Even though the DCEU has only been around since 2013, it has already managed to create multiple films, introduce many superheroes, villains, and other characters, from sidekicks to love interests and family . Some of them were more sympathetic, some less. A few vanished relatively fast while others stayed for a long time.
The DCEU is far from kind to its heroes and it doesn't give them anything for free. Its superheroes have to face multiple challenges and they sometimes lose people they love or ultimately sacrifice themselves. Some of the heroes simply deserved a better fate than they got while others were much luckier.
Deserved Better: Martha Kent
Martha Kent has done the hard job of raising an alien child with extraordinary powers. She then lost her husband, the man she loved, and then her son died as well, leaving Martha alone.
Even though Superman eventually came back, Martha still deserves better than the pain and danger she faced (like the time Lex Luthor kidnapped her). Martha's one of the more sympathetic characters, wise and kind, but life hasn't been so kind to her.
Got A Fitting Ending: Harley Quinn
Despite her young age, Harley's life has been rather adventurous. She went from being a respectable psychiatrist until she turned to a criminal's life. Amanda Waller made Harley the Suicide Squad but Harley eventually escaped and started a new life.
Even more importantly, she broke off the relationship she had with her abusive boyfriend Joker, and seems much happier now since she also found new female friends.
Deserved Better: Bruce Wayne
It's true that Bruce Wayne aka Batman has the added advantage of his wealth - but money isn't everything, and all in all, Bruce doesn't seem to be a very happy person. He has very few people close to him, and his naturally suspicious nature makes it difficult for him to form friendships.
There's also the tragic death of his parents that marked him for life and made him into the person he is today. Even though Batman becomes more approachable in Justice League, he's still far from being happy.
Got A Fitting Ending: General Ludendorff
Every good superhero needs a villain who will stand in their way - and for Wonder Woman, the villain was general Erich Ludendorff - at least in her first solo movie.
Ludendorff was intelligent, ruthless, and he was willing to kill many to achieve his goals. Diana believed he was Ares and killed him, but even though she was mistaken, Ludendorff still deserved to die before he could have committed even greater evil.
Deserved Better: Diana Prince
One thing that connects Diana and Bruce Wayne is their detachment from the rest of the world. Diana chose to leave her home behind during World War One. She did it to save the world from war only to realize there was no easy solution and people would continue to fight and hurt each other.
She also lost the man she loved, Steve Trevor. Move forward almost a hundred years, and Diana tended to keep to herself until the world faced another huge threat that she simply couldn't ignore.
Got A Fitting Ending: Arthur Curry
Arthur Curry aka Aquaman had a long way to go before he could assume his rightful position as the king of Atlantis. Arthur grew up only with his dad after his mom had been forced to leave, return back underwater. He was a bit of an outsider, but once he discovered his powers and began his training, the situation slowly got better for him.
Nowadays, it's safe to say Aquaman has done well for himself - he has both his parents back, rules the Atlantis, found his perfect partner Mera, and also helped save the world as a member of the Justice League.
Deserved Better: Steve Trevor
Speaking of Wonder Woman related characters who deserved better, there's also the curious case of Steve Trevor. It's now obvious Steve will be back in Wonder Woman 1984 but for now, Steve still remains dead.
He bravely sacrificed his life during World War One when he and Diana fought Ares together. Steve's death hit Diana hard and Steve himself could have done many great things had he stayed alive.
Got A Fitting Ending: Thomas Curry
Queen Atlanna could be here as well but if one should choose only one person of the couple, the spot has to go to Aquaman's dad. Thomas Curry had to raise his son alone after his wife had left (to be fair, it wasn't her preferred choice, she did it to protect them).
He waited for her return for many years and never stopped loving her. So it felt like a well-deserved ending when Atlanna finally came back to her husband while he waited for her on the spot where they promised to meet each other again.
Deserved Better: Victor Stone
Growing up is difficult enough, let alone when one undergoes a serious accident and then a transformation to a cyborg. That's exactly what happened to young Victor Stone. In the course of a very short time, his life changed and Victor had a hard time dealing with that.
The events during the Justice League helped him come to with his new life, but he still has been through a lot and deserved to live a more peaceful life of his own choosing.
Got A Fitting Ending: Billy Batson
The prevalent theme in Shazam's first solo film is loneliness. Billy Batson is busy searching for his real life as he's an orphan. But once he finds his mom, he realizes she's not interested in him. He then has to juggle his everyday life and his new superhero powers.
It's a lot to take in, but in the end, Billy not only becomes a true hero but also bounds with his new, adoptive family - and he ends up happier than he's been for a long time.
