10 Underrated DC Teams That Must Debut in the New DCU

As a movie enthusiast, I’m eagerly anticipating the imminent takeoff of the new DC Universe (DCU) film franchise. Beyond the expected appearances of iconic characters like Superman, there are numerous undervalued DC Comics teams that deserve their moment in the limelight. The forthcoming DCU by James Gunn and Peter Safran is merely months away from delivering exhilaration to fans, but let’s not shy away from exploring beyond the Man of Steel.

Absolutely, it appears that the Justice League is destined for the DC Universe, and fans are already aware that the Titans are coming soon. However, there are numerous lesser-known but fantastic teams that haven’t made it to the big screen yet. The Outsiders, the Metal Men, as well as a team that serves as DC’s equivalent of the Fantastic Four, all have great potential to shine in the spotlight. While the DCU might initially choose to focus on their heavyweights, these ten DC Comics teams would be an ideal fit for Gunn and Safran’s universe.

10. The Freedom Fighters

First Appearance: Justice League of America #107

In essence, although they didn’t initially debut in DC Comics, this band of heroic figures has been a mainstay in the DC Universe for many years. Typically residing on Earth-X, a realm where the Nazis emerged victorious from World War II, these heroes – the Freedom Fighters – serve as the world’s most valiant champions of justice against a totalitarian government. Granted, they might seem somewhat vintage, but their diverse array of abilities is impressive; for instance, Doll Man can shrink to tiny sizes and the Human Bomb has the power to explode. Now, envision the thrill of watching an actual Uncle Sam display his martial prowess alongside other DCU heroes in a blockbuster film!

9. The Outsiders

First Appearance: The Brave and the Bold #200

Although Batman is closely associated with the Justice League, he chose to distance himself when they opted against meddling in foreign matters. As a result, he formed his own team, The Outsiders, consisting of heroes not shy about getting their hands dirty. Heroes like Katana, Geo-Force, and Black Lightning are part of this elite group. To bring the DC Universe to life even more, it would be thrilling to see Batman’s secret black ops squad, The Outsiders, appear in some form (given that Metamorpho is currently featured in Superman).

8. Time Masters

First Appearance: Showcase #20

The Time Masters, as their name suggests, are dedicated to maintaining the integrity of the timeline within the DC universe. Headed by time-traveler Rip Hunter, this group is tasked with preventing any disruptions caused by aberrations or villains who seek to damage it. With Booster Gold officially joining Gunn and Safran’s DCU, it seems that time travel will indeed be a factor. Given that Booster has a son named Rip Hunter, there’s a good chance we might see him in the mix as well. If these time-travelers are fully embraced by the DCU, we can expect plenty of exciting time-jumping adventures!

7. Batman Inc.

First Appearance: Batman and Robin #16

Regardless of whether it’s good or bad, Batman is essentially the iconic figure for DC Comics. Although Batman has only made a brief appearance within the DC Universe, it would be quite surprising if the universe decided to bring his most notable creation to life. Batman Incorporated represents Bruce Wayne’s expansion of his crime-fighting identity into an organization, with members carefully chosen by Batman to ensure that no part of the world is left unprotected from crime. Many beloved heroes are part of this team, such as El Gaucho from Argentina or Man-of-Bats from South Dakota, and seeing these characters come to life on screen would be a delightful experience for fans.

6. Shadowpact

First Appearance: Day of Vengeance #1

Readers might recognize Justice League Dark as the magical counterpart to the main hero team. However, if the supernatural realm within the DC Universe aims for independent recognition, they should establish Shadowpact instead. Similar to Justice League Dark, Shadowpact consists of magical heroes, but this group was assembled out of urgency when Spectre waged war against all magic in the DC Universe. Just like Gunn enjoys underdog teams that come together by destiny, with the right direction, Shadowpact has great potential to embody the mystical version of the Guardians of the Galaxy.

5. Justice League China

First Appearance: New Super-Man #1

Although the Justice League is not typically thought of as underappreciated, it’s important to note that this particular team was established separately from the original one. The Justice League of China, a government-backed hero squad, was specifically created by the Chinese administration. Led by Kenan Kong, a former bully who receives an extraordinary chance when he’s imbued with Superman’s vital essence, this group could provide an exciting ensemble of young heroes for DCU if they were to create a standalone film or TV series that feels reminiscent of their iconic team.

4. The Terrifics

First Appearance: The Terrifics

Following the events of “Dark Nights: Metal,” DC Comics drew inspiration from Marvel’s approach and introduced a series of comics featuring their iconic characters. One such title is “The Terrifics,” which follows an unusual team of heroes who, despite being bound together, venture into the most peculiar parts of the DC Universe. Superman will be introducing two key members of this team: Metamorpho and Mister Terrific. Adding Plastic Man and Phantom Girl to the group completes the lineup, making them an ideal cast for a film featuring this unique ensemble.

3. The Metal Men

First Appearance: Showcase #37

Given the widespread affection for robots, introducing DC’s squad of metallic automatons, the Metal Men, could be a brilliant decision for the DC Universe. Created by Doctor Will Magnus, these inventions form an exceptional team due to their unique shape-shifting abilities. Intriguingly, the DCU has already paved the way for this team in the “Cheers to the Tin Man” episode of Creature Commandos, where Magnus’ initial designs for the team were showcased. Whether it was a subtle hint or an Easter egg for observant fans, if Gunn is contemplating incorporating the Metal Men into the DCU, he absolutely should seize this opportunity.

2. The Doom Patrol

First Appearance: My Greatest Adventure #80

The Doom Patrol, though not yet household names, have managed to keep their show running for four seasons on two separate streaming platforms. However, they are far from being top-tier heroes in the general public’s eyes. Moreover, the peculiarities of their TV series only hint at the bizarre possibilities that lie ahead for this team. There are still challenges, such as the enigmatic Retconn, an interdimensional liquidation company, that fans have yet to see the Doom Patrol confront. Therefore, it is essential for the DC Universe not just to focus on its mainstays but also provide a platform for the most unusual (and undeniably fascinating) teams to make their mark.

1. The Legion of Super-Heroes

First Appearance: Adventure Comics #247

In a few months, as Superman guides the DC Universe into a fresh chapter, Gunn and Safran’s DCU have the chance to cultivate a whole new wave of fans for the Legion of Super-Heroes. This squad hails from the future, their enthusiasm sparked by Superman’s actions, or more specifically, his teenage alter ego Superboy. Though they’ve experienced some continuity issues throughout history, they are an amazing group of superheroes whose powers are truly spectacular and deserve to be showcased on the big screen. Here’s hoping that the DCU will shine a light on the Legion of Super-Heroes in a manner befitting their status.

2025-05-19 00:28