Heroes and villains are the faces of the DC Universe. Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman, the Trinity of DC Comics, naturally find themselves in the spotlight in the majority of stories. However, their supporting characters strengthen their corners of the DC Universe.
Characters like Jimmy Olsen and Lois Lane may not have superpowers (except temporarily), but they support Superman and Clark Kent and make him better. Likewise, Bat-Family and non-Bat-Family characters who do not wear capes or cowl, such as Commissioner Gordon and Alfred Pennyworth, are among Batman’s most trusted allies. These characters prove that they don’t need superpowers, that they don’t need to be typecast as heroes or villains, to have an impact on the main characters or the world around them.
Jimmy Olsen: Superman’s best friend
Jimmy Olsen and Superman Didn’t Interact in James Gunn Superman film, although their friendship was hinted at in the set and prop design. Hopefully fans see their friendship on screen in the The man of tomorrow suite, because it’s really a great relationship.
Since the Silver Age, Jimmy Olsen has literally been “Superman’s sidekick”, often finding himself in incredibly ridiculous situations. Fans of this era should check out the new The best in the world comic series by Mark Waid and Dan Mora, as it features Jimmy getting drawn into Batman/Superman adventures that are way above his pay grade.
Detective Ellen Yin was Batman’s greatest ally outside of the Bat-Family
In the Return of the Dark Knight universe, Ellen Yindel was the new police commissioner of Gotham City. The character was adapted for The Batman animated series, renamed Ellen Yin. For the first season, Yin was the police officer who hunted Batman the most.
By the show’s second season, she was one of Batman’s main allies, often helping him decipher Riddler’s mysteries. It’s a shame that the Bat-Family grew with the addition of Dick Grayson’s Robi and Barbara Gordon’s Batgirl, and that Jim Gordon joined this series, because they overshadowed Batman’s partnership with Ellen Yin.
Jonathan and Martha Kent raised Superman
When Kal-El’s spaceship crashed in Smallville, he was adopted by Jonathan and Martha Kent and grew up with good values and a strong sense of right and wrong. The Kents play a vital role in Clark’s development as Superman. The best Elseworlds stories look at universes where Kal-El’s journey to Earth was a little different.
What if Superman’s ship landed in Russia? What if the Kents got a flat tire and missed Kal-El’s ship? What if he landed in the middle of Metropolis, like in Flash point? These aren’t just explorations of Superman in different contexts, these are realities in which Superman wouldn’t be the man he is without the caring guidance of the Kents.
Jor-El and Lara saved Kal-El from Krypton
The Kents are important characters because of how they shaped Clark Kent, but the first superhero would also be very different without his biological parents. Jor-El and Lara saved their dying son from Krypton, sending him to Earth (for various reasons, depending on the Superman Project).
The characters of Jonathan and Martha Kent often remain the same from project to project, as they serve as Superman’s moral compass. This allows Jor-El and Lara to be much more malleable. DC can shape them to fit their story goals, and it’s nice that they can be so flexible. Jor-El can be Superman’s example of heroism, or he can be an antagonistic character, preventing Clark from having a normal life, as in Smalltownor he may be a tyrannical character who sent his son across the stars to conquer.
Detective Harvey Bullock was an antagonistic ally of Batman
Batman: The Animated Series fans will remember Detective Harvey Bullock well. Bullock was always the cop who hated Batman, especially when Commissioner Gordon vouched for the Dark Knight or excused his vigilantism.
Bullock may have seemed clumsy, even incompetent, at times, but several episodes portrayed him as a great detective, pursuing his own attackers and deducing the Joker’s location. On the surface, he hated the Dark Knight, but Bullock and Batman have a similar approach to justice and work surprisingly well together when forced.
Rick Flag Jr. Served Amanda Waller and The Suicide Squad
Amanda Waller’s Suicide Squad is home to some of the worst criminals, many from Gotham City. Harley Quinn, Deadshot, Captain Boomerang, and King Shark often fight in versions of Suicide Squad, but they are primarily led by Rick Flag Jr., notably not a supervillain.
Rick Flag Jr. was inspired to serve his country by his father, Rick Flag Sr., who fought in World War II. However, Rick Flag Jr. was placed on Task Force X, taking orders from Amanda Waller. Flag Jr. is one of the best agents in the DC Universe, and his moral compass often puts him at odds with Waller and the Suicide Squad.
Steve Trevor is Wonder Woman’s most important love interest
Steve Trevor has held numerous positions in various DC universes. Trevor has served as a soldier, special agent for the United States government, and liaison officer for the United Nations. Steve Trevor is also, notably, one of the first men to set foot on Themyscira and is Wonder Woman’s main love interest.
In most versions of the Wonder Woman universe, such as the DCEU Wonder Woman film, Steve Trevor is Diana’s gateway to “the world of men”. Wonder Woman was originally a fish out of water, so Trevor helped her acclimate to the modern world. Outside of the Justice League and the Amazonians, Steve Trevor is Wonder Woman’s closest ally and greatest supporter, often risking his life to protect her.
Commissioner Gordon is Batman’s best teammate outside of capes and cowl
Over the decades, the Bat-Family has expanded considerably. Batman’s sole crusade against crime in Gotham City quickly became a partnership with Robin. Soon, Batgirl joined the Batcave, followed by even more Robins, and so on. But Batman’s war on crime has never been a one-man crusade, not with the existence of Jim Gordon.
Commissioner Gordon, more than anyone fighting alongside Batman, knows how dark and corrupt Gotham can be, and no one but the Dark Knight fights harder for a better future in the city. Outside of the Bat-Family and the Justice League, Commissioner Gordon is Batman’s greatest resource and ally.
Lois Lane, DC’s greatest reporter and Superman’s love interest
Ignoring Silver Age (and later) comics Superman run), where Lois gained powers, Lois Lane is one of the greatest journalists in the world. Although her tenacity and drive often puts her in precarious positions, it is this determination that uncovers instances of corruption and manipulation that Superman simply could not prove, even with all of his incredible powers.
Superman saves the world, but Lois often saves the Man of Steel. His love and support keeps Superman’s moral compass pointed north. Thanks to her dedication to uncovering the truth, she is one of Superman’s most powerful allies. After having their son, Jon Kent, Lois’ connection to the world of superheroes only deepened.
Alfred Pennyworth is the ever-necessary Batman father
The deaths of Thomas and Martha Wayne catapulted young Bruce Wayne on the journey to becoming Batman. After that day, Bruce made a vow to prevent something like this from happening to anyone else. In many interpretations of the character, Alfred Pennyworth kept Bruce grounded and compassionate.
Bruce may have lost his parents, but Batman found a mentor he didn’t know he needed. Good detective work and unmatched combat training can only take Batman so far. Having an inspiring and logical father figure in Alfred often kept Batman from crossing villainous lines. In Batman’s absence, Alfred also acted as the glue that held the Bat-Family together. There’s no one Batman, Nightwing, or any member of the Bat-Family trusts more.
- Release date
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July 11, 2025
- Runtime
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130 minutes
- Director
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James Gunn
- Producers
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Pierre Safran
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Rachel Brosnahan
Lois Lane