The First 15 DC Superheroes In Chronological Order

[caj]

Really surprised at some of these but what a great read:

https://www.cbr.com/dc-comics-first-superheroes/

Superman
Zatara
Crimson Avenger
Batman
Sandman
Red Tornado
Flash
Hawkman
Johnny Thunder
Spectre
Hourman
Robin
Dr. Fate
Green Lantern
Atom

[MajorHoy]

Really surprised at some of these but what a great read:

https://www.cbr.com/dc-comics-first-superheroes/

Superman
Zatara
Crimson Avenger
Batman
Sandman
Red Tornado
Flash
Hawkman
Johnny Thunder
Spectre
Hourman
Robin
Dr. Fate
Green Lantern
Atom

Problem with this list is that Red Tornado couldn't come before Green Lantern.

"Ma" Hunkel did indeed first appear before Alan Scott, but she didn't become the Red Tornado until after Alan became Green Lantern! (In fact, like Wildcat, she was inspired to become Red Tornado because of Green Lantern.)

[Sutekh]

This list makes me think that more should be done with the legacy of the Crimson Avenger. Most of the other people on this list either still exist as heroes, or have legacies (like Zatanna or Cyclone).

[bat39]

Does Zatara count as a 'superhero'? And if he does, surely Dr. Occult would count as well and he should be first.

And I agree with Sutekh on Crimson Avengers. IIRC, in Post-COIE continuity, wasn't Crimson Avenger officially established as being the 'first' superhero?

[Icefan]

Doctor Occult
New Fun Comics #6 (Oct. 1935)

New-Fun-Comics-06.jpg

[Robotman]

This list makes me think that more should be done with the legacy of the Crimson Avenger. Most of the other people on this list either still exist as heroes, or have legacies (like Zatanna or Cyclone).

I liked the Crimson Avenger that appeared in Johns’ JSA but I think now that Wing is back it would be super cool if he became the new Crimson Avenger. He was the first Asian superhero and it would be great if DC celebrated not only that but promoted one of their first mystery man.

[Sutekh]

I liked the Crimson Avenger that appeared in Johns’ JSA but I think now that Wing is back it would be super cool if he became the new Crimson Avenger. He was the first Asian superhero and it would be great if DC celebrated not only that but promoted one of their first mystery man.

True, and like Cyclone, the legacy of Ma Hunkel, I'd kind of like Wing to develop some sort of gimmick. Maybe powers, maybe one or more gadgets, maybe something supernatural, as a result of the experiences he's been through. Maybe even something related to the sleeping gas his old mentor used to use. (Go without sleep? Breathe in someone's face to knock them out? Generate a strong gust of sleeping gas to knock someone out and push them back, or below himself to jump high into the air for a dramatic exit, while also knocking out anyone where he was standing?)

Something a bit more unique than just another great martial artist, in a genre already replete with them, and perhaps a touch less common for Asian characters.

[MajorHoy]

Does Zatara count as a 'superhero'? And if he does, surely Dr. Occult would count as well and he should be first.

And I agree with Sutekh on Crimson Avengers. IIRC, in Post-COIE continuity, wasn't Crimson Avenger officially established as being the 'first' superhero?

For post-CoIE continuity, Superman was no longer first active back in the late 1930s/1940s, and I don't know if Zatara would have been, either, since Silver Age+ Zatanna is his daughter. So I think by default Crimson Avenger would have been the first then, and he had a secret identity (as opposed to Zatara), so Lee Travis would have at least been the first "mystery man".

[caj]

For post-CoIE continuity, Superman was no longer first active back in the late 1930s/1940s, and I don't know if Zatara would have been, either, since Silver Age+ Zatanna is his daughter. So I think by default Crimson Avenger would have been the first then, and he had a secret identity (as opposed to Zatara), so Lee Travis would have at least been the first "mystery man".

I guess I'm just a comic book nerd but I find all of this discussion very interesting and very fascinating. Ironically, I hated history class in high school. LOL

[The Darknight Detective]

Superman and Batman were the first two, since Zatara, Crimson Avenger, and Dr. Occult weren't considered superheroes at the time of their creation.

[The Darknight Detective]

I guess I'm just a comic book nerd but I find all of this discussion very interesting and very fascinating. Ironically, I hated history class in high school. LOL

I have always loved history, so I enjoy these type of discussions myself.

[scary harpy]

for reference:

1935

• Dr. Occult

1937

• Slam Bradley
• Cosmo, Phantom of Disguise
• Speed Saunders
• Nadir, Master of Magic

1938

• Superman
• Zatara
• Mr. America
• The Crimson Avenger

1939

• Sandman
• Hop Harrigan
• Red, White & Blue
• Batman

1940

• The Flash
• Hawkman
• Johnny Thunder
• The Whip
• The Spectre
• Hourman
• The King
• Robin
• Congo Bill
• Miss X
• Green Lantern
• The Atom
• Red Tornado
• JSA

1941

• Starman
• Dr. Mid-nite
• Lando, man of magic
• Sargon the Sorcerer
• Hawkgirl
• Johnny Quick
• Star-spangled Kid & Stripesy
• Tarantula
• Captain X
• Aquaman
• Green Arrow
• The Vigilante
• Wonder Woman

1942

• Gay Ghost
• Little Boy Blue
• Mister Terrific
• Wildcat
• Airwave
• Manhunter
• TNT & Dyna-mite
• Robotman
• The Guardian
• Ghost Patrol Genius Jones Liberty Belle

[caj]

Thanks so much, scary harpy. This is excellent.

I had no idea that Hawkgirl, Aquaman, and Green Arrow first appeared before Wonder Woman. Again, this is all fascinating to me.

[Air Wave]

for reference:

1935

• Dr. Occult

1937

• Slam Bradley
• Cosmo, Phantom of Disguise
• Speed Saunders
• Nadir, Master of Magic

1938

• Superman
• Zatara
• Mr. America
• The Crimson Avenger

1939

• Sandman
• Hop Harrigan
• Red, White & Blue
• Batman

1940

• The Flash
• Hawkman
• Johnny Thunder
• The Whip
• The Spectre
• Hourman
• The King
• Robin
• Congo Bill
• Miss X
• Green Lantern
• The Atom
• Red Tornado
• JSA

1941

• Starman
• Dr. Mid-nite
• Lando, man of magic
• Sargon the Sorcerer
• Hawkgirl
• Johnny Quick
• Star-spangled Kid & Stripesy
• Tarantula
• Captain X
• Aquaman
• Green Arrow
• The Vigilante
• Wonder Woman

1942

• Gay Ghost
• Little Boy Blue
• Mister Terrific
• Wildcat
• Airwave
• Manhunter
• TNT & Dyna-mite
• Robotman
• The Guardian
• Ghost Patrol Genius Jones Liberty Belle

Shiera is in the very first Hawkman story, but I guess not as Hawkgirl.

[The Darknight Detective]

1938

• Superman
• Zatara
• Mr. America
• The Crimson Avenger

It took a few years before Tex Thomson/Thompson became Mr. America, FWIW.