DC Comics has some of the most memorable and wicked villains in comic books. However, not every villain adheres to the dark side. Some develop over the years into heroes or anti-heroes. Redemption stories can be incredibly compelling because they take familiar villains and have them undergo journeys of self-reflection and character development, ultimately transforming their lives. Of course, many times these characters keep their nihilistic or violent tendencies and become anti-heroes who are more willing to cross the line if it means protecting the innocent. DC has had plenty of villain-turned-hero stories, with some being more successful and believable than others.
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Turning supervillains into heroes is one of the most popular methods of breaking the status quo in comic books. Some of these villains undergo permanent character transformations, while others quickly revert to their villainous ways. Most, though, enjoy walking the fine line between hero and villain.
7) Star Sapphire
Unlike other characters on this list, Carol Danvers, aka Star Sapphire, had the role of supervillain thrust upon her by outside forces. Carol was the love interest of the Green Lantern Hal Jordan. But her attraction towards him made her a target of the Zamarons, an evil alien race. These aliens chose Carol to be their queen and used the unstable Star Sapphire Gem to possess her. The Gem gave Carol the powers of a Green Lantern, but also caused her to develop an evil split personality.
As the Star Sapphire, Carol became one of Hal’s deadliest foes and tried to kill him countless times. Carol was freed from her corruption when the Zamarons reformed. Now, as a member of the all-new Star Sapphire Corps and the wielder of a non-corrupting Star Sapphire ring, Carol fights to spread the message of love.
6) Red Hood
Jason Todd, the second person to don the Robin mantle, has one of the most tragic origin stories among DC characters. The Joker captured and brutally murdered him. When Jason eventually came back to life thanks to a dip in the Lazarus Pit, the trauma of his death shattered his mind. Fueled by rage, Jason became the Red Hood, a gun-wielding vigilante who swore to destroy Batman for not killing the Joker. Jason tried to prove to the Dark Knight that his methods for fighting crime were too pacifistic and ineffective. Instead, he argued that Gotham needed his lethal methods to fight and to protect Gotham’s citizens. Eventually, Jason learned to let go of his hatred and now works closely with Batman and the rest of the Bat-Family. Although he still kills and is rash, he has considerably mellowed out. He no longer sees murder as the only solution to fighting crime.
5) Catwoman
Introduced as Batman’s second supervillain, Selina Kyle, aka Catwoman, was a cat burglar who prioritized money and thrill-seeking. Despite her propensity for crime, Batman and Selina had long shared an on-again, off-again, forbidden romance. The primary factor that has kept the two apart is Batman’s unflinching commitment to crimefighting and Selina’s passion for thievery. Still, Batman’s moral code has rubbed off on Selina. Over the years, she has developed into one of DC’s most recognizable anti-heroes. She still occasionally steals from the rich (one must have her hobbies). Still, she is far more inclined to protect the innocents of Gotham. Selina is one of the very first supervillains ever to undergo a redemption arc. She is now a mainstay of the Bat Family and other Gotham superhero teams.
4) Pied Piper
Born deaf, Hartley Rathaway, aka Pied Piper, was given implants to restore his hearing. Growing up obsessed with music and sonic technology, he designed a flute that could hypnotize people. With this device and out of boredom, Hartley turned to a life of crime and became a frequent member of Barry Allen’s, aka the Flash’s, rogues’ gallery. After Barry Allen died saving the Multiverse, Hartley decided to abandon his criminal career. He became good friends with Wally West, Barry’s successor, and fought for the rights of homeless people. He also came out as one of DC’s first openly gay characters, and is dating David Singh, the head of Central City’s crime lab. From a musical crook to a groundbreaking social activist and hero, Hartley has had one of the most compelling character arcs in DC Comics.
3) Harley Quinn
Dr. Harleen Quinzeel, aka Harley Quinn, started as one of Batman’s most tragic foes. Originally a psychologist at Arkham Asylum, Harley was brainwashed by the Joker’s charm and manipulation into becoming his henchwoman and sidekick. Of course, the Joker only used Harley and constantly abused her physically and psychologically. Harley eventually realized that she was in a toxic relationship and broke free of the Joker’s influence. After her time as a member of the Suicide Squad, Harley began to emerge as a more heroic figure. Although she’s still an unpredictable and violent anti-hero, she has made genuine progress in becoming a better person.
2) Black Adam
Teth Adam, aka Black Adam, is one of the most complex characters in DC Comics, frequently operating in a morally ambiguous realm. Originally a slave in Ancient Egypt, Teth Adam was given the powers of the gods by the wizard Shazam. Teth’s brutality in liberating his people eventually led to the wizard imprisoning his fallen champion for millennia. In the modern day, the people of the nation of Khandaq freed Black Adam to liberate them from a cruel dictator. Black Adam killed the dictator and became the benevolent monarch of Khandaq. Black Adam does everything for the sake of his people, which has led him to act as both a hero and a villain to the rest of the world. In recent years, Black Adam has become an official member of the Justice League and has attempted to limit the lethality of his methods. With his god-like powers, Black Adam is one of the strongest anti-heroes in DC Comics.
1) Sinestro
Out of all the villains that have reformed, Sinestro’s makes the least sense. Thaal Sinestro is one of the greatest threats in the DC Universe and is the archenemy of the Green Lantern Corps. Sinestro was originally a Green Lantern. However, Sinestro corrupted the purpose of the Green Lantern Corps and used his ring to overthrow his planet’s government and make himself its new ruler. After being removed from the Green Lantern Corps for his corruption, Sinestro sought to make his own Corps.
By harnessing the yellow emotion of fear, the villain established the Sinestro Corps, made up of the universe’s most vicious tyrants, monsters, and serial killers. Together, they spread fear across the universe and killed billions of people. Despite this heinous rap sheet, Sinestro has been welcomed back into the Green Lantern Corps multiple times after being seemingly reformed, only to revert to villainy. As of now, Sinestro has once again been reintroduced into the Green Lantern Corps after helping them stop the villain Thaaros, who tried to take over the universe. However, with all the blood on Sinestro’s hands, the countless Green Lanterns and other sentient beings he has killed in his quest for universal domination, and his many reversions to evil, the idea that he should ever wear the green uniform again is just absurd.
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