Summary
With a library of characters as extensive as those available toDC Comics, most readers would assume that there is no longer any room for any new ones. However, even the likes of Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman need theircast of supporting players expandedevery now and again.
Many of the characters that currently appear inDC Comicsdid not first debut in those comic pages. Instead, many readers will be shocked to learn that even some of the most well-knownDCcharacters originated in TV shows or other media, not comic books.
7King Tut
A show likeBatmanfrom the 1960s was the perfect place for a campy villain like King Tut. Originally an Egyptologist, the character suffered a bump on the head during a student protest and has suffered the delusion that he is the famed Pharaoh, Tutankhamun, ever since.
Given that King Tut does not have any superpowers, it made sense that he stayed out of the comics for a while. However, King Tut made his return to the pages of DC Comicsin 2009. The character is mainly used topay homage to other villainswho came before, but King Tut has stood the test of time nonetheless.
6John Diggle
John Diggle appeared in the pilot episode ofCW’s Arrowin 2012 as Oliver Queen’s bodyguard. He then went on to become Oliver’s best friend and chief confidant, even wearing the Green Arrow outfit at times to bail out his friend. Eventually, the ex-soldier was given his own superhero alter-ego as Spartan, and he stayed a part of the show for all eight seasons.
Since Diggle had become so intrinsically linked to Oliver Queen on the show, it only made sense that the DC writers made him a part of Green Arrow comic canon. As such,John Diggle started appearingin the Green Arrow comics just after the first season ofArrowhad finished airing.
5Terry McGinnis
There was a hole left in fans' hearts whenBatman: The Animated Seriescame to an end in 1995. Fortunately, a spin-off series was in the works, andBatman: Beyondfirst aired in 1999. This era of Batmansaw a retired Bruce Waynein the future training a new, futuristic ward in Terry McGinnis. Of course, this new version of Batman wasn’t as capable as the original, but that gave Bruce a reason to remain a part of the show.
Ever since the idea of this futuristic Gotham was introduced, Terry McGinnis has always been in the cowl whenever the comics go to this future point in time. He may not be Bruce Wayne, but fans have welcomed Terry McGinnis as another person fit to wear the Batsuit in the distant future.
4Harley Quinn
The Joker has been Batman’s arch-nemesis since he first appeared in the 1940s. All fans know this, which is why the creators ofBatman: The Animated Seriesdecided to add a wrinkle to the character. The result was anequally devious girlfriend, and Harley Quinn debuted as part of the TV show in 1992.
The character has grown substantially since this origin and has even been the lead of several of her own comics, TV shows, and movies. There aren’t many people alive today who do not instantly recognize Harley Quinn, but that popularity didn’t start until her first TV debut.
3Music Meister
Batman: The Brave and the Boldwas a cartoon that aired in the 2000s, and offered a brand-new look for a lot of Batman’s villains with a return to camp. However, when it came time to write a musical episode for the show, the writers realized they needed a new villain who could be behind the musical goings-on in Gotham. The result was the Music Meister, who was voiced by the brilliant Neil Patrick Harris.
The Music Meister’s second appearance wasn’t untilthe musical episode ofSupergirl, although the character did eventually wind up as part of the comics whenDCreleased theirPrideseries in 2022.
2Wonder Twins
TheSuper Friendswere a group of animated DC characters created for TV byHannah-Barberain the 1970s. Many of those who appeared on the show were fan favorites like Batman, while others were new creations like The Wonder Twins. Almost everyone has heard their iconic catchphrase before, as the twins used their magical rings to transform into whatever they imagined,even scary things.
Sadly, The Wonder Twins were slowly removed from the show as more prominent DC characters joined the group. That didn’t stop DC from rescuing these twins, and they were folded into their comics universe soon after the show got rid of them.
1Jimmy Olsen
It is hard for fans to imagine Superman without his friend Jimmy Olsen by his side. However, there was a time when one existed without the other. Despite many readers claiming that Jimmy Olsen can be seen in the background inAction Comics#6, Jimmy Olsen didn’t appear as the character known today until he was written as a part ofThe Adventures of Superman Radio Showin the 20th Century.
Jimmy Olsen got his first speaking role in theSupermancomics a few after this initial appearance, and the rest is history.
