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James Gunn’s DCU: The Heroes He’ll Never Touch
James Gunn has made a name for himself by bringing life to underdog characters. From Guardians of the Galaxy to The Suicide Squad, and even Creature Commandos, he has shown a deep affection for B, C, and D-level superheroes. Characters like Rocket Raccoon, Vigilante, and G.I. Robot have found new life thanks to his work.
However, as Gunn continues to shape the future of DC Comics, he is shifting focus toward more well-known and beloved heroes such as Superman, Supergirl, and the Lanterns. This move comes as the future of Warner Bros. remains uncertain. While it doesn’t mean Gunn is abandoning the underdogs—evidence of that is the Clayface movie—it’s clear that some characters are simply off-limits, no matter how much love Gunn has for the unconventional.
Major Bummer
Created by John Arcudi and Doug Mahnke, Major Bummer was a short-lived DC series featuring Lou Martin, a Gen X slacker who gains superpowers after an alien mishap. As Major Bummer, Lou possesses superhuman strength and intelligence, but only when he’s daydreaming or nodding off.
Though the series developed a cult following, its concept is deeply rooted in 1990s slacker culture, which may not resonate with modern audiences. Additionally, since Arcudi and Mahnke own the character, any adaptation would require their permission. Given this, it’s unlikely Gunn will take on Major Bummer anytime soon.
Triumph
Long before Marvel introduced Sentry, DC had its own forgotten hero: Triumph. Created by Brian Augustyn, Mark Waid, and Howard Porter, Triumph was a founding member of the Justice League who sacrificed himself to save the world. His sacrifice meant being trapped in dimensional limbo, erased from history.
After escaping, he joined the Justice League Task Force but was kicked out due to his poor attitude. Eventually, he was turned into an ice statue by the Spectre and stored in the Watchtower. When Prometheus destroyed the Watchtower, Triumph was killed. Despite his jerk-like personality, which might appeal to Gunn, the character never gained popularity and left little impact on the comics. He died in 2000 and was never resurrected, making him one of the few heroes never brought back.
Mystek
Not everyone is cut out to be a superhero, and Mystek is proof of that. Created by Christopher Priest and Manny Clark, she first appeared in The Ray #12. Born in Queens, NY, Mystek used armor built by her father before he was kidnapped. She initially believed Ray was a villain and attacked him. Once they realized they were on the same side, she joined the Justice League Task Force.
During a space mission, her claustrophobia took over, and she ejected herself from the ship, suffocating. Priest chose to kill off the character because he didn’t want DC to profit from his work, despite assurances that they retained ownership. With so few appearances and the creator’s wishes in mind, it’s safe to assume Gunn would respect Priest’s decision and avoid using Mystek.
Madam Fatal
While James Gunn once pushed boundaries, he is less likely to do so now, which makes Madam Fatal a character he probably won’t touch. First appearing in Crack Comics #1 in 1940, Madam Fatal is a middle-aged stockbroker named Richard Stanton who fights crime dressed as an old woman.
The character never gained popularity, and while the idea of a transgender superhero could find an audience today, that’s not what Madam Fatal is about. His concept is based on a man dressing as a woman to appear weak, which is outdated and problematic. Though there have been a few mentions over the years, including Wildcat stating that Stanton was dead and no one attended his funeral, most agree it’s best to leave this character in the past.
Doctor Manhattan
Created by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons for Watchmen, Doctor Manhattan was later integrated into the DC Universe without the creators’ consent. This includes his role in the New 52 and the fact that DC has adapted Watchmen into movies and TV series against Moore’s wishes.
Beyond respecting the artist, it’s hard to imagine Gunn wanting to get involved with Watchmen characters. His DCU will always be compared to Zack Snyder’s DCEU, and given that Snyder directed the Watchmen movie, any attempt to adapt those characters could spark unnecessary controversy. Plus, nothing has ever matched the brilliance of Watchmen. Sometimes, it’s best to let characters stay on the page.