History AntiHero / TheDCU

** [[Characters/BatmanTheCharacter Batman]] is a classic and well-known anti-hero who has had a significant influence on comic book anti-heroes. Batman displayed the traits of the modern anti-hero since his debut in ''ComicBook/DetectiveComics'', 1939. However, Batman's status as an anti-hero ultimately depends on who's writing or portraying him; many have leaned towards a more traditional idea of heroism. For example, while Creator/FrankMiller's fits this trope like a glove, it's really hard to describe Creator/AdamWest's Series/{{Batman|1966}} as an anti-hero.

** The Post-Flashpoint ''ComicBook/{{Wonder Woman|2011}}'' revamp took things even further by making Diana a true Anti-Hero whose friends point out she is a bit too eager to kill, turning the Amazons into a society of rapists and murderers, turning ContinuitySnarl/DonnaTroy into an outright villain, and changing ComicBook/WonderGirl into a thief with dangerous problems with authority.

* In the [[WesternAnimation/TeenTitans 2003 version]] of ''ComicBook/TeenTitans'', [[AntiAntiChrist Raven]] may not be the most social person you'd come across, but she is most certainly heroic and on the side of good.

* Creator/DCComics introduced a slew of Anti Heroes [[AntiHeroSubstitute to "replace" their traditional heroic characters]] during UsefulNotes/{{the Dark Age|OfComicBooks}} (the Eradicator for ComicBook/{{Superman}}, [[ComicBook/{{Azrael}} Jean Paul Valley]] for ComicBook/{{Batman}}, ComicBook/{{Artemis}} for ComicBook/WonderWoman, and Dark Flash for ComicBook/TheFlash), though whether they were supposed to emphasize how good the originals were in comparison or a cynical attempt to get with the DarkerAndEdgier trend of the '90s depends on how charitable you are. The only one with any staying power was ComicBook/GreenLantern Kyle Rayner, but he was never really an Anti-Hero to begin with. Kyle was brought in to replace Hal Jordan, [[spoiler:who had become the supervillain Parallax]] -- he didn't ''need'' to be dark and edgy.

* ComicBook/{{Superman}}. At least, the original [[UsefulNotes/TheGoldenAgeOfComicBooks Golden Age]] Man of Steel. Superman didn't become the big boy scout we know and love until UsefulNotes/WorldWarII, or possibly even TheFifties. Back in TheThirties, Superman was an anti-hero, fighting for truth and justice but was more like ComicBook/{{Batman}}, [[TerrorHero terrifying criminals and threatening to kill them]]. While he never actually killed anyone, he would more often than not avert SaveTheVillain -- in ''Superman #2'' (1939), Superman just stands and watches a villain die slowly from a poisonous gas. As in, ''stood in the same room with the dying man as he begs for help''.

* Creator/DCComics introduced a slew of Anti Heroes [[AntiHeroSubstitute to "replace" their traditional heroic characters]] during UsefulNotes/{{the Dark Age|OfComicBooks}} (the Eradicator for ComicBook/{{Superman}}, [[ComicBook/{{Azrael}} Jean Paul Valley]] for ComicBook/{{Batman}}, ComicBook/{{Artemis}} for ComicBook/WonderWoman, and Dark Flash for ComicBook/TheFlash), though whether they were supposed to emphasize how good the originals were in comparison or a cynical attempt to get with the DarkerAndEdgier trend of the '90s depends on how charitable you are. The only one with any staying power was ComicBook/GreenLantern Kyle Rayner, but he was never really an Anti-Hero to begin with. Kyle was brought in to replace Hal Jordan, [[spoiler:who had become the supervillain Parallax]] -- he didn't ''need'' to be dark and edgy.

* ComicBook/{{Superman}}. At least, the original [[UsefulNotes/TheGoldenAgeOfComicBooks Golden Age]] Man of Steel. Superman didn't become the big boy scout we know and love until UsefulNotes/WorldWarII, or possibly even TheFifties. Back in TheThirties, Superman was an anti-hero, fighting for truth and justice but was more like ComicBook/{{Batman}}, [[TerrorHero terrifying criminals and threatening to kill them]]. While he never actually killed anyone, he would more often than not avert SaveTheVillain -- in ''Superman #2'' (1939), Superman just stands and watches a villain die slowly from a poisonous gas. As in, ''stood in the same room with the dying man as he begs for help''.

** Batman is a classic and well-known anti-hero who has had a significant influence on comic book anti-heroes. Batman displayed the traits of the modern anti-hero since his debut in ''ComicBook/DetectiveComics'', 1939. However, Batman's status as an anti-hero ultimately depends on who's writing or portraying him; many have leaned towards a more traditional idea of heroism. For example, while Creator/FrankMiller's fits this trope like a glove, it's really hard to describe Creator/AdamWest's Series/{{Batman|1966}} as an anti-hero.

** Batman from ''WesternAnimation/BatmanTheAnimatedSeries'' is the KnightInSourArmor type. However, it is {{subverted|Trope}} in a way of his role in most other mediums, as Batman is probably the least anti-heroic member of the Justice League aside from the Flash. Justice Lord Batman was the only member of the the parallel League to see how corrupt his world had become, and normal Batman [[WhatTheHellHero called Superman out]] on his ethically questionable handling of Doomsday.

** ''ComicBook/{{Hardware|1993}}'': At the start, Curtis wants to stop Alva's evil influence on his life and the world at large, but he has no care for how much collateral damage he causes or lives he takes in the process and even outright states he's no hero, just out for revenge. He becomes a more PragmaticHero later with influence from his moral teammates. His whole character was mockingly summed up by a friend out of disgust.

* Franchise/TheDCU introduced a slew of Anti Heroes [[AntiHeroSubstitute to "replace" their traditional heroic characters]] during UsefulNotes/{{the Dark Age|OfComicBooks}} (the Eradicator for ComicBook/{{Superman}}, [[ComicBook/{{Azrael}} Jean Paul Valley]] for ComicBook/{{Batman}}, ComicBook/{{Artemis}} for ComicBook/WonderWoman, and Dark Flash for ComicBook/TheFlash), though whether they were supposed to emphasize how good the originals were in comparison or a cynical attempt to get with the DarkerAndEdgier trend of the '90s depends on how charitable you are. The only one with any staying power was ComicBook/GreenLantern Kyle Rayner, but he was never really an Anti-Hero to begin with. Kyle was brought in to replace Hal Jordan, [[spoiler:who had become the supervillain Parallax]] -- he didn't ''need'' to be dark and edgy.

* Franchise/TheDCU introduced a slew of Anti Heroes [[AntiHeroSubstitute to "replace" their traditional heroic characters]] during UsefulNotes/{{the Dark Age|OfComicBooks}} (the Eradicator for ComicBook/{{Superman}}, [[Comicbook/{{Azrael}} Jean Paul Valley]] for ComicBook/{{Batman}}, ComicBook/{{Artemis}} for ComicBook/WonderWoman, and Dark Flash for ComicBook/TheFlash), though whether they were supposed to emphasize how good the originals were in comparison or a cynical attempt to get with the DarkerAndEdgier trend of the '90s depends on how charitable you are. The only one with any staying power was ComicBook/GreenLantern Kyle Rayner, but he was never really an Anti-Hero to begin with. Kyle was brought in to replace Hal Jordan, [[spoiler:who had become the supervillain Parallax]] -- he didn't ''need'' to be dark and edgy.

* Say his name, comic fans: ''Franchise/{{Lobo}}''. Definitely TheLancer on the spacefaring [[ComicBook/LEGIONDCComics L.E.G.I.O.N.]] team, and in ''ComicBook/YoungJustice'' as the de-aged Slobo.

* ''Franchise/{{Batman}}'':

** Jason Todd, the ComicBook/RedHood. In ''ComicBook/RedHoodAndTheOutlaws'' he states that he's become LighterAndSofter in recent years, noting that he no longer enjoys killing people, even criminals.
** In the story ''ComicBook/ElseworldsFinestSupergirlAndBatgirl'', ''Comicbook/{{Batgirl}}'' is the protector of Gotham. Her methods are questionable at best -she took over Gotham and rules the place with an iron fist- and she is kinda jerkass, but her only goal is protecting people, saving innocents and stopping criminals.
* Franchise/TheDCU introduced a slew of Anti Heroes to "replace" their traditional heroic characters during UsefulNotes/{{the Dark Age|OfComicBooks}} -- the Eradicator for Franchise/{{Superman}}, [[Comicbook/{{Azrael}} Jean Paul Valley]] for Franchise/{{Batman}}, ComicBook/{{Artemis}} for Franchise/WonderWoman, [[Franchise/TheFlash Dark Flash]] -- though whether they were supposed to emphasize how good the originals were in comparison or a cynical attempt to get with the DarkerAndEdgier trend of the '90s depends on how charitable you are. The only one with any staying power was Franchise/GreenLantern Kyle Rayner, but he was never really an Anti-Hero to begin with. Kyle Rayner was brought in to replace Hal Jordan [[spoiler:who had become the supervillain, Parallax]]. He didn't need to be dark and edgy.
* ''Franchise/GreenLantern'': Most heroes regard the Red Lanterns as violent jerkasses at best (and to be fair, most of Red Lanterns are blood-thirsty and evil). However, inhabitants of worlds saved by Guy Gardner's Red Lantern squad consider them saviors and freedom fighters.
* ComicBook/{{Huntress}}, the Helena Bertinelli version, was easily one of the most violent and willing-to-kill "heroes" in the DCU. She was, in a sense, Batman's Batman; if Batman is the paradigmatic dark, grim-and-gritty DC hero, Huntress was the one who was too dark for Batman. Interestingly, ''{{Series/Arrow}}'' made Huntress an [[AdaptationalVillainy out-and-out villainess]] with very little change to her basic personality.

* Say his name, comic fans: ''ComicBook/{{Lobo}}''. Definitely TheLancer on the spacefaring [[ComicBook/LEGIONDCComics L.E.G.I.O.N.]] team, and in ''ComicBook/YoungJustice'' as the de-aged Slobo.
* The Comicbook/{{New 52}} version of ''Comicbook/{{Superboy|New52}}'' is one of the NominalHero kind. This version of Superboy has no interest in heroics beyond what it takes to survive/gain his freedom. Between the first and second issues, he kills many of his captors by reflex and feels no remorse or guilt, tortures a group of soldiers who hold him at gunpoint, and flat out threatens to kill anyone who stands in his way. Issue #4 seems to be steering him towards being a KnightInSourArmor.

--->'''Supergirl:''' So it took the [[Characters/GLRedLanternCorps Red Ring of Rage]] for me to finally find acceptance. So what? This planet will live. And I pummel anyone who says otherwise.

* Franchise/{{Superman}}. At least, the original [[UsefulNotes/TheGoldenAgeOfComicBooks Golden Age]] Man of Steel. Superman didn't become the big boy scout we know and love until UsefulNotes/WorldWarII, or possibly even TheFifties. Back in TheThirties, Superman was an anti-hero, fighting for truth and justice but was more like Franchise/{{Batman}}, terrifying criminals and threatening to kill them. While he never actually killed anyone, he would more often than not avert SaveTheVillain - in ''Superman #2'' (1939), Superman just stands and watches a villain die slowly from a poisonous gas. As in, ''stood in the same room with the dying man as he begs for help''.

* ''Franchise/WonderWoman'':

** ''Film/TheDarkKnight'': Batman's unscrupulous methods in make him something of an anti-hero. [[ChaoticGood His intentions are heroic but he is willing to break the law in order to achieve them]].

** Another one, yet of those rare, completely ''uncool'' examples: detective Harvey Bullock. He despises Batman, works below the board, lies about his accomplishments, has zero respect for people and their privacy, and in the words of Alfred, "looks like an unmade bed". Yet he's also a startlingly skilled fighter and wholeheartedly dedicated to getting rid of Gotham's "scum". He's essentially [[ChaoticGood the kind of cop who would be a huge supporter of Batman's vigilantism]] [[AloofAlly if his own ego would let him]].

*** Hawkgirl is [[PragmaticHero Type III]]; especially in how she killed Kragger by removing his life support and leaving him to fall to his death.

*** Despite her AdaptationalHeroism aspect, Huntress seems a little too 'anti' for the League, especially since her first major appearance involves her trying to murder Mandragora while sleeping in his home. In short, she's half [[PragmaticHero Type III]], half [[NominalHero Type V]].

* Doctor Fate in ''WesternAnimation/YoungJustice''. A helmet-based spirit of Order, he has no qualms about forcibly suppressing a host's original mind to stay active, even if the host in question is just a child.

!!Franchise/TheDCU

** The Post-Flashpoint ''ComicBook/{{Wonder Woman|2011}}'' revamp took things even further by making Diana a true Anti-Hero whose friends point out she is a bit too eager to kill, turning the Amazons into a society of rapists and murderers, turning ContinuitySnarl/DonnaTroy into an outright villain, and changing ComicBook/WonderGirl into a thief with dangerous problems with authority.

* Say his name, comic fans: ''SelfDemonstrating/{{Lobo}}''. Definitely TheLancer on the spacefaring [[ComicBook/LEGIONDCComics L.E.G.I.O.N.]] team, and in ''ComicBook/YoungJustice'' as the de-aged Slobo.