In the last few years, comic book heroes have certainly flown off the pages, landing movie deals, TV shows, and new toy lines. They’ve even taking video games by storm with releases like Injustice 2, the Arkham series, and Guardians of the Galaxy: The Telltale Series.
While these titles certainly scratch that proverbial superhero itch (to some extent), what other heroes out there could satisfy our need to save the innocent and bring nefarious villains to justice?
Here are 5 DC heroes that deserve to have a game of their own.
Nightwing
Nightwing (Vol. 2) #41
From the high wire, we have Dick Grayson, the former circus performer and Boy Wonder. This pretty boy has appeared in several games already as a side (and sometimes playable) character, but he has yet to have the privilege of leading a game of his own. He is often overshadowed by his mentor (because who doesn’t want to be Batman?) and underappreciated when it comes to the world of video games.
Nightwing started out his heroing career as the young sidekick of the Batman, sharing a thirst for justice with the Dark Knight after the death of his own parents. His witty and cheerful personality was the perfect balance to his mentor’s broody and dark nature.
As Grayson grew older, he struck out on his own, becoming Nightwing, with the reasons he took on the mantle of Nightwing vary from multiverse to multiverse. This could allow for a game to create something uniquely its own or dip into one of those multiverses for inspiration. Experiencing how Grayson went from sidekick to full-fledged superhero could be an interesting journey for players, especially as they follow through the city of Blüdhaven taking out thugs and solving crimes.
Black Canary
Green Arrow and Black Canary #12
Dinah Laurel Lance has the ability to shatter bad guys’ insides with a single scream, but that would be after she wiped the floor with them using her martial arts skills. This lovely bird comes from a long line of crime fighters and follows in her mother’s footsteps as the Black Canary.
She’d bring yet another strong female lead character to the video gaming table while opening up chances for her connections to the Birds of Prey to be explored. Teaming with characters like the Oracle, the Huntress, Lady Blackhawk, and even Green Arrow could lead to some great co-op gameplay.
Static
Static Shock #1
Virgil Hawkins is the young, nerdy teenage boy superhero that many know from both comics and animated adaptions. He’s the only hero on this list that didn’t start out as a DC hero, too. Instead, he made his debut in a self-titled Milestone comic.
Static acquired his powers when he got caught up in a gang war — and was doused with an experimental chemical. From there, he used his electromagnetic abilities to combat a long list of enemies, many of whom got their abilities like he did.
Static’s abilities would bring some fun mechanics to a game, plus he has a reasonable amount of weaknesses that would keep him from being completely overpowered.
John Constantine
Constantine #20
Yes, there was a licensed game released starring John Constantine well over a decade ago. However, that game followed the events of the 2005 Constantine film; there have been no games released following his blond and British comic book incarnation, which is why I’m placing him on this list.
This foul mouthed, chain smoking cynical Brit — no relation to TotalBiscuit — started out as a supporting character in The Saga of the Swamp Thing and eventually landing his own comic series, Hellblazer, as his popularity rose.
Constantine is an occult detective who has an adrenaline junkie addiction to all things supernatural and mysterious. A game following John Constantine would give players a glimpse into the dark recesses of the DC universe. It also opens the door for a horror-based game, as opposed to other comic hero games that are more centralized in the ARPG genre.
Green Arrow
Green Arrow Vol 4 #1
Oliver Queen is often compared to Batman because both are billionaires who fight crime with expensive toys. However, this is the bow-wielding vigilante of Star City. Unlike Batman, Green Arrow’s past experience shapes who he is but doesn’t define him.
He’s a billionaire businessman who went from a drunken, devil may care playboy to a self-reliant man when he found himself stranded on an isolated island. His origin story would make an interesting survival game that could progress into more action oriented gameplay as he takes up the mantle of Green Arrow.
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The DC universe is wide and vast, and many heroes in the multiverse could and should have their own games — these are just the five that should kick off the DC video game revolution.
Did we miss any heroes or heroines that you’d like to see make an appearance in their video game? Sound off in the comments below!
Published: May 30, 2017 11:51 am