James Gunn’s new DCU is already going to be off to a fairly obscure start with Creature Commandos premiering sometime in 2024. However, I’m sure there will be plenty more opportunities for Gunn to adapt some fairly unknown characters into the new DCU. Listed are five that I think would be cool additions.
5. Red Tornado
First appearing in Justice League of America #64 in 1968, Red Tornado is an android who was merged with a sentient tornado by supervillain, T.O. Morrow.
The Red Tornado was created to be a weapon for the Cold War; however, he eventually turned against his creator to fight for good alongside the Justice League. The Red Tornado can create tornado-speed winds which allows him to fly and perform other wind-related abilities.
While I couldn’t see Red Tornado getting his own film or series, I think he would be a great supporting character in a potential Justice League movie or alongside any other hero.
4. Rainbow Raider
Right off the bat, Rainbow Raider is perhaps the most obscure DC character on this list. First appearing in The Flash #286 in 1980, Roy G. Bivolo is a colorblind individual who has always aspired to be an artist. Because of his disability, his art is always made up of clashing colors, despite his technical ability.
His dad was an optometrist and promised to find a cure for his son’s colorblindness and make his dreams come true. However, eventually, his father fell ill and died before he could find a cure. Before his death, Roy’s father created a set of goggles that allowed Roy to create beams of solid rainbow-colored light. When people continued to not appreciate his art, Roy turned to a life of crime and fought heroes such as The Flash and sometimes other members of the Justice League.
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Rainbow Raider is often regarded as one of the worst comic book villains of all time and that is exactly why I think he would be perfect for James Gunn to adapt in the DCU. No one expected a character like Peacemaker to become as popular as he did. That was thanks to Gunn’s incredible Peacemaker series in 2022. I think Rainbow Raider is so ridiculous that he would be a perfect choice for a potential new Suicide Squad team in the DCU. If anyone is capable of taking such a ridiculous premise and turning it into something awesome, it’s James Gunn.
3. Adam Strange
Adam Strange, who first appeared in Showcase #17 in 1958, is an archeologist who was suddenly transported from Peru to the planet Rann through a Zeta-Beam. The Zeta-Beam was sent to Earth by Rannians as a plea for help due to attacks from extraterrestrial threats. Despite his confusion Adam agrees to help and go on interstellar adventures, becoming Rann’s savior.
Adam does not have any superpowers. Instead, he uses his high-tech spacesuit and alien tech to take down villains. The Zeta-Beams are used quite frequently in DC mythos, so Adam Strange would be the perfect character to help introduce this concept to James Gunn’s DCU. Gunn also has plenty of experience with space operas considering his experience with the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise. It seems like a no-brainer to bring Adam Strange to this strange new world.
2. Black Spider
Wouldn’t it be hilarious if James Gunn created the best non-Spider-Man movie despite Sony’s Spider-Man Universe?
Perhaps most recognizable from his appearances in the animated Young Justice series, Eric Needham, who first appeared in Detective Comics #463 in 1976, is a recovering drug addict. After he accidentally killed his father due to his criminal activities, he becomes a vigilante and vows to hold drug dealers responsible. Due to his lethal methods, he often had bouts with Batman and eventually became a prominent member of the Suicide Squad.
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Black Spider is an Olympic-level gymnast and has extensive training in combat and weapons creation. He has a high-tech battle suit and often fights with firearms. He also carries a poison dart which is capable of killing or incapacitating his enemies.
I think it’s pretty clear why Black Spider would be perfect for the DCU. He’s basically Spider-Man if he were a villain. James Gunn also has experience working on Suicide Squad characters, so perhaps this could be a match made in heaven.
1. Azrael
Lastly, we have the coolest-looking DC character ever, Azrael (no bias I swear). Seriously, how has Azrael not appeared in a theatrical movie yet? First appearing in Batman: Sword of Azrael #1 in 1992, Jean-Paul Valley was artificially raised and brainwashed by the Order of St. Dumas which caused him to develop a split personality. That other personality is Azrael, who believes himself to be an incarnation of the actual angel Azrael.
Azrael is often seen as a reluctant ally to Batman and even became Batman for a short period of time in the 1990s. Unlike other members of the Bat-Family, Azrael does have enhanced abilities such as super strength, speed, and agility. His costume is made of a Kevlar that is immune to bullets and fire. He also often uses a flaming sword to take down his enemies.
Azrael would make for a fantastic focus in an upcoming Bat-family film in the DCU which could easily be spun off into his film or even series. This is now where I plead with James Gunn to please use Azrael in the DCU! He is such a cool, incredible character that has not been used nearly enough in DC media.
What are your thoughts on this list? Are there other characters that you think James Gunn should add to the DCU that we missed? Let us know on our social media and be sure to keep following The Illuminerdi for more DC content like this in the future.
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