Top 10 Superheroes Who Are Dads (Marvel and DC)

Before I even begin, I need to say that all dads are superheroes, just as all moms are superheroes. As parents, we do whatever we can to ensure the survival and success of our children. Sometimes this means playing games, sometimes it means standing your ground, sometimes it means teaching, and all the time it means love.

The world of superheroes is no different. It’s filled with dads. It’s not hard to look at comic books and find one in every corner of every page. Marvel has them. DC has them. And every other publisher under the sun has them. I ask you, of all the superheroes who are the superheroes who are dads? Let’s take a look at our list of best superheroes who are dads in both Marvel and DC universes.

10. Hulk

The often blended World War Hulk and Planet Hulk storylines saw the most intelligent of all Earth’s heroes decide the fate of the Hulk. Once a decision was made, the group placed him on a ship and launched him into space. After floating around in space for a while, the Hulk landed on Sakaar. While on Sakaar, he and his newfound love, Caiera, conceived a child. 

Skaar possesses many of the Hulk’s attributes. Of these attributes, none are as notable as his temper, strength, durability, and that, like his father, the angrier he becomes, the stronger he becomes. If you think Skaar is only a copy of the Hulk, think again. He’s exactly what would happen if the Hulk ever let his savagery take over.

9. Green Arrow

Created by Kelley Puckett and Jim Aparo, Connor Hawke first appeared inside the pages of Green Arrow Volume 2, back in October of 1994. 

Connor Hawke is the child of Oliver Queen and Sandra Hawke. Although he didn’t have contact with him, Connor grew up aware of who his famous father was. Due to this, Connor often kept newspaper clippings and articles about his father’s exploits. As the son of Oliver and Sandra and having a very mixed background, Connor spent his childhood being bullied and picked on by his classmates. This, coupled with his extremely quick temper, caused his mother to be concerned for him. 

Because Connor had trouble in school, his mother signed papers that would allow him to attend the same Monastery that his father attended. It was her hope that by following in his father’s footsteps, he would learn control over his temper. More than control, she hoped that he would begin to use his natural gifts for the betterment of humankind. 

While at the monastery, Oliver (who wasn’t aware of Connor’s existence) befriended Connor and began to train him in martial arts and archery. Eventually, the truth was revealed and for a time, the two banded and fought crime together. 

8. Ant-Man

Cassie Lang is closely tied to how and why Scott Lang became Ant-Man. When Cassie was very young, she was diagnosed with a rare and inoperable condition. Scott, who had just been released from prison, struggled to keep up with the ever-increasing amount of bills. Because of this, he considered returning to a life of crime. Just before he did so, he heard a rumor that there was a doctor who could help Cassie. 

He eventually found the doctor and just as he approached, they were abducted and put in the back of a car. He followed the car and learned that they had been taken to Cross Technological Enterprises. At that moment, he decided to return to crime and break into the building. Inside, he couldn’t find the doctor. What he did find was the suit of Ant-Man. After playing around and learning the inner workings of the suit, Scott returned to rescue the doctor which, in turn, saved Cassie’s life.

7. Wolverine

While X-23 might be the most famous of Wolverine’s offspring, it’s Daken who’s the most biological. Daken is the conceived son of Wolverine and Itsu. As his biological son, Daken shares many of the same powers and abilities as Wolverine. For example, he has retractable claws, an accelerated healing ability, ages more slowly than those around him, and enhanced senses. Where he differs is in that he can control and manipulate the pheromones of others. With it, he can cloud the vision and mind of his opponents.

Daken, unlike Wolverine, tends to side with supervillains. In his short existence, he has been a member of the Dark Avengers, Dark X-Men, and the Brotherhood of Mutants, and was, for a time, the Horseman of Death. 

6. Jim Gordon

Jim Gordon is famous for two reasons. First, he’s the man to signal when Batman is needed. Second, he’s the father to one of the most well-known superheroes in the history of comics. That hero is Barbara Gordon.

Barbara Gordon has done a fantastic job of rewriting her history when it’s needed. Not only has she spent time as Batgirl, but she has also spent time as Oracle. As Oracle, Barbara took her ‘superheroing’ to a whole new level. Aside from being unwilling to let her paralysis prevent her from achieving greatness, Barbara became the eyes and ears of almost every notable superhero in DC Comics. Of all the fathers on this list of superheroes who are dads, none should be more proud of their child than Jim Gordon.

5. Mr. Fantastic

When you’re the father to the most powerful being in Marvel, you’re bound to be a pretty super guy. That guy is Mr. Fantastic and that being is Franklin Richards. Franklin Richards has the ability to warp existing realities and create new ones as he sees fit. He’s also able to jump through time and cause entire universes to collapse into themselves. Franklin’s list of impressive feats is long.

Since coming to comics over 50 years ago, he has taken down Mephisto, made Galactus his Herald, created multiple pocket dimensions, and caused flowers to grow from the Mad Celestials. Franklin is as capable of changing the tides of war now as Mr. Fantastic was in changing his diaper when he was young. 

4. Batman

Over the years, Batman has taken in many children to train and treat as his own. Dick Grayson. Jason Todd. Tim Drake. Damian Wayne. While the first three (Dick, Jason, and Tim) were the children of others, Damian was his. The thing with Damian, however, is that Batman didn’t know he even existed. 

Damian’s mother is Talia al Ghul and Talia al Ghul is the daughter of Ra’s al Ghul. Ra’s al Ghul is the founder and leader of the League of Assassins. The League of Assassins is a deadly group of ninjas hellbent on restoring order in the world. 

Growing up with the al Ghul’s meant that Damian was trained to be ruthless, and violent, and taught to kill first and ask questions later. This changed once he was under Batman’s care, but not before causing a few more grey hairs to grow on his head.

3. Luke Cage 

Danielle Cage is the daughter of Jessica Jones and Luke Cage. She was delivered on the pages of The Pulse #14 and was created by Brian Michael Bendis and Alex Maleev. Her name, Danielle, pays homepage to Luke’s best friend, the Immortal Iron Fist. Of course, his name is Danny Rand.

While she hasn’t fully embraced or displayed any sort of powers or abilities, it’s easy to predict what she will have…if she were to develop them. Because her dad is unbreakable and her mom has super strength, Danielle will most likely have a combination of the two. Danielle is as famous as her parents and has had some pretty high-profile heroes caring for her. Of them, the one she bonded most with was Squirrel Girl.

2. Cyclops

Cyclops has been a busy man since he first debuted. He has, for lack of a more intelligent description, exchanged liquids with two of the most prominent and important X-Men of all time…Jean Grey and Emma Frost. When it comes to Jean Grey, he has found a way to exchange with her and her clone. His encounters with these three women have resulted in some of the most powerful children in Marvel.

Cyclops is a leader, and a tactician, is unafraid to stand up for what he believes is right, and has always fought for mutants all over the world. Most importantly, he’s a dad. As such, he was an easy choice for this superheroes who are dads list.

1. Odin 

Odin is the husband of Freyja, the All-Father, the ruler of the Nine Realms, and the actual father to Thor and Loki…somewhat. He’s one of the most powerful beings in Marvel and capable of destroying just about any who crosses his path.

Odin is what happens when the strength and durability of Thor are combined with the intelligence and cunning of Loki. Odin’s powers are as follows: flight, astral projection, energy projection, illusion casting, manipulation of weather, dimensional transport, energy manipulation and projection, telepathy…and more.

Odins is one of those beings who clear the battlefield after entering it. This isn’t because he’s so powerful. This is because there are very few who actually stand a chance against him.

And that’s it. The top 10 dad superheroes. What do you think? Agree? Disagree? While you’re at it, why don’t you take a look at our list of best superhero moms?