With recent DCEU movies like Black Adam giving viewers a deeper look into the comic publisher's rich lore, long-time readers can't help but recall heroes who aren't nearly as famous. Comic book fans are known for their dedication, but some DC characters are so obscure that they require an encyclopedic knowledge.
From silly sleuths like Detective Chimp to chilling anti-heroes like Dean, DC's roster of superheroes goes so much deeper than the big guy in blue. Though there have been plenty of lesser-known heroes in the past, DC's most obscure characters are only ed by diehard readers.
Human Cannonball
The Human Cannonball only hung around Metropolis for a few years, but the circus performer turned superhero put his skills to good use when teaming up with Superman. Donning a super suit, complete with a crash helmet, Human Cannonball was equipped with a jetpack that he used to launch himself at his enemies.
Ryan Chase spent a brief period of time competing with Clark Kent for the affection of Lois Lane before quietly disappearing from the comics altogether. Human Cannonball was presumably wiped out by the events of Crisis on Infinite Earths but a sudden return isn't out of the realm of possibility.
Metamorpho
Metamorpho has spent his long career as part of some of the best superhero teams in DC Comics, and his unique skills have always been useful when he ed a squad. Gifted with the ability to transform his body into any chemical compound, the depths of Metamorpho's powers have grown and changed over the years.
Originally conceived as a spoof of the comic book characters of the '60s, Metamorpho has since become a minor fixture in the DCU, and he has survived all of their continuity reboots. Though he has never starred in his own book, the shape-shifting hero is a trusted ally to many of DC's more popular figures.
The Atomic Knight
Proving the old adage that the suit makes the man, Atomic Knight went from a run-of-the-mill psychic to a bona fide superhero thanks to his armor. After a retcon revealed that all of Atomic Knight's classic adventures were a simulation, Gardner Grayle set out into the real world to become the hero he always believed he was.
His precognition aside, Grayle gained his power from his suit which granted him minor invulnerability and the ability to shoot energy blasts at will. His position as a lesser-known hero has never been in question, and Atomic Knight even ed a team called the Forgotten Heroes during the first Crisis event.
Viking Commando
War comics have always been grounded in reality, but the sudden appearance of Valoric the Viking Commando injected a bit of fantasy into the fading genre. Originally a Viking from the fifth century, Valoric was sent forward in time to WWII where he enlisted in the American military as a soldier.
Though the war comic was already on the way out in the '70s, Valoric found success in the All-Out War book and even teamed up with Sgt. Rock on several occasions. Lacking any actual superpowers, Viking Commando was nevertheless a hero and wielded a signature Norse axe when dispatching his foes.
Detective Chimp
Making his debut during the Golden Age of Comics, the intrepid sleuth Detective Chimp is certainly a relic from DC's cheesier era. Bobo first appeared as a mere circus act designed to trick audiences, he eventually gained a genius-level intellect and the ability to speak to humans thanks to the magic of the Fountain of Youth.
When not teaming up with his fellow exceptional animals, Detective Chimp often worked with other superheroes as a for-hire sleuth. Because of his simian nature, Detective Chimp is often ed fondly by comic fans, but he has never risen up to the higher echelons of DC's superhero hierarchy.
The Clipper
DC's heroes operate with a strict code of ethics when fighting crime, but the short-lived anti-hero The Clipper had no such righteous calling. Protecting New York City during the Great Depression, Clipper earned his name by snipping off pieces of criminals' ears as a warning.
Even though The Clipper only made two appearances alongside Flash in the '80s, he had the feel of a fully fleshed-out character with a fascinating backstory. Matching the tone of comics in the late-'80s, Clipper was just the sort of anti-hero that could have been big during that gritty era of storytelling.
Arm-Fall-Off-Boy
Illustrating that not all powers are necessarily useful, Arm-Fall-Off-Boy is a perfect example of DC's silly sense of humor. So named for his ability to detach his limbs and use them as blunt weapons, Arm-Fall-Off-Boy could also fling said limbs and use them as a projectile against enemies.
After failing his tryout with the Legion of Superheroes, Floyd Belkin faded into obscurity but has since made sporadic appearances in the comics. A similar character appeared in the 2021 Suicide Squad movie, and though he adopted the name Splitter, diehard fans will always the limb-hurling hero by his original moniker.
Ragman
Unlike most obscure heroes who only make appearances in other characters' books, the mysterious Ragman has mostly kept to his own series. Donning a ragged but enchanted costume that grants him his superpowers, the intimidating presence of Ragman stalks his enemies with an ancient desire for revenge.
Gaining a slight bump in popularity thanks to his debut on Arrow, DC's answer to Moon Knight is still a lower-tier hero at best. Despite his stagnant position among the DC hero hierarchy, Ragman's comic miniseries show the full potential of the character, and it is only a matter of time before he becomes a bigger part of the DCU.
Odd Man
Donning one of the most outlandish DC Comics costumes ever, the vigilante Odd Man certainly earned his strange name. Clay Stoner is the sole protector of his native River City and his alter-ego Odd Man uses vibrant garb and sophisticated gadgets to bamboozle criminals.
Existing largely within his own sphere of influence, Odd Man has teamed up with other heroes and even made a cameo in Infinite Crisis. Unlike other lesser-known heroes who have little to offer, Odd Man is a Batman-like detective who could certainly make a return to spice up DC's current run of books.
Dean
DC's extravagant pantheon of heroes and villains is so stuffed that even amazing characters like Dean get pushed to the edges. Dean was originally an acrobat named Boston Brand who was murdered in cold blood and allowed to return to the land of the living as a ghost.
Not limited by the physical realm, Dean's powers include impermeability and even a touch of possession as well. After his short-lived original run in the comics, Brand was only brought out of mothballs on occasion to spice up large crossover events, and he has found a niche as the resident expert whenever the occult is the subject of the story. Popular with diehard fans, Dean has yet to achieve the status he so rightly deserves among other dark anti-heroes.