DC's Oldest Justice League Members

Summary

Wonder Woman is approximately 2,200 years old and the oldest member of the DC Trinity of Heroes.
Hawkman reincarnates and is around 3,100 years old, evolving through various storylines.
Doctor Fate is estimated to be 10 billion years old, controlled by the helmet imbued with an ancient entity.

The ever-evolving realm of DC Comics presents a challenging maze, as its characters undergo rapid changes that include death, resurrection, reversal of aging, temporal suspension, and time travel through various techniques. Given their longevity spanning nearly a century and numerous reboots, pinpointing exact ages can be quite perplexing.

Many characters, both heroes and villains, have been part of the Justice League throughout its long history. While not all are currently active members, some have joined at various points in time. Finding the oldest members requires looking far and wide within the DC Universe, and sometimes even includes those who have an eternal lifespan.

8. Wonder Woman

2,200 Years Old

Real Name: Diana Of Themyscira
First Appearance: All Star Comics #8 (1941)

As a follower, I can’t help but be amazed at how timeless the character of Wonder Woman appears in Gal Gadot’s films. The mythical island of Themyscira is brimming with ancient Amazonian warriors who trace their lineage back thousands of years. Despite being one of the younger Amazons, Diana embodies an extraordinary ferocity and age that surpasses any mortal lifespan by millennia before her departure from the island.

It’s often simple to overlook the fact that Wonder Woman, despite being an iconic symbol, is significantly older than both Superman and Batman, her fellow members in the DC Trinity. With her extensive wisdom and immense power, honed over millennia, Diana stands as a formidable warrior who boasts centuries of battle experience, making her a tough adversary to conquer.

7. Hawkman

3,100 Years Old

Real Name: Katar Hol
First Appearance: Flash Comics #1 (1940)

Hawkman, you may know, is not just an ordinary warrior; he’s one who has been resurrected following each death throughout history, tracing his existence back to ancient times when a divine entity recognized something special in him and granted him the ability to live again and again with reincarnative powers.

Hawkman debuted among the first ranks of DC Comics’ Justice Society, though he may not have reached the same level of fame as other Justice League members through film and television. However, he has consistently appeared in significant storylines across multiple versions of the character, demonstrating his adaptability and evolution over time.

6. Black Adam

4,600 Years Old

Real Name: Teth-Adam
First Appearance: The Marvel Family #1 (1945)

Through The Rock’s captivating portrayal, the character Black Adam emerges as a complex individual. Originally hailing from impoverished Ancient Kahndaq, he was bestowed with immense power by a sorcerer to serve as a powerful protector of his people. Over time, Black Adam has been both celebrated as a hero and vilified as a villain, reflecting his profound strength and volatile nature that have defined him throughout his existence.

Fans might not recall Black Adam’s brief tenure as a Justice League member, which occurred during the Infinite Frontier storyline when he attempted to change his ways. Despite the effort, he ultimately did some good, but over time, his darker nature has prevailed more often, demonstrating that even years cannot erase the scars of certain individuals’ hardships.

5. Martian Manhunter

225,000,000 Years Old

Real Name: J’onn J’onzz
First Appearance: Detective Comics #255 (1955)

In the DC Universe, it’s possible that Mars doesn’t harbor life today, but at one point in history, intelligent beings inhabited the Red Planet. Not every race from ancient Mars vanished eons ago; some may have survived. The Martian Manhunter, a long-standing member of the Justice League with a rich history, carries a sorrowful tale connected to Mars.

Marthan Man, known as J’onn J’onzz, is actually a Green Martian and the last of his species due to the near-complete eradication of his people by the White Martians. Over time, his origin has been revised, but the current version reveals that the genocide occurred hundreds of millions of years ago, making him one of the oldest beings alive in the known universe.

4. Orion

Approx 4,000,000,000 Years Old

Real Name: Orion
First Appearance: New Gods #1 (1971)

Despite having a brief tenure in the Justice League, Orion is among the most powerful and long-standing entities in the DC Universe. Born to Darkseid and hailing from his race, Orion was exchanged during peace negotiations between New Genesis and Apokolips. He was subsequently raised by Highfather, leader of New Genesis, transforming into a New God and ultimately ascending to their leadership.

Throughout countless battles against his father, protecting New Genesis, and embarking on numerous journeys, Orion has not only held a position within the Justice League on two different instances throughout time but also faced adversaries such as Starro, White Martians, and Evil Eye alongside this esteemed group. Although pinpointing an age for beings of ancient origins like those from Apokolips or New Genesis is extremely challenging, it’s estimated that Orion is around 4 billion years old. His lineage, the potency of his astro force, and his physiology as a New God contribute to his virtual immortality.

3. Doctor Fate

Approx 10,000,000,000 Years Old

Real Name: Nabu
First Appearance: More Fun Comics #55 (1940)

As a dedicated cinephile, I’ve always been intrigued by Doctor Fate, a character who has donned various personas within the DC universe. The key to this enigma lies in the helmet, a relic infused with the essence of an ancient entity named Nabu. When individuals like Kent Nelson or Khalid Nassour put on the helmet, they effectively transform into Nabu’s representative, tapping into his immense power but also submitting to his influence to a degree.

Luckily, Nabu often behaves in a heroic manner and grants some degree of control over the power he bestows upon the avatars. This ancient entity is believed to be approximately 10 billion years old, predating human existence. Known as one of the Lords of Order from the universe’s earliest days, Nabu eventually bound himself to the Helmet of Fate on Earth.

2. Hawkgirl

Has (Almost) Always Existed

Real Name: Shayera Thal
First Appearance: The Brave And The Bold #34 (1961)

Previously believed to be either contemporaries or younger than Hawkman due to multiple reincarnations, it was Hawkgirl/Hawkwoman’s secret that she is actually older than Hawkman. This is because Shayera Thal once lived as Shrra, a messenger of the Presence, far predating the formation of Earth.

This implies that determining Hawkgirl’s age is quite challenging due to her unique circumstances. In essence, she recalls various past incarnations, which grants her a wisdom that rivals very few characters within the DC Universe. Her existence dates back to the Silver City, nearly as long as time itself.

1. The Spectre

Has Always Existed

Real Name: Aztar
First Appearance: More Fun Comics #52 (1940)

Though the Spectre made its debut on Earth with Jim Corrigan in the 1930s, this vengeful spirit is recognized across the universe as the Wrath of God, having existed since the beginning of time itself. Having sided with Lucifer’s rebellion, the Spectre displeased the divine and was exiled from heaven in DC’s narrative, making it a being as ancient as eternity.

The exact age comparison between Hawkgirl and the Spectre isn’t definitive, but given that the Spectre was initially an angel, the first among all created beings in the cosmos, it’s reasonable to assume that he is one of the oldest heroes to have actively fought alongside the Justice League.

2025-03-30 05:08

DC’s Oldest Justice League Members