History EnsembleDarkHorse / TheDCU

* Saint Walker became one almost instantely due in no small part how nice and wholesome the guy is.

** ComicBook/{{Vixen}} remains one of the most popular black superheroines due to in no part being [[ValuesRessonance very progressive for her era]], having very interesting powers and having a [[NavelDeepNeckline quite sexy outfit.]]
** ComicBook/PlasticMan might be DC's textbook CrouchingMoronHiddenBaddass. It helps he is also hilarious when written by a competent writer. Hell, he is even loved by friggin' Creator/ArtSpiegelman, and he hates superheroes.

* Creator/MilestonComics is an EnsembleDarkHorse '''UNIVERSE''', chief among them beingComicBook/{{Static}}, who maintains a lot of fans, despite his comic being one of the first ComicBook/{{New 52}} titles to be removed and his long absence from television. In ''WesternAnimation/YoungJustice'', he is one of the most hailed characters in the trailers. Other Milestone favourites are Rocket, ComicBook/{{Icon}}, ComicBook/{{Xombi}} and ComicBook/{{Hardware|1993}} is also this.

* Many of the characters who came to be reintroduced in mid-90s revival series also experienced this sort of status. Chief among them ComicBook/AnimalMan and the ComicBook/DoomPatrol (both reimagined by Creator/GrantMorrison), ComicBook/TheSandman (to the point where most people outside of comics don't even realize how deeply ingrained DC continuity is in this character's history), Kid Eternity and of course ComicBook/{{Starman}}.

* [[UsefulNotes/TheGoldenAgeOfComicBooks Golden Age]] example: The ComicBook/RedTornado was originally introduced as "Ma" Hunkel, a supporting character in "Scribbly the Boy Cartoonist," but was so outrageously silly that she completely overshadowed the title character. 60 years later, Ma was the curator of the ''ComicBook/JusticeSocietyOfAmerica'' museum, and nobody remembers poor ol' Scribbly.

** This is similarly true of ''many'' JSA members of that era. ComicBook/{{Hourman}}, Dr. Mid-Nite and others were completely failed concepts that would likely have vanished forever if not for their JSA links - which allowed future writers to bring them back in future storylines. Both had further runs, and currently popular successors.

** Hell, the [[Characters/GLRedLanternCorps Red Lantern]] Corps as a whole (especially the leader Atrocius, the TeamPet [[CatsAreMean Dex-Starr]] and the MsFanservice Bleez). They got their own series.
** Ganthet. The only non-LawfulStupid Guardian on all of Oa. Had the FridgeBrilliance moment of realizing that when a Lantern's hopeful, their will exponentially increases. Hence why he's the man.
** Arkillo has fast become one as well thanks in no small part to the massive amount of character development he received.

* ComicBook/{{Static}} maintains a lot of fans, despite his comic being one of the first ComicBook/{{New 52}} titles to be removed and his long absence from television. In ''WesternAnimation/YoungJustice'', he is one of the most hailed characters in the trailers. Strong fan love for fellow Creator/MilestoneComics characters Rocket, ComicBook/{{Icon}}, ComicBook/{{Xombi}} and ComicBook/{{Hardware|1993}} is also this.

* ComicBook/{{Terra}} from ComicBook/TeenTitans. She lasted little more than a year in the comic, but is one of the most well-recalled characters in the series. A "different version" of her (who might or might not have been the original with amnesia) was brought in a few years later [[spoiler:only to eventually be killed off and replaced by a THIRD one, who became the BestFriend/sidekick to ComicBook/PowerGirl, then went on to befriend ComicBook/{{Starfire}} in ''ComicBook/Starfire2015'']].

!! Works with their own pages
** EnsembleDarkHorse/{{Batman}}

* ''ComicBook/{{Batman}}'':
** A lot of GCPD officers and detectives such as Renee Montoya, Harvey Bullock, Crispus Allen, and Jason Bard are extremely popular, sometimes even being considered part of the Batfamily.
** A bunch of the more obscure Batman Inc./Club of Heroes members are really popular with fans such as Batwing, El Gaucho, Nightrunner, and Batcow.
** Black Mask is frequently cited as an example of a great Batman villain who is woefully underused. Maybe it's his [[EvilIsCool cool look]] or maybe it's his [[ManipulativeBastard Xanatos-style intelligence]], but in any case fans seem to really like the guy. Him getting HijackedByGanon in ''Arkham Origins'' just caused much of the fanbase to clamor even harder for him to get a day in the limelight.
** Killer Croc is very well-loved when he's written as a NobleDemon. In the New 52, he got a big popularity boost after his sympathetic portrayals in ''ComicBook/BatmanEternal'' and ''ComicBook/GothamAcademy'', which paint him as someone who just wants to protect those he cares about.

** Nubia has gained a bit of a following for being the first black Amazon character in the Wonder Woman universe and being the most prominent one next to Philippus.

* Many of the characters who came to be reintroduced in mid-90s revival series also experienced this sort of status. Chief among them Comicbook/AnimalMan and the Comicbook/DoomPatrol (both reimagined by Creator/GrantMorrison), ComicBook/TheSandman (to the point where most people outside of comics don't even realize how deeply ingrained DC continuity is in this character's history), Kid Eternity and of course ComicBook/{{Starman}}.
* ''Franchise/{{Batman}}'':

* ''Franchise/TheFlash'': The original Golden Age Flash, Jay Garrick. The guy doesn't develop much in his modern appearances, and he's largely a supporting character even within the beloved ''JSA'' series. But you'll find ''nobody'', from Flash fan to wider DC fan, who doesn't just love the old man. He's ''the'' CoolOldGuy in the DCU, and a father figure to several generations of heroes. He's also one of the nicest guys alive, and even fellow heroes love the guy.

* This has happened to a few members of the ''Franchise/GreenLantern'' Corps.

* ''ComicBook/LegionOfSuperHeroes'' started out as a one shot appearance in ''Comicbook/{{Superboy}}''. They caught on and eventually edged him out of his own comic. The Legion itself is not lacking in Darkhorses; in fact it's hard to find a character that doesn't have a solid fanbase, Chemical King and the Legion of Substitute Heroes most notably. The biggest example of an ensemble darkhorse for the Legion of Super-Heroes is Wildfire; originally a one-shot character who dies in his first appearance, [[FirstLawOfResurrection fan response to the character led to the writers bringing him back]] and make him team leader, after the fan-voted leadership election for the year he joined the team had him win. Though he's largely been absent from the book since the 1989 "Volume Four" reboot, he has a vocal fanbase that has kept the character at the forefront of the property. Like [[Franchise/StarWars that other faceless]] EnsembleDarkhorse, part of Wildfire's appeal is his unique design.
* The ''Comicbook/NightOfTheOwls'' storyline introduced several Talons, assassins of the Court of Owls who attacked many members of the Bat Family. Most haven't been seen since and are in cold storage, but the one who attacked Batgirl, a victim of Japanese air balloon bombing in UsefulNotes/WorldWarII, returned for the Batgirl Annual and has joined the ComicBook/BirdsOfPrey as Strix.
* In the '80s Will Payton version of Comicbook/{{Starman}}, his sister Jayne and mother Jo Marie were more popular with fans than Starman himself or any of the villains.
* Comicbook/{{Static}} maintains a lot of fans, despite his comic being one of the first Comicbook/{{New 52}} titles to be removed and his long absence from television. In ''WesternAnimation/YoungJustice'', he is one of the most hailed characters in the trailers. Strong fan love for fellow Creator/MilestoneComics characters Rocket, Comicbook/{{Icon}}, Comicbook/{{Xombi}} and Comicbook/{{Hardware|1993}} is also this.
* Franchise/{{Superman}}: Lots over the years:

** Comicbook/KryptoTheSuperdog. Cheesy maybe, but the dog is so brave, loyal, and just plain fun that he'll always be a welcome part of the Superfamily.
* ComicBook/{{Terra}} from Franchise/TeenTitans. She lasted little more than a year in the comic, but is one of the most well-recalled characters in the series. A "different version" of her (who might or might not have been the original with amnesia) was brought in a few years later [[spoiler:only to eventually be killed off and replaced by a THIRD one, who became the BestFriend/sidekick to ComicBook/PowerGirl, then went on to befriend ComicBook/{{Starfire}} in ''ComicBook/Starfire2015'']].

* ''Franchise/WonderWoman'':

* Death from ''Comicbook/TheSandman''. She was originally meant to be a minor recurring character who might appear a handful of times, but her instant popularity with the audience -- helped no doubt by her {{perky|Goth}}, upbeat, kindhearted nature, a [[DontFearTheReaper sharp contrast]] to [[TheGrimReaper most personifications of Death]] -- was so strong that Gaiman made sure she'd get at least one appearance in all ten volumes. These appearances vary in size but always feel substantial, and their sparsity helps prevent the story from ever focusing on her too much. Not to mention she's become canon in the actual DC universe. Death has even made at least two cameos in the Franchise/MarvelUniverse where she’s [[InJoke inevitably and hilariously]] the fixation of ComicBook/{{Thanos}}‘s lust, much to her distaste.

* Many of the characters who came to be reintroduced in mid-90s revival series also experienced this sort of status. Chief among them Comicbook/AnimalMan and the Comicbook/DoomPatrol (both reimagined by Creator/GrantMorrison), ComicBook/TheSandman (to the point where most people outside of comics don't even realize how deeply ingrained DC continuity is in this character's history), Kid Eternity and of course Comicbook/{{Starman}}.

** A lot of GCPD officers and detectives such as Renee Montoya, Harvey Bullock, Crispin Allen, and Jason Bard are extremely popular, sometimes even being considered part of the Batfamily.

* Comicbook/{{Static}} maintains a lot of fans, despite his comic being one of the first Comicbook/{{New 52}} titles to be removed and his long absence from television. In ''WesternAnimation/YoungJustice'', he is one of the most hailed characters in the trailers. Strong fan love for fellow Creator/MilestoneComics characters Rocket, Comicbook/{{Icon}}, Comicbook/{{Xombi}} and Comicbook/{{Hardware}} is also this.

* Terra from Franchise/TeenTitans. She lasted little more then a year in the comic, but is one of the most well-recalled characters in the series. A "different version" of her (who might or might not have been the original with amnesia) was brought in a few years later [[spoiler:only to eventually be killed off and replaced by a THIRD one, who became the best friend/sidekick to ComicBook/PowerGirl, then went on to befriend ComicBook/{{Starfire}}]].

* While the short-lived comic ''ComicBook/TheNewGuardians'' has been largely forgotten, [[WebVideo/AtopTheFourthWall Linkara's]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3vmVS5HoNs review]] of the second issue gave special attention to one character: Snowflame, a CrazyAwesome one-shot villain who derives superhuman strength from snorting massive amounts of cocaine, which he verbosely revels in and ''hails as his god''. Two crack-addled rants and a beatdown later, he becomes Linkara's favorite character, and now commands a significantly larger fanbase than any of the heroes.