8. Booster Gold
Booster Gold was created by Dan Jurgens in 1986, and was the first significant new character introduced after Crisis on Infinite Earths. He was a regular member of the Justice League from 1987 to 1996, and was ranked 59th on IGN's list of greatest comic book heroes. Michael Jon Carter was born in 25th Century Gotham City, was a star quarterback in college, and works as night watchman at the Metropolis Space Museum. There, he gazes upon displays of superheroes from the 20th Century, and in an attempt to become a hero of his own (in order to get famous), steals equipment from the museum and travels back in time. He arrives in the 20th century and uses his knowledge of historical events to stage high-publicity heroics as the superhero Booster Gold. Over time, he becomes a true hero, leaving behind his showboat nature in order to help people. He appeared in an episode of Smallville in 2011, and has made numerous appearances in several DC animated cartoons. SyFy ordered a live-action series for the character in the fall of 2011, though not much news has come from the project since. He has one of the most unique and morally-enticing backstories of the DC heroes, and his origin story could act as a great movie, animated or not.