Top 10 Superheroes Who Have Never Been Killed (Marvel and DC)

Character deaths in comic books have been a long-running joke. I mean, for as many characters that have died, each of them (save for one or two) has always miraculously returned. For example, Bucky came back as the Winter Soldier and Batman has returned from the dead multiple times. There are some characters, however, that buck this trend. They don’t buck it in the sense that they haven’t come back from the dead but instead, buck it in the sense that they haven’t died.

That’s right. There are comic book characters that exist that have never died. But who are they? Good question. Let’s take a look at our list of top 10 superheroes who have never been killed.

10. Luke Cage

Luke Cage. Power Man. Mr. Indestructible Skin. Whatever you know him as also know him as someone who hasn’t been killed. Many have tried, I look at you Deadpool when you killed the Marvel Universe, and all have failed. 

Luke Cage is an integral member of the Avengers, one half of Iron Fist and Power Man, and the reason that so many won’t attack Avengers Mansion. After willingly participating in an experiment gone wrong, Carl Lucas was gifted super strength, enhanced durability, and indestructible and impenetrable skin. This means that try as his enemies may, no one has been able to kill him. 

9. Black Canary

As a character who’s never willing to shy away from a fight, it’s unbelievable to think that Black Canary is one of the superheroes who have never been killed. Although, if you sat back and thought about it for a moment, it’s easy to understand how this is so.

Black Canary is one of the best fighters in DC. She has been trained by the likes of Lady Shiva, Wildcat, and Wonder Woman and is proficient in boxing, judo, Muay Thai, and hapkido. Couple the above with her deadly Canary Cry and Black Canary is nearly as difficult to kill as she is to hit.

8. Roy Harper

Roy Harper is known for four things. First, he’s the original sidekick to Oliver Queen. Second, he was the character DC chose to use during their “against drugs” push. Third, he broke away from Oliver to fight crime on his own. And fourth, he’s one of the superheroes who have never been killed. That’s right, the man named Speedy has never died.

With a name like Speedy, it’s easy to see why. As quickly as Roy gets himself into trouble, he just as quickly gets out of it. Roy is a founding member of the Teen Titans, one of the greatest marksmen in DC, an invaluable team player, and the quintessential survivor. 

7. Iceman

If you’re wondering how and why Iceman makes this list of superheroes who have never been killed, let me paint a picture for you. Iceman has the power to control, well, ice. With that power also comes the ability to control water and particles of water in the air. Over the years, Iceman has learned to tap into exactly what it means to control water.

This means that his knowledge has allowed him to capture a single particular of water from the air and rebuild himself from scratch. Yes, you read that correctly. If “killed”, Iceman can rebuild himself over and over again. Because water is all around him, he can never truly be killed. 

6. Tim Drake

When you’re a sidekick to DC’s greatest hero, it’s amazing to think that you’ve never died. Think about that, no matter who they are or what they can do, as a sidekick to Batman it’s inevitable that you will die. Tim Drake defies that inevitability.

Of all Batman’s sidekicks, Tim Drake is the one most like Batman. He’s smart, thinks before he acts, has the best interest of those around him at heart, and is extremely skilled in fighting. Tim is the reason that the Robin character became popular again after Jason Todd, and he’s the reason that lists as this exist. Therefore, Tim is one of my superheroes who have never been killed.

5. Shazam

When you’re blessed with the wisdom of Solomon, the strength of Hercules, the stamina of Atlas, the power of Zeus, the courage of Achilles, and the speed of Mercury, it’s easy to understand why you’ve never died. Right?

Shazam is nothing but a small boy who, after speaking the word Shazam, becomes the very definition of a God. He is capable of standing toe-to-toe with anybody in DC and if he does so, almost always comes out the victor. Shazam is, for all intents and purposes, the mortal version of Superman. When you’re the mortal version of Superman, it’s nearly impossible to kill you. 

4. Daredevil

The most remarkable thing about Daredevil isn’t that he’s a blind superhero or that he can beat just about anybody in a fight. Not even close. The most remarkable thing about Daredevil is that he easily makes this list of superheroes who have never been killed.

Yes, Daredevil…the man who has lost everything, the man who Kingpin viciously exposed, and the man who has been beaten to within inches of his life…Daredevil. For everything he’s been through, it’s a miracle that he hasn’t died ten times. Alas, he hasn’t, and as long as he continues to defy the odds, his spot on this list and others like it will always be safe.

3. Zatanna

When you’re one of, if not arguably the best magic user in DC, it’s easy to see why you’ve never died.  Zatanna comes from a long line of Homo Magi or those innately gifted in the magical arts. As a member of the Homo Magi, Zatanna is capable of casting spells that control the Earthly elements, is able to heal wounds, and manipulate the minds of others.

Zatanna is so powerful that Oliver Queen, the Green Arrow has claimed that she is the most powerful member of the Justice League. When you think about it, it’s quite the compliment. Remember, this is a group that includes both Martian Manhunter and Superman. For obvious reasons, Zatanna belongs on this list of superheroes who have never been killed. 

2. Sue Storm

It’s actually quite remarkable that Sue Storm hasn’t been killed. As one of Marvel’s original superheroes, Sue has been around longer than most. As such, the opportunity to kill her is higher than most. Alas, throughout her history no one has ever been able to do the deed. 

This in itself is a miracle considering that she has given birth to the most powerful mutant in existence, has a brother who could melt an entire building in seconds, is married to a man who has invented some of the most dangerous items in Marvel, and more. Sue is an anomaly in the world of Marvel. While history has shown she should’ve died multiple times, she somehow hasn’t. 

1. Barbara Gordon 

Barbara has suffered through some of the biggest tragedies in all of comics. Of them, the most notable was becoming paralyzed at the hands of the Joker. While paralysis may have, sorry for the lack of a better description, crippled others, it didn’t for Barbara. 

Barbara is the definition of resilient. After being shot, she rose from the ashes of her former self and became arguably the greatest superhero of the time period. Of course, I refer to Oracle. As Oracle, Barbara became the watchful eyes and ears of nearly every superhero on the planet. Because of her willingness to bend and not break, Barbara put more criminals behind bars as Oracle than she ever did as Batgirl.