10 DC Heroes With the Coolest Civilian Jobs

DC Comics has been publishing superhero books since 1938, with the original superhero being the company’s first major character. Of course, the biggest and best parts of these characters are their special powers, gadgets, or other elements that separate them from the average person. At the same time, many of these heroes also have interesting lives after they hang up their capes and tights.

From Superman to several members of the Green Lantern Corps, various DC heroes have rather interesting day jobs. These often reflect their personalities and ambitions, some even relating to their superhero identities. Though they’re mostly known for elements such as being faster than a speeding bullet, the best part of these DC icons might be their more mild-mannered aspects.

The 25 Greatest Superman Comic Storylines, Ranked

With so many Superman comics, all kinds of amazing stories have been told — revealing Superman’s greatest qualities along the way.

10 Superman’s Alter Ego Also Fights for Truth, Justice and the American Way

Clark Kent Has Worked for a Huge Metropolitan Newspaper for Decades

Superman’s Kryptonian abilities allow him to fly and lift cars easily and quickly through Metropolis in seconds flat. Of course, his day job might not seem so impressive compared to this, but it’s still important. An employee of the Daily Planet, Superman’s alter ego is a truth-hunting reporter who always gets to the bottom of a story despite his sometimes bumbling nature.

Many of Superman’s adventures are actually tied to Clark Kent’s journalistic scoops. In the post-Crisis on Infinite Earth comics, he uses both identities to uncover secrets surrounding his arch-enemy, Lex Luthor. Since the character’s introduction, the idea of a mild-mannered reporter alter ego has become a pop culture trope, but it’s because it works so well.

9 Kyle Rayner’s Creativity Isn’t Limited to a Ring

The Hero Was an Artist Before Becoming a Green Lantern

Kyle Rayner was a relatable young twenty-something hero when he was introduced, and this was in more ways than one. Far different from past Green Lanterns, Kyle Rayner was a cool, hip artist who struggled to make ends meet as a freelancer. Although it didn’t always amount to much for him, Kyle’s skill reflected the medium he was in, which made him very relatable to readers.

Eventually, Kyle found more success as an artist. He even overcame the yellow impurity of the Green Lantern ring after doing the same with his fear of having his art rejected. This quality made him very similar to some of the young artists who read his stories, and it showed how his creativity in one field helped him do the same as a superhero. Kyle later impressed Alan Scott with his willpower artistry, creating constructs that blended color so that they looked beyond realistic.

8 Hawkman Always Discovers the Unknown

Carter Hall Searches for Objects from His Many Pasts

One DC superhero with several conflicting origins and lives is Hawkman, a reincarnated man named Carter Hall and an alien Thanagarian named Katar Hol. In his human guise, Hawkman works as an archaeologist and sometimes a museum curator, looking back into pasts similar to the lives he’s lived beforehand. This essentially makes him into a flying Indiana Jones, giving him one heck of a day job.

Split image of Wildcat II, Wesley Dodds' Sandman, and Jakeem Thunder with Thunderbolt from DC Comics

10 Most Underrated Justice Society and Infinity, Inc. Heroes

The Justice Society gave rise to several superhero legacies, but some of the team’s associated heroes have sadly fallen under the radar at DC.

As an archaeologist, Carter Hall doesn’t have to deal with many of the alter-ego-switching shenanigans of other superheroes. Likewise, his career lends itself naturally to adventures, with these expeditions and encounters with villains almost always resulting in a new artifact being found. Most recently, Hawkman’s various lives have been consolidated into one, with this current Hawkman taking the name Carter Hall once more and acting as an archaeologist.

7 Wonder Woman Is an Ambassador for Peace

The Amazing Amazon Is Just as Amazing When She’s Not Fighting Villains

In the pre-Crisis era, Wonder Woman had an alter ego of Diana Prince, which was a sort of mousy Clark Kent-ripoff persona parodying her status as Diana, Princess of the Amazons. After being rebooted in 1987, this generic concept was done away with, and instead, Wonder Woman had no secret identity.

Coming to Man’s World to spread a message of peace and love, the modern Wonder Woman is an ambassador for Themyscira, who often goes on tours. By Greg Rucka’s Wonder Woman run, Diana operated out of “Themyscira House,” the official Themysciran embassy. She even wrote a book and went on press tours, which drew the ire of villains such as Veronica Cale. This job is a great reflection of everything Wonder Woman stands for, and it makes much more sense than having her hide behind a fake identity and cliché day job.

6 Manhunter Is a Criminal Prosecutor

Kate Spencer Fights Crime In Two Ways

There have been many DC characters who have used the name Manhunter, with perhaps the most popular being Kate Spencer. A powerless vigilante, she uses her intense martial arts training and gadgets to take down crime in the DC Universe. However, when she’s not wearing red tights, Kate Spencer/Manhunter trades them in for formal business attire as a criminal prosecutor.

This job is obviously important in any universe, but it’s especially important in the DC Universe. Kate Spencer’s trials have involved all manner of DC villains, including the psychic Wonder Woman foe Dr. Psycho. This ensured that she always had trouble in either of her vocations, but it also meant that villains could never escape justice when they faced her.

5 Vixen Is a Superstar Model

The Justice League Member Is More Than Just a Pretty Face

Mari McCabe is one of the more underrated DC heroines, and her “jobs” allow her to travel and see the world. Possessing the powers of the animal kingdom as Vixen, Mari is also a popular and rich fashion model. The latter job aids her in many global activities as a superhero, with these missions often involving her other passion besides looking good while stopping bad guys.

Lobo (center), Red hood (left), Harley Quinn (right) from the comics

10 DC Antiheroes Who Need Absolute Series

The Absolute line is expanding the DC Universe, and fans want to see which antiheroes will get their own series.

Vixen is also an activist, namely for animals. In many adventures, she takes down poachers in different countries, and she uses her powers and celebrity clout to raise awareness of these issues. She turns heads in any of her jobs, especially those related to helping animals.

4 Booster Gold Is the Superhero Influencer

The Superhero from the Future Sought Endorsements

Before the idea of an influencer was a big thing on social media, Booster Gold exemplified the idea in comics. Coming from the future era of the Legion of Superheroes, Michael Carter used a Legion flight ring to come to the present and act as a superhero. However, his day job was also that of a superhero, as he sought endorsements like a NASCAR driver.

In modern stories, Booster Gold is a true influencer, though this doesn’t always work in his favor. He’s sometimes come off as a bit too “sus,” lacking the right amount of rizz for his followers and getting roasted accordingly. However, he’s certainly not demure and is quick to use this and other forms of fame to his advantage.

3 Huntress Has the Most Noble Profession

Helena Bertinelli Is Both a Vigilante and a Teacher

When she’s not taking down organized crime in Gotham City as an extended member of the Batman Family,Huntress/Helena Bertinelli has a far more academic way to pass the time. Adopting a day job by Oracle/Barbara Gordon (the original Batgirl), Helena achieved a childhood dream of being a teacher. Of course, this came with its challenges, but despite her gruff demeanor, Helena reveled in the job and what it meant for the kids she interacted with.

In some stories, Helena’s absences and injuries due to her nocturnal activities cause her to lose her job as a teacher, and this has a traumatic impact on her. Later, during the series Grayson, she was a matron and teacher at a school for girls. It’s not the most obvious job for her, but it still fits ironically and gives several students a truly awesome teacher.

2 Dr. Mid-Nite’s Title Isn’t Superficial

Pieter Cross Is a True Medical Professional

Even before he lost his “normal” eyesight, Pieter Cross was trained in medicine and health, using this to become a physician before he was Dr. Mid-Nite. After taking up this Golden Age superhero mantle, the new Dr. Mid-Nite was still a civilian doctor in his alter ego. However, he was also well-trained in healing metahumans when he wasn’t treating human patients.

Split image of Radiant Black, Hawkeye holding Captain America's shield, and Superman engulfed in lightning from DC's Futures End

10 Comic Characters Who Passed On Heroic Mantles

While heroes like Hawkeye and Nightwing briefly took on the legacy of other heroes, they passed or turned down the iconic mantles for various reasons.

Dr. Mid-Nite is one of the prevailing experts on metahuman medicine, which is why he’s a key ally of the Justice League and the Justice Society. His patients include fellow JSA members such as his friend Michael Holt/Mr. Terrific. Ironically, Charles McNider, the original Dr. Mid-Nite, aided his birth, meaning that medicine was always part of his legacy.

1 Hal Jordan Lives Up to His Pilot Callsign

The Best Green Lantern Is Also Known as Highball

Before becoming a member of the Green Lantern Corps, Hal Jordan already knew how to fly. Like his father, Martin, before him, Hal was a pilot. He worked for Ferris Aircraft, owned by Hal’s love interest, Carol. Gaining the callsign Highball from his time in the Air Force, Hal is known for his risky and daring aerial maneuvers.

Even without the Green Lantern ring, Hal would have always defied gravity and taken to the skies. This job ensures that Ferris Aircraft’s planes are in working condition, and it’s more than just a chance for Hal to show off. His military experience is also something of an archetype for Green Lanterns, which was seen in the later retcon of John Stewart being in the marines.