Did You Know These 15 DC Characters Were in the Justice League?

If you only picture the “Big Seven” when you think of the Justice League, you’re missing a wild roster history. Across decades, spin-offs, and reorganizations, the League has welcomed (and occasionally endured) some truly unexpected heroes, antiheroes, and even outright villains. From government-run strike teams to mystical task forces wearing the Justice League banner, DC has used the brand to explore every corner of its universe.

That means plenty of characters you wouldn’t immediately peg as Leaguers have actually worn the badge. Some served for a single mission, others anchored entire eras, and a few changed their reputations forever by standing alongside DC’s icons. Here are fifteen you might not realize have been part of a Justice League.

Lex Luthor

Yes, that Lex Luthor—Superman’s archenemy—once took a (temporary) seat at the big round table. In the aftermath of a universe-shaking crisis, he muscled his way onto the team, promising resources, intel, and a new leaf.

Luthor’s stint was equal parts PR move and strategic insurance policy. Watching the League try to leverage his genius while constantly second-guessing his motives made for delicious tension—and a reminder that the “world’s greatest heroes” sometimes have to make uncomfortable alliances.

Catwoman

Selina Kyle joined a government-backed branch of the League that specialized in deniable, covert operations. Why tap a career thief? Because when the mission needs stealth, social engineering, and nerves of Vibranium—sorry, wrong universe—Catwoman purrs.

Her membership spotlighted the League’s practical streak: not every problem is a punch-up. Selina’s street-level savvy and moral gray areas challenged the team’s black-and-white code, often leading to sharper debates—and better plans.

Lobo

The Main Man in a League? Believe it. A Batman-recruited lineup brought Lobo on as the team’s blunt instrument, leashing an interstellar bounty hunter to hero business.

It worked (mostly) because Lobo respects a contract… and the chance to hit things really hard. His chaotic presence forced more disciplined teammates to adapt—proof that sometimes the best counter to overwhelming force is, well, more overwhelming force.

Killer Frost (Caitlin Snow)

Traditionally a villain, Caitlin Snow earned a redemption arc by joining a Justice League roster dedicated to second chances. Her cryokinesis made her a powerhouse; her struggle to keep her darker impulses in check made her compelling.

On the team, she embraced accountability—teammates, mission briefings, and ethical lines she couldn’t cross. The League badge didn’t magically cure her past, but it gave her a path forward and a crew who believed she could walk it.

The Ray (Ray Terrill)

A living light source with reality-warping photonics, Ray brought optimism and raw potential to a modern Justice League lineup. He wasn’t the loudest voice in the room, but when the lights went down—literally—he was the one you wanted.

Ray’s inclusion showcased the League’s role as a mentorship crucible. Surrounded by veterans, he leveled up fast, turning from cautious rookie into a strategic asset who could blind gods and shield cities.

Stargirl

Stargirl started as a public-facing “ambassador” for a government-aligned League, but she quickly proved she belonged on the field. With the Cosmic Staff and a legacy worth honoring, Courtney’s courage turned skepticism into respect.

Her time with a Justice League banner gave her big-league reps against threats far beyond high-school homework. It also cemented her as a bridge between legacy heroes and the next generation.

Katana

Tatsu Yamashiro’s blade cuts souls—and red tape. Drafted into a Justice League team that handled missions no one else could touch, Katana provided surgical precision, discipline, and a supernatural edge.

Her code of honor made her the quiet center of a volatile roster. When plans went sideways, Katana’s decisiveness (and Soultaker’s secrets) kept the mission alive and the collateral minimal.

Vibe (Cisco Ramon)

From “who?” to “indispensable,” Vibe’s vibrational powers evolved into multiversal tools: dimensional sensing, breach control, and battlefield disruption. That’s catnip to a League that often fights cosmic problems.

Cisco’s membership reframed him as more than comic relief or tech support. He became a first-contact sensor suite in human form—able to feel reality ripple before anyone else knew it was moving.

Plastic Man

Beneath the wisecracks and googly eyes is a shape-shifting savant who can infiltrate, restrain, and out-think opponents who assume he’s just a joke. Plastic Man has saved the team more times than his reputation suggests.

On the League, his elasticity was tactical gold: instant shields, impossible angles, and stealth recon no camera could catch. The humor? Also tactical—nothing tilts a demigod quite like being handcuffed by a slinky.

Booster Gold

A fame-chasing time traveler doesn’t scream “League material,” but Booster’s arc is all about growing into the hero everyone assumes he isn’t. With future tech and an eye for timelines, he’s both comic relief and chronal insurance policy.

In the League, Booster learned that prestige follows purpose, not the other way around. Time and again, he took the loss—or the anonymity—to make sure history stayed on track.

Blue Beetle (Ted Kord)

No powers, no problem. Ted Kord brought inventor-level brilliance, gymnast agility, and a heart as big as his R&D budget. Paired with Booster Gold, he powered the League’s most endearing buddy-cop era.

Beetle’s gadgets and leadership instincts kept “International” Justice League lineups humming. He proved that brains (and a Bug-shaped aircraft) can punch as hard as biceps—if you’re clever about it.

Fire

Beatriz da Costa’s green flame and espionage training made her a perfect fit for a globe-trotting League with diplomatic headaches. She could melt a tank or a stalemate, sometimes both.

Fire’s evolution from model/spy to frontline hero energized the team’s morale—and its tactics. With heat for days and the confidence to match, she lit up battlefields and boardrooms alike.

Ice

Tora Olafsdotter balanced Fire’s heat with cryokinetic finesse and a gentle core that grounded high-octane rosters. Don’t let the demeanor fool you—Ice can halt shockwaves and freeze giants mid-step.

Her presence reminded the team that compassion is a tactical advantage. Teammates rallied around Ice, and enemies underestimated her—usually right up until the blizzard hit.

Doctor Light (Kimiyo Hoshi)

An astronomer turned photonic dynamo, Dr. Hoshi joined a League era that needed scientists who could fight. She weaponized light across the spectrum: lasers, hard-light constructs, blinding bursts—the works.

Doctor Light also gave the League a sharper scientific voice. When cosmic threats spoke in wavelengths and particles, she translated—and then turned the lab notes into a victory.

Zauriel

A literal guardian angel defecting from Heaven might not be your first draft pick, but Zauriel’s divine armor and sonic flaming sword proved handy when the League fought gods and nightmares.

More than muscle, he offered perspective. When cosmic stakes blurred moral lines, Zauriel’s centuries of service—and willingness to question authority—helped the team choose the hard right over the easy wrong.