While it’s still in its early stages, James Gunn’s DC Universe has already introduced an impressive number of superpowered characters and metahumans across its various movies and shows. From major Kryptonian powerhouses like Superman to some of Batman’s more fantastical foes, the DCU already boasts a wide range of characters and power sets.
So far, James Gunn’s DC Universe consists of Creature Commandos, Superman, Peacemaker season 2, Supergirl, Lanterns, and most recently Clayface, which is now playing in theaters. Events and characters from The Suicide Squad and Peacemaker season 1 are canon as well, albeit with some minor tweaks. As such, an impressive roster of characters from the comics already exists who now belong to this new interconnected universe.
While some of these characters rely on incredible durability and strength, others have unique abilities to keep them ranking high on the DCU’s overall power scale. Keeping that in mind, our ranking below for the most powerful characters in the current DCU excludes those who’ve already died and characters who’ve yet to make their full debut (like Wonder Woman or Gorilla Grodd). Ranked from least to most powerful, these are the ten strongest living characters in James Gunn’s DCU so far.
King Shark
The Suicide Squad’s King Shark is one of the DCU’s most intimidating physical powerhouses due to his enormous size, strength, and durability. Also known as Nanaue, King Shark’s aquatic physiology likely gives him advantages many of the DCU’s other confirmed metahumans don’t possess, especially when fighting underwater.
While he may not have the highest intelligence, he’s certainly one of the DCU’s most powerful characters in terms of raw force. That said, King Shark doesn’t have the same level of versatility as other characters, seeing as how he doesn’t possess any major abilities or advanced technology.
Clayface
As seen in the DCU’s latest movie, Matt Hagen’s Clayface is easily one of Gotham’s most dangerous metahumans, capable of transforming into anyone he desires. He can also turn into a hulking monster capable of turning his limbs into any kind of weapon, and can even absorb and suffocate his victims.
While he can be stopped via electric-based attacks, Matt Hagen has proved himself to be incredibly hard to kill or even harm in the DCU thus far, both in his new movie and in his animated debut in Creature Commandos season 1. However, Clayface’s overall power still has its limitations when compared to some of the DCU’s other metas.
Rex Mason, better known as Metamorpho, made his debut in 2025’s Superman, possessing one of the most incredibly versatile power sets in the DCU thus far, with the ability to transform various parts of his body into different elements, giving him a wide range of possibilities as a hero. He might not have the experience, raw strength, or abilities of the Man of Steel, though his impressive elemental transformations certainly make him one of the DCU’s most interesting (and most powerful) metas all the same.
Circe
When it comes to the realm of magic in the DCU, the most powerful character introduced thus far has been the sorceress known as Circe in Creature Commandos season 1. Possessing a wealth of supernatural power as an enemy of Themyscira and the Amazons, even Kryptonians are susceptible to magic. However, that doesn’t mean she’s invincible, seeing how she was defeated and brought in for questioning by Amanda Waller’s Task Force M.
Possessing major magical powers like energy projection, telekinesis, teleportation, transmutation, and clairvoyance, Circe is still a major force to be reckoned with who will hopefully get more of a spotlight in the DCU’s future.
Guy Gardner
Making his debut in Superman, Guy Gardner’s Green Lantern has since been featured in Peacemaker season 2 and Lanterns. While he might not be the most well-liked hero or most disciplined member of the Green Lantern Corps, his power ring still makes him one of the DCU’s most powerful protectors of Earth. After all, power rings allow their wielders to fly, generate energy constructs, form protective barriers, and produce all kinds of weapons and anything they can think of, limited only by their own imagination, willpower, and ring charge.
John Stewart
Now wielding a power ring on his own terms at the end of Lanterns season 1, John Stewart arguably ranks just above Guy Gardner, largely because of his proven potential as a Green Lantern. Like Guy, John now wields his power ring (originally belonging to Hal Jordan), which is seemingly just as capable of producing incredibly powerful constructs and defensive barriers.
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However, Lanterns also proved that John’s potential is on another level, as he’s capable of maintaining even living constructs without wearing a ring and even while unconscious. He’s also far more disciplined given his military experience, and likely more creative given his background in art and architecture. While it remains to be seen if there will be any drawbacks to his newly forged power battery, it stands to reason that John is likely the more powerful Green Lantern over Guy.
Krypto
Krypto might be Superman and Supergirl’s adorable companion, but he also hails from Krypton. Like Clark Kent, Krypto benefits from the effects of Earth’s yellow sun just as Kal-El and Kara do, granting him super strength, flight, enhanced speed, and extraordinary durability. While he is still a dog with some clear discipline issues, Krypto more than proved himself in 2025’s Superman as a loyal and capable ally, easily making him one of the DCU’s strongest living characters.
Lobo
Having debuted in 2026’s Supergirl, Lobo is one of the DCU’s most dangerous extraterrestrial characters, combining tremendous physical strength with an extraordinary ability to recover from injuries. His reputation as an intergalactic bounty hunter is built on more than just his willingness to cause destruction. He’s also exceptionally difficult to kill, making him a particularly dangerous opponent in prolonged battles.
His regenerative abilities are arguably his greatest advantage. Even if an opponent manages to inflict devastating injuries, Lobo can recover and continue fighting. He might not possess the same range of abilities as a Green Lantern or Kryptonian, but his physical abilities and resilience put him near the top of the DCU’s power hierarchy (and the comics have proven his ability to go toe-to-toe with Superman).
Supergirl
First appearing at the end of Superman ahead of her own movie, Kara Zor-El possesses essentially the same natural advantages as Superman himself. As a Kryptonian living under Earth’s yellow sun, she’s just as capable of feats that would be impossible for nearly every other character in the DCU. Her unique experiences and personality might make her a different kind of hero than Clark, but neither changes the incredible potential of her abilities. While she arguably ranks lower due to less experience with her powers compared to her cousin, it feels pretty close.
Superman
Unsurprisingly, Superman remains the most powerful character in James Gunn’s DCU thus far. Clark Kent’s Kryptonian physiology grants him an extraordinary combination of strength, speed, flight, heat vision, enhanced senses, and durability. He’s extremely capable of surviving even the most devastating attacks and can overpower opponents who would be virtually unstoppable against ordinary superheroes. Most days, Superman’s biggest challenge is having to show restraint. He still has his weaknesses, but with such an impressive range of abilities, Superman’s raw power combined with their sheer versatility absolutely makes him the DCU’s most powerful character, bar none.
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