For every Superman and Wonder Woman, there is at least one DC Comics hero who views the world in a much different light. While optimism, hope, and trust in humanity and its good side are the trademark features of some of the most iconic DC Comics superheroes, there are plenty of those who are much more cynical and prefer to approach their enemies with suspicion or even open distrust.
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Sometimes, their cynicism stems from their dark past. Sometimes it’s simply who they are, as they might enjoy going after people and stopping the bad guys. Even though the most cynical DC heroes would most likely make for bad friends, reading about their adventures is all the more fun for the fans.
5 Huntress
- First Appearance: The Huntress #1 (April 1989)
- Creators: Joey Cavalieri, Joe Staton
Helena Bertinelli’s cynicism is showcased not so much in her throwing quips around with a smirk but in her inability to play well with others. Huntress is one of the members of the (mostly female) superhero team Birds of Prey but for the most part, she likes to work on her own because she doesn’t have a lot of trust in people or any love lost to them. Her traumatic past of growing up in a mafia family and losing those she cared about made her into a solitary, distant individual who expects people to go against her.
While Huntress does have her positive sides and there are those who believe in her goodness, other superheroes aren’t so convinced. For example, Batman thinks that Huntress is too violent and can’t be trusted. Of course, in this case, it takes one to know one, since Batman himself isn’t the most user-friendly DC hero.
4 Batman
- First Appearance: Detective Comics #27 (March 1939)
- Creators: Bob Kane, Bill Finger
Batman’s general modus operandi is to expect the worst from others, criminals and heroes alike. He doesn’t have any illusions about the nature of humans and doesn’t trust aliens either. That turns against him at one point when he makes contingency plans against his fellow Justice League colleagues and Ra’s al Ghul uses Batman’s paranoia against the League in the storyline Tower of Babel.
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Batman thinks very little of criminals, considering them superstitious and cowardly. His trust issues as well as his overall grim view of the world around him make him one of the most cynical DC superheroes. To be fair to Batman, he spends the majority of his time in the dark city of Gotham, unlike his much more optimistic friend Superman, who resides in the sunny Metropolis.
3 John Constantine
- First Appearance: Swamp Thing #37 (June 1985)
- Creators: Alan Moore, Steve Bissette, John Totleben
Batman might have given up most hope for humanity after the tragic death of his parents, but it’s John Constantine who takes the cynicism of the lonesome hero one step further. While Batman eventually finds a semblance of comfort in his adopted family (Robin and Batgirl, not to mention Alfred), Constantine prefers to fly solo and only works with others when there’s no other way. Constantine has seen many dark things that turned him into the chain-smoking cynic that he is today, having been to Hell and back, quite literally.
Despite his nature, he’s one of the most popular DC characters outside the Trinity (Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman). Considering the fact that Constantine has seen the darkest human deeds and encountered demons and killers, his attitude toward the world suddenly doesn’t seem so surprising.
2 Jonah Hex
- First Appearance: All-Star Western #10 (February-March 1972)
- Creators: John Albano, Tony DeZuniga
Shoot first and ask questions later. That’s the code that Jonah Hex seems to live by. Of course, when somebody lives in the Wild West, they have to be extra careful. Even under the best of circumstances, Jonah’s life wouldn’t be without danger. Since he had to deal with an abusive alcoholic father as a child, being sold into slavery, being betrayed by a person he trusted, and so on, Jonah Hex has started using cynicism as his way of coping with the world around him.
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His work as a bounty hunter means there’s very little space for meaningful human connections in his life. Jonah himself seems to prefer it that way, as he doesn’t trust people and keeps his distance. Still, when it’s needed, he’s willing to stand up for what’s right and fight for those who need help.
1 Lobo
- First Appearance: Omega Men #3 (June 1983)
- Creators: Roger Slifer, Keith Giffen
Calling Lobo a hero seems to be stretching, but he’s not a villain either, not in the typical meaning of the word. Lobo is a bounty hunter, and as such, he usually goes after the bad guys. However, he doesn’t seem to care who gets in his way and gets injured as a result. Lobo might be very proficient at his work, but he has zero qualms about collateral damage. Quite the opposite, in fact, as Lobo revels in violence. A lot of DC superheroes only resort to violence when it’s their last choice. For Lobo, it’s a given.
That makes the fact that he comes from a planet full of pacifists (before he killed them) even more ironic. Lobo’s cynicism is strong, and his life revolves around three things: killing, money, and alcohol. He loves working on his own and doesn’t seem to get along with others, as is typical for cynical DC characters. Even John Constantine, who prefers to fly solo, seems like a philanthropist in comparison to Lobo.
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