Beyond Batman and Spider-Man: Discover the Hidden Gems – 30 Superheroes Ready for Hollywood Stardom

Mark Millar is one of the great comic book creators of the 21st century, and as evidence, we have his Kick-Ass trilogy. Netflix acquired the rights to his work some time ago, and although not all have been successful—Jupiter’s Legacy was a complete bluff that didn’t work at all—there are still many comics by the author that could be adapted into movies or series. Specifically, Superior is one of the best comics he has ever produced, and it would work perfectly in the audiovisual medium. The story is about a boy with multiple sclerosis who manages to become a great hero, similar to Superman. Emotional, magical, and heroic, this story has everything to captivate the audience.

If James Gunn wants to continue exploring the detective side of DC Comics, not everything he should touch is Batman. There’s an iconic character from the publisher who hasn’t transcended beyond the comic panels, yet he has everything it takes to star in his own movie or series. The Question was created by Steve Ditko in 1967 but was acquired by DC in the 1980s, during a time when everything was dark and shadowy. He is one of the most intriguing characters that could resonate with a serious and demanding audience.

Bringing the Valiant Universe to the big screen is an intriguing gamble that could compete effectively against Marvel and DC Comics, even though there was a previous attempt with Bloodshot that didn’t quite hit the mark. Regardless, if they want to continue exploring these characters, one of the perfect candidates is X-O Manowar. Created in 1992, he is like an Iron Man from space. With his charisma and the enjoyable universe surrounding him, he could pave the way for an exciting cinematic universe of movies.

One incredibly cool Marvel character who hasn’t had the opportunity to star in his own movie—beyond the forgettable Fantastic Four and Silver Surfer films, which we don’t need to mention—is also known as the Silver Surfer. He is a cosmic being hailing from the planet Zenn-La, and not only does he have an awesome appearance, but his story is also captivating. Driven by pacifism, he becomes a servant of Galactus, guiding this entity to different empty planets for sustenance. However, his servitude doesn’t last forever, and soon he must find his own path.

It is indeed strange that this DC Comics character has yet to receive a cinematic adaptation, despite multiple attempts. Zatanna is one of the most popular heroines of DC in the 21st century and a member of the Justice League Dark. As a classic magician, her tricks go far beyond pulling rabbits out of a hat. Her connection to magic and charisma make her a unique and captivating heroine for the publisher. Undoubtedly, she seems like one of those characters that James Gunn would easily fall in love with.

While Moon Girl already has an animated series, she is one of the latest characters to achieve significant success among Marvel readers. Therefore, it wouldn’t be surprising to see her in the Marvel Cinematic Universe sooner rather than later. Moon Girl is a talented 13-year-old girl who leads a double life as a hero. When she accidentally brings a dinosaur into her world, she decides to team up with it to fight evil. Undoubtedly, she could be a perfect fit for a slightly younger audience and would blend well with other newer UCM characters like Ms. Marvel.

Hailing from the Top Cow Productions label under Image Comics, Witchblade is a lesser-known character who has steadily gained popularity over the years. Although it had a series adaptation in 2001, honestly, it has faded from memory for most. The story follows Sara Pezzini, a young New York homicide detective who discovers the Witchblade, a magical artifact with unmatched power. Witchblade could be an intriguing surprise amidst the ongoing battle between Marvel and DC, offering a fresh and unique addition to the superhero genre.

With The Boys gaining immense popularity, it’s a great time to explore other creations from the most brutal writer of all time: Garth Ennis. Hitman is one of his most renowned characters. Belonging to DC Comics, he is a former US Marine and weapons expert who, to top it off, gains brutal powers like X-ray vision and telepathy. He’s somewhat like The Punisher but even less sane. Surely, Gunn must have his eye on him; he seems like a perfect fit for his style.

I can understand why it’s one of your favorite hero groups, and it’s well-deserved. This team of space pirates has all the exciting elements you’d expect. Created by Chris Claremont and Dave Cockrum for Uncanny X-Men, they have made dozens of appearances throughout Marvel’s universe over the years. However, they have always been more closely associated with the X-Men than any other Marvel heroes— in fact, Cyclops’ father is a member of this team— so it seems we’ll have to wait quite a while to see them in action. Perhaps, alongside the already-anticipated X-Men, that Marvel is starting to prepare, we might eventually get to witness this unique pirate group in action.

Quantum and Woody are other Valiant heroes who would be incredibly fun in an audiovisual adaptation. This duo was created by Fabian Nicieza, the co-creator of Deadpool, so you can expect some humorous and quirky elements. The story revolves around Eric Henderson and Woodrow Van Chelton, two adoptive brothers who reunite after many years due to the mysterious death of their father. While trying to find the killer, they end up gaining powers that forever change the way they relate to each other. The combination of humor, sibling dynamics, and newfound abilities would make for an entertaining and engaging on-screen experience.

Indeed, we are not talking about David Bowie, but about a popular hero from DC Comics who gained prominence during the 1970s. There have been various versions of Starman throughout the publisher’s history, but the original creation revolves around an astronomer who invents a “cosmic rod” that grants him the ability to fly and manipulate energies. From there, it’s just a small step to become a space-faring hero. In the right hands, Starman could be a refreshing addition to the current landscape of superhero cinema, offering a unique and exciting perspective on the genre.

The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl is another popular character from Marvel in recent years. She is a hilarious and entertaining character who could easily headline a Disney Plus series, much like She-Hulk. The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl is a mutant with the unique ability to communicate with squirrels. While it may not seem like the most powerful superpower in the world, she has managed to defeat various villains thanks to this ability. She could be one of the early ventures of the Marvel Cinematic Universe into the world of mutants when they eventually open that door.

This Mark Millar comic was marketed as if The Joker were Batman, and the truth is that it’s quite literal. Basically, it’s about an all-powerful billionaire who is quite unhinged and opposed to the police. He’s not exactly a hero, but his comic is thrilling, and a cinematic adaptation of the character would be on par with John Wick, without a doubt.

If we continue with dark characters from DC, there’s no one better than the one whose name carries death. A clear member of the Justice League Dark, Deadman has a fascinating story that draws from the classic elements of comics. Boston Brand is a former circus acrobat who is murdered during a trapeze performance. Unaware of who was behind his execution, even in his own death, he pursues the truth until he finds his killer.

I’m sure this renowned great hero will join the Marvel Cinematic Universe sooner rather than later, but for now, we can only wait and see what the studio’s plans are for the future. Blue Marvel is, in reality, Doctor Adam Brashear, who gained incredible powers over antimatter after being exposed to a massive explosion. Following this incident, he received all sorts of powers closely resembling those of Captain Marvel.

Savage Dragon is a prominent hero from Image Comics who first appeared in the 1980s but gained significant popularity in the following decade. And it’s not hard to see why: he’s a hyper-muscular superhero and police officer with reptilian skin and powers. Ruthless and relentless, he can be likened to a green and action-ready version of Dirty Harry. He’s a perfect hero for certain audiences, and while he may seem reminiscent of another era, he continues to resonate well with fans.

Now that the live-action adaptation of One Piece has shown that elastic powers can look great on television, it might be the perfect time for DC Studios to bring Plastic Man to the big screen. Plastic Man is one of the most mischievous heroes in all of DC, and he’s not just a hero who can stretch; he can manipulate his body in any way he pleases… although that often leads him to be more of a Mortadelo-like character than anything else. Nonetheless, his playful and flexible abilities could make for an entertaining and unique superhero movie experience.

Another great hero from Valiant Comics is the Eternal Warrior, a warrior chosen by the Earth itself to defend it from all threats that may arise. The Eternal Warrior is an immortal man with regenerative abilities and super strength, but that doesn’t stop him from using all kinds of weapons to defeat his enemies. He is one of the most brutal action heroes we could potentially see on the big screen and could work perfectly for mature audiences.

Now that the versions of Spider-Man and his allies and enemies are so popular, it would be a great time to see Silk on the big or small screen. Silk is a teenager who attended the same scientific convention where Peter Parker was bitten, but the bite affected her in a very different way… leading her down a different path. While we haven’t seen her in Across the Spider-Verse yet, it wouldn’t be surprising to see her in the very near future.

Ok, we have already seen nightwing on dozens of occasions; since in animated series like Teen Titans Go! even in the live action series by Greg Berlanti, going through the video games of the Arkham saga. However, those of us who have closely followed the comics know that Batman’s first Robin deserves much more. He is one of the most beloved characters in all of DC Comics, and it would be well worth seeing him in action beyond Batman’s side. Hopefully we can see it soon under the direction of Matt Reeves or James Gunn himself.

We don’t know when it will happen, but we are confident that Captain Britain will eventually appear in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. As the name suggests, he is the UK’s counterpart to Captain America, but he also possesses extraordinary magical powers bestowed upon him by the legendary magician Merlin. With a great casting and a well-executed film, a character like Captain Britain could easily win the favor of the entire UK audience.

We already got a brief cameo of this character in Zack Snyder’s Justice League, but beyond the unfortunate jokes, the truth is that this hero has a very interesting story that could be adapted into a movie or series. The Martian Manhunter is one of the original members of the Justice League, and he possesses a myriad of powers, such as telepathy and shape-shifting into anyone he desires, thanks to his origins on Mars. In a future space-themed DC project, he could undoubtedly find a prominent place.

Another character from the list of Valiant superheroes who could have their own movie is Ninjak. As the name suggests, he is a ninja whose abilities lie in stealth, speed, and exceptional swordsmanship. A natural-born assassin. Although he first appeared alongside Bloodshot, his own story is intriguing enough to deserve a standalone film. The action would undoubtedly be exhilarating, making for an action-packed and thrilling cinematic experience.

This is one of the earliest characters from DC Comics and also one of the most influential in later comics, especially those related to space exploration. Captain Comet was created in 1951 and is nicknamed “the first man of the future.” He is a mutant with unique powers whose adventures extend beyond Earth but always returns home, much like Superman. Captain Comet’s stories have a futuristic and cosmic flair, making him a fascinating character in the world of superheroes.

While we have already seen her in X-Men, Kitty Pryde is such an intriguing character that she deserves her own series on Disney Plus. She is a mutant with the power of phasing through solid objects, but her abilities have brought her more trouble than anything else. With her teenage persona, she possesses one of the most dramatic and empathetic stories in the entire Marvel universe.

This character from Image Comics is much less heroic than usual, as his story begins when he tries to quit alcohol and drugs, the very substances that grant him his powers. He’s a hero who doesn’t want to be a hero but can’t help but be one. A comic as strange as it is interesting… and its adaptation into a movie or series could be a treat for the actor who portrays him.

Among all the heroes from Valiant Comics, there’s one that stands out above the rest: Shadowman. He is a hero tasked with battling the forces of darkness but faces all sorts of horrors along the way. Shadowman’s comics are some of the darkest and most terrifying, making it a perfect candidate for a well-executed horror film adaptation. In the right hands, it would be a marvelous sight to see this character come to life on the big screen.

We have already seen this group of heroes in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, but their role was so substantial and ludicrous that we are left wanting to see them in the original Marvel Studios universe. The Illuminati is a secretive group composed of the planet’s most intelligent beings, and in the comics, it includes characters like Charles Xavier, Reed Richards (Mr. Fantastic), Iron Man, or Namor. We’ll see if someday we get a more faithful adaptation of this controversial group in the MCU… although, for now, it doesn’t seem to be in the studio’s plans.

All indications suggest that, at some point, we will have a Lobo movie in theaters, and it’s likely that Jason Momoa will portray the character. However, so far, there has been no sign of this DC Comics character in the audiovisual medium. Lobo is a Czarnian alien who is infatuated with senseless violence and works as an intergalactic bounty hunter and mercenary. As brutal as he is charismatic and amusing, he has nothing to envy from other antihero characters like Deadpool.

We conclude the list of heroes who deserve to make the leap to the screen with X, a character from Dark Horse Comics who achieved success during the 1990s, the same decade in which other heroes like Spawn reached new heights. X is a gritty street-level hero who battles political corruption, drug trafficking, and the city’s mafia. He’s a mix of Batman and Daredevil but much more brutal with a darker and more mature storyline. If X manages to reach the big screen, it could be a pleasant surprise for audiences looking for a more intense and adult-oriented superhero experience.