5 Of The Best Comic Book Superhero Names (& 5 Of The Worst)

Above all else, comic book superheroes absolutely must have a cool name; they’re the audience’s introduction to these figures and arguably the most crucial element in a superhero’s characterization aside from their costumes and the actual superpowers.

When done right, a name can reveal everything a fan needs to know about the superhero. On the contrary, a silly or lazy name will leave fans disappointed and even uninterested. Many heroes stand out throughout comic book history thanks to their creative, memorable, and even clever monikers. However, a few heroes get the short end of the stick and ended up stuck with dubious names that range from the lazy to the outright humiliating.

10 Worst: Arm-Fall-Off-Boy

The worst kinds of names are the ones that are so straightforward that they end up feeling lazy. Such is the case for Arm-Fall-Off-Boy, one of DC’s most bizarre and laughable creations. As his name suggests, Arm-Fall-Off-Boy can detach his arms and use them as weapons.

With such a ludicrous concept, the character had the potential of having an equally over-the-top name, thus elevating him to camp status. Instead, his silly moniker prevents him from being in on the joke, making him the punchline instead. A variation of Arm-Fall-Off-Boy played by beloved cult icon Nathan Fillion recently debuted in James Gunn’s surprise-filled The Suicide Squad.

9 Best: Silk

At first sight, the hitherto unknown Cindy Moon, A.K.A. Silk, seems like a copycat of the far more popular Spider-Man. The same radioactive spider bit them both, explaining their similar powersets, with only a few differences differentiating the two. Peter Parker has more physical strength, but she’s faster, and her spider-sense is more effective.

What makes Silk’s name so special is that it is directly related to her abilities while still avoiding the use of the classic “Spider” that characterizes so many others in her superhero line. Furthermore, silk is a material predominantly associated with feminine attributes while still being quite durable; in fact, it’s one of the most resistant natural fibers. Thus, the name perfectly captures the hero’s essence, making her fit right into the Spiderverse while still allowing her an impressive amount of individuality.

8 Worst: Whizzer

First introduced as a hero during the Golden Age of comic books, the Whizzer became a villain in the Silver and Bronze Ages. His original iteration, Robert Frank, was a well-meaning but ultimately ridiculous hero who gained super-speed after an infusion of mongoose blood.

Robert has a name as absurd as his origin story, and his moniker is nowhere near as cool as that of his superspeedy DC counterpart, The Flash. In fact, the name lacks the dynamic and urgent quality that makes names like Flash and Quicksilver so effective.

7 Best: Storm

Storm is not only one of the absolute best X-Men members, but she’s also one of the most cleverly named. Her alias perfectly captures every aspect of the character, from her powerset to her personality. It’s a commanding and imposing name that’s still simple enough to be memorable.

The word “storm” brings feelings of vastness and might, uncontrollable intensity that evokes images of the sky and the sea. The name also gives an ironic twist to Ororo Munroe, who suffers from an intense fear of narrow spaces. Thanks to her mutant abilities, she is able to soar and become one with Mother Nature herself, too overwhelming to be confined.

6 Worst: Major Mapleleaf

Many superheroes choose names that reinforce their connection to a particular place. From Captain America to Captain Britain, these heroes defend their territory from any invasion. However, the idea becomes foolish with Major Mapleleaf, a Canadian WWII hero who fought alongside Captain America.

It’s understandable that a hero would want to communicate his birthplace and what he stands for, but “Major Mapleleaf” sounds like a joke. No enemy would take a man dressed as a park ranger calling himself “Major Mapleleaf” seriously. It’s a shame, as the character’s story is very dark and tragic. In fact, the original hero, Louis Sadler Sr., turned out to be a somewhat violent and even abusive figure, nothing like what his otherwise silly name would suggest.

5 Best: Doctor Manhattan

Doctor Manhattan might sound like another boring “superhero takes the name of his city” kind of title. However, the moniker, like Doctor Manhattan himself and his collection of thought-provoking quotes, has layers upon layers of significance worthy of a full-on essay.

Soon after the accident that gave him his powers, Doctor Manhattan became the United States’ ultimate weapon. Thus, Doctor Manhattan represents the entire country by taking the name of part of its most iconic city. The alias also draws inspiration from the infamous Manhattan Project that produced the first nuclear weapons. The project represents the extent of human might and its capacity for destruction, a dichotomy central to Watchmen‘s thesis. Moreover, the weapons can also symbolize Manhattan’s worst qualities like his overwhelming power and lack of sympathy for humanity.

4 Worst: Doorman

Any superhero name that’s also a real-life job will probably be less than flattering. No hero would like to go by “Accountant” or “Assistant Branch Manager,” so it’s truly puzzling why DeMarr Davis chose “Doorman” as his superhero moniker.

DeMarr’s ability allows him to teleport people through solid walls, with his body serving as a portal of sorts. His powers might not be the most impressive, but there are many uses for them. For example, the X-Men member Blink, who has a similar powerset, chose a more flattering name. Alas, poor Doorman will likely live his entire superhero life hearing tired jokes about standing by the door.

3 Best: Mystique

In ordinary circumstances, the word “mystique” means “a fascinating aura of mystery, awe, and power surrounding someone or something.” “Mystique” describes a certain quality innate to some people; she’s elusive yet alluring, impressive yet baffling.

It makes sense that such a word would fit a shapeshifting mutant to a tee. Mystique, one of the most compelling and enduring characters in X-Men continuity, is the embodiment of her name. She can be anyone she wants, hiding her true self from everyone. Mystique is one of the biggest mysteries in Marvel comics, an ever-changing character that still manages to fascinate fans, just as her name suggests.

2 Worst: Matter-Eater Lad

In the pantheon of bizarre superpowers, the ability to eat matter in any form has to take the cake. Alas, Matter-Eater Lad’s power is a real thing and far more useful than it sounds. For example, he once swallowed an entire meteorite in a matter of minutes.

Thus, Matter-Eater Lad’s ability can come in handy. However, there is no excuse for his name. It’s not only overly technical, but it’s just plain silly. A power like his could inspire a gallery of possible titles, taking advantage of the many processes that go into making his abilities work. However, his creators settled for the worst possible choice, a name that sounds more like a medical condition than a hero’s alias.

1 Best: Nightwing

Dick Grayson is, without a doubt, one of DC’s best characters ever. He’s a beacon of hope, a shining light among Gotham’s perpetual darkness. Nightwing is arguably the most wholesome DC hero, and his name is a perfect representation of him.

The name carries several meanings. Dick adopted it during his transition from sidekick to full-on hero during his teenage years, no longer a tiny robin but a grown bird ready to fly. Nightwing also reflects Dick’s acrobatic abilities. Nightwing is a name that perfectly sums up what Dick stands up for without ever revealing anything directly. It’s an alias for both a performer and a vigilante, an artist that can soar and blend into the night sky just as easily as he can beat the bad guys that terrorize his city.

About The Author

David Caballero
(803 Articles Published)

David is a twenty-eight-year-old Mexican writer and reader. Having studied Marketing in school, he spent three years working a nine-to-five desk job before deciding to pursue a writing career. He now works as a Senior Writer in ScreenRant and does some more freelancing job, talking about the entertainment business he so loves. Currently, he’s also writing his second novel while actively working to get his first one published.

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