Fans of DC Comics would immediately remember the likes of Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, and the rest of the Justice League as mainstay heroes for the hit comics publisher. And 2021 has become quite a thrilling time for DC Comics, with stories like X posing to introduce a shake-up to change the course of comics forever.

RELATED: Marvel vs. DC: Things You Might Not Know About The '90s Miniseries

However, it seems even 2021 had its fair share of new comic characters set to make their own name in the DC Universe. With Justice League characters encountering these new faces, it gets quite interesting to speculate whether these characters end up becoming new allies to aid the good guys or enemies that threaten the stability of the universe. Just who were the best new characters in DC Comics in 2021?

10 Observer.io

Observer io

There was once an ancient God of Tales that mankind had forgotten who attempted to absorb mankind’s new “God of Tales,” a LexCorp software designed to emulate human creativity called Auteur.io. Unfortunately, the being’s essence got overridden by the programming of Auteur.io to strive for “perfection,” becoming mad with power.

This new Auteur.io created the Archive of Words to create the perfect world it desired. Two of its most potent dimensions came in the form of the World of Tomorrow, which was a prosperous dimension with Superman to save it and no Batman in sight. Alternate to it was the World of the Knight, a grim world with no Superman but constantly patrolled by Batman and Robin.

Thanks to the efforts of Superman and Batman, Auteur.io was eventually subdued and “reprogrammed.” Now Observer.io, the being simply wanted to observe the people of the dimensions he’s created, vowing never to interfere. Albeit short in appearance, Observer.io’s presence as a deity “reformed” is a welcome sight, considering the recent troubles of the Justice League against horrifically evil foes like the Batman Who Laughs and Barbatos.

9 Simon Saint

Simon Saint

As Bruce Wayne of Wayne Enterprises and Lex Luthor of LexCorp proves, a billionaire genius plays with their toys differently. Such was the case of Simon Saint, CEO of Gotham’s Saint Industries, who first appeared in “Infinite Frontier” #0. It’s thanks to Simon Saint’s brilliant genius that the plans for the Magistrate and the Peacekeepers went full swing, eventually leading to the “Future State” alternate reality. Here, masked vigilantes are hunted down and Gotham is at the mercy of the aforementioned systems.

While Simon Saint eventually dies a few issues later, his legacy in the “Future State” alternate reality didn’t go unnoticed. And given how no one simply “dies” in the DC Universe, it’s interesting to see if Simon Saint ever resurfaces as one of Batman’s more resourceful rogues. After all, Bruce Wayne isn’t as rich as he’s supposed to be, and a Gotham villain with enough resources to hunt him down can become a problem real quick.

8 Andrej Trojan

Andrej Trojan

In speaking of CEOs turned haywire, such was the case of Andrej Trojan. First appearing in “Action Comics” #1029, Andrej is introduced as the CEO of Trojan Solutions and one with a gifted mind for cybernetics. Originally implanted with a Nirodha-Supercomputer, Andrej has genius-level intellect. Unfortunately, Andrej did develop an immense hatred for mankind and a desire for his technology to enslave them.

Such was the case of Metropolis in the Future State timeline, when Andrej not only kicked LexCorp out of Metropolis but also forced his new technology, Brain Cells, to control people with nanotech. Eventually, Andrej “transcended” human mortality through a cybernetic body in the likeness of Andrew Pulaski, the Authority’s Apollo. It’s thanks to Midnighter, the original Apollo’s husband, that Andrej’s insanity has come to an end.

However, Andrej’s megalomaniacal streak was a change of pace compared to the rather complicated and complex nature of modern DC Comics villains. It’s no surprise that if Andrej does resurface, the DC Universe may once again be in a world of trouble.

7 Matthew Price

Matthew Price

When Matthew “Matt” Price woke up in the U.S.S Eisenhower, the captain said he just “fell out of the sky” and that he was lucky they happened to be there. Unfortunately for Matt, this was the first and only thing he remembered, after having no recollection of any other event in his life whatsoever. In fact, Matt only picked this name because this was from a poem he’d read.

RELATED: DC Superheroes Who Are Long Overdue Their Own Games

Debuting in “Infinite Frontier” #0 last May 2021, Matt remains one of the most mysterious new entrants of DC Comics. Since joining the Teen Titans Academy, it’s been discovered that not only can Matt fly, but he also has superhuman strength, durability, and even hearing.

In the “Future State: Teen Titans” #1 comic, Matt Price is seen among the dead. It’s interesting to note that this meant Matt will at some point become a full-fledged Titan prior to the apocalyptic Future State but somehow perished through unknown means.

6 Levi Kamei

Levi Kamei

The Swamp Thing is the DC Comics’ protector of all plant life. Considered as the Avatar of the Green, the Swamp Thing seeks a host that allows it to use the Green - a cosmic force tied to all plant life. And while the Swamp Thing has had a mysterious and mystical element attached to it, it’s always been a protector in the eyes of heroes. Now, Levi Kamei will have to do the same, having been chosen by the Green as its new Avatar.

Since his appearance in “Infinite Frontier” #0, Levi Kamei has been slowly getting in tune with his new powers as the new Swamp Thing. This is an interesting take on superheroics, considering there’s not always a fledgling metahuman in DC Comics that’s still trying to accept the new reality they’re thrust into.

5 Bolt

Bolt

Only known as Alinta, she somehow gained the power of the Speed Force after encountering a torn piece of paper with a secret formula. After losing her legs when her parents raised her as a trafficker of stolen goods, Amanda Waller received special prosthetics that let her run again. She even let her join the Titans Academy, provided she came to her at once when called.

Alinta got herself the “Bolt” codename during a training session with Cyborg. And Alinta easily incurred Amanda Waller’s wrath when she refused to join her Suicide Squad. While Alinta becomes the Flash of Waller’s Justice Squad, she, unfortunately, dies in “Future State: Suicide Squad” #2.

Despite this, it’s delightful to see a PWD become a conduit of the Speed Force. Not to mention, it’s interesting to see how Alinta interacts with the Flash family, as she’s probably the first heroic speedster to be both a former criminal and having no immense connection with the Flash whatsoever.

4 Yara Flor

Yara Flor

It was Yara Flor, of the Amazons of the Amazon, that took the mantle of Wonder Woman during the absence of Princess Diana. Since “Dark Nights: Death Metal” #7, she’s left her home in Brazil in order to protect the rest of the world.

In the Future State timeline, Yara Flor becomes fast friends with Jon Kent’s Superman, despite the new Justice League’s rules forbidding unnecessary friendships among its members. It’s also notable that Yara Flor didn’t particularly like being part of the Justice League, but understood what it stood for.

RELATED: Things Only DC Comic Fans Will Notice In Zack Snyder's Justice League

It’s Yara Flor’s refreshing take on the Wonder Woman title that makes her a great new character in 2021. Her logical initial distrust of the Justice League despite her dedication to helping mankind was a different mindset compared to Diana’s, who treated her comrades like family. It’s interesting to see how Yara develops as a character and makes a mark as her own version of Wonder Woman, considering there are not a lot of characters to have taken up the mantle.

3 Timothy Fox

Timothy Fox

When the Future State timeline was teased, fans were surprised to see Batman separate from Bruce Wayne, who by then was using the Dark Detective moniker. With the Batsuit covering the entirety of his body, no one knew who was behind the mask of this new Caped Crusader. And since his appearance in “Dark Knights: Death Metal” #7, it’s finally been revealed that Timothy Fox, son of Lucius Fox, would take the mantle of Batman after hearing news of Bruce being apparently killed by the Magistrate.

At the end of the Future State timeline, Jason Todd - now Peacekeeper Red of the Magistrate - decided to be Tim’s eye among the Magistrate, just like how Commissioner Gordon of the GYPD became Bruce’s during his tenure as Batman.

Although a short-lived timeline, it’s interesting to see Tim develop into a more complex character throughout his tenure. It may also be a breath of fresh air to see his relationships with potential sidekicks, especially now that the Magistrate is still unfriendly with masked vigilantes.

2 Jay Nakamura

Jay Nakamura

At first glance, Jay Nakamura appears like an ordinary media student with a penchant for journalism and activism. In truth, Jay is a refugee from Gamorra, an isolated island with a culture tied deeply into cybernetics and post-human experimentation. After befriending Jon Kent, who had to reveal his identity as Superman after saving the school from a shooter, Jay reveals another secret - he heads the Truth, a news site with members that were also victims of post-human experimentation.

In their efforts to help other post-humans, Jay and Jon bond and eventually become involved in a romantic relationship. Thanks to Jay, Jon’s Superman can have a better moral outlook towards the world and someone to assure him that everything is alright.

Since his appearance in “Superman: Son of Kal-El” #2, Jay revealed powers of super-leaping, phasing, and partial invisibility. It’s interesting to see whether Jay plans on having a superhero identity for himself or if he will save people from the shadows via the Truth website.

1 Red X

Red X

Fans of the Teen Titans cartoon would remember the mysterious Red X, serving as the mysterious nemesis of Robin whose original identity has yet to be confirmed. Although he’s mostly been carried over to media related to the Teen Titans cartoon, Red X has finally appeared in the comics in “Future State: Teen Titans” #1 and eventually made his way to “Teen Titans Academy” #1.

In the comics, Red X’s origins are virtually unknown except for an edgier look adapted to the comics and his arsenal of interesting gadgets. He’s seen leading the Suicide Squad to acquire Bolt and would’ve succeeded had it not been for the intervention of the Titans. It’s interesting to see just how Red X would affect the overall Teen Titans Academy universe, seeing as he’s being prepped to be a part of their rogue’s gallery instead of Robin’s.

MORE: Beyond Darkseid: Villains The Justice League Could Fight In The DCEU