1. Neon the Unknown
The best thing about obscure characters is this: there isn't a rabid fanbase that is going to freak out when you do something that deviates from the comic continuity. You can take the most basic concepts from a character and spin an entirely new and original idea out of that concept. The one character I've always hoped and dreamed about seeing this done with is Neon the Unknown. Just his name and his look are catching and mysterious enough. Even though his origins place him in World War II, I'd love it if he was transplanted into a futuristic landscape and made to be a vigilante rebel in a dystopian metropolis (it's like
Tron meets
V for Vendetta). Even though his powers are only flight and energy projection, why not make him a being that can travel through electronic billboards and monitors?
The light of his suit could be constantly changing color, or could be made to reflect his emotions. Blazing all red when he is angered, or turning bright white to blind his enemies. Make his identity truly unknown and you've also got a mystery on your hands. With a character so obscure and unimportant to the geek hivemind, the variations are incalculable. You could wring something original and creative out of the most basic tenants of the character and make an inconspicuous hero into a mainstream success. There are plenty more little known superheroes out there who deserve their shot at Hollywood. Any you'd like to see? Let us know in the comments!