James Gunn and DC Studios may be sitting out Comic-Con this year, but Gunn did give fans something very juicy to chew on. Gunn tweeted out the artwork for the full History of Metahumans mural that can be briefly seen displayed in the Hall of Justice in Superman. The movie reveals that metahumans have played an active role in the DCU for the past 300 years, and this mural reveals which costumed heroes have appeared so far.
Suffice it to say, there are some pretty deep cuts on this list. It’s one thing to include the Golden Age Justice Society of America, but Silent Knight? Black Pirate? Amazing-Man? Who the heck are all these characters? Let’s briefly break down which DC heroes appear in this mural, going from left to right across the two images. Note that there are a few characters even we’re not sure about, so please let us know your theories in the comments below.
Madame Xanadu
It makes sense that the DCU’s metahuman history would start with Madame Xanadu, as this powerful sorceress is actually Nimue from Arthurian legends. She’s wandered the globe for centuries, forming bonds with other early heroes like Giovanni Zatara and The Spectre.
Silent Knight
Brian Kent is another hero dating back to Arthurian times, one marked by his distinctive red helmet and his refusal to reveal his secret identity (hence the name “Silent Knight). DC’s comics have suggested Brian is also a previous incarnation of Hawkman (who continuously reincarnates across time), but we’ll see if the DCU gets into that.
Amazon Warrior
It would seem that Wonder Woman isn’t the first Amazonian warrior to venture forth from Paradise Island in the DCU. We’re not sure if this character is meant to be Queen Hippolyta or another random Amazon.
Black Pirate
16th Century hero Jon Valor was an English privateer who used his Zorro-esque costumed identity to punish the wicked and defend the innocent. In the comics, he’s also sometimes traveled into the future.
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Super-Chief
Super-Chief is the costumed identity used by several Native American heroes (and one villain) in the comics. The original was a Wolf Clan warrior named Flying Stag. All versions of Super-Chief have super-strength and an extended lifespan.
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Uncle Sam?
We’re not sure about this character, but he could be a young Uncle Sam, the living embodiment of the spirit of America. He has great strength, but it waxes and wanes with the strength of American patriotism.
Commander Steel
This character appears to be Commander Steel, a Captain America-esque hero with super-strength and an unbreakable metallic exterior. The original Commander Steel, Henry Heywood, fought in WWII, while his descendant, Nathan Heywood, carries on the family legacy in the present.
Sandman (Wesley Dodds)
This hero is Sandman, a vigilante who targets criminals with a gun that sprays sleeping gas. He’s not to be confused with Dream from the Sandman comics, though the two do have a connection.
Amazing-Man
Amazing-Man was one of the first African American heroes in the DCU, and he fought in WWII alongside the Justice Society. He and his descendants have the power to channel the properties of any material they touch.
Zatara
The father of Zatanna, Giovanni Zatara is a stage magician who wields genuine magical powers. His power is great enough to rival the likes of Doctor Fate, and he even schooled Batman on the art of escape.
Liberty Belle
The original Liberty Belle is a woman empowered by the Liberty Bell itself, gaining enhanced strength, speed, and the ability to generate sonic pulses. She was a major figure in the fight against the Nazis, and the mantle has since been passed down to more modern heroines.
Bulletman and Bulletgirl
In order to avenge his father, a policeman killed in the line of duty, Jim Barr created a helmet that allows him to fly and block bullets. He also built one for his girlfriend, Susan Kent, transforming them into the dynamic duo Bulletman and Bulletgirl.
Max Mercury
Originally known as Quicksilver, Max Mercury is one of Earth’s first speedster heroes, pre-dating even The Flash. He was once a US Cavalry scout, before being enchanted by a dying Indian shaman and becoming "He Who Runs Beyond The Wind."
TNT and Dan the Dyna-Mite
Chemistry teacher Thomas N. Thomas and student Daniel Dunbar became charged with atomic energy. When they touch their rings together, the duo becomes TNT and Dan the Dyna-Mite, a super-strong duo capable of generating incredible energy powers.
Phantom Lady
The daughter of a US Senator, Phantom Lady uses a black light projector to stun enemies, cast illusions, and become invisible. After she was integrated into the DC Universe, she became a core member of Uncle Sam’s Freedom Fighters.
Atomic Knight
Atomic Knight is pretty much what he sounds like - a modern revamp of a classical Arthurian knight for the Nuclear Age. This powerful suit grants abilities like strength, durability, and energy blasts.
Freedom Beast
Not to be confused with his predecessor, B’wana Beast, Freedom Beast is a South African hero who battled against apartheid. He possesses great strength and hunting abilities, while his helmet allows him to commune with animals.
Wildcat
Boxer-turned-superhero Ted Grant is a founding member of the Justice Society and one of the greatest fighters in the world. In the comics, he trains many members of the Justice League in combat, and has even taught Batman a thing or two.
Vibe
As immensely powerful as he is gaudily dressed, Cisco Ramon can create shockwaves and vibrations, even breaching the barriers between dimensions. Vibe was famously played by Carlos Valdes in The CW series The Flash.
Gunfire
This obscure ‘90s character can charge up inanimate objects with a touch, temporarily transforming them into makeshift energy guns.
Maxwell Lord
The mural ends with a painting of Sean Gunn’s character Maxwell Lord, whom we know is the founder and financial backer of the Justice Gang in the DCU. Lord eventually performs a major heel turn in the comics, but we’ll see if the same holds true for this cinematic universe.
For more on the new DCU, check out our Superman Ending Explained feature and brush up on every DC movie and series in development.
Jesse is a mild-mannered staff writer for IGN. Allow him to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket by following @jschedeen on BlueSky.
