6. Green Arrow - The Green Lantern
While the Green Arrow is a superhero in his own right, and indeed has his own ward in Speedy, he makes this list due to the fact that he was always a slightly secondary and little known character amongst the DC Universe, usually appearing alongside the Green Lantern in double-feature comics. In fact, it took 25 years, and a dramatic restyling by writer Denny O'Neil and artist Neal Adams to bring him to the attention of those outside the hardcore DC fanbase. The Green Arrow had begun life in the early 1940s as a none too subtle Batman homage: a billionaire playboy alter-ego and a clownish nemesis in Bulls Eye were dead giveaways. The history of the character is interesting in his own right, however. DC made the decision for the Green Arrow's alter-ego, Oliver Queen, to lose his fortune in the early 70s and become a socially conscious vigilante with a huge left-wing streak. Utilising his archery skills and arrow of home-made arrow tips to fight injustice, the Green Arrow worked best when pared as a sidekick to the Green Lantern, acting as a punkish influence on the Lantern's goody-two-shoes demeanour. The Green Arrow may be reasonably unknown outside of comic book circles, but that could well change with the forthcoming Superman V Batman film. What better way to even up the contest between DC's two greatest heroes than by introducing other JL members? One of whom is an archer who has already fashioned a Kryptonite arrow head in the comics...