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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 abilities, 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]

Quick Answers

What is the concept behind a hooded vigilante? toggle section
A hooded vigilante is an individual who independently enforces justice, often due to perceived inadequacies in the official legal system. They typically adopt a unique persona, such as Batman, a notable vigilante. Their motivations can range from pursuing justice to personal revenge. Despite lacking superhuman abilities, they can attain public admiration, occasionally being perceived as 'superheroes'.
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How does the vigilante concept relate to anarchy? toggle section
The vigilante concept relates to anarchy as it involves individuals bypassing established law enforcement, often due to mistrust in the police and court systems' ability to administer justice. This self-governance and disregard for legal systems can lead to anarchy. However, vigilantes' motives can differ, with some driven by personal revenge or antagonism, rather than justice.
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What is the role of a vigilante when the police aren't enough? toggle section
A vigilante steps in when they perceive the police and courts as inadequate in dealing with crime. They independently enforce the law, often in situations where crime is rampant or the justice system is viewed as unreliable. However, motivations for vigilantism vary, with some driven by personal revenge or antagonism. The vigilante concept is often linked with anarchy, as it involves individuals taking law enforcement into their own hands.
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How does Quentin Lance feel about vigilantes? toggle section
Quentin Lance, a sworn police officer, initially disapproves of vigilantes, equating their actions to a path towards anarchy. However, he concedes that there are circumstances where the police force falls short, and vigilantes could fill that gap. His views evolve over time, acknowledging the sacrifices made by the Vigilante for the city's citizens, indicating a change in his stance.
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What are the potential dangers of vigilantism according to Quentin Lance? toggle section
Quentin Lance warns that vigilantism can pave the way to anarchy, as it empowers individuals to enforce the law, a power he deems perilous. While he upholds that law enforcement and courts should dispense justice, he concedes their limitations. He also notes that not all vigilantes act for justice; some are driven by personal vendetta or antagonism.
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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.

After Kate mysteriously disappeared, following the explosion of her private jet, she is presumed dead and a woman named Ryan Wilder discovered the Batsuit among the wreckage and briefly assumed the mantle of Batwoman, but she gave the suit back to Luke Fox and Mary Hamilton after concluding that she is not worthy to use it. But after saving Gotham's citizens, Ryan received Luke and Mary’s blessing to operate as Batwoman in Kate’s place, at least until Kate returns, becoming the second Batwoman and part of the Bat Team in the process.

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 the greatest of heroes.

Earth-TUD25[]

The Last Son of Krypton[]

After taking refuge on Earth following the destruction of his home planet Krypton, Clark Kent would become the world-famous superhero known as Superman, debuting in Metropolis. Clark would later move to his hometown of Smallville, along with his wife Lois and their two sons.

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
The League
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 Sentinel 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
The League
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)
Mia Queen's team
Sent to 2040 with her former history erased
Jay Garrick The Flash Earth-3 Active Team Flash (occasionally; formerly) Retired to train a new Flash
Ted Grant Wildcat Earth-1 Inactive Team Arrow (occasionally; formerly) Retired
Scythian Torvil Hawkman Earth-1 Inactive Legends Retired
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
The League
Clark Kent Superman Earth-TUD25 Active
Clark Kent Superman Earth-38
Earth-Prime
Active Original multiverse
Superfriends (occasionally)
New multiverse
Superfriends (occasionally)
The League
Clark Kent Superman Earth-96 (original multiverse)
Earth-96 (new multiverse)
Active Original multiverse
Paragons (formerly)
Clark Kent Superman Earth-167 Inactive Retired; gave up his powers to start a family
Kate Kane Batwoman Earth-1
Earth-Prime
Inactive Original multiverse
Luke Fox
Paragons
New multiverse
Luke Fox
Paragons
The League
Passed the mantle on to Ryan Wilder
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)
Sara Lance The Canary (formerly)
White Canary
Earth-1
Earth-Prime
Active Original multiverse
Team Arrow (formerly)
Legends
New multiverse
Team Arrow (formerly)
Legends
Paragons
The League
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
The League
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
Mia Queen's team (possible future)
Team Arrow (briefly)
Oliver Queen Green Arrow Earth-1
Earth-Prime
Inactive Original multiverse
Team Arrow
New multiverse
Team Arrow
The League (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)
Retired; left to run for mayor
Cisco Ramon Vibe (formerly)
Mecha-Vibe
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)
Presumed 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, Mia Queen
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 from existence
Eddie Thawne Earth-1 Inactive Team Flash (formerly) Deceased
Eobard Thawne Harrison Wells Earth-1
Earth-Prime
Inactive Team Flash (formerly) Revealed to be a villain in disguise
Bruce Wayne Batman Earth-1
Earth-Prime
Inactive Lucius Fox (formerly) Luke Fox (formerly) Left Gotham City
Harry Wells Earth-2 Inactive Team Flash (formerly)
Jesse Wells' team (formerly)
Harrison Wells H. R. Randolf Earth-19 Inactive Team Flash Deceased
Harrison Nash Wells Pariah (formerly) Earth-TUD12 Inactive Team Flash Merged into the Artificial Speed Force
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 Team Flash
Joe West Earth-1
Earth-Prime
Active Team Flash
Nora West-Allen XS Earth-1
Earth-Prime
Active Team Flash
Bart West-Allen Impulse Earth-Prime Active Team Flash
Wally West Kid Flash
(current timeline)
The Flash
(Flashpoint timeline)
Earth-1
Earth-Prime
Active Team Flash (formerly)
Legends (formerly)
Left Team Flash and later joined the Legends for a brief time
Ryan Wilder Batwoman Earth-Prime Active Bat Team
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
Hartley Rathaway Pied Piper Earth-1
Earth-Prime
Active 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[]

Team Flash's power pose

Some vigilantes/superheroes would operate in teams, with their different skills used to support each other.

Heroes[]

Former vigilantes[]

Heroes[]
Criminals[]

Trivia[]

  • The greatest irony is that while vigilantes do cause crazy supervillains to emerge in response to them, in truth they end up doing a much better job at cleaning up regular crime in their cities than the police; due to making direct and quick actions against crime, thanks to ignoring the process that would give the culprits time to escape.
    • Rene Ramirez acknowledges this concept in "Inmate 4587", where due to Team Arrow's absence, crime in Star City skyrocketed within five months.
    • It was even acknowledged that Batman's absence caused Gotham to need the Crows Security to be founded to deal with massive resurgence of crime. Since criminals were no longer in check due to their fear of the Bat.
    • Flash is honored and respected as the hero of Central City, where even a holiday called Flash Day; possibly due to the fact arresting him is impossible due his speed. Ironically Team Flash is left alone, aside from Frost, whom was able to get absolvement for her crimes much like Oliver.
    • Black Lightning is accepted as a hero and never is targeted by law enforcement. Largely due to his previous heroics in the 1990s. Instead, Lightning got targeted, since she was young and could be pinned for crimes by meta racists.
    • The Superfriends are left alone, since they are comprised of aliens with powers. Though cops targeted Guardian out of racism after his helmet broke. The only major fallout was in "Nightmare in National City", where the government made the bonehead move of attacking the Nightmare Monster while the Superfriends were sending it back to the Dream World; then spinning public opinion against them when they had to interfere.
  • It's implied there are no vigilantes in the 31st century. According to Saturn Girl, the Legion of Super-Heroes doesn't count; they were founded during galactic turmoil as a peacekeeping force, and remain an officially recognized organization.

References[]