10 DC Heroes Who Need a Fresh Series for 2026

Recently, there have been many excellent comic books, including fantastic runs like Jeremy Adams’ work on Green Lantern and the team-up of Mark Waid and Dan Mora. With the company now experiencing increased sales and positive fan reactions, they’re starting to reprint some of their best, but lesser-known, heroes.

DC Comics is having a strong start to 2026, with their Absolute editions continuing to sell very well and several promising storylines still in progress. While DC has recently focused heavily on its most popular characters, bringing back some of its lesser-known but compelling heroes could make 2026 their best year in a long time.

Peacemaker Has Never Been More Popular

Peacemaker first appeared in comics published by Charlton, and he’s known as one of the most ruthless and determined antiheroes ever created. His backstory involves Christopher Smith, a former American diplomat who was so committed to peace that he took things to the extreme. More recently, he’s become a regular member of DC’s Suicide Squad, consistently proving himself to be one of their most effective agents.

James Gunn helped turn Peacemaker from a little-known character into one of DC’s most popular antiheroes. DC has recently released mature-readers miniseries featuring him that connect to the HBO show. To further boost the character’s popularity, DC could create a story that fits directly into the main DC Universe, or even give him a major storyline spanning multiple titles.

Constantine is DC’s Foremost Occult Detective

Alan Moore created the character John Constantine while writing Swamp Thing. Constantine, a hardened and skeptical detective specializing in the occult, quickly became a popular hero in DC’s Vertigo line, especially with writers like Garth Ennis. Since then, he’s appeared in many other comics, including Batman, Justice League Dark, and Swamp Thing, and has even starred in his own series.

Simon Spurrier has become known as the definitive Constantine writer of the last few years, despite only being given a limited twelve-issue run by DC. Giving him the chance to tell a longer story could revitalize the character, bringing back the feel of Vertigo’s most popular days. For fans of DC’s darker stories, Constantine is arguably its most compelling hero.

Etrigan the Demon is Jack Kirby’s Most Overlooked Creation

Etrigan the Demon introduced elements of Arthurian legend into the Justice League’s world. Originally a knight with a demon’s spirit bound to his soul, the immortal Jason Blood has dedicated his long life to protecting holy objects and defending the world against magical dangers.

Etrigan has been central to some of DC’s most compelling horror and dark fantasy tales, including the series by John Byrne in the early 2000s and the ‘Batman/Demon: A Tragedy’ graphic novel. His stories could strike a balance between the styles of ‘Ghost Rider’ and ‘Hellboy,’ attracting readers who enjoy historical settings, mythology, and the supernatural. A new horror story under DC’s Black Label imprint could recapture the popularity Etrigan enjoyed in the late 1990s.

Swamp Thing Has Always Been a Mark of Quality

Originally conceived by Len Wein and Bernie Wrightson, Swamp Thing became a defining work for Alan Moore, who many consider to be at his peak with this title. Over time, this character – the Avatar of the Green – has uniquely brought layers of emotional depth, tragedy, and horror to the DC Universe.

Recent Swamp Thing stories, like the 2018 Winter Special by Tom King and Len Wein, and the 2021 series by Ram V and Mike Perkins, have all been popular with fans. However, DC Comics hasn’t seemed willing to give the character his own consistent, long-running comic book series, even though he’s done so well in recent years.

Classic monster comics stay popular – look at how well The Incredible Hulk still does – and it’s time Swamp Thing had a consistently published monthly series.

Hawkman’s Story Exists Across DC History

Robert Venditti’s run on Hawkman in 2018 revitalized the character, making him one of the most compelling in DC’s post-Rebirth lineup. He clarified Hawkman’s complicated backstory and launched him on an exciting journey through time and space. The tale of Carter Hall, a hero who is repeatedly reborn as a winged archeologist, was truly captivating and showcased the character’s potential.

I’ve always loved Hawkman – he’s one of DC’s original heroes, and what’s so cool about him is how he mixes classic sci-fi with ancient mythology. There’s just so much you can do with a character like that! Plus, he’s got an amazing team around him – the Atom, Hawkgirl, the whole Justice Society of America. I really hope future stories pick up where Robert Venditti left off, because that run was setting up something really special.

The Atom Brings Adventure to the Microverse

Since being reimagined during the Silver Age of comics, the Atom has become a leading science fiction hero for DC, largely thanks to his journeys into the incredibly small Microverse. Ray Palmer’s ability to shrink down to the size of an atom has led to some wonderfully bizarre adventures in the pages of DC Comics. The Microverse provides a virtually endless playground for stories, allowing writers and artists to constantly create new creatures and environments.

The adventures of the Atom – whether it’s Ray Palmer, Ryan Choi, or a fresh take on the character – consistently captivate science fiction fans. DC Comics has the potential to make the Atom as popular as Marvel’s Ant-Man, and a mature-themed limited series could be the perfect way to reintroduce him to a modern audience.

Mr Terrific is DC’s Answer to Reed Richards

Mr. Terrific is a long-time DC Comics favorite, celebrated as one of the world’s most brilliant minds and a resourceful inventor who fights injustice globally. He recently took on a leadership role with the Terrifics, and the recent Year One miniseries delved into his origins, leaving fans eager to see more of Michael Holt. A follow-up series in 2026 would be greatly appreciated.

Mr. Terrific has become increasingly popular, making now the perfect time for him to get his own comic book series. He’s DC’s version of Reed Richards, incredibly intelligent – on par with Batman and Lex Luthor. Though written by acclaimed creators like Geoff Johns and Tom King, he still needs a truly defining story that captures everything that makes him a great character.

Animal Man Has Always Delivered Some Bizarre Adventures

Originally a little-known character from DC’s Silver Age, Animal Man had the unique ability to take on the powers of any animal. After years of being forgotten, writer Grant Morrison revitalized the story in the 1980s, focusing on Buddy Baker’s return from retirement. The series quickly became known for its strange and unusual take on the DC Universe.

Both Grant Morrison and Jeff Lemire’s work on Animal Man proves he’s a fantastic character for exploring the stranger, more unusual corners of the DC Universe. The DCU’s animal world is ripe for further development, and Animal Man’s powers could make him a powerful opponent for many of DC’s top villains.

Question Should Be DC’s Answer to Hardboiled Detective Fiction

Vic Sage, known as the Question, is a memorable character DC Comics gained from the Charlton universe. As an investigative reporter in the crime-ridden city of Hub City, he becomes a masked detective at night, seeking justice for the city’s victims.

Although Question currently appears in a team-up comic with Batman and Green Arrow, he hasn’t headlined his own comic book series since the 1980s. Given that he inspired Alan Moore’s iconic character Rorschach, a new solo series for Vic Sage has a lot of promise. Jeff Lemire would be an ideal writer for the project, allowing him to build on the story he started in The Deaths of Vic Sage.

Shazam Matches the Current Era of DC

Ever since World’s Finest came out, it’s been clear this new DC era is all about positivity and looking forward – and it’s awesome to see heroes like Shazam getting their own comics again! I’ve always loved how Shazam blends Superman’s inspiring ideals with that fun, classic Silver Age feel and a touch of magic. To me, a good Shazam story has always been a sign that DC is doing things right.

Shazam stands out as a DC series where the villains are just as popular and interesting as the hero. Characters like Black Adam, Mr. Worm, Doctor Sivana, and Captain Nazi create a truly compelling group of enemies – the Monster Society of Evil – that rivals any in comics. While Mark Waid’s run helped revitalize the series, bringing on a talented writer like Jeremy Adams could take it to the next level.

2026-01-12 07:20