10 Best Justice League Variants, Ranked

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The Justice League is a staple of DC Comics. Although it isn’t the first DC super team, it’s the franchise’s most popular one — as it features some powerhouses like Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman, the DC Holy Trinity. As a core element of any alternate reality in DC Comics, the Justice League isn’t a stranger to variants. There are dozens of different iterations of this incredible team.

From Justice Leagues that are only slightly different from Earth Prime’s team to complete modifications of this powerful squad, Justice League variants are everywhere on the DC Multiverse, sometimes evil, sometimes heroic, sometimes in the middle. Of course, some of these variants stand out from the rest thanks to their powers, clever character design, or originality.

10

DC Bombshells Are An All-Female Pin-Up Inspired Team

First Appearance: DC Comics Bombshells #1 Vol. 1 (2015) by Marguerite Bennett, Marguerite Sauvage, and Wes Abbott

The 2015 series DC Bombshells was inspired by the successful figurine collection by Ant Lucia and followed by Bombshells United. These series follow DC’s most iconic heroines in 1940 as they join forces to change history in the middle of WWII. DC Bombshells follows each of these heroines individually (with each of them getting a revamped backstory that suits a vintage genre, like radio adventure reels, spy stories, and even propaganda films). However, their agendas eventually mix, which led them to act as a team against the Communist Party.

The Bombshells never officially become a team; they don’t have a secret lair, and their name is only a metatextual comment. However, this team stands out from others from the very first moment because it’s an all-female team, which is uncommon in comics. Each heroine has been redesigned to fit this era, and Sauvage’s work is flawless. She takes the most famous cultural icons from the time, like Rosie the Riveter or the girls from the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, to give Wonder Woman, Batgirl, Supergirl, and many others a new voice.

9

Justice League of Anarchy Are A Hilarious Concept

First Appearance: Justice Leagues: Justice League of Amazons #1Vol. 1 (2001) by Len Kaminski, Aluir Amancio, Claude St. Aubin, Gloria Vasquez and Kurt Hathaway

In 2001, DC published a series of one-shots that played with the initials of the Justice League of America. Justice Leagues introduced several examples, like the Justice League of Aliens, the Justice League of Arkham, and the Justice League of Anarchy. The latter only had a small cameo, but almost 25 years later, many fans consider not developing it a wasted opportunity.

Led by Plastic Man, the Justice League of Anarchy was a team of comedy-themed superheroes, including ‘Mazing Man, The Creeper, Ambush Bug, Trickster, and Harley Quinn. Contrary to the actual Justice League, the Justice League of Anarchy was chaotic (although not evil!). They weren’t made to be heroes but to entertain, as they were all hilarious. With characters like Harley Quinn and Plastic Man getting more recognition in recent years, the JLA should get a second chance to shine.

8

The Justice Riders Are A Saddle Of Tormented Heroes

First Appearance: Justice Riders (1997) by Chuck Dixon, J.H. Williams III, Mick Gray, Lee Loughridge and Bill Oakley

On Earth-18, Diana Prince isn’t Wonder Woman. Instead, she’s the sheriff of Paradise, a small town ravaged by Maxwell Lord. Hell-bent on revenge, she assembles a small team of outlaws with similar interests: Wally West, wrongly accused of murder, Booster Gold, a charismatic gambler a la Maverick, Ted Kord, an inventor with a steampunk streak, and Katar Johnson, a Native American version of Hawkman.

The Justice Riders only appear in Chuck Dixon’s 1997 graphic novel (and more recently have a small appearance in The Multiversity Guidebook #1). Still, they left a mark in the fandom thanks to their abilities. Although they don’t have superpowers, the Justice Riders are fierce Western warriors. They all have amazing aim when it comes to handguns, which makes for epic fight scenes, even if they happen at the saloon.

7

The Dark Knights Are Earth -22’s Corrupted Justice League Made of Bat-Men

First Appearance: Dark Days: The Casting #1 Vol. 1 (2017), by Scott Snyder, James Tynion IV, Jim Lee, Andy Kubert, John Romita Jr., Scott Williams, Klaus Janson, Danny Miki, Alex Sinclair, Jeremiah Skipper and Steve Wands.

The Batman Who Laughs is one of the scariest villains in the DC Multiverse. Still, he’s only one of the members of the Dark Knights — the Dark Multiverse version of the Justice League, featuring an assortment of variants of Bruce Wayne who have taken the powers of other heroes like Green Lantern, Aquaman, and Flash. Although they don’t call themselves the Justice League, the Dark Knights are like a dark version of this superteam… and they’re absolutely metal.

These villains have an incredible design, with the art focusing on the creepiest details, reminding fans they come from the Dark Multiverse in each panel. Since actual Justice League heroes inspire these characters, their suits are basically cooler versions of the main characters — and so are their backstories. When it comes to being a variant of the Justice League, the Dark Knights excel in coolness in a way only bad guys can accomplish.

First Appearance: DC: Mech #1 Vol. 1 (2022) by Kenny Porter, Baldemar Rivas, Mike Spicer and Tom Napolitano

DC: Mech follows a universe where superpowers aren’t nearly enough to take down Darkseid, whose technology has overpassed any skills the Justice League may have. On Earth 28, a team of superheroes led by Kal-El fight using giant robots that allow them to go through the villain’s humongous Parademon robot army.

Since readers are used to seeing powerful superheroes on foot, a group of Justice Leaguers on mecha robots is a strange sight. However, it’s still super cool, especially because each robot remains true to the original superhero and their skill set. While these heroes may not be the strongest among their variants, their robots made them formidable adversaries. Besides, the Justice Squadron’s technology makes them stand out from other Justice Leagues since nobody else has it.

5

The Jurassic League Is A Careful Adaptation Of This Team

First Appearance: The Jurassic League #1 Vol. 1 (2022) by Daniel Warren Johnson, Juan Gedeon, Mike Spicer and Ferran Delgado

Few things are cooler than dinosaurs. Surely, Daniel Warren Johnson and Juan Gedeon had this in mind when they created the Jurassic League. This team is exactly as it sounds. It’s a prehistoric version of the Justice League that features Supersaur, Wonderdon, Batsaur, Aquanyx, Flashraptor, and Green Torch: all anthropomorphic dinosaurs fighting evil dinosaur villains like Jokerzard and Brontozarro. Although they’re dinosaurs, the Jurassic League heroes aren’t that different from their Earth Prime counterparts.

Batsaur seeks vengeance after his parents are killed and humans raised Supersaur. However, this doesn’t mean the story is boring or repetitive. Jurassic League is a fun series with great art and a vibrant color palette, but its narrative truly sets this team apart. Warren Johnson and Gedeon made sure to adapt these heroes into dinosaurs with proper research, so they’re not just the standard heroes in a different skin. Instead, the authors considered which dinosaur would fit each character best based on their style and personality, so the Jurassic League members are truly animals of their race, loyal to their nature — they happen to be superheroes, too.

4

Grant Morrison’s Light Brigade Reminds Fans of The Justice League Just Enough

First Appearance: The Multiversity Guidebook #1 Vol. 1 (2015) by Grant Morrison and Various Artists

Grant Morrison has always had a unique take on superheroes and the Light Brigade is no exception. Hailing from Earth 34 (also known as Cosmoville), this team protects its reality from all kinds of threats, so when Empty Hand and the Gentry appear, they jump into action to ensure these evil entities won’t hurt Cosmoville’s residents. Led by Savior, the team also features Radman, Herculina, Formula-I, Master Motley, Cutie, Goodfellow, Ghostman, and the Stingray.

The Light Brigade’s members have all unique backstories. Combined with their design based on Busiek’s Astro City, this ensures they’re one of the most original teams in DC Comics since they’re nothing like other heroes on this multiverse. However, the characters also give off strong vibes to different Justice League members — Savior is obviously Superman while Herculina combines Hercules, Hawkgirl, and Wonder Woman — so Morrison obviously didn’t forget their roots when they wrote them.

3

The Justice Titans Are A Mix Of The Original Heroes

First Appearance: The Multiversity #1 Vol. 1 (2014) by Grant Morrison, Ivan Reis, Joe Prado, Nei Ruffino and Todd Klein

While most alternate realities exist as an oppositional force to Earth Prime, Earth 32 merges its most important characters. Given this, its own Justice League, known as the Justice Titans, features a series of amalgams. On this Earth, Wonder Woman and Hawkgirl are one heroine known as Wonderhawk, Bruce Wayne is both Batman and a Green Lantern, Black Canary has Green Arrow’s aim, and Flash is also the ruler of Atlantis.

Earth 32 heroes are similar and completely different from Earth Prime’s Justice Leaguers. They can achieve even more by combining the abilities of two different members. For example, Super-Martian combines J’onn J’onzz’s resilience with Superman’s strength to craft a nigh-invulnerable superhero. Black Arrow can use Black Canary’s powerful voice with the aim of Oliver Queen, so it’s almost impossible for her to miss. These amalgams ensure the Justice Titans have some of the most unique (and most OP) abilities, so fans can’t ignore their power.

2

The League Includes Heroes From Three Different Kingdoms

First Appearance: Dark Knights of Steel #12 Vol. 1 (2023) by Tom Taylor, Yasmine Putri, Arif Prianto and Wes Abbott

Tom Taylor and Yasmine Putri’s Dark Knights of Steel introduced a new alternate universe to DC Comics, inspired by high fantasy. In this medieval land, swords and knights coexist with aliens (considered mages by many). Dark Knights of Steel tells the story of three kingdoms that end up in the middle of a non-sense war thanks to a sneaky and powerful villain that pumps the royal courts full of intrigues. Ultimately, they all discover the truth, but it’s too late. The White Martians are invading.

To stop these creatures, the three kingdoms make peace and join forces. By the end of it all, they vow to keep protecting each other, thus forming The League. Sadly for the fans, this team was only formed in the last issue of the series, but readers hope it will appear in comics again since it’s an incredible roster full of powerful heroes. Contrary to many other versions of the Justice League, the League wasn’t formed by heroes who already knew they wanted to fight the good fight but by citizens who wanted to defend their land and realize they must help their neighbors to achieve this. This is a truly noble enterprise.

1

The Multiverse Is Safe Thanks To The Justice Incarnate

First Appearance: The Multiversity #2 Vol. 1 (2015) by Grant Morrison, Ivan Reis, Eber Ferreira, Joe Prado, Blond, Daniel Brown, Jason Wright and Todd Klein

Alternate universes are amazing, but multiversal stories are even better, and the same rule applies to superteams. Contrary to many other Justice Leagues, Justice Incarnate doesn’t defend one Earth, instead, it’s a team made of heroes from dozens of different realities, trying to keep the Multiverse safe.

Founded by Calvin Ellis, Earth 23’s Superman, Justice Incarnate includes powerful members like Justice Titans’ Wonderhawk, Captain Carrot, and Doctor Multiverse. This array of superheroes covers all the bases, having one of the most complete skill sets ever. Their joined strength makes them a formidable adversary against any multiversal villain out there, and it also grants them the position of the best Justice League variant ever because they’re this team on steroids: stronger, smarter, dealing with wider threats, and protecting every Earth that will allow it.

“}]] The Justice League is DC’s premiere superhero team, though fans have seen a few different multiversal versions of the iconic heroes pop up.  Read More