If there’s a cooler trope than the “lone wolf vigilante”, we’ve yet to see it – which explains why superhero comics are jam-packed with solitary crimefighters. Yet many of these supposed “solo acts” aren’t quite the independent agents they claim to be. Instead, they depend on support from their wider network of spandex-clad allies when it’s time to fight the good fight.
This doesn’t mean they’ve gone soft – on the contrary, most of these guys remain just as gruff and aloof as ever. It’s just that even the most self-sufficient costumed adventurers need help from time to time. Don’t believe us? Then check out this list of 10 “Loner” Superheroes Who Totally Rely On Other People, which features some of the most famous outsiders in the business!
Batman
Over his 80-year history, Batman has cultivated a reputation as the ultimate “lone avenger” superhero, which is a huge part of the Dark Knight’s appeal… but it’s also total baloney. Ever since Robin arrived on the scene in 1940 – only a year after Batman’s own debut – the Caped Crusader has depended on the ever-expanding “Bat-family” of supporting characters.
Over the years, this network has included fellow vigilantes like Batgirl and Nightwing, older right-hand men like Alfred and Lucius Fox, and law enforcement officers like Jim Gordon and Renee Montoya. Then there’s Batman’s decades-long bromance with Superman and his membership of teams like the Justice League, Outsiders and Batman Incorporated – hardly what you’d expect from a loner!
The Hulk
For a guy who claims he just wants to be left alone, the Hulk sure is a sociable cat. Right from the get-go, the Jade Giant was accompanied almost everywhere by Rick Jones, and it was thanks to the plucky teenager that Hulk’s early rampages were kept (relatively) contained.
But it’s not like Rick is the Green Goliath’s only friend. Far from it, in fact – not only was Hulk a founding member of the Avengers, he got in on the ground floor when the Defenders first formed, too. It’s not just supergroups that Hulk has joined forces with, either; during the Planet Hulk storyline, he headed up a band of outlaw gladiators that snowballed into a planet-wide revolution!
Wolverine
In fairness to Wolverine, he has spend decent stretches of his lengthy career on his lonesome, whether that be aimlessly roaming the wilderness or pursuing targets as a mercenary. Yet Logan’s appreciation for “alone time” pales in comparison to his willingness to sign-on with just about any superhero team that will take him.
Seriously: dude has been an X-Man and an Avenger, filled-in for the Fantastic Four, and undertaken stints with both Alpha Flight and X-Force. Wolverine has also proven eager to buddy up with practically every other superhero (and more than a few villains) when the situation calls for it…
Grifter
Casual comics fans probably won’t be familiar with Grifter, the gun-toting special forces soldier-turned-superhero from the Wildstorm corner of the DC Universe. Suffice it to say, Cole Cash’s traumatic backstory – think military experimentation, brainwashing, and general cloak and dagger skulduggery – has left him somewhat disinclined to partake in group crimefighting activities.
But this isolationist streak isn’t as inflexible as it first appears. After all, Grifter is an original member of the WildC.A.T.S., was a major player at Team 7 and even became the first man inducted into the women-only outfit, Coda! On top of all this, there’s also his readiness to partner-up with fellow Wildstorm native Midnighter seemingly every other week.
Namor
Although Prince Namor has the entire Atlantean army at his beck and call, he generally prefers to fight his own fights – which is handy, as few superheroes or villains can stand working with him. At the same time, considering the Sub-Mariner is confident in (and downright arrogant about) his own martial prowess, he rarely asks for help, anyway.
Yet there have several instances over the course of Namor’s lengthy lifespan where he’s been forced to swallow his pride and play nice with others to achieve his goals. Indeed, Namor’s experience with superhero teams dates back to WWII group the Invaders, and in the years since, he’s also been part teams such as the Avengers, the Defenders, the Illuminati, the X-Men, the Cabal and many, many more.
Rorschach
Of all the reclusive figures on this list, Rorschach is arguably the loneliest. After all, he’s got no family or friends in his civilian life, while almost all of Watchmen’s wider superhero fraternity has written him off as a creepy nutjob. However, despite all evidence to the contrary, Rorschach is nevertheless somebody who relies heavily on others.
Think about it: a sizeable chunk of Rorschach’s early career was spent in partnership with the second Nite-Owl – alongside whom he nearly joined the aborted Crimebusters supergroup. And while he returned to flying solo after Nite-Owl retired, the duo ultimately reunited to investigate the “Mask Killer” mystery – and only after Nite-Owl helps Rorschach bust out of prison!
Moon Knight
Often referred to as the Marvel Universe’s answer to Batman, Moon Knight is likewise a staunchly independent operator who nonetheless can’t seem to say no to a team-up. To be honest, his penchant for buddying up with other superheroes is a tad surprising – we’d have thought that he’d have all the company he needs, suffering from multiple personality disorder as he does!
Jokes aside, though, Moon Knight really is more of a team player than his public image would suggest. So far, his name has appeared on the line-up sheet for several superhero squads since he debuted in 1975, including three Avengers teams (West Coast, Secret and, er…vanilla), the Defenders, Heroes for Hire and the Marvel Knights – not bad for a recluse.
Swamp Thing
As you might expect from a hulking plant elemental, Swamp Thing largely eschews human interaction beyond the company of his partner Abby Arcane. Instead, he prefers to chill out in the bayous of Louisiana, which makes sense: unlike most heroes, Swamp Thing’s focus is on protecting the environment, something he is uniquely equipped to do.
But even anthropomorphic vegetable creatures need support from time to time, and as such, Swamp Thing has engaged with the DC Universe’s superhero community on numerous occasions. Whether it’s fighting alongside fellow conservationist Animal Man or magical conman John Constantine, or even moonlighting with Justice League Dark, Swamp Thing isn’t averse to team-ups…just so long as the end result is good for the planet.
Doctor Strange
Doctor Strange’s duties as Earth’s Sorcerer Supreme mean that his life is an inherently solitary one. After all, as the foremost Master of the Mystic Arts in the Marvel Universe, the otherworldly opponents he faces are threats that only he is equipped to deal with. So even though the good doctor would no doubt love to share his workload with his fellow superheroes, this isn’t typically a luxury afforded to him.
That said, in those rare instances where he does require the aid of others, Strange gladly seeks it out. Aside from recruiting individual crimefighters like Spider-Man as needed, Strange has been a full-blown, card-carrying member of the Avengers, the Defenders, and the Illuminati, and has a strong association with other colorful clubs like the Order and the Midnight Sons. Let’s not forget Wong, either – the Sorcerer Supreme’s self-described “chef, housekeeper, martial arts instructor, mystical guardian, and insatiable adventurer” – without whom Strange would be completely lost!
Punisher
The poster child for superhero loners, the Punisher is the very definition of the term “one-man army”, as he’s more than content to wage war against the underworld without back-up. The flipside is also true: Frank Castle’s ultra-violent approach to vigilantism means that most clean-cut superheroes want nothing to do with him, either.
Yet a born soldier like Frank knows the value of reinforcements, which is why he’s forged unlikely partnerships with Spider-Man, Nightcrawler, and Daredevil (among others) over the years. He’s also briefly been a Defender, an Avenger, a Thunderbolt and a Hero for Hire. What’s more, Frank has recruited longer-term allies like tech genius Microchip, and even befriended – as much as a guy like Frank can befriend anyone – his civilian neighbors while living incognito in a New York apartment block.