DC has been telling stories for over eighty years, and many of its most respected heroes have continued to adventure the entire time. While they've found all kinds of ways to rationalize how these men and women are still fighting the good fight against some of the most intimidating villains, it can be a little much.
At this point, there are a lot of heroes and villains who should just retire already. There are other heroes who can replace them, and while retiring might take them out of the spotlight, it doesn't mean their story is over forever.
Updated on April 5, 2022 by Scoot Allan: DC has always been known for its legacy characters, who've taken over from their respective mentors due to the decades taking their toll. There are also classic heroes who've seen more than enough action and suffered more than enough trauma over the years, having earned their right to retire comfortably while new heroes take over their roles.
15 Green Arrow's Son Has Already Taken Over Once
While Oliver Queen in the current DC Universe has reached new heights in his role as Green Arrow, having become one of the leaders of the Justice League, he's also spent quite a few years working both on his own and with the team he originally helped found. The character has a long and storied career that's pushed him to the limits and even taken his life (once).
Green Arrow's son, Connor Hawke, has already stepped into the role to fill his father's quiver after his death, and his return in the Lazarus Tournament might mean it's time for Oliver to retire and watch his son take the lead.
14 John Constantine Has Seen More Than Enough
The mystical con man named John Constantine doesn't have as long as a comics career as some of DC's other heroes, but that doesn't mean he hasn't seen more than enough in his years working with magic as a Hellraiser.
Constantine has been to Hell, regularly works with demons, and has worked alongside Justice League Dark as the last line of defense from total destruction. He's sacrificed himself and others to keep the world safe, so it might be time to pass on his knowledge and let someone else take over before his experiences break him completely.
13 Vandal Savage Should Start His Eternal Retirement
The immortal villain named Immortal Savage has lived a long life and waged a number of different wars in his attempts to conquer the world for himself. He's faced off against the Justice League a number of times in the modern era, and every one of his bids for world domination has failed.
A future version of Vandal Savage learned how lonely it would be to live alone in a conquered and destroyed world, so he should really think about retiring so he can enjoy his eternal life instead of wasting another second of it on failed plans of conquest.
12 Martian Manhunter Deserves Some Earned Time Off
J'onn J'onzz has been fighting the good fight on Earth as Martian Manhunter for decades, though he was actually born centuries ago on Mars before he was transported to Earth in the modern age. This technically makes him over 200 million years old, which is definitely old enough to be eligible for retirement.
He's spent years working with the Justice League and has already lived through the loss of his wife and daughter back on Mars, so it might be time to kick back and enjoy the wonders of his new home planet before he starts to feel the last million years.
11 Hawkman Needs To Start Enjoying This Life Cycle
Carter Hall may be known as Hawkman in the modern age, where he's worked with teams like the Justice League and the Justice Society, though it isn't the only name he's used over the years. Hawkman and his frequent partner Kendra Saunders/Hawkgirl are locked in a constant cycle of death and resurrection.
They have lived numerous lives since their exposure to the powerful Nth metal in ancient Egypt kicked off their seemingly never-ending cycles. With so many lives and deaths under his belt, Hawkman should probably try to enjoy as much of his current life as possible (in this cycle) before his inevitable death.
10 It Might Be Time For Clark Kent To Hang Up His Cape
Superman is one of DC's biggest icons; however, that doesn't mean he doesn't deserve a break. Clark Kent has been fighting the good fight for a very long time, and as great as he is, it's the perfect time for him to retire. Also, he has the perfect replacement in his son, Jon.
Jon has recently taken on the mantle of Superman in his father's absence, and while the DC Multiverse is big enough for two Supermen, it's about time for Clark to retire and enjoy his life with his wife, Lois. He can still dust off the old red and blues for big cosmic calamities, but as far as active Superman-ing, Jon can do that.
9 Hal Jordan Doesn't Really Need To Play An Active Role In The Green Lanterns Anymore
Hal Jordan has always been considered one of the greatest Green Lanterns ever, but that doesn't mean he can't retire (at least from active duty). Jordan has been through a lot in his years with the Corps and needs a break. He has an entire life outside of the Green Lantern Corps that's been neglected, and there are plenty of Green Lanterns to replace him.
Jordan could instead take on a training role on Oa, imparting his wisdom to new generations of Green Lanterns. This would allow him to remain active without being on field duty and give him some ring time.
8 Maxwell Lord Needs To Pack It In
Since his reveal as a villain in Countdown To Infinite Crisis, Maxwell Lord has been trying to police the metahumans of the DC Universe. However, his idea of policing them is to either put them under his control or kill them. Luckily for the world, he's been unsuccessful so far, which should have taught him that it's time to pack it in.
As a villain, Maxwell Lord is a huge disappointment. While he was never the most efficient man in the DC Universe, at least he was a successful businessman. Also, his time with the JLI showed he could blunder his way to success sometimes. As a villain, he's completely ineffectual and should definitely retire.
7 Mister Freeze Doesn't Need To Be A Criminal Anymore
Mister Freeze has a reputation as one of Batman's most tragic villains. He's spent years trying to cure his wife, Nora, from MacGregor's Syndrome, committing crimes to secure funding and equipment. He was finally able to cure her with help from Lex Luthor during the Year Of The Villain event, but she spurned him afterward in favor of doing her own thing. Without the impetus of his wife's illness, Mister Freeze should retire.
He has no reason to keep going with his life of crime. If he likes the excitement so much, he could do what a lot of other Batman villains have done and reform. Bruce Wayne would undoubtedly find a place for him at Wayne Enterprises if he was serious enough about his redemption.
6 Ra's al Ghul Has A Superior Replacement In His Daughter
Ra's al Ghul is one of the most dangerous immortals on the planet, but it's time he thought about quitting. Over the years, al Ghul has repeatedly failed to make any kind of headway in his plans to destroy most of mankind, save the Earth, or any of his other schemes. He needs to realize that it's time to give up.
Talia is a much better steward of his legacy and has forged the League of Assassins into a vital instrument for the world of covert operations. Ra's al Ghul's time is completely over and he needs to realize it.
5 Bruce Wayne Has Reached A Place Where He Can Hang Up The Cowl
It's weird to think of Bruce Wayne giving up the mantle of Batman, but it's honestly time. He's lost most of his fortune and Luke Fox is out there proving he can reliably take up the role of Batman. Billionaire Dick Grayson is using his inheritance from Alfred in better ways than Bruce ever used his money, and Damian has what it takes to pick up a lot of slack.
The Bat Family is a well-oiled machine at this point and Bruce Wayne doesn't need to venture out as Batman anymore. He can just hang out with Selina, train and mentor the others, and finally enjoy life (as much as his trauma allows).
4 Alan Scott May Look Young But He Is Well Past Retirement Age
The power of the Starheart keeps Alan Scott young but the man has been fighting evil since World War II. Most of his friends in the Justice Society are dead, and while he doesn't have much of a life outside of his superhero career, he does have some very important things to live for, namely his children Jade and Obsidian, plus the newfound freedom of coming out as gay.
Alan Scott barely knows who he is outside of being a Green Lantern, and he needs time to find himself. He's been going non-stop for decades and now would be the perfect time to retire. He can still mentor his children and the younger members of the JSA, but he doesn't need to be an active hero.
3 Lex Luthor Needs To Learn His Lesson And Stop
Lex Luthor has had an interesting few years from becoming a hero, trying to help Perpetua take over the Multiverse, losing his stature in the villainous community, to the Batman Who Laughs. He genuinely seemed to enjoy doing good while he was a hero and constantly fails as a villain.
Lex Luthor is a smart man. He needs to realize that his life as a villain is useless and it's time for him to stop. Luthor can do way more for the world as an industrialist, using his brain to show the world that a human is better than a metahuman in a constructive way.
2 Director Bones Is Superfluous
After a stint as a villain and then with Infinity Inc., Bones joined the D.E.O. and rose to the rank of director. This put him in a position of power in the government, but it always felt superfluous because his job seemed to be exactly the same as Amanda Wallers. Waller was also way better at her job than Bones.
Bones isn't a very good director of the D.E.O., as evidenced in Infinite Frontier, where he made a deal with Darkseid (of all people) to protect the Earth from the next Crisis event. Bones has never been very good at his job compared to others in similar roles, and he needs to be put out to pasture.
1 Barry Allen Can Fade Away Now That Wally West Is Back
Barry Allen defined what it meant to be the Flash and is one of the greatest heroes in the history of the DC Universe. When it comes down to it though, he's pretty much an inferior Flash compared to the newly redeemed and returned Wally West. With West back in the uniform, Barry Allen can do what he should have done a long time ago and retire.
Lost on an alternate Earth after Infinite Frontier, Barry Allen can finally give it all up once that's over. He can go back to police work and Iris and leave The Flash to someone better suited for the role.
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