For over 20 years, Smallville, there are many great options when it comes to strong portrayals of these DC icons.
Given the many actors that have or are portraying some of DC’s biggest heroes, everyone has their personal favorites. With that said these are the 10 best portrayals of DC Comics heroes of all time, past and present versions.
Nightwing
Titans have had a bumbling ride thus far as the Teen Titans drama is two seasons in on its run. But in the case of Dick Grayson (Brenton Thwaites), the show has mostly done a strong execution in bringing the iconic former Boy Wonder to life. Despite this iteration is a bit grittier than expected, Dick has come a long way since leaving his Robin days behind him.
For two seasons, Dick has been facing his inner demons to the core. It eventually took him down the path to finally becoming Nightwing as well as a true leader for the group. Ideally, the season will allow Dick to grow closer to the light and honor the character’s more optimistic layers from the canon.
Green Arrow (Smallville)
While Arrow’s Stephen Amell may have played Green Arrow the longest, Smallville’s interpretation is still the one to be more comic-accurate. Unlike the latest version, Justin Hartley’s take on the character was a more balanced mix of the Emerald Archer’s comic roots.
Even though his Oliver had his dark moments, the Superman prequel still managed to commit to Green Arrow’s light-hearted aspects such as wit and sass. Whereas the latter version of the hero seems to suffer from "The Dark Knight-syndrome".
Martian Manhunter (Supergirl)
J’onn J’onzz a.k.a. Martian Manhunter is and always will be one of DC’s deepest and most complex heroes. While many talented actors have brought the character to life, it’s David Harewood’s current version on Supergirl that is living up to those qualities. For almost 5 seasons now, J’onn is the show’s biggest voice of reason.
While he may not always get as many adventures as the others, it doesn’t take away from the enjoyment of his character. Even though Martian Manhunter is one of the most powerful heroes in the Arrowverse, it’s his guidance that is most appealing to watch.
John Constantine
NBC may have canceled his series after one season, but it didn’t stop John Constantine from becoming one of DC TV’s favorite heroes. Since Matt Ryan brought the character to life, the Constantine appeal has only grown year after year.
So much so that Ryan is even voicing the character in almost every animated version of the famous Hellblazer. From his adventures as the wisecracking demonologist/exorcist to being one of the primary bisexual characters of DC, Ryan’s consistent performance as the beloved character leaves you wanting more of him.
Thunder
Black Lightning may be titled after Jefferson Pierce (Cress Williams) but it’s more than just his series. One of the heroes that have been brilliantly adapted from the screen to the page is Nafessa Williams’ Anissa Pierce a.k.a. Thunder. Even though the Pierce family may have not been on as many peoples’ radar, that changed once the series began.
For three seasons, Anissa has consistently grown as a hero in her own way and becoming another role model within the comic book TV genre. While she and her father may not always see eye-to-eye on things, Anissa’s journey as Thunder has and continues to be one of the best superhero stories in live-action right now.
Crazy Jane
Doom Patrol was most likely something many TV viewers had never heard of before prior to DC Universe launching the series.
But once it came on the scene, the team went from being obscure to becoming mainstream very quickly. While it's hard to pick just one of them in the whole group, Diane Guerrero's Crazy Jane has managed to steal the show more times than once. From having to portray so many of Jane's various personalities while also growing as a character, Jane is someone that leaves you wanting more.
Black Lightning
While the Arrowverse has plenty of superheroes, Jefferson is one of a kind currently in this line-up of heroes. It's not just because he has been a hero longer, but it's also Jefferson's ability to be a hero to Freeland without a super-suit. His guidance as a teacher/principal while also being a tortured hero makes Black Lightning one of DC TV's deepest superheroes.
It's impossible imagining anyone else in that role other than Williams as he has crushed it for three seasons now. While Jefferson may be one of the older heroes in the gang, the journey is still young.
Supergirl
While Kara Zor-El has had a mixed comics ride, Supergirl has elevated the character to be more than Superman's cousin. To say that Melissa Benoist is playing the Girl of Steel is an understatement as the Glee veteran is Supergirl.
While each season has had its ups and downs, Kara has for most of the time continued to be a hero that you just want to keep watching. From being an inspiring beacon that is also allowed to grow and evolve, Benoist's take on Kara has been a pleasure to follow for more than 5 seasons now. Giving the Girl of Steel her own series is perhaps one of the best calls in DC TV's history.
The Flash
Within the DC TV realm, Barry Allen has come to play an important role for years through The Flash. The day Grant Gustin made his Arrowverse debut as the future Scarlet Speedster to be, the journey has been a non-stop blast.
For 6 seasons, the series has literally seen Barry leave boyhood behind and truly becoming an inspiring male role model. He isn't always perfect, but it's Barry's flaws that make his growing journey as compelling as it is. Gustin's iteration of the iconic hero will always stand as one of the best additions to the DC TV franchise.
Superman (Smallville)
Many have played the Man of Steel on the big and small screen whether it be in animation or live-action. However, Smallville did perhaps the best job with the last son of Krypton without Clark flying around in tights.
Tom Welling's version of DC's most iconic hero had 10 seasons where Clark explored his destiny but from all the important angles. Even if it took liberties with the mythology, Smallville helped remind the world that Clark is Superman with or without a costume. Seeing Welling's growth for 10 years just as Clark was growing makes his Superman one of the most iconic and perhaps deepest incarnations of all time.