The heroines in DC Comics are some of the best around, and they represent some of the strongest, toughest, fastest, smartest, and most dynamic characters in comic book history. While there are numerous archetypes that make up the women of DC Comics, one of the most popular are the tomboys. Characters that stand on their own, who don't always follow the rules and don't wait around to be told what to do, make up this archetype. These characters make lasting impressions with their actions and words, never biting their tongue, and would rather ask for forgiveness instead of permission. Here are some of the most iconic tomboys in DC Comics.
10 Wonder Girl
Wonder Girl originated as the daughter of Zeus and Hippolyta, but her superhero origin has been changed several times over her history in DC Comics. Wonder Girl was created by John Bryne; while she was tied to Wonder Woman’s story early on, she evolved and became a staple member of the Teen Titans. Wonder Girl's character has undergone extreme growth, and her personality has adapted over the years, making her one of the most consistently explored characters in DC. Originally a bright, cheery character, Wonder Girl entered the world of being a hero with a child-like wonder but quickly matured into a passionate hero as she became more acquainted with the seriousness of being a part of a team and saving lives.
9 Black Canary
Black Canary is one of the most identifiable female characters in DC Comics; her costume is just as flashy as her accomplishments in her comic book history. Created by Dick Dillin and Denis O’neil, Black Canary was originally a love interest to Green Arrow but has been explored and fleshed out over the years.
She has been a member of several superhero teams as an expert fighter and the voice of reason. She is an original member of the Birds of Prey and Team Seven, where she has taken on some of the most catastrophic challenges threatening the world, fighting behind the shadows alongside heroes and villains such as Barbara Gordon, Slade Wilson, and Batman.
8 Harley Quinn
Harley Quinn was one of the most iconic tomboys and one of the most iconic female characters in comics, period, to say the least. She was created by Paul Dini, and Bruce Tim for Batman, the animated series, and quickly became a fan favorite which echoed her transfer over to the comics, where she started out as Joker’s sidekick.
Harley Quinn quickly garnered enough presence to step out on her own solo series which has spawned her own cartoon. Harley Quinn is a light-hearted, somewhat psychotic, lively chaotic good character that finds herself on both sides of the spectrum of villain and hero more often than not.
7 Big Barda
Big Barda is easily one of the most iconic characters in DC Comics, having stood on both sides of the battlefield as a hero and villain. Big Barda was created by the late great Jack Kirby as the leader of the vicious group of fighters that served under Darkseid, the Furies. She was trained on Apokolips to be the best of the best and did so, facing the Justice League numerous times. Barda grew tired of her life and found a love interest in Mr. Miracle, and the two escaped Apokolips together and settled on earth. Barda became a prominent member of the Justice League and one of the world's greatest protectors.
6 Artemis
Artemis is an Amazon defector, similar to Wonder Woman but not such a glamorous tale of heroism. Artemis was a born member of the faction of Amazons that abandoned Themyscira and settled in Egypt, led by Antiope, the sister of the queen of amazons. A turn of events would find both sides warring with each other, which resulted in the Egyptian amazons being trapped in the underworld by the witch Circe. In the hellish poison, a fourteen-year-old Artemis would grow up fighting waves upon waves of demons for ten years. Artemis became a fierce warrior; paired with her fiery red hair and indomitable appearance, when she returned to the world of the living, she was a force to be reckoned with. Artemis was created by William Loebs and Mike Deodato and has had a very vibrant history in DC Comics compared to other new characters.
5 Grace Choi
Grace Choi was created by Judd Winick and Tom Raney as a principal founding member of the Outsider, a superhero team led by Nightwing and Red Arrow. Grace is an Amazon by birth, having all tier elevated abilities but was abandoned as a child in Man’s world. During her time as an Outsider, Grace was seemingly the glue that kept everyone together while she fell apart under the trauma she had endured as a child. Aside from her design, Grace’s blunt and pure personality makes her shine as she brings the happiness out of her teammates. While somewhat underrated, Grace is a solid character in the DC Comics umbrella and stands equal in the roster.
4 Bumblebee
Bumblebee first appeared as the genius bright light of the Teen Titans; she is a kind, strong-willed jokester on the team and garnered strong popularity, having shown up in the Teen Titans cartoon and in the Young Justice series on HBO max. Created by Bob Rozakis and artist Irv Novick, Bumblebee has a very full history in comics, having been a hero across multiple teams such as the Teen Titans and Doom Patrol; she is also married to Mal Duncan, the former Guardian who currently goes under the moniker “The Herald”. Bumblebee stands on her own traits as a prominent member of the DC Universe and has a motivational origin of being DC Comic’s first black female superhero.
3 Batwoman
Batwoman is a unique character; her introduction into the DC universe is a trial by fire. From birth, Batwoman, also known as Kate Kane, went through hardship after hardship, losing her mother and twin sister to terrorists, then losing her military career because of her sexual orientation.
For a long time, she wandered through a drinking problem with no focus or purpose until a chance encounter with Batman. Kate became Batwoman and ventured out on her own vigilante journey, breathing a cause back into her life. Batwoman was created by several of DC Comic's best, Geoff Johns, Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka, Mark Waid, and Ken Lashley; she can easily be identified by her unique cowl and fiery red hair.
2 Rose Wilson
Rose Wilson has a checkered history in DC Comics; she is the daughter of Slade Wilson, which comes with a slue of issues on its own. She has crossed swords with powerhouses such as Nightwing, Batman, and Donna Troy during her time as her father's pawn.
But when Rose switched sides and became a member of the Teen Titans, she garnered a great deal of respect from her peers even though she had much to make up for. Rose Wilson was created by Marv Wolfman and Art Nichols and has grown as a character considerably since her first appearance alongside Deathstroke.
1 Lois Lane
Lois Lane is perhaps the most iconic female character in all of comics, having a history that spans over seventy-five years. Created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, Lois Lane has evolved vibrantly over her history since first appearing in Action Comics #1. Lois Lane, who had always been a prominent Journalist, having won the Pulitzer Prize, and the daughter of a US general, has grown outside of the scope of Superman’s Love interest. Lois Lane has gone on to have her own adventures, join her own superhero teams, and explore the farthest reaches of the DC universe with nothing but her wit and skill.