Highlights
- Some DC Comics characters have managed to avoid death, like Arnold Wesker, aka Ventriloquist, who often does the bidding of his dummy, Scarface, and is spared by heroes once Scarface is gone.
- Despite facing lethal threats, characters like Jaime Reyes (Blue Beetle) and Michael Holt (Mister Terrific) have managed to stay alive, with Jaime benefitting from being a secondary character compared to Superman or Batman.
- Lex Luthor not only avoids death but becomes a hero, faking his own death and transferring his consciousness into a clone's body.
It's not easy being a DC Comics superhero or super villain. Wearing costumes to either fight crime or bring evil upon your home city takes its toll. That doesn't include alien invasions or attacks from magical forces. Many heroes and villains in the DC Comics universe have died, but some haven't for the mainline canon.
DC: Best Super Villain Teams
The iconic DC Comics superheroes have their work cut out for them when faced against the most evil DC super villain teams.
However, not every DC Comics character has died and been resurrected. Some superheroes and super villains have found a way to avoid death, at least so far. These characters may have experienced radical changes to their backstory appearance and personality, but they have managed to remain compelling without experiencing a temporary demise.
Only comics will be considered.
10 Arnold Wesker
Ventriloquist
- Comic Debut:Detective Comics #583
- Creator: John Wagner, Alan Grant, & Norm Breyfogle
One of the most interesting duos in DC Comics, Scarface and Ventriloquist are often seen together. Ventriloquist is a meek man with multiple personality disorder. He always does the bidding of his dummy, Scarface, who resembles an Al Capone-style gangster.
The two commit crimes together and are often ready to challenge Batman. The dummy has been destroyed several times. Once Scarface is out of the picture, the heroes tend to have mercy on the Ventriloquist.
9 Courtney Whitmore
Stargirl
- Comic Debut: Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E. #0
- Creator: Geoff Johns, Lee Moder, & David S. Goyer
Stargirl is one of the many superheroes to learn the importance of strength in numbers. Created as an amalgamation of Star-Spangled Kid and Starman from the Golden Age of DC, Courtney Whitmore took on the mantle of Stargirl and teamed up with her stepfather, the original Stripesy from the Justice Society of America.
Most of her storylines are lighthearted which reduces the risk of a death storyline, but she has still had to escape death a few times. Stargirl has also survived some "David vs. Goliath" storylines like her battles against Solomon Grundy.
8 Kyle Rayner
Green Lantern
- Comic Debut:Green Lantern (vol. 3) #48
- Creator: Ron Marz & Darryl Banks
While there have been hundreds of Green Lanterns in the DC Universe, one that has managed to escape death, so far, has been Kyle Rayner. He took over as leader of the Green Lantern Corps. in the 1990s when Hal Jordan turned evil and attacked Oa.
While Kyle didn't want the mantle, he proved himself worthy of leading the heroic corps. Eventually, Kyle became a White Lantern making him invulnerable and omnipotent.
7 Jaime Reyes
Blue Beetle
- Comic Debut:Infinite Crisis #3
- Creator: Keith Giffen, John Rogers, & Cully Hamner
While there have been three Blue Beetles in DC Comics history, only Jaime Reyes has not died yet. The Blue Beetle revolves around an alien artifact called The Scarab which grants the user a set of armor that looks like a beetle and fantastic skills to go with it.
Jaime has faced several lethal threats but has managed to avoid similar fates as Dan Garret and Ted Kord. The character may come across as secondary compared to Superman or Batman, but that also helps him stay alive in the comics.
6 Michael Holt
Mister Terrific
- Comic Debut:Spectre (vol. 3) #54
- Creator: John Ostrander & Tom Mandrake
With one of the most tragic backstories in the history of DC Comics, Mr. Terrific has seen his share of struggles without actually dying. He lost his wife and daughter in a car accident. Mr. Terrific is also a brilliant mind who has been targeted by the world's most powerful villains.
He has been on the brink of death a few times, most notably in the 2006 Justice Society of America series. However, his fellow heroes saved him before he succumbed to his injuries. Mr. Terrific now leads his own team called "The Terrifics" making him too valuable to kill off.
5 Lex Luthor
- Comic Debut:Action Comics #23
- Creator: Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster
Superman's greatest villain has not only not died in the comics but has become a hero. Lex Luthor did develop terminal cancer due to years of wearing a Kryptonite ring, but he found a way to stay alive even as his body died. Luthor faked his own death in a fiery crash and moved his consciousness into the body of a clone.
During the New 52 storyline, Lex was inspired by Superman's sacrifice that cost the Man of Steel his life. Lex took up the Superman mantle and actually tried to be a hero with no ulterior motives. The only thing odder than Lex Luthor never dying is him joining the Justice League.
4 Jack Knight
Starman
- Comic Debut:Zero Hour #1
- Creator: James Robinson & Tony Harris
While several members of the Knight family have portrayed Starman, Jack is the definitive hero of the family. Starman has managed to avoid being killed in the comics by not being featured. Despite its popularity during the 1990s, the Starman series came to an end once the story was told.
Through the various reboots, he really hasn't come back but also hasn't been killed off. Maybe he'll return in another series, or as a supporting character in Stargirl's series, but until then, he's one DC character who hasn't died.
3 Dinah Lance
Black Canary
- Comic Debut:Flash Comics #86
- Creator: Robert Kanigher & Carmine Infantino
Black Canary has one of the most impressive feats in the history of DC Comics. In a storyline where Superman turned evil, Black Canary went toe to toe with the Man of Steel when he wasn't holding back and still managed to survive. Dinah Lance is able to make it through almost any fight in the comics.
She also has unquestioned leadership skills as she was in control of both the Birds of Prey and the Justice League at different times in the continuity. Black Canary is one of the best hand-to-hand fighters and a perennial DC survivor.
2 Michael Jon Carter
Booster Gold
- Comic Debut:Booster Gold #1
- Creator: Dan Jurgens
While his selfish motives often make Booster Gold's status as a hero questionable, he still puts his life on the line and manages to survive. Michael Jon Carter likes to show off and is chasing fame. He wants to build his brand and capitalize on his identity. Still, he wants to help people.
Booster Gold shows up when the Justice League needs him and has worked very well with the superheroes, especially the Ted Kord version of Blue Beetle. He's another hero who has come close to death but still lives.
1 Zatanna Zatara
- Comic Debut:Hawkman #4
- Creator: Gardner Fox & Murphy Anderson
Magic can often go a long way in the DC Comics universe and that's especially true for Zatanna Zatara. Growing up with a world-renowned magician as a father, she grew in her magical abilities and became one of the greatest mystical heroes DC ever created.
She served with both the Justice League and Justice League Dark, putting her life on the line several times to save the world. A master of escapology, Zatanna always finds a way out of a dangerous situation.