Atom (Ray Palmer)

Ray Palmer is a fictional character from the 2012 American television series Arrow, based on the character from DC Comics. In the comics, Ray Palmer becomes the superhero Atom.

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Ranking comic book characters by their powers, strength, physical traits, affiliations, and other features, like how just goshdarn super they are.

Heroes and Villains

Superheroes: in some ways, they're just like us. Which is why we like to evaluate them by our standards.

Superheroic Splendor

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Spanning from the caped crusaders of yesterday to the icons of our modern era, this compilation of the best superheroes has been meticulously assembled by comic book aficionados to showcase the exemplars of heroism and valor. Encompassing the mightiest from the DC and Marvel Universes, as well as the unsung champions of indie comics, the list celebrates the <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/superheroes-ranked-by-most-comic-book-appearances/ranker-comics?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">most popular superheroes</a> who've captured the imagination of readers around the world.Superheroes often strike an intriguing balance between tangible human struggles and remarkable superhuman feats. They might possess extraordinary powers or rely on their unmatched intellect and technology to craft a persona dedicated to the defense of the innocent. Though the term 'superhero' has been around since the early 20th century, it was the arrival of Superman in 1938 that truly ensconced these mighty warriors in the public consciousness.From Superman's otherworldly abilities to the keen detective skills of Batman and the technological prowess of Iron Man, these characters have varied paths to their heroic destinies—some born with powers, others using sheer human ingenuity to combat evil. Their allure is not just in muscular might or mystic abilities, but also in their layered personalities, complex backstories, and, occasionally, the endearing awkwardness of their alter egos.The 21st century has seen superheroes leap from the pages of comic books to the forefront of mainstream media, especially with blockbuster films dominating the box office. This heightened visibility has sparked deeper explorations into the archetype of the superhero, resulting in characters that reflect upon the very nature of heroism itself.The list before you offers a chance to revisit these awe-inspiring figures and elevate your personal favorites. From the iconic top 50 to the comprehensive top 200, each superhero here awaits your endorsement. While villains are essential to the narratives that shape these heroes, they hold no place on this particular roster. Now, it’s your turn to weigh in on the eternal question: Who is the greatest superhero of all time? Cast your vote and contribute to the ultimate ranking of these legendary guardians of justice.

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The Best Comic Book Superheroes Of All Time, Ranked By Fans

The 285+ Best Superheroes Of All Time, Ranked

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Lists that rank the best and worst characters, moments, films, costumes, and etc. in DC Comics history.

The Universe of DC Comics

Lists about DC's Scarlet Speedster, zipping across the big screen June 16, 2023.

In a Flash

What makes a hero? DC Comics easily answers that inquiry with a stable of great, iconic heroes on their roster, and while fans of Marvel would vehemently disagree – some of the best, coolest, and <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/most-powerful-comic-book-characters-ranked/ranker-comics?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">most powerful cartoon characters</a> of all time. Batman, Superman, and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/dc-wonder-woman-vs-greek-mythology/maggie-clancy">Wonder Woman</a> are all top DC heroes, and they have been and will remain as some of the most iconic and important superheroes of all time. Pick your choices for the best DC characters and rank them as you see fit, or just vote for your faves! Take a look at this <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/movies-based-on-detective-comics/ranker-film?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">list of DC</a> <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-female-comic-book-characters/ranker-characters?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">comic book characters</a>, namely the strongest superheroes that always show up to save the day from those diabolical villains!You won't find every DC.superhero on this list, though you'll find that it's fairly comprehensive, ranking the most famous and beloved DC heroes we've collectively come to love. New and old, prominent and obscure, male or female — this list is full of the many classic DC characters we've come to love since they first hit comic books, TV, and movies. You'll also find a description and pictures alongside each of the legends on this list.Who are the top DC characters? Do you prefer Flash over Batman or Green Arrow? Let us know! Vote up <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/best-superheroes-all-time?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">the greatest superheroes</a> from the DC Universe or make your own ReRank of&nbsp;this DC heroes list with your personal favorites listed as the top 10 DC heroes. From popular names to lesser known good guys, these are the very best DC heroes ever.&nbsp;

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The Best Comic Book Superheroes of All Time

Lists about the DC Comics superhero team and the film of the same name.

Justice League

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The Justice League, a television and film franchise, revolves around an alliance of superheroes who come together to protect the world from evil and chaos. These powerful heroes, hailing from different planets and dimensions, are united by their common desire to safeguard humanity and uphold justice. The diverse abilities and personalities that each hero possesses contribute to the team&#39;s overall prowess in battling formidable foes.

When it comes to ranking the best Justice League characters, there is much debate among fans. They analyze the strengths, personalities, and importance of each member. These figures offer more than just displays of power; each one embodies moral codes, personal histories, and captivating storylines. With so many talents on display within this group, it is no wonder that fans eagerly discuss which members should be considered the pinnacle of superhero excellence.

Several key heroes have emerged as fan-favorites over time. For instance, Batman stands out because of his impressive intellect and mastery over martial arts disciplines; he represents the ultimate human warrior with unwavering dedication to fighting crime. Flash garners admiration for his speed. Meanwhile, Wonder Woman offers strength and compassion as she navigates her roles as both warrior princess of Themyscira and global ambassador for peace.

Reflecting on these exceptional Justice League members provides an opportunity for fans to celebrate their favorite characters. At its core lie questions about what it means to be a hero: how qualities like courage, resilience, empathy, loyalty intermingle with personal abilities in defining heroic individuals. By examining the best characters from Justice League, you can gain a greater appreciation&nbsp; for the stories and relationships woven into this universe.

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The Best Members Of The Justice League, Ranked By Fans

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Certain <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-female-comic-book-characters/ranker-characters?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">comic book characters</a> definitely lend themselves to film better than others.

Sometimes it&#39;s their costume, or their power-set being cinematically dynamic (how Hydroman made this list), or how necessary they are to the universe, or even to a specific storyline. Many <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/biggest-superheroes-villains-not-in-live-action-movies-tv/stephanroget" target="_blank">heroes and villains</a> out there deserve their turn in the limelight. With Guardians of the Galaxy, Marvel showed no character is too obscure to delight fans, and with Captain America: The Winter Soldier&nbsp;and The Dark Knight they proved that you really can have multiple villains work in a single film... unlike the disasters that are&nbsp;Spider-Man 3 and Batman &amp; Robin.

From fan favorites (Carnage!) to how-do-they-not-have-a-movie-yet?! (Ms. Marvel, and yes we know it&#39;s eventually coming but it&#39;s not here yet), these are the comic characters we should see in movies. We also added characters that need to be redone in the comic book film industry (Green Lantern... among others).

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Superheroes

To many fans, Batman is the smartest superhero of all time. His brains are matched only by Superman&#39;s brawn, and together, they&#39;re the World&#39;s Finest. But&nbsp;what about Reed Richards? What about Mister&nbsp;Terrific&nbsp;or the Atom? If Batman&#39;s so smart, why isn&#39;t he flying around in a suit of armor akin to Iron Man?&nbsp;

Even if Batman is the smartest superhero in DC, is he more intelligent than the smartest superhero in Marvel? It&#39;s seemingly impossible (without the help of one of these incredibly intelligent heroes) to judge who exactly is at the top of the smartest superheroes list. But, when&nbsp;comparing&nbsp;their accolades, inventions, and the results of their various in-universe intelligence contests, it starts to get a little clearer&nbsp;as to&nbsp;which of these heroes is the smartest of them all.&nbsp;

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The Smartest Comic Book Superheroes Of All Time

Jake Brian Williams

Tony Stark isn&#39;t the only billionaire inventor who created a suit of armor that grants superpowers (he may have <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/the-greatest-iron-man-armor-of-all-time/benjamin-dunn" target="_blank">created the most suits of armor&nbsp;though</a>). In all honesty, armored superheroes are a dime a dozen, and Iron Man isn&#39;t even the most powerful out of them. Across the various fictional galaxies and multiverses, there are suits of armor that incorporate alien technology to create a finished product that can shake up entire galaxies.&nbsp;

Tony Stark is a brilliant inventor for a human, but there are a lot of high-tech civilizations out there. Whether it&#39;s the Blue Beetle with his Scarab or Tech Jacket in the Invincible universe, alien tech just makes for superior armor.&nbsp;

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14 Armored Characters That Would Give Iron Man A Run For His Money

14 Armored Characters As Strong As Iron Man

A solar flare has erupted from the sun causing a massive, worldwide EMP blast. At the same time, a massive tidal wave takes out the West Coast. There is civil unrest and not enough resources. It's the END OF THE WORLD AS WE KNOW IT! Good thing Ranker Comics has put together this list of <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-female-comic-book-characters/ranker-characters?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">comic book characters</a> that have your back!When SHTF (figure it out) and it's time to bug out or bunker down, those on this list of comic book characters are our best (or worst) bet. Not only have our favorite heroes trained to deal with just such a disaster, but what better time to have superpowers than when you are fending off hordes of zombies, or trying to escape a nuclear wasteland! Ranker Comics took a look at <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/superheroes-ranked-by-most-comic-book-appearances/ranker-comics?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">the most popular superhero</a> and indie comic characters and ranked their pros and cons for a survival situation. These characters have been through galactic invasions, archenemies, and terror attacks - they should be able to keep you safe when it all falls apart! So grab your bug out bag and make sure no one is following your tracks - Ranker Comics has your ultimate list of characters that are going to help you get to safety and make it out of here alive! We're definitely going to need comic books when rebuilding society!

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The Best Comic Characters To Have On Your Apocalypse Team

Comic Characters You Want On Your Team When The World Ends

Lists about Judasim and Jewish people, followers of the ancient monotheistic religion that uses the Torah as its foundational text.

The Chosen People

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When it comes to religion, it's hardly ever touched on in the pages of comic books, but once in a while we get a glimpse into the lives of our favorite characters and learn about these superheroes' religious beliefs. Some have proclaimed themselves to be Christian, Catholic, Buddhist, Muslim, and even Wiccan. There aren't very many of them, but these are the superheroes that are Jewish.Every year as the holidays arrive we see Christmas trees around every corner and we hear about them in every song. Even our favorite <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-female-comic-book-characters/ranker-characters?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">comic book characters</a> get into the mood with superheroes like Wolverine, Batman, and Nightcrawler whipping out a candy cane or two. But what about the houses with the menorahs on the window sill? The spinning dreidels? Those awesome little chocolate coins? Yeah, that's right Hanukkah is here, too! Which comic book characters are Jewish? There are some you’re probably aware of, like Kitty Pryde, Magneto, and Ben Grimm the Thing from Fantastic Four. But did you know that Nite-Owl from Watchmen is Jewish? Or that even that Superman is part Jewish? Many Jewish comic book characters can be found in the pages of Marvel Comics, DC Comics, and more. Find out which comic book characters are Jewish on this list of Jewish superheroes. You may be surprised by how many comic book characters practice Judaism and plan on celebrating Hanukkah. Which Jewish comic book characters are you first learning about? Share your thoughts in the comments section and vote for your favorite Jewish characters below!

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Exploring The CW's shared universe that sprawls across the TV series Arrow, The Flash, Supergirl, and Legends of Tomorrow, as well as several webseries, all based on characters you know and love from DC Comics.

Across the Arrowverse

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The CW's Arrow is one of the most popular comic book based shows on network television. Based on DC Comics'&nbsp;Green Arrow, the show follows Oliver Queen, the titular Green Arrow, as he protects his city from dangerous villains. But the Arrow CW cast is full of more than just our hero, like any great comic book, Green Arrow&nbsp;has a virtual cavalcade of characters. From heroes like Black Canary and Arsenal to villains like Deathstroke, Deadshot, and Ra's al Ghul and even the normal people like Felicity Smoak and John Diggle, Arrow's characters are some of the coolest characters from comic book shows on television. Vote up your favorite and coolest CW&nbsp;Arrow characters here. Don't see the Arrow characters you think are the most awesome listed here? Add them to the list so other Arrow and DC Comics fans can vote for them as well.

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In the world of comics books, second-generation or &ldquo;legacy&rdquo; superheroes are part-and-parcel of the genre. Whenever a particular title needs shaking up, the current holder of the mantle will perish or step down or get thrown through time and someone else will step into their superpowered shoes - only to step aside a few months down the road when the original article inevitably makes their grand return.

Sometimes, <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/superhero-replacements-better-than-the-original/stephanroget" target="_blank">replacement heroes outperform the originals</a> in one way or another, but even they usually have to give up the tights when the time comes to revert to the status quo. On the most special of occasions, however, someone takes over a superheroic mantle and elevates the very concept of the character to a higher level - and then there&rsquo;s no looking back.&nbsp;

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Marvel Comics

Comic books have given us numerous <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/biggest-superheroes-villains-not-in-live-action-movies-tv/stephanroget?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">superheroes and villains</a>, each with unique stories and powers. This listicle highlights and ranks the most popular characters dominating the comic book world.Batman, known as the Dark Knight, is a vigilante hero who fights crime in Gotham City. With high-tech gadgets, martial arts skills, and a sharp detective mind, Batman brings justice to the streets. His dual identity as billionaire Bruce Wayne and relentless pursuit of criminals make him one of the most recognizable superheroes worldwide.Superman, the Man of Steel, represents hope and heroism. With superhuman strength, flight, and invulnerability, Superman protects Metropolis and the world from threats. Raised as Clark Kent, his clear sense of right and wrong distinguishes him from other heroes on the list.Wolverine, the fierce mutant from the X-Men, is known for his regenerative healing factor, adamantium claws, and animal-like senses. His rough exterior and complicated past make him an intriguing character. Finally, Logan’s transformation from a lone wolf (so to speak) to a team player highlights his growth.Now it's your turn to help in ranking superheroes. Vote for your favorite and see who tops the list of superheroes ranked by popularity. Who do you think should emerge as the <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/best-superheroes-all-time?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">greatest superhero of all time</a>?

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Lists about the DC Comics superheroes who fight evil by wearing rings that protect them, translate languages, and let them travel through space at incredible speeds.

The Green Lantern

If you think that the only DC characters who have worn a Lantern Ring are members of one of the color-coded Lantern Corps, you&#39;re in for a surprise. While the <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/what-every-power-ring-represents/aaron-edwards?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">Green Lantern Ring</a> typically seeks out those with the strongest willpower and inducts them into <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-green-lanterns/ranker-comics" target="_blank">the Lantern Corps</a>, many superheroes and villains have wielded a Power Ring without passing the test. And when you factor in all the other Lantern Corps that have emerged over the years, the list of <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-female-comic-book-characters/ranker-characters?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">comic book characters</a> with Power Rings starts to grow.

Though there are plenty of established supervillains and superheroes with Power Rings, they&#39;ve all been drafted into the various groups that wield the <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/what-every-power-ring-represents/aaron-edwards" target="_blank">power of the Emotional Electromagnetic Spectrum</a>. DC has also written plenty of Elseworlds, or &quot;what if&quot; stories that imagine someone besides Hal Jordan becoming the Green Lantern. But what about all those times other DC characters managed to get their hands on a Power Ring, even for a short time? Here&#39;s a rundown of all the major heroes and villains who have taken control of a Power Ring.

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