Who is the Oldest DC Hero? Unraveling the Timeless Titans

The question of who reigns as the oldest hero within the vast DC Comics universe is not as straightforward as it might initially appear. While many characters boast incredible lifespans, when considering true “age” in terms of existence, one group stands far above the rest: The Endless. Therefore, the oldest DC hero, if we can even call them heroes in the traditional sense, are The Endless, a family of seven siblings, each an embodiment of a fundamental aspect of existence.

Understanding the Immensity of the Endless

The Endless are not gods in the conventional sense, but rather personifications of cosmic forces. They are:

• Destiny: The oldest of the Endless, he is the embodiment of fate, depicted as a blind man chained to a book containing all of existence.
• Death: Often portrayed as a compassionate and wise figure, she is the embodiment of mortality and the end of life.
• Dream (Morpheus): The embodiment of dreams and stories, he is the lord of the dreaming realm.
• Desire: The embodiment of craving and longing, they are often depicted as androgynous and alluring.
• Despair: The embodiment of hopelessness, they often appear miserable and downtrodden.
• Delirium (formerly Delight): The embodiment of madness and chaos, she is the most unpredictable of the siblings.
• Destruction: The embodiment of change and the dissolution of things, he eventually abandoned his role.

These entities are ageless and have existed since the beginning of the universe, making them far older than any other character in the DC multiverse. They are not bound by time, as we understand it, making traditional age a moot point. While Destiny is the oldest of the Endless, they are all essentially infinite. The Endless operate beyond the concepts of birth and death, solidifying their position as the oldest entities, and, therefore, the oldest heroes in the DC universe, even though their roles are not always heroic.

Other Ancient DC Beings

It’s important to differentiate the Endless from other ancient beings within DC comics. While other entities possess enormous lifespans, they fall short of the infinity represented by the Endless:

• The New Gods: Beings like Darkseid and Highfather, who dwell on the twin planets of Apokolips and New Genesis, are often described as existing beyond the constraints of linear time. However, they are not as primordial as The Endless.
• The Presence: Often depicted as the God of the DC universe, they predate the birth of the universe, making them older than the New Gods. Still, they are often associated with creation, whereas the Endless are an integral part of the universe.
• Monitor: An immensely old and powerful being who exists outside of space and time, the Monitor is billions of years old, but this is still less than infinity.
• Parliament of Trees: An ancient collective of plant consciousness that has existed for an immeasurable amount of time but is still considered to be a part of the planet.
• Martian Manhunter: With an age of 225 million years, he is definitely ancient but is far younger than the Endless.
• Superman Prime: With an age of millions of years, he is incredibly powerful but he is still not as old as the Endless.
• Zealot: At 3,000 years old, she is still young in comparison to all the previously mentioned beings.

These characters, while ancient, exist within the framework of time and are subject to aging or destruction, unlike the Endless, who are integral to the fabric of reality.

The Case of Doctor Occult

It’s worth noting that Doctor Occult, created in 1935, is often cited as the earliest recurring superhero created by DC who is still in use. However, Doctor Occult’s creation in a printed comic is separate from the characters’ “age” within the DC universe itself. He has a human lifespan and does not approach the timeless nature of entities like the Endless.

FAQs: Delving Deeper into DC’s Oldest Heroes

Here are 15 Frequently Asked Questions to further clarify the topic of the oldest DC heroes:

1. Who are the Endless in DC Comics?

The Endless are seven siblings: Destiny, Death, Dream, Desire, Despair, Delirium, and Destruction. They are anthropomorphic personifications of fundamental aspects of existence.

2. Are the Endless gods?

No, the Endless are not gods in the traditional sense. They are more like cosmic concepts given form and consciousness. They are not worshipped, and they exist as forces, rather than deities.

3. How old are the Endless?

The Endless are essentially timeless and exist since the universe’s creation. Their age is infinite, which makes them older than all other beings in the DC universe.

4. Who is the oldest of the Endless?

Destiny is considered the oldest of the Endless. He is often portrayed as being chained to his book, which contains all of time and reality, symbolizing his age and importance.

5. Why are the Endless considered “heroes”?

The Endless’ actions often directly impact events in the universe, and while they have their own agendas and are not necessarily heroic in the traditional sense, they often inadvertently, and sometimes intentionally, act to preserve the balance of reality, thus making them heroes by some definitions.

6. Are the New Gods older than the Endless?

No, despite the New Gods being incredibly ancient, existing beyond time as we know it, they are not as old as the Endless. The Endless predate and are fundamental to the universe itself.

7. How does the Presence compare in age to the Endless?

The Presence, often depicted as the God of the DC universe, is also considered to be ancient and powerful. However, the Endless are still considered more fundamental to the universe and thus older. The Presence is connected to creation, while the Endless are tied to the fundamental aspects of existence.

8. Is Monitor older than the Endless?

No, the Monitor is billions of years old, which is an immense amount of time, but still not infinite. The Endless surpass him in terms of age as they have always existed and are not bound by time.

9. How does Martian Manhunter’s age compare to the Endless?

Martian Manhunter is 225 million years old, making him very old but significantly younger than the Endless, whose existence is timeless.

10. Is Doctor Occult the oldest DC hero?

No, while Doctor Occult is the oldest recurring superhero created by DC Comics who is still in use, his age within the DC universe is normal human lifespan, and he is not an ancient entity.

11. Who are the oldest Marvel heroes?

The oldest Marvel heroes are beings like Galactus, The One Above All, and The Celestials. These beings are comparable to the Endless in terms of their vast, primordial age and influence in the Marvel universe.

12. How old is Superman compared to the Endless?

Superman, despite his incredible powers and extended lifespan, is relatively young compared to the Endless. His existence is bound by time, whereas the Endless exist outside it.

13. Can the Endless die?

The Endless cannot be killed in the traditional sense, as they are essential aspects of existence. They can be harmed or cease to exist in a particular form, but their fundamental concepts will always remain.

14. Who is the oldest supervillain in DC Comics?

Vandal Savage is one of the oldest villains in DC, with his origin traced back over 52,000 years. However, like other heroes, he still falls short of the vast age of the Endless.

15. Do the Endless ever interact with other DC heroes?

Yes, the Endless, especially Dream and Death, have interacted with various DC heroes throughout comics. These interactions often involve complicated narratives that highlight the scope and nature of the Endless.

Conclusion

While characters like Superman, Martian Manhunter, and others boast impressive lifespans, the true age champions within DC Comics are undoubtedly The Endless. Their timeless existence as personifications of fundamental concepts makes them the oldest beings, and therefore, the oldest heroes, operating within the DC Multiverse, even if not in a traditionally heroic fashion. They reign supreme in the echelons of age and significance, underscoring the complexity and rich tapestry of the DC universe.