How every character in the DC extended universe compares to their comic-book counterpart
- The DCEU, or DC extended universe, has produced 11 films overall, with at least four in the works.
- We've compared (almost) every character in the universe with their comic-book counterpart.
- Some are remarkably similar ... others, not so much.
Henry Cavill made his first appearance as Clark Kent, a native of the planet Krypton sent to Earth to escape his dying planet, in "Man of Steel" in 2013. He's got the look down pat.
DCEU appearances: "Man of Steel," "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice," "Justice League," "Zack Snyder's Justice League," and a cameo in "Shazam!," though not played by Cavill
Comics debut: "Action Comics No. 1" in June 1938
Here's what he looks like in his full Kryptonian super-suit. In the film, his suit is a bit more muted.
Over the years, Superman has appeared in comics, movies, radio serials, and TV shows — he's one of the most iconic characters in comic history.
His iconic love interest Lois Lane, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, is played by Amy Adams. She's a redhead in the DCEU, while in the comics, Lois is traditionally a brunette.
DCEU appearances: "Man of Steel," "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice," "Justice League," and "Zack Snyder's Justice League"
Comics debut: "Action Comics No. 1" in June 1938
One of Superman's most famous enemies, fellow Kryptonian General Zod, was played by Michael Shannon.
DCEU appearances: "Man of Steel"
Comics debut: "Adventure Comics No. 238" in April 1961
When Kal-El landed on Earth, he was adopted by humans and named Clark Kent. His father, Jonathan, was played by Kevin Costner.
DCEU appearances: "Man of Steel," "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice," and "Zack Snyder's Justice League"
Comics debut: "Superman No. 1" in June 1939
Clark's mother, Martha, plays a pivotal role in the DCEU. She's played by Diane Lane.
DCEU appearances: "Man of Steel," "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice," "Justice League," and "Zack Snyder's Justice League"
Comics debut: "Superman No. 1" in June 1939
Clark's boss at the Daily Planet, a newspaper in Metropolis, was played by Laurence Fishburne. They have the same generally displeased look.
DCEU appearances: "Man of Steel" and "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice"
Comics debut: "Superman No. 7" in November 1940
One of General Zod's allies, Faora, was played by German actress Antje Traue. Their armor is remarkably similar.
DCEU appearances: "Man of Steel"
Comics debut: "Action Comics No. 471"
Ayelet Zurer played Lara Lor-Van, Kal-El's birth mother.
DCEU appearances: "Man of Steel"
Comics debut: "More Fun Comics No. 101" in January/February 1945
Russell Crowe took over for Marlon Brando in the DCEU version of Jor-El, Kal-El's father who teaches him about Krypton from beyond the grave.
DCEU appearances: "Man of Steel"
Comics debut: "More Fun Comics No. 101" in January/February 1945
Richard Schiff had a small role as Emil Hamilton. In the comics, he's a professor, but in the DCEU, he's a scientist working with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).
DCEU appearances: "Man of Steel"
Comics debut: "Adventures of Superman No. 424" in January 1987
Another Kryptonian enemy of Superman's, Jax-Ur, appears in "Man of Steel" played by Mackenzie Gray.
DCEU appearances: "Man of Steel"
Comics debut: "Adventure Comics No. 289" in October 1961
Michael Kelly had a small role as minor Superman character Steve Lombard, a co-worker of Clark and Lois' at the Daily Planet.
DCEU appearances: "Man of Steel"
Comics debut: "Superman No. 264" in June 1973
The DCEU returned in 2016 with "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice." Ben Affleck made his debut as billionaire playboy Bruce Wayne ...
DCEU appearances: "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice," "Suicide Squad," "Justice League," "Zack Snyder's Justice League," and reportedly the upcoming film "The Flash"
Comics debut: "Detective Comics No. 27" in March 1939
Who, of course, also is known by another name: Batman.
Affleck is one of eight men to have played Batman on the big screen. In order, you have Adam West, Michael Keaton, Val Kilmer, George Clooney, Christian Bale, Affleck, Will Arnett (voice), and, next year, Robert Pattinson in "The Batman."
Superman's most famous nemesis, Lex Luthor, also made his debut as played by Jesse Eisenberg. He later shaved his head to achieve his iconic bald look from the comics.
DCEU appearances: "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice," "Justice League," "Zack Snyder's Justice League"
Comics debut: "Action Comics No. 23" in April 1940
Batman's famed butler, Alfred Pennyworth, is played by Jeremy Irons, who took a more casual approach than Alfred's classic tux and bow tie.
DCEU appearances: "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice," "Justice League," and "Zack Snyder's Justice League"
Comics debut: "Batman No. 16" in April 1943
Note: Alfred will be played by Andy Serkis in "The Batman," which isn't officially in the DCEU.
Anatoli Knyazev, played by Callan Mulvey, appears as a henchman of Lex Luthor's. In the comics, he's a villain called KGBeast, a cybernetically enhanced assassin.
DCEU appearances: "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice"
Comics debut: "Batman No. 417" in March 1988
Tao Okamoto played Lex Luthor's assistant Mercy Graves.
DCEU appearances: "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice"
Comics debut: Graves actually debuted in the animated TV series "Superman: The Animated Series" in 1996. She then crossed over into comics with "Detective Comics No. 735" in August 1999.
Robin Atkin Downes provided the voice for the infamous Superman villain Doomsday - or at least, one version of him. In the comics, he's a prehistoric Kryptonian demon, while in the DCEU, he's a creature created from the reanimated corpse of General Zod.
DCEU appearances: "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" and "Zack Snyder's Justice League"
Comics debut: "Superman: The Man of Steel No. 18" in December 1992
Jeffrey Dean Morgan had a small role as Bruce's dead father, Thomas Wayne.
DCEU appearances: "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice"
Comics debut: "Detective Comics No. 33" in November 1939
Lauren Cohan played Bruce's deceased mother Martha, a name she shares with Clark's mother. Note the pearls - they're one of Martha's trademarks.
DCEU appearances: "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice"
Comics debut: "Detective Comics No. 33" in November 1939
A version of Clark Kent's best friend, Jimmy Olsen, appeared briefly in the film, played by Michael Cassidy. In the comics, he's more of your traditional dopey guy, whereas in the film he's a CIA operative.
DCEU appearances: "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice"
Comics debut: "Superman No. 13" in November/December 1941
Joe Morton briefly shows up in "Batman v Superman" playing STAR Labs scientist Silas Stone. He plays a larger role later on in the DCEU, as the father of Victor Stone, aka Cyborg.
DCEU appearances: "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice," "Justice League," and "Zack Snyder's Justice League"
Comics debut: "DC Comics Presents No. 26" in October 1980
When "Suicide Squad" was released, it brought many of DC's most well-known villains to the screen, including - of course - Margot Robbie's Harley Quinn, a psychiatrist-turned-killer and one of Batman's most famous villains. In the 2021 sequel, she gets to wear a more comics-accurate outfit, briefly.
DCEU appearances: "Suicide Squad," "Birds of Prey," and "The Suicide Squad"
Comics debut: Harley is another character who made her debut on TV, in "Batman: The Animated Series" in 1992. She then made her comics debut in "The Batman Adventures No. 12" in September 1993.
Will Smith played Batman villain and deadly assassin with a secret heart Floyd Lawton, aka Deadshot. His DCEU costume was impressively comics-accurate.
DCEU appearances: "Suicide Squad"
Comics debut: "Batman No. 59" in June 1950
Jared Leto controversially took over as the Joker, Batman's greatest foe and agent of chaos.
DCEU appearances: "Suicide Squad" and "Zack Snyder's Justice League"
Comics debut: "Batman No. 1" in April 1940
The mastermind behind Task Force X and amoral FBI operative, Amanda Waller, is played by Viola Davis.
DCEU appearances: "Suicide Squad" and "The Suicide Squad"
Comics debut: "Legends No. 1" in November 1986
Jai Courtney played Digger Harkness, aka Captain Boomerang, a criminal who is extremely talented with, you guessed it, boomerangs. Traditionally, he's an enemy of the Flash.
DCEU appearances: "Suicide Squad" and "The Suicide Squad"
Comics debut: "The Flash No. 117" in December 1960
El Diablo (real name Chato Santana), a meta-human with the ability to turn into a demonic fire entity, was played by Jay Hernandez.
DCEU appearances: "Suicide Squad"
Comics debut (as Santana): "El Diablo No. 1" in September 2008
Killer Croc, or Waylon Jones, was played by Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje. On both page and screen, he's a man born with a genetic condition that gives him the appearance of a crocodile, which leads society to ostracize him, which in turn drives him mad. He's another member of Batman's rogues gallery.
DCEU appearances: "Suicide Squad"
Comics debut: "Detective Comics No. 524" in March 1983
Karen Fukuhara played Katana, a fearsome samurai whose sword traps the souls of those it kills inside it. She's a hero, unlike the rest of the Squad.
DCEU appearances: "Suicide Squad"
Comics debut: "The Brave and the Bold No. 200" in July 1983
Adam Beach had a brief role as Slipknot, an assassin who finds out the hard way that the bombs implanted in their necks are real. As you can guess, he's really good with ropes and knots, and he was first shown as an enemy of Firestorm.
DCEU appearances: "Suicide Squad"
Comics debut: "The Fury of Firestorm No. 28" in October 1984
The film's true villain, Enchantress, was played by Cara Delevingne. Her movie look is a little grimier than the comics version, and she's more of a straight-up villain. In the comics, she's an anti-hero.
DCEU appearances: "Suicide Squad"
Comics debut: "Strange Adventures No. 187" in April 1966
An altered version of Incubus, Enchantress' brother, was played by Alain Chanoine.
DCEU appearances: "Suicide Squad"
Comics debut: "Suicide Squad No. 14" in June 1988
Jim Parrack played a version of Jonny Frost, a henchman of the Joker in the comics.
DCEU appearances: "Suicide Squad"
Comics debut: "Joker," a graphic novel published in October 2008
Common had a small role as Monster T, also known as Tattooed Man in the comics, another one of the Joker's henchmen.
DCEU appearances: "Suicide Squad"
Comics debut: "Green Lantern vol. 2 No. 23" in September 1963
Shailyn Pierre-Dixon played Deadshot's young daughter, Zoe Lawton. In the comics, she becomes a hero called Liveshot.
DCEU appearances: "Suicide Squad"
Comics debut: "Deadshot vol. 2 No. 1" in December 2004
After making her debut in "Batman v Superman," Gal Gadot's Amazonian warrior princess Wonder Woman, real name Diana, got her own film in 2017.
DCEU appearances: "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice," "Wonder Woman," "Justice League," "Wonder Woman 1984," "Zack Snyder's Justice League," and the upcoming untitled "Wonder Woman" sequel
Comics debut: "All Star Comics No. 8" in October 1941
Diana's love interest from the comics, World War I pilot and spy Steve Trevor, made his on-screen debut in the film. He was played by Chris Pine.
DCEU appearances: "Wonder Woman" and "Wonder Woman 1984"
Comics debut: "All Star Comics No. 8" in October 1941
Diana's aunt and mentor Antiope was played by Robin Wright.
DCEU appearances: "Wonder Woman," "Justice League," "Wonder Woman 1984," and "Zack Snyder's Justice League"
Comics debut: "Wonder Woman vol. 1 No. 312" in February 1984
While Diana's mother, Queen Hippolyta, is played by Connie Nielsen. She asked Zeus for a daughter, which is how Diana was created.
DCEU appearances: "Wonder Woman," "Justice League," "Wonder Woman 1984," and "Zack Snyder's Justice League"
Comics debut: "All Star Comics No. 8" in October 1941
David Thewlis was revealed as the Greek god of war, Ares.
DCEU appearances: "Wonder Woman," "Justice League," and "Zack Snyder's Justice League"
Comics debut: "Wonder Woman No. 1" in June 1942
Wonder Woman fights against a Nazi doctor named Isabel Maru, creator of a dangerous poisonous gas, played by Elena Anaya. In the comics, she's known as Doctor Poison.
DCEU appearances: "Wonder Woman"
Comics debut: "Sensation Comics No. 2" in February 1942
Etta Candy was played by Lucy Davis. In the comics, she's one of Diana's good friends, while in the movie she's introduced as Steve's secretary.
DCEU appearances: "Wonder Woman"
Comics debut: "Sensation Comics No. 2" in February 1942
One of Steve's allies, Sameer, was played by Saïd Taghmaoui.
DCEU appearances: "Wonder Woman"
Comics debut: "Wonder Woman: Steve Trevor No. 1" in June 2017
Another ally, Charlie, was played by Ewen Bremner.
DCEU appearances: "Wonder Woman"
Comics debut: "Wonder Woman: Steve Trevor No. 1" in June 2017
Rounding out Steve's Crew is Chief, played by Eugene Brave Rock. He claims he's a demi-god in the film.
The first version of "Justice League" was released in 2017. Barry Allen, aka the Flash, made his real debut after a brief appearance in "Batman v Superman" played by Ezra Miller. He has the Speed Force running through him, making him able to run at super-speed.
DCEU appearances: "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice," "Suicide Squad," "Justice League," "Zack Snyder's Justice League," and the upcoming "The Flash"
Comics debut: "Showcase No. 4" in October 1956 (Barry Allen)
Barry's dad, Henry, who is wrongfully imprisoned for the murder of his wife and Barry's mother, was played by Billy Crudup. He will be replaced with Ron Livingston in the upcoming "Flash" solo film.
DCEU appearances: "Justice League" and "Zack Snyder's Justice League" (as Crudup), and the upcoming film "The Flash" (as Livingston)
Comics debut: "The Flash No. 126" in February 1962
Victor Stone, aka Cyborg, also made his first full appearance in "Justice League," played by Ray Fisher. In the film, he was transformed into a cyborg by his father after a near-fatal car crash.
DCEU appearances: "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice," "Justice League," and "Zack Snyder's Justice League"
Comics debut: "DC Comics Presents No. 26" in October 1980
Commissioner Jim Gordon, played by JK Simmons, made his debut in the film, as well. He's a close ally of Batman's and the leader of the Gotham police.
DCEU appearances: "Justice League," "Zack Snyder's Justice League," and the upcoming HBO Max film "Batgirl"
Comics debut: "Detective Comics No. 27" in May 1939
Note: He will be played by Jeffrey Wright in "The Batman."
Steppenwolf, a New God from the planet Apokolips played by Ciarán Hinds, appeared in both versions of "Justice League." Here's how his two different designs compare to the comics, where he's a frequent foe of both Superman and the Justice League.
DCEU appearances: "Justice League" and "Zack Snyder's Justice League"
Comics debut: "New Gods No. 7" in February 1972
DC's version of the Greek god Zeus, played by Sergi Constance, appeared in both versions of "Justice League."
DCEU appearances: "Justice League" and "Zack Snyder's Justice League"
Comics debut: "Superman No. 28" in May 1944
DC also has an interpretation of the Greek goddess of the hunt, Artemis, played by Aurore Lauzeral. She carried her bow and arrows in comics and the DCEU.
DCEU appearances: "Justice League" and "Zack Snyder's Justice League"
Comics debut: "All Star Comics No. 8" in October 1941
Deathstroke, yet another famed DC villain (usually going up against the Teen Titans), pops up at the end of both "Justice Leagues" played by Joe Manganiello. While we never learned much about him in the DCEU, in the comics he's a genetically enhanced assassin.
DCEU appearances: "Justice League" and "Zack Snyder's Justice League"
Comics debut: "The New Teen Titans No. 2" in December 1980
Jason Momoa's Aquaman (or Arthur Curry), rightful heir to the throne of undersea kingdom Atlantis, finally got his own film in 2018 after two prior appearances in the DCEU. Momoa rocks the gold and green bodysuit and the trident with ease.
DCEU appearances: "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice," "Justice League," "Aquaman," "Zack Snyder's Justice League," and the upcoming film "Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom"
Comics debut: "More Fun Comics No. 71" in November 1941
His love interest and Atlantean princess Mera is played by Amber Heard.
DCEU appearances: "Justice League," "Aquaman," "Zack Snyder's Justice League," and the upcoming film "Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom"
Comics debut: "Aquaman No. 11" in September 1963
Willem Dafoe plays one of Arthur's Atlantean advisors and parental figures, Nuidis Vulko.
DCEU appearances: "Aquaman" and "Zack Snyder's Justice League"
Comics debut: "The Brave and the Bold No. 73" in September 1967
Arthur's treacherous and surface-hating half-brother Orm Marius, aka Ocean Master, is played by Patrick Wilson.
DCEU appearances: "Aquaman" and the upcoming film "Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom"
Comics debut: "Aquaman No. 29" in September 1966
Mera's father, King Nereus of Xebel, another underwater kingdom, is played by Dolph Lundgren. In the comics, Nereus is actually betrothed to Mera, though they do not get married due to her love for Aquaman.
DCEU appearances: "Aquaman" and the upcoming film "Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom"
Comics debut: "Aquaman vol. 7 No. 19" in June 2013
One of the film's antagonists is Black Manta, played by Yahya Abdul Mateen II. He's a cutthroat criminal who utilizes advanced tech to wage war underwater.
DCEU appearances: "Aquaman" and the upcoming film "Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom"
Comics debut: "Aquaman No. 35" in September 1967
Arthur's human father, Tom Curry, is played by Temuera Morrison. His ethnicity was changed from the comics to reflect Momoa's Polynesian heritage.
DCEU appearances: "Aquaman" and the upcoming film "Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom"
Comics debut: "Adventure Comics No. 260" in May 1959
His mother, the missing Atlantean queen Atlanna, is played by Nicole Kidman.
DCEU appearances: "Aquaman" and the upcoming film "Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom"
Comics debut: "Adventure Comics No. 260" in May 1959
A younger version of Stephen Shin - played by Randall Park - appeared in the film, as well. In the movie, he's a conspiracy theorist who tries to convince the world that Atlantis is real.
DCEU appearances: "Aquaman"
Comics debut: "Aquaman No. 2" in December 2011
Graham McTavish played an ancestor of Arthur's, King Atlan. In the comics, he resembles an ice monster, whereas in the film, he's like a holographic ghost projection.
DCEU appearances: "Aquaman"
Comics debut: "Atlantis Chronicles No. 5" in July 1990
A mythical leviathan called Karathen was voiced by none other than Julie Andrews. It's based on the comics monster Karaqan.
DCEU appearances: "Aquaman"
Comics debut: "Aquaman vol. 7 No. 26" in February 2014
The next DCEU movie to be released was "Shazam!" in 2019. The titular character, Shazam (or Captain Marvel as he was formerly known), is played by Zachary Levi.
DCEU appearances: "Shazam!" and the upcoming film "Shazam! Fury of the Gods"
Comics debut: "Whiz Comics No. 2" in December 1939
But when he's not busy being an adult superhero, Shazam is actually a teenage boy named Billy Batson, played by Asher Angel. All Billy has to say is "Shazam" to turn into the powerful hero.
DCEU appearances: "Shazam!" and the upcoming film "Shazam! Fury of the Gods"
Comics debut: "Whiz Comics No. 2" in December 1939
His best friend and foster brother, Freddy Freeman, is played by Jack Dylan Grazer as a teenager.
DCEU appearances: "Shazam!" and the upcoming film "Shazam! Fury of the Gods"
Comics debut: "Whiz Comics No. 25" in December 1941
The adult version of Freddy is played by Adam Brody. In the comics, he's called Captain Marvel Jr. or Shazam Jr.
All the kids in the film are part of what used to be called the Marvel Family, but after Marvel Comics trademarked the name, they stopped using "Marvel."
The wizard Shazam who wants to give away his mystical powers is played by Djimon Hounsou in a remarkably comics-accurate costume.
DCEU appearances: "Shazam!" and the upcoming film "Shazam! Fury of the Gods"
Comics debut: "Whiz Comics No. 2" in December 1939
The film's villain, mad scientist Doctor Sivana, was played by Mark Strong.
DCEU appearances: "Shazam!"
Comics debut: "Whiz Comics No. 2" in December 1939
One of Billy's foster siblings named Mary is played by Grace Fulton as a teen.
DCEU appearances: "Shazam!" and the upcoming film "Shazam! Fury of the Gods"
Comics debut: "Captain Marvel Adventures No. 18" in December 1942
In the first "Shazam!," the elder Mary, aka Mary Marvel or Lady Shazam, was played by Michelle Borth. In the sequel, Grace Fulton will take over as adult Mary.
For the sequel, Fulton will play the teen and superhero versions of Mary.
The kid version of Eugene Choi is played by Ian Chen.
DCEU appearances: "Shazam!" and the upcoming film "Shazam! Fury of the Gods"
Comics debut: "Flashpoint vol. 2 No. 1" in July 2011
As an adult superhero, Eugene is played by Ross Butler.
He wears a gray version of Shazam's suit.
Pedro Peña, yet another foster brother, is played by Jovan Armand.
DCEU appearances: "Shazam!" and the upcoming film "Shazam! Fury of the Gods"
Comics debut: "Flashpoint vol. 2 No. 1" in July 2011
The superhero version of Pedro is played by DJ Cotrona.
He wears a green version of Shazam's suit.
Last up from the Marvel Family is Darla Dudley, who is played by Faithe Herman.
DCEU appearances: "Shazam!" and the upcoming film "Shazam! Fury of the Gods"
Comics debut: "Flashpoint vol. 2 No. 1" in July 2011
Adult Darla is played by Meagan Good.
She wears a purple version of Shazam's suit.
The evil caterpillar-esque Mister Mind had a brief cameo voiced by director David F. Sandberg. He's one of Shazam's most famous foes, an alien worm with telepathic powers.
DCEU appearances: "Shazam!"
Comics debut: "Captain Marvel Adventures No. 26" in August 1943
In 2020's "Birds of Prey," Harley Quinn met a new crew of boss women - one of which was Jurnee Smollett's Black Canary (Dinah Lance), who has a powerful sonic scream that she calls her "canary cry." In the comics, she's traditionally associated with Green Arrow, who has yet to make his DCEU debut.
DCEU appearances: "Birds of Prey" and the upcoming "Black Canary" film on HBO Max
Comics debut (as Lance): "Justice League of America No. 75" in November 1969
Mary Elizabeth Winstead played the Huntress, aka Helena Bertinelli. Her movie costume has hints of her trademark purple costume, but they both have a handy crossbow - all the better for taking out her family's killers.
DCEU appearances: "Birds of Prey"
Comics debut: "The Huntress No. 1" in April 1989
Rounding out the Birds is Rosie Perez as Renee Montoya, a former Gotham police officer who resigns out of disgust at the corruption within the force. In the film, she teams up with Harley and crew to get ahead in her career - though by the end, she resigns, just like in the comics.
DCEU appearances: "Birds of Prey"
Comics debut: "Batman No. 475" in March 1992
Cassandra Cain, as played by Ella Jay Basco, tagged along for the ride. In the comics, she eventually becomes Batgirl when she gets older.
DCEU appearances: "Birds of Prey"
Comics debut: "Batman No. 567" in July 1999
The ladies team up against Black Mask, a psychopathic crime lord, played by Ewan McGregor. He's usually a foe of Batman's.
DCEU appearances: "Birds of Prey"
Comics debut: "Batman No. 386" in August 1985
He tries to use serial killer Victor Zsasz, played by Chris Messina, to take the women down. In the comics, Victor puts a tally mark on his body for every person he kills - his look in the movie is a tad more subtle.
DCEU appearances: "Birds of Prey"
Comics debut: "Batman: Shadow of the Bat No. 1" in June 1992
Turning back time to the '80s with "Wonder Woman 1984," we saw Cheetah (real name Barbara Ann Minerva), played by Kristen Wiig, make her villainous debut. She's noticeably blonder in the film.
DCEU appearances: "Wonder Woman 1984"
Comics debut (as Minerva): "Wonder Woman vol. 2 No. 7" in August 1987
She received her powers from slimeball Maxwell Lord, played by Pedro Pascal with a completely different look and vibe.
DCEU appearances: "Wonder Woman 1984"
Comics debut: "Justice League No. 1" in May 1987
Lord feuds with businessman Simon Stagg, played by Oliver Cotton. He's usually played against Metamorpho, who hasn't been in the DCEU yet.
DCEU appearances: "Wonder Woman 1984"
Comics debut: "The Brave and the Bold No. 57" in January 1965
When Zack Snyder's director's cut of "Justice League" was dropped on HBO Max in 2021, many characters that were cut from the original reappeared, like the iconic DC villain Darkseid, played by Ray Porter.
DCEU appearances: "Zack Snyder's Justice League"
Comics debut: "Forever People No. 1" in February 1971
His sidekick, DeSaad (played by Peter Guinness), also returned after getting cut originally.
DCEU appearances: "Zack Snyder's Justice League"
Comics debut: "Forever People No. 2" in May 1971
Zheng Kai played Ryan Choi briefly. In the comics, the character becomes the Atom, a shrinking superhero.
DCEU appearances: "Zack Snyder's Justice League"
Comics debut: "DCU: Brave New World No. 1" in August 2006
Barry Allen's most famous love interest from the comics, Iris West, also was cut from the original. She's played by Kiersey Clemons. In the comics, she's a white woman, but in the CW series "The Flash," Iris is also played by a Black actress, Candice Patton.
DCEU appearances: "Zack Snyder's Justice League" and the upcoming film "The Flash"
Comics debut: "Showcase No. 4" in October 1956
One of Darkseid's henchmen, Granny Goodness, was made entirely out of CGI.
DCEU appearances: "Zack Snyder's Justice League"
Comics debut: "Mister Miracle No. 2" in May 1971
After making numerous cameos, Harry Lennix's General Calvin Swanwick was revealed as the Martian Manhunter, a refugee from Mars who has dedicated his life to protecting Earth.
DCEU appearances: "Man of Steel" and "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" as Swanwick, "Zack Snyder's Justice League" as the Martian Manhunter
Comics debut: "Detective Comics No. 225" in November 1955
This brings us to 2021's "The Suicide Squad," which sees Idris Elba make his debut as Bloodsport, another deadly assassin with a secret heart who can use advanced technology to create different weapons.
DCEU appearances: "The Suicide Squad"
Comics debut: "Superman No. 4" in April 1987
Joel Kinnaman played Colonel Rick Flag, an army operative assigned to Task Force X (aka the Suicide Squad) and one of the few characters to return from the 2016 original film. He wears a yellow shirt for most of the film in a nod to his comics look.
DCEU appearances: "Suicide Squad" and "The Suicide Squad"
Comics debut: "The Brave and the Bold No. 25" in September 1959
He's joined by John Cena as Peacemaker, a villain so obsessed with "peace" that he'll kill anyone in his way of getting it. In the comics, he's more of a superhero than his DCEU counterpart.
DCEU appearances: "The Suicide Squad" and the upcoming "Peacemaker" HBO Max series
Comics debut: "Fightin' 5 No. 40" in November 1966
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