- For other uses of "Vigilante", see Vigilante (disambiguation).
- "Well, I'm—I'm conflicted about this. I'm not gonna lie to you. I'm a police officer, duly sworn. I don't condone vigilantes or vigilantism. Once people start taking the law into their own hands, you're on the road to anarchy. But there's worse things out there than anarchy, and sometimes, as much as I hate to admit it... the police aren't enough to deal with it all."
- —Quentin Lance[src]
A vigilante is an individual who takes the law into their own hands, believing that the police and the court system are unable to or unreliable at bringing criminals to justice. However, not all vigilantes are fighting for justice, some do it out of personal revenge or antagonistic reasoning. It is also common for vigilantes to take on a moniker to be known by, some by personal choice and others by having been named by the public.
Some vigilantes eventually gain a level of popularity and admiration from the general public that they begin to be seen as a "superhero". Despite the name suggesting this term is reserved for individuals with superhuman powers, it may also be used to define individuals without any but instead rely on combat skills, intellect or gadgetry.
While most vigilantes typically exist outside of the government, some have been given amnesty due to the positive effects that came from their actions. Some have gone so far as to be fully pardoned and even deputized as superheroes officially working more closely with law enforcement.[1]
History
Star City
Oliver Queen's crusade
After the Queen's Gambit sank in North China sea, Oliver Queen was stranded on Lian Yu and learnt archery from Yao Fei Gulong. When he returned home, he started to become a vigilante under the names on The List his father gave him. He later got assistance from John Diggle and Felicity Smoak to act as a vigilante team. He is known as the Hood in 2012, the Arrow in 2013 and Green Arrow in 2015.
Central City
S.T.A.R. Labs particle accelerator explosion
In 2013, the S.T.A.R. Labs particle accelerator exploded due to malfunction. The explosion created people with powers and are named as Meta-humans. The explosion also caused Barry Allen to receive super speed and became a vigilante to stop rogue meta-humans. He later got assistance from Cisco Ramon and Caitlin Snow to act as a beacon of hope for Central City. He is also known as The Streak in his early vigilante career and gained the name The Flash as well as the stylized name Scarlet Speedster.
National City; Earth-38
Sabotage of Flight 237
In 2015, the Flight 237 was about to crash and destroy the city. Kara Danvers, a Kryptonian refugee stepped up and saved the aircraft. With the help from Winn Schott, she got a suit similar to Superman and became the hero Supergirl.
Timeline
Uprise of Vandal Savage
In 2166, an immortal emperor known as Vandal Savage ruled the world and killed Rip Hunter's family. He later went back in time to 2016 and recruited 8 vigilantes and criminals who are insignificant to the timeline. They later time-traveled across time to hunt down Vandal Savage and his allies. Rip Hunter named his team as Legends as they will be significant to the timeline if they succeeded in the mission. After defeating Vandal Savage and destroyed the Time Masters, they started to protect the timeline from Time pirates and aberrations.
Gotham City
Disappearance of the Dark Knight
Three years after Bruce Wayne left Gotham City, Kate Kane returned home and accidentally discovered the secret identity of Bruce Wayne. When her ex-girlfriend was kidnapped by the Wonderland gang, she asked Luke Fox to alter the Batsuit to fit her and became Batwoman.
Freeland; Earth-TUD5
Reappearance of Black Lightning
Nine years after retiring to put himself in less danger, Jefferson Pierce finds that his daughters Jennifer and Anissa Pierce have been kidnapped. Giving him a wake up call to return to action as Black Lightning in order to fight for Freeland once more. Once again being helped by Peter Gambi who made him a new suit for his return.
Earth-Prime
Anti-Monitor Crisis
During the Crisis, the Paragons and Oliver Queen went back in time to the Dawn of Time and formed Earth-Prime. After defeating the Anti-Monitor, Barry Allen formed a group of greatest heroes.
Known vigilantes
Heroes
| Image | Name | Alter ego | Universe | Status | Affiliation | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barry Allen | The Flash | Earth-1 Earth-Prime | Active | Original multiverse Team Flash Paragons New multiverse Team Flash Paragons Crisis team | |
| Helena Bertinelli | Huntress | Earth-1 | Inactive | Team Arrow (formerly) | Turned rogue; incarcerated |
| Adrian Chase | The Hood | Earth-2 | Inactive | Laurel Lance | Presumed deceased |
| John Constantine | Earth-1 Earth-Prime | Active | Original multiverse Legends (reluctantly) New multiverse Legends | ||
| Alex Danvers | Earth-38 Earth-Prime | Active | Original multiverse Superfriends New multiverse Superfriends | ||
| Kara Danvers | Supergirl | Earth-38 Earth-Prime | Active | Original multiverse Superfriends Paragons New multiverse Superfriends Paragons Crisis team | Secretly an agent of the D.E.O. |
| Ralph Dibny | Elongated Man | Earth-1 Earth-Prime | Active | Original multiverse Team Flash New multiverse Team Flash | |
| John Diggle | Spartan Green Arrow (briefly) | Earth-1 Earth-Prime | Inactive | Original multiverse Team Arrow (formerly) New multiverse Team Arrow (formerly) | Retired |
| Querl Dox | Brainiac 5 | Earth-38 Earth-Prime | Active | Original multiverse The Legion (formerly) Superfriends New multiverse The Legion (formerly) Superfriends | |
| Dinah Drake | Black Canary | Earth-1 Earth-Prime | Active (as of 2040) | Original multiverse Team Arrow (formerly) New Team Arrow (formerly) Canaries (formerly; erased timeline) New multiverse Team Arrow (formerly) Canaries | Sent to 2040 with her former history erased |
| Jay Garrick | The Flash | Earth-3 | Inactive | Team Flash (occasionally; formerly) | Retired to train a new Flash |
| Ted Grant | Wildcat | Earth-1 | Inactive | Team Arrow (occasionally; formerly) | Retired |
| Carter Hall | Hawkman | Earth-1 | Inactive | Legends | Deceased |
| Roy Harper | Arsenal | Earth-1 Earth-Prime | Inactive | Original multiverse Team Arrow (formerly) Canaries (formerly; erased timeline) New multiverse Team Arrow (formerly) | Retired |
| John Diggle, Jr. | Connor Hawke/Green Arrow | Earth-16 | Active | Team Arrow | |
| Nate Heywood | Steel | Earth-1 Earth-Prime | Active | Original multiverse Legends Team Flash (formerly) New multiverse Legends | |
| Curtis Holt | Mr. Terrific | Earth-1 Earth-Prime | Inactive | Original multiverse Team Arrow (formerly) New Team Arrow (formerly) New multiverse Team Arow (formerly) | Retired |
| Michael | Rip Hunter | Earth-1 Earth-Prime | Inactive | Original multiverse Legends (formerly) New multiverse Legends (formerly) | Deceased |
| Mon-El | Earth-38 Earth-Prime | Active | Original multiverse Superfriends The Legion New multiverse Superfriends (formerly) The Legion | ||
| Jefferson Jackson | Firestorm (formerly) | Earth-1 | Inactive | Legends (formerly) | Retired; now focused on his family |
| J'onn J'onzz | Martian Manhunter | Earth-38 Earth-Prime | Active | Original multiverse Superfriends Paragons New multiverse Superfriends Crisis team | |
| Clark Kent | Superman | Earth-38 Earth-Prime | Active | Original multiverse Superfriends (occasionally) New multiverse Superfriends (occasionally) Crisis team | |
| Clark Kent | Superman | Earth-96 (original multiverse) Earth-96 (new multiverse) | Active | Original multiverse Paragons (formerly) | |
| Clark Kent | Superman | Earth-167 | Inactive | Gave up his powers to start a family | |
| Kate Kane | Batwoman | Earth-1 Earth-Prime | Active | Original multiverse Luke Fox Paragons New multiverse Luke Fox Paragons Crisis team | |
| Kuasa | Vixen | Earth-1 | Active | Legends (occasionally) | Shares the mantle with Mari |
| Laurel Lance | Black Canary | Earth-1 Earth-Prime | Inactive | Team Arrow | Deceased |
| Laurel Lance | Black Canary | Earth-2 | Active | Original multiverse Team Arrow (formerly) New multiverse Team Arrow (formerly) | Reformed criminal turned vigilante |
| Quentin Lance | Detective (formerly) | Earth-1 Earth-Prime | Inactive | Original multiverse Team Arrow (formerly) New multiverse Team Arrow (formerly) | Deceased |
| Sara Lance | White Canary | Earth-1 Earth-Prime | Active | Original multiverse Team Arrow (formerly) Legends New multiverse Team Arrow (formerly) Legends Paragons Crisis team | |
| Mari | Vixen | Earth-1 | Active | Team Arrow (occasionally) | Shares the mantle with Kuasa |
| Malcolm Merlyn | Dark Archer | Earth-1 | Inactive | Team Arrow (formerly) | Anti-hero; deceased |
| Nia Nal | Dreamer | Earth-38 Earth-Prime | Active | Original multiverse Superfriends New multiverse Superfriends | |
| James Olsen | Guardian | Earth-38 Earth-Prime | Active | Original multiverse Guardian's team (formerly) Superfriends (formerly) New multiverse Superfriends (formerly) | Deputized |
| Ray Palmer | The Atom | Earth-1 Earth-Prime | Active | Original multiverse Team Arrow (formerly) Legends New multiverse Legends | |
| Anissa Pierce | Thunder | Earth-TUD5 Earth-Prime | Active | Original multiverse Black Lightning's team New multiverse Black Lightning's team | |
| Jefferson Pierce | Black Lightning | Earth-TUD5 Earth-Prime | Active | Original multiverse Black Lightning's team New multiverse Black Lightning's team Crisis team | |
| Jennifer Pierce | Lightning | Earth-TUD5 Earth-Prime | Active | Original multiverse Black Lightning's team New multiverse Black Lightning's team | |
| Mia Queen | Green Arrow (2040) | Earth-1 Earth-Prime | Active | Original multiverse Canaries (erased future) Team Arrow New multiverse Canaries (possible future) Team Arrow (briefly) | |
| Oliver Queen | Green Arrow | Earth-1 Earth-Prime | Inactive | Original multiverse Team Arrow New multiverse Team Arrow Crisis team (honorary member) | Deputized Deceased |
| Oliver Queen | Green Arrow | Earth-16 | Active | Team Arrow | |
| Robert Queen | The Arrow | Earth-2 | Inactive | Presumed deceased | ||
| Thea Queen | Speedy | Earth-1 Earth-Prime | Inactive | Original multiverse Team Arrow (formerly) New multiverse Team Arrow (formerly) | Left to destroy three Lazarus Pits with Nyssa and Roy |
| Rene Ramirez | Wild Dog | Earth-1 Earth-Prime | Active | Original multiverse Team Arrow (formerly) New Team Arrow (formerly) New multiverse Team Arrow (formerly) | Left to run for mayor |
| Cisco Ramon | Vibe (formerly) | Earth-1 Earth-Prime | Active | Original multiverse Team Flash (formerly) New multiverse Team Flash | Took meta-human cure; no longer a field agent; later briefly regained powers via Mar Novu |
| Ronnie Raymond | Firestorm | Earth-1 Earth-Prime | Inactive | Original multiverse Team Flash (formerly) New multiverse Team Flash (formerly) | Deceased |
| Rory Regan | Ragman | Earth-1 Earth-Prime | Inactive | Original multiverse Team Arrow (formerly) New multiverse Team Arrow (formerly) | Leave of absence |
| Mick Rory | Heat Wave | Earth-1 Earth-Prime | Active | Original multiverse Legends (formerly) New multiverse Legends | Anti-hero |
| Kendra Saunders | Hawkgirl | Earth-1 | Inactive | Legends (formerly) | Retired |
| Winn Schott | Man in the Van Computer Lad Toyman | Earth-38 Earth-Prime | Active | Original multiverse Superfriends (formerly) Guardian's team (formerly) The Legion New multiverse Superfriends (formerly) The Legion | |
| Evelyn Sharp | Artemis | Earth-1 | Inactive | Team Arrow (formerly) | Turned rogue; presumed deceased |
| Vincent Sobel | Vigilante | Earth-1 | Inactive | Team Arrow (occasionally) | Anti-hero; deceased |
| Felicity Smoak | Overwatch | Earth-1 Earth-Prime | Inactive | Original multiverse Team Arrow (formerly) New multiverse Team Arrow (formerly) | Deputized Retired to raise her daughter |
| Leonard Snart | Captain Cold | Earth-1 | Inactive | Team Flash (occasionally) Legends | Deceased |
| Caitlin Snow | Frost | Earth-1 Earth-Prime | Active | Original multiverse Team Flash New multiverse Team Flash | |
| Martin Stein | Firestorm | Earth-1 Earth-Prime | Inactive | Team Flash (formerly) Legends | Deceased |
| Lyra Strayd | Earth-38 | Inactive | Guardian's team (formerly) | ||
| Behrad Tarazi | Earth-1 Earth-Prime | Active | Original multiverse Legends New multiverse Legends | ||
| Zari Tomaz (original timeline) | Earth-1 Earth-Prime | Inactive (original timeline) | Legends (original timeline) | History of her being a vigilante erased out of existence | |
| Eddie Thawne | Earth-1 | Inactive | Team Flash (formerly) | Deceased | |
| Eobard Thawne | Harrison Wells | Earth-1 Earth-Prime | Inactive | Original multiverse Team Flash (formerly) New multiverse Team Flash | Revealed to be a villain in disguise |
| Bruce Wayne | Batman | Earth-1 Earth-Prime | Inactive | Left Gotham City | |
| Harry Wells | Earth-2 | Inactive | Team Flash (formerly) Jesse Wells' team (formerly) | Presumed deceased | |
| Harrison Wells | H. R. Randolf | Earth-19 | Inactive | Team Flash | Deceased |
| Harrison Nash Wells | Earth-TUD12 | Active | Team Flash | ||
| Jesse Wells | Jesse Quick | Earth-2 | Inactive | Team Flash (formerly) Jesse Wells' team | Presumed deceased |
| Iris West-Allen | Eye in the Sky (briefly) The Flash (briefly) | Earth-1 Earth-Prime | Active | Original multiverse Team Flash New multiverse Team Flash | |
| Joe West | Earth-1 Earth-Prime | Active | Original multiverse Team Flash New multiverse Team Flash | ||
| Nora West-Allen | XS | Earth-1 Earth-Prime | Inactive | Original multiverse Team Flash New multiverse Team Flash | Erased from existence |
| Wally West | Kid Flash (current timeline) The Flash (Flashpoint timeline) | Earth-1 Earth-Prime | Active | Original multiverse Team Flash (formerly) Legends (formerly) New multiverse Team Flash (formerly) Legends (formerly) | Left Team Flash and later joined the Legends for a brief time |
| Tatsu Yamashiro | Earth-1 | Inactive | Team Arrow (formerly; occasionally) | Retired | |
| Hunter Zolomon | Jay Garrick/The Flash | Earth-2 | Inactive | Team Flash (formerly) | Revealed to be a villain in disguise; deceased |
Villainous vigilantes
| Image | Name | Alter ego | Universe | Status | Works with | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Helena Bertinelli | Huntress | Earth-1 | Inactive | Incarcerated | |
| Manchester Black | Earth-38 | Inactive | The Elite | Deceased | |
| Colton | Earth-1 | Inactive | The Hoods | Incarcerated | |
| Carrie Cutter | Cupid | Earth-1 | Inactive | Suicide Squad | Incarcerated |
| Jeff Deveau | Earth-1 | Inactive | The Hoods | Incarcerated | |
| Bertrand Eldon | Executioner | Earth-1 Earth-Prime | Inactive | Deceased | |
| Joseph Falk | The Savior | Earth-1 | Inactive | Deceased | |
| Pamela Ferrer | Menagerie | Earth-38 | Inactive | The Elite | Incarcerated |
| Phillip Karnowsky | Earth-38 | Inactive | Incarcerated | ||
| Lonnie Machin | Anarky | Earth-1 | Inactive | Incarcerated | |
|
| Malcolm Merlyn | Dark Archer | Earth-1 | Inactive | Reformed; deceased | |
| Tommy Merlyn | Dark Archer | Earth-2 | Inactive | Reformed; deceased | |
| Joseph Monteleone | Tar Pit | Earth-1 | Inactive | Incarcerated | |
| Hartley Rathaway | Pied Piper | Earth-1 Earth-Prime | Active | Original multiverse Team Flash (occasionally) | Reformed in Pre-Crisis timeline |
| Isaac Stanzler | Earth-1 | Inactive | Deceased | ||
| Unnamed | Mo | Earth-38 | Inactive | The Elite | Incarcerated |
| Unnamed | Hat | Earth-38 Earth-Prime | Inactive | Original multiverse The Elite | Original multiverse Incarcerated |
Known vigilante teams
Some vigilantes/superheroes would operate in teams, with their different skills used to support each other.
Heroes
- Legends
- Superfriends
- The Legion
- Guardian's team
- Team Arrow
- Canaries (in a possible future)
- Team Flash
- Barry Allen/The Flash (co-leader)
- Cisco Ramon/Vibe
- Iris West-Allen (co-leader)
- Joe West
- Caitlin Snow/Frost
- Ralph Dibny/Elongated Man
- Nora West-Allen/XS (erased from existence)
- Freedom Fighters
Former vigilantes
Heroes
- Helena Bertinelli/Huntress (turned rogue; incarcerated)
- Ted Grant/Wildcat (retired)
- Carter Hall/Hawkman (deceased)
- Roy Harper/Arsenal (retired; resumed vigilantism in a potential future)
- Curtis Holt/Mr. Terrific (retired; left for a job in Washington D.C.)
- Thea Queen/Speedy (retired)
- Harrison "H.R." Wells (deceased)
- Laurel Lance/Black Canary (deceased)
- Ronnie Raymond/Firestorm (deceased)
- Kendra Saunders/Hawkgirl (retired)
- Evelyn Sharp/Artemis (secretly a villain; status unknown)
- Leonard Snart/Captain Cold (deceased)
- Eddie Thawne (deceased)
- Eobard Thawne/Reverse-Flash (former leader of Team Flash; secretly a villain)
- Scythian Torvil/Hawkman (retired)
- "Jay Garrick"/The Flash (secretly a villain; deceased)
- Rory Regan/Ragman (leave of absence; status unknown)
- Isaac Stanzler (deceased)
- Martin Stein/Firestorm (deceased)
- Jefferson "Jax" Jackson (leave of absence)
- Harry Wells (retired; returned to Earth-2)
- Emiko Adachi/Green Arrow (secretly a villain)
- Birds of Prey (inactive)
- Barbara Gordon/Batgirl/Oracle (deceased)
- Dinah Redmond (deceased)
- Helena Kyle/Huntress (deceased)
Criminals
- The Hoods (inactive)
- Aglin (incarcerated)
- Baker (incarcerated)
- Colton (incarcerated)
- Jeff Deveau (incarcerated)
- The Elite (inactive)
- Manchester Black (leader; deceased)
- Pamela Ferrer/Menagerie (incarcerated)
- Hat (incarcerated)
- Mo (incarcerated)
