The world of DC Comics is populated by a variety of heroes and villains, from wholesome protagonists like Superman to terrifying agents of chaos like Joker. In between these two extremes exist a variety of heroes who, either from moral ambiguity or immense power, are just as terrifying as some of the villains. Ranging from monsters ripped from the pages of classical literature to unique creations of comic book legends, these superheroes show a good guy doesn't have to be fun or relatable.

A hero can be scary for a number of reasons, with some of the most terrifying good guys actually being among the noblest of characters out there. From eerie designs and shocking backstories to disturbed personalities and lethal means of fighting villainy, the Justice League can consider themselves fortunate to have these beings as allies, rather than enemies. While they can't all sustain their own series, these scary superheroes are a delight any time they appear on the page.

10 Mogo

Created by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons

Mogo is a living planet in the DCU who, oddly enough, also happens to be a Green Lantern. In fact, he's one of the Corps' most powerful . Much like Marvel's Ego the Living Planet, Mogo has full sentience and control over his ecosystem, giving him the ability to trap beings who mean him harm, and to unleash his natural flora upon them.

Fortunately, Mogo rarely asserts himself over others, and the terror of his existence all comes down to his potential. After all, if he wanted to, this Green Lantern could become a literal planet-killer, capable of using his equator-sized power ring against anyone he wants. Despite the scary potential of the living planet, heroes can rest easy knowing that Mogo ranks among the noblest of creatures in DC, a prerequisite for possessing a power ring.

9 Blue Devil

Created by Dan Mishkin, Gary Cohn and Paris Cullins

Blue Devil started out as Daniel Cassidy, a Hollywood stuntman working on a film of the same name. However, when his suit was magically bound to his body, he channeled his new appearance into a superhero persona, aiding the likes of Swamp Thing against the forces of darkness. Later, DC sealed the deal in a story that saw the hero turned into an actual demon, which, despite its upsides, left Cassidy feeling more cynical than ever.

Blue Devil is still Daniel Cassidy at heart, but his literal demonic appearance can make him resemble some of DC's scariest beings, such as Trigon and Etrigan. It's no coincidence that, as the years have progressed, the hero has sought refuge in far-away lands like Myrra, which he defended from an onslaught of monsters.

8 Frankenstein: Agent of SHADE

Created by Mary Shelley, Grant Morrison and Doug Mahnke

DC Comics has no shortage of adaptations of characters from pre-existing stories, from Solomon Grundy and Dracula to Zeus and even its own version of Thor. Naturally, the company has its own take on Frankenstein's Monster, a heroic member of the Creature Commandos and agent of the metahuman counter-terrorist organization, SHADE. Putting it simply, Frankenstein is the hero monsters should be afraid of.

DC's Frankenstein takes the Universal Monsters depiction and kicks it up a notch, highlighting the monster's green skin and patchwork body. Despite his noble personality and heroic deeds, the character still stands out for his terrifying appearance and skills in bringing violence to the malevolent monsters of the DCU.

7 Creeper

Created by Steve Ditko

Created by Steve Ditko, Creeper has one of the most confusing lores in DC, due to multiple retcons. These changing stories have explained his origin as everything from the result of a machine to having been transformed by the chemicals that created Joker. Regardless, the antihero's appearance perfectly fits his name, giving DC a heroic figure who more closely resembles Marvel's Green Goblin than a traditional hero.

Creeper's scary nature can depend on who's writing him, with some creative teams leaning into a version who's more bark than bite, while others cast him as a violent vigilante. From his bright yellow skin and green hair to his tendency to crawl about on all fours, Ditko's truly unique character challenges the conventional idea of what a superhero should be.

6 Damage

Created by Robert Venditti and Tony S. Daniel

In the aftermath of Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo's Dark Nights Metal event, DC released its New Age of Heroes, a line of comics that reinvented classic characters and borrowed some Marvel ideas. One of the best creations of this imprint was Damage. The series follows Ethan Avery, a U.S. Army soldier who volunteered for an experimental super soldier program that used Hourman's Miraclo formula to transform him into a living WMD for one hour per day. From there, the monster known as Damage was born.

Damage is basically DC's answer to the Incredible Hulk, with a design that's even more monstrous and imposing. His appearance resembles a mash-up of a silverback gorilla, the original Hulk design and Solomon Grundy, giving the DCU a hero tough enough to stand against Superman himself.

5 Lobo

Created by Keith Giffen and Roger Slifer

While he started out as a cosmic villain, and does alternate between good and evil, Lobo has had some of his best stories told with him fighting on the side of the heroes -- even if only for self-interest. Created as a parody of gritty antiheroes and biker culture, the Main Man is a space-based bounty hunter who only cares about his reputation and having a good time.

Lobo's heroic stories shouldn't fool anyone into thinking he's a good person, especially considering the fact he committed genocide against his own species to ensure he'd be a unique specimen. Combining the powers of Wolverine with the personality of a serial killer, the Main Man is a good ally to have fighting for the good guys, but he'd just as soon sell them out for the right price.

4 Flashpoint Batman

Created by Geoff Johns and Andy Kubert

In DC's main continuity, Batman stands out as one of the most intimidating figures on the Justice League, something enhanced by his breadth of knowledge and tendency to lurk in the shadows. In the classic Flashpoint storyline, everything that makes Bruce Wayne terrifying is kicked up a notch for Thomas, who is a grimdark version of his son. Living in a dystopian alternate reality, the grieving father is haunted by the death of Bruce, turning to alcoholism and violence as a coping mechanism.

If Flashpoint Batman's ultraviolent nature and lethal tactics aren't enough to make him terrifying, his glowing red eyes seal the deal, making him a true creature of the night. When he made his way to Earth-Prime during Tom King and Mikel Janin's run on Batman, he showed himself willing to go so far as to form an alliance with Bane to discourage Bruce's vigilante life. Even after being redeemed, he continued his cynical nature and creepy look.

3 Swamp Thing

Created by Len Wein and Bernie Wrightson

Swamp Thing began life as Alec Holland, a scientist who, along with his wife, was murdered by a shadowy organization known as the Conclave. After his body fell into the nearby swamp, his memories were placed inside the Avatar of the Green: Swamp Thing. Ever since, his story has been that of a monstrous hero gradually coming to with his responsibilities to the natural world, something he balances against his remaining humanity.

Despite his noble intentions, Swamp Thing can be a genuinely terrifying being, especially when he feels the Green is under threat. For those who wander into his swamp -- or any place of nature -- the hero can become a living nightmare, capable of using the Green to his will to end the lives of those who threaten it.

2 Etrigan

Created by Jack Kirby

During the Arthurian age, Merlin bound a knight, Jason Blood, to the demon Etrigan, granting him immortality so long as the hellbound creature is a part of him. When needed, Blood summons the monster to fight the forces of evil, though he can be as violent as he is unpredictable. While typically doing the right thing, he has a history of going off the rails, with one story seeing him attempting to end the world with Lobo.

Etrigan is one of DC's heroes whose horrifying appearance matches his grim methods, with the demon having no problem with lethal force if he deems it necessary. While the creature from Hell can be a great ally to teams like the Justice League Dark, he's as volatile as they come -- and stories like Batman/Demon: A Tragedy show that being bound to Etrigan is a curse.

1 Spectre

Created by Jerry Siegel and Bernard Baily

The Spectre was created to serve as the Spirit of Vengeance for the Presence, DC's answer to God. The hero typically resides within a human host, most often the slain detective Jim Corrigan, who he resurrected to deliver justice to the wicked. These hosts are key to giving the spirit a conscience, balancing humanity against his endless thirst for vengeance. Stories like "Black Vengeance" have shown just how dangerous Spectre can be without a human side.

The Spectre has the power to warp time and reality as he sees fit, which he often does to deliver unique forms of vengeance to evildoers. Not only does the hero have a chilling, ghostly appearance, but he can plunge his worst enemies into living nightmares. By demonstrating these creatively horrific forms of punishment, the Spectre shows just why he is the most terrifying hero in DC Comics.