #1 (2020)

Created by N. K. Jemisin and Jamal Campbell

Sojourner Mullein was one of the first characters introduced in the 2020s, with her first issue dropping in January 2020. At the time, Jo Mullein was one of the newest Green Lantern Corps members. Instead of being assigned to Earth, like many who came before her, Jo was assigned to a sector so far away that it might not even have a number.

Mullein has taken charge of the Far Sector, where she’s the only Green Lantern around. As if that wasn’t complicated enough, multiple alien races reside together on one planet, with long histories, grudges, and politics for Jo to contend with. Thankfully, Jo is a talented investigator who has a strong grasp of the law, so she is the perfect person for this odd scenario.

9

Alinta, aka Bolt

Bolt Is a New Speedster to Consider

First appeared in Infinite Frontier #0 (2021)

Previously a student at Teen Titans Academy

Alinta, aka Bolt, is one of the newest speedsters to enter the scene and gained access to the Speed Force at a young age. Unfortunately, she is one of many heroes with a troubled past. Alinta’s parents used her ability for greed, and eventually, the child found herself alone and severely injured.

Amanda Waller stepped in and saved the day—and Alinta’s life—when she gave the young speedster prosthetic legs. This act allowed Alinta to join Titans Academy, albeit under a few conditions. In a futuristic timeline, Alinta rises to become the Flash of her era, doing everything in her power to overcome her darker past and become the hero the world needs.

8

Archie Waller, aka Deadeye

Deadeye Is a Talented Fighter with Dangerous Familial Connections

First appeared in Lazarus Planet: Next Evolution #1 (2023)

He’s a psychic assassin with cosmic awareness and superstrength

Alinta isn’t the only new character who has connections to Amanda Waller. Archie Waller, as the last name suggests, is Amanda’s nephew. Known as Deadeye, he’s a psychic assassin who initially worked as an agent for A.R.G.U.S., though it’s worth questioning how willingly Archie participated in the organization’s operations. Archie has strong opinions about his aunt, particularly regarding the way she treats him and his brother.

Between a deep but unexplored backstory and a well of power, there’s plenty of potential in Deadeye’s character. His past with Amanda Waller has yet to be fully explained. Meanwhile, Archie already has decent abilities, including psychokinesis, astral projection, telekinesis, telepathy, and marksmanship.

7

Otho-Ra, aka Starchild

Starchild Is a Half of the Super-Twins Pair

First appeared in Action Comics #1038 (2022)

She’s a Phaelosian from Warworld

Long ago, Otho-Ra’s ancestors left Krypton and joined with the Phaelosians. Decades later, her family settled on New Phaelosia before Warworld attacked it. This set Otho-Ra, aka Starchild, on a strange path in life. She is one-half of the Super-Twins, and together, they grew up knowing little more than war and loss. Otho-Ra was always the more aggressive twin, and thus, she always saw it as her responsibility to protect her brother.

Starchild and her brother were found and adopted by Lois and Clark. The Super-Twins were an instant hit with Earth’s media, and readers also quickly became fond of them. Together, Otho-Ra and her brother helped to expand the Superman family, opening the door to countless new stories and adventures.

6

Shelton Lyle, aka Heartless

Heartless Is an Enemy in Bludhaven

First appeared in Nightwing #78 (2021)

Allegedly died in Nightwing #118 (2024)

Every hero deserves a good villain. That’s where Heartless comes into play. Shelton Lyle, aka Heartless, is a newer antagonist for Nightwing, Dick Grayson. Shelton is a serial killer with a dark history. Shelton is everything that Grayson is not, and vice versa. Worse, the two have a long history, even if Grayson didn’t learn of this until recently.

Years ago, Dick Grayson had the worst experience of his life when he watched his parents fall to their death.That same day, Shelton watched from the stands and was exhilarated by the experience. This set him on a path of blood and death, as he became infamous for ripping out the hearts of his victims in front of those they love. While Heartless appears to have met his end, this is the comic universe, and there’s always a chance that Heartless will cause more problems for Nightwing in the future.

5

Yara Flor, aka Wonder Girl

Wonder Girl Is the Daughter of Aella

First appeared in Infinite Frontier #0 (2021)

Created by Joëlle Jones

The last few years have introduced multiple new characters into Wonder Woman’s world, from Absolute Wonder Woman variants to different Wonder Girls and everything in between. One new introduction is Yora Flor, aka Wonder Girl, a character from the Future State who was born among the Amazons. As an Amazonian, Yara is incredibly strong and full of limitless potential.

Yara Flor shares many attributes with Wonder Woman, including superhuman strength, speed, stamina, and more. In addition to her Amazonian abilities, she’s a skilled archer, an exceptional equestrian, and an even better tracker. Though relatively new to the DC Universe, Yara has already made waves by joining the Justice League Unlimited and playing key roles in major events such as Dark Crisis and Trial of the Amazons.

4

Julien Jourdain, aka Circuit Breaker

Circuit Breaker Has Access to the Still Force

First appeared in Lazarus Planet: Dark Fate #1 (2023)

Created by A.L. Kaplan

Julien Jourdain was an actor long before he gained access to the Still Force, one of the Seven Forces of the Universe. In other words, it’s not something that just any human can tap. During a run in 2023, the Lazarus Volcano erupted, spewing out a large quantity of the powerful substance.

Thanks to the Lazarus rains, Julien Jourdain discovered his connection to the Still Force and became Circuit Breaker. As Circuit Breaker, Julien can act as a sort of conduit for the Still Force, letting entropy or inertia ebb and flow through his body. In truth, there isn’t a lot known about this character, so the potential is once again limitless. His backstory, minus his acting career, is a mystery, as are many parts of his future.

3

Xanthe Zhou, aka The Envoy

Xanthe Zhou Is a Spirit Envoy and Magic User

First appeared in Lazarus Planet: Legends Reborn #1 (2023)

Created by Alyssa Wong and Haining

It isn’t every day that a new magic user appears on the scene. It’s even less frequent for that new hero to impress the likes of Cassandra Cain and John Constantine. Xanthe Zhou, aka The Envoy, first appeared in DC Comics in 2023 and is a Chinese spirit envoy, which means they can create portals between the living and the spirit world. Xanthe’s role in this world is to deliver offerings to the spirits.

The Envoy’s potential is as limitless as their power. Xanthe has extensive arcane knowledge, which has been effectively showcased in their relatively short time within the DC Universe. Everything about Xanthe exudes potential, making it easy to see why readers have already taken a liking to them.

2

Marilyn Moonlight, aka the Spirit of Metropolis

Marilyn Moonlight Is a Ghost Who Fights to Keep the Peace

First appeared in Superman #2 (2023)

Created by Joshua Williamson and Jamal Campbell

Not every new character is a hero—or a villain, for that matter. Some, such as Marilyn Moonlight, aka the Spirit of Metropolis, are even anti-heroes. Originally from the 19th century, Marilyn lives in Metropolis, though her version of the city was much smaller, to say the least. Even while Metropolis has grown, she’s taken it upon herself to watch over the city.

After someone resurrected Marilyn as a ghost, she came back to the world with light-based powers, including the ability to create constructs of light or project energy. While her abilities are related to light, the Spirit of Metropolis will never be seen during the light of day. Marilyn and Superman have a slightly complicated relationship, as their first encounter didn’t go well. However, there’s potential in the character, both in her interactions with Metropolis and the city’s hero.

1

Elizabeth Prince, aka Trinity

Trinity Is a Hero from a Possible Future

First appeared in Wonder Woman #800 (2023)

Her full name is Elizabeth “Lizzie” Marston Prince

Yara Flor is not the only new character to emerge from Wonder Woman’s world. Elizabeth Prince, aka Trinity, is Diana Prince’s (potential) future daughter. DC Comics has portrayed dozens of potential futures, and Trinity hails from one of them. Thankfully, that potential was all it took to bring Elizabeth Prince to the pages.

Prior to Elizabeth’s introduction, Diana was the only member of the DC Trinity who did not have a child. So, in a way, Trinity is the perfect name for this new hero. As Wonder Woman’s daughter, Elizabeth Prince has the classic Amazonian physiology and training. She’s also a natural leader and has even taken charge of the Justice League. In other words, this character is already working hard to live up to her potential.

“}]] Over the past five years, DC Comics has introduced dozens of new characters, from heroes to villains, with some showcasing more potential than others.  Read More