7 Best Legion of Super-Heroes Members

The Legion of Super-Heroes, DC Comics’ premier hero team from the future, has dozens of amazing and fan-favorite members. The group contains some of the oddest characters in DC’s library, including Matter-Eater Lad, which gives the impression that the group is weird or off-putting. However, that couldn’t be further from the truth. The team consists of some of DC’s best characters, and it is a shame the company doesn’t utilize them more. A part of the issue stems from the team’s convoluted history, which has become more complex thanks to needless reboots and retcons.

Nevertheless, we love the Legion and want to spread that appreciation by ranking the seven best members of the team. There are dozens of potential Legions to include, but we believe these seven best exemplify everything the Legion stands for. These seven Legion members are likely the seven that most people would know.

7) Dawnstar

Dawnstar has one of the more striking character designs among the Legion. Her angelic wings and Native American-style costume help her stand out among the crowded Legion membership. Her original backstory is somewhat convoluted and potentially problematic, stemming from the racial segregation that the Legion sadly presented. Nonetheless, she is important for Native American representation in the DC Universe, and her powers to fly at lightspeed in space are undeniably cool. If anything, she has one of the strongest visual hooks in the entire Legion.

6) Brainiac 5

Brainiac 5 offers one of the more compelling origins, as he is a direct descendant of the Superman villain Brainiac. This gives Brainiac a unique perspective within the team, as modern heroes have an innate mistrust of him. Despite that, he is one of the most iconic members of the Legion, serving as the team’s go-to scientist. His characterization often shifts throughout the various reboots, but his defining quality has always been his cold and pragmatic approach that hides his deep vulnerability. Brainiac 5 has always had a noble heart, which is what makes him a fascinating hero among the team.

5) Phantom Girl

When Phantom Girl was first introduced, having ghost-like powers was still fresh. Her intangibility looks great on the page, and her eye-catching black-and-white aesthetic makes her pop. Phantom Girl has always been one of the Legion of Super-Heroes’ mainstays, becoming one of the most recognizable heroes within the group. She has become so popular that her descendant, Linnya Wazzo, was introduced in the modern DC timeline to be part of Mr. Terrific’s superhero group, The Terrifics.

4) Wildfire

While Wildfire’s origin is slightly different from the various continuities, the basic premise of the character has always been rad. Wildfire is pure anti-matter energy, only existing within the confines of his suit. He has no physical body and is absolute energy. The character’s lack of a physical body leads to some appropriate angst and gives him some genuine pathos. However, the character often displays an unusual level of confidence that is not commonly displayed within the Legion. He is the group’s resident comedian, yet the best Legion stories walk the fine line of not making Wildfire too arrogant and unlikable. When written properly, Wildfire is one of the coolest and most compelling characters within the cast.

3) Cosmic Boy

The Legion of Super-Heroes was founded by the trio of heroes Cosmic Boy, Saturn Girl, and Lightning Lad. Cosmic Boy takes up the leadership position of the team, becoming the face of the group in most situations. Despite being undeniably an iconic and important character within the group, Cosmic Boy has always been the least compelling of the original three Legion members. Whereas Saturn Girl has her overwhelming powers and prejudices to overcome, and Lightning Lad has his growing-up arc, Cosmic Boy represents the stable and heroic leader of the team. He’s a great character to be in charge of something as huge as the Legion, but that doesn’t make him the most interesting character within the cast. Many of the best story beats for Cosmic Boy come from how overtly responsible he is and the overwhelming burden leadership brings.

2) Saturn Girl

Although characters like Brainiac 5 and Cosmic Boy are undoubtedly iconic, Saturn Girl is probably the most recognizable member of the Legion of Super-Heroes. Her iconic blond hair and Saturn logo on her chest have endeared her to being one of the most identifiable Legion iconographies ever. Every time the Legion appears, either in the comics or outside media, Saturn Girl isn’t too far behind. She also predated many other psychic-based superheroes, and remains one of the few major telepathic superheroes in the DC Universe. She’s one of the strongest Legion of Super-Heroes members and has an endearing romance with Lightning Lad. Without Saturn Girl, the Legion wouldn’t be nearly as successful as a group.

1) Lightning Lad

Number one was always going to be one of the three founding members, and for our money, Lightning Lad deserves the top spot. Lightning Lad has always been defined by his immature and impulsive behavior, particularly in contrast to his two fellow co-founders. Yet when the situation demands it, Lightning Lad can step up and become the hero the universe needs. Lightning Lad’s role in the ’90s Legion Lost comic truly cemented the character as one of the beating hearts of the team. His relationship with Saturn Girl is one of DC’s best love stories.

Lightning Lad is likely the character who suffers the most from the various reboots, with Geoff Johns giving the character a much darker and edgier personality in his reboot. Yet the character remains close to our hearts, and we believe he ranks as one of the Legion’s best heroes.

Who is your favorite member of the Legion? Let us know in the comments!

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