Over the years, DC Comics has introduced countless superheroes to the world, including icons like Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman. However, not every superhero attains that level of mainstream fame, as many end up falling to the wayside with time. The DC Universe is vast, and there are plenty of lesser-known heroes who don't get nearly enough recognition. And it's about time that changed.

Some characters within DC lore may have been popular once, but have since been neglected as others sured them in the public eye. With god-like figures and renowned warriors at the forefront of the Justice League, it stands to reason that underdogs would pale in comparison. Still, these heroes deserve as much of a fair shot as the likes of the Trinity, and DC's All In era is the perfect opportunity for them to be revived. Here are 8 overlooked heroes that DC needs to bring back into the spotlight.

8 Ragman

Debuted in Ragman #1 by Robert Kanigher and Joe Kubert

Rory Regan fights crime wearing a suit made of rags, hence the name Ragman. His raggedy costume is known as the Suit of Souls, and it possesses supernatural properties that enhance his strength and speed. He can also channel magic through his suit and control it kinetically. Much like many other heroes within DC's continuity, Ragman patrols the streets of Gotham City as a vigilante, though he lacks the prolific status of Batman and the rest of the A-list Bat-family vigilantes.

Ragman was previously a member of the Justice League Dark, a team led by John Constantine that specializes in dark magic and combats forces too mystical for the standard Justice League roster to deal with. The Justice League Dark doesn't seem to be formally operating at present, but with the main Justice League expanding, Ragman could soon be welcomed into that team as a hero on par with his fellow Gotham vigilantes.

7 Miss Martian

Debuted in Teen Titans #37 by Geoff Johns and Tony S. Daniel

As her name implies, Miss Martian hails from Mars, and she was sent to Earth at a young age in order to be spared by a civil war raging on between the Green Martians and White Martians. Though she bears a green appearance, M'Gann is actually a White Martian who shapeshifts to conceal her true nature due to her people's violent reputation. On Earth, she fights on the side of justice using her psychic powers that rival Martian Manhunter's.

Despite being a recurring member of the Teen Titans, M'gann is excluded from the Titans' current roster and hasn't shown any sign of reing the team. Moreover, her recent appearance in Absolute Power: Task Force VII #4 by Pornsak Pichetshote, Claire Roe, and Lee Loughridge turned her into one of DC's most tragic heroes as she mourned the loss of her telepathic powers. Now that her abilities have been restored, Miss Martian has earned a moment in the spotlight as a reprieve from her plights.

6 Jinny Hex

Debuted in Batman Giant #4 by Brian Michael Bendis and Nick Derington

Longtime DC aficionados might be familiar with Jonah Hex, but his great-great-grandaughter may not ring as many bells. Jonah Hex was a Western bounty hunter from the 19th century who operated as an anti-hero rather than a true superhero. Now, his ancestor Jinny Hex walks among the current generation, and she plays a more traditionally heroic role. Unlike Jonah, who didn't have any powers to speak of, Jinny possesses superhuman abilities that set her apart from her predecessor.

While Jonah Hex received his own movie adaptation - as critically panned as it was - Jinny hasn't been quite so lucky at garnering attention from mainstream audiences. A former member of Young Justice, one would assume being a part of that team would lead to her ing the Justice League, but she hasn't yet graduated to their ranks. This past year, she did team up with the Outsiders, so it's only a matter of time before this Western hero makes it big.

5 Elongated Man

Debuted in The Flash #112 by Carmine Infantino and John Broome

Some may think Batman is the greatest detective in the DC Universe, but Elongated Man gives the Dark Knight a run for his money. After getting superpowers via a drink called Gingold, Ralph Dibny is able to stretch himself to extraordinary lengths, and he uses these elastic abilities to aid him in his detective work. Elongated Man has traveled the world with his wife, Sue Dibny, and the two of them investigate mysteries together as the ultimate crime-solving duo.

Elongated Man was once a mainstay in the Justice League - from the core Justice League of America to Justice League Europe - before Sue's controversial death in DC's Identity Crisis event sent him down a dark spiral. He and Sue have since returned to continuity, though they don't appear outside of brief background cameos. The Justice League's current "unlimited" roster offers a chance for Elongated Man - alongside Sue, naturally - to reclaim his position as DC's most beloved detective.

4 Red Tornado

Debuted in Justice League of America #64 by Dick Dillin and Gardner Fox

Red Tornado is an android with a noble heart beneath his mechanical exterior, and astounding abilities to boot. Created by the villainous T.O. Morrow and merged with the living tornado, RT has all the advantages that come with being a machine - including enhanced durability - on top of his wind manipulation powers. T.O. Morrow's dark history originally caused him to be the subject of scrutiny from his Justice League teammates when he ed their ranks, until they learned of his human consciousness, which separates him from Amazos.

Despite the mistrust that initially festered between him and the Justice League, Red Tornado went on to become a revered member of the team. Modern-day rosters for the League often exclude him, however, and he's faded into obscurity as a result. With his body destroyed during the cataclysmic events of Dan Mora and Mark Waid's Absolute Power, the least DC could do is rebuild him and grant him a more prominent role.

3 Vixen

Debuted in Action Comics #521 by Gerry Conway and Bob Oksner

Vixen has been a frequent member of the Justice League for decades, yet she is seldom given the recognition she rightfully deserves. Mari McCabe is a fashion model who holds the Tantu Totem, a magical artifact that gives her the power to channel any animal's spirit via the morphogenic field and use its abilities for herself. This includes animals that currently walk the Earth, in addition to extinct animals such as dinosaurs.

The wild powers at her disposal make Vixen a powerhouse, but she isn't prevalent in current Justice League lineups the way she was in the past. Vixen did the Birds of Prey for a brief time to assist in a mission to save Barbara Gordon. However, she's now left the team and returned to limbo. If any former Justice League hero deserves a starring role in the new roster, it's Vixen, and there's no better time than now for DC to revive this neglected icon.

2 Doctor Light

Debuted in Crisis on Infinite Earths #4 by Marv Wolfman and George Pérez

Not to be confused with the villain who goes by Doctor Light, Kimiyo Hoshi is a scientist who made her dazzling debut during the Crisis on Infinite Earths event that shook the DC Universe to its core. Her powers were bestowed upon her by the Monitor so that she could assist the Justice League in their battle against the Anti-Monitor. With this upgrade, as indicated by her title, Kimiyo can manipulate light, which also allows her to move at light-speed.

One of Doctor Light's most notable roles in DC lore was when she ed the European branch of the Justice League, becoming a close confidant of heroes like Power Girl. In more recent memory, she played a key role in Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths by Joshua Williamson and Daniel Sampere, when she achieved her ultimate form and used it to unite with the multiverse. Since this feat, Kimiyo hasn't appeared much, so DC should explore her latest cosmic transformation.

1 Animal Man

Debuted in Strange Adventures #180 by Carmine Infantino and Dave Wood

Animal Man is one of DC's more strange heroes, and that strange quality is what makes him compelling enough to warrant exploration in new stories. Following an alien encounter, Buddy Baker can take on the abilities of any animal at will, from flying like a bird to swimming like a fish. Over time, his powers evolve to the point where he can tap into extinct species as well as animals from other planets. His powers have been revealed to stem from the Red, the force controlling the animal kingdom, and his animalistic powers trump all others as the Avatar of the Red.

Grant Morrison and Chas Truog's acclaimed Animal Man series from the 1980s cemented this underrated character as an icon, redefining the medium of comic storytelling and shattering the third wall to pieces, but he's since become less and less prevalent. With his versatile powers and untapped potential surrounding his connection to the mysterious Red, Animal Man is an overlooked superhero who deserves another shot at stardom in DC Comics.