Summary

  • Magic users in the DC Universe are diverse, powerful, and essential to great storytelling.
  • Constantine uses knowledge and manipulation to defeat more powerful foes, including gods.
  • Zatanna's Logomancy and ties to the Dark Multiverse make her one of the most competent magic users.

Magic users are some of the most important, powerful, and popular heroes and villains in the DC Universe. What makes magic users so popular is the versatility behind each character. Despite utilizing the same powers and skills, the sheer difference between certain characters is uncanny and makes for great storytelling.

10 Strongest Justice League Dark Members In DC Comics, Ranked
10 Strongest Justice League Dark Members In DC Comics, Ranked

Justice League Dark is made up of a wide variety of unique and powerful beings to grapple with mystical threats. These are their strongest members.

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From dedicated sorcerers like Felix Faust to beings of pure magical energy like Hecate, or gifted prodigies like Zatanna to the demon celestial Trigon, the DC Universe is full of interesting magic users.

16 John Zatara

The Master Magician

  • First Appearance - Action Comics #1 (1938)
  • Real Name - Giovanni Zatara
  • Creator - Fred Guardineer
  • Status - Hero

Giovanni Zatara, better known as John Zatara (or just Zatara), is a powerful magician who was once the Justice League's resident magic user before his daughter took the mantle. He is the staple of what a magic user should be in the DC Universe.

Although he isn't the most powerful, he has extensive knowledge of the mystic arts, and all things magical. Famous magic user John Constantine even stated that Zatara was the greatest sorcerer of his generation. With Telepathy, Healing, and Logomancy, Zatara is a well-versed magic user.

15 John Constantine

The Hellblazer

  • First Appearance - Swamp Thing #37 (1985)
  • Real Name - John Constantine
  • Creator - Alan Moore
  • Status - Hero

John Constantine is one of the most knowledgeable magic users in the DC Universe. Although he lacks natural raw power, Constantine has learned all the magic that Earth has to offer and uses his knowledge to beat more powerful opponents.

Constantine uses his knowledge and quick thinking to defeat, manipulate, and blackmail powerful members of the DC Universe. He has manipulated the Spectre, helped to defeat Trigon, and has even blackmailed The Presence (God) himself. What Constantine lacks in raw potential he certainly makes up for with his silver tongue and deception.

14 Felix Faust

The Master Of The Dark Arts

  • First Appearance - Justice League of America #10 (1962)
  • Real Name - Felix Faust
  • Creator - Gardner Fox
  • Status - Villain

Felix Faust is an evil sorcerer who often clashes with the Justice League and, more recently, Justice League Dark. Before Flashpoint, Faust was one of DC's most powerful magic users, usually going toe-to-toe with the Justice League and coming out on top in some scenarios. However, post-Flashpoint, Faust's power is significantly decreased. However, he still remains a threat.

Faust is obsessed with gaining more and more power, constantly seeking out new forms of magic and making deals with more powerful beings. At one point, Faust sells his sole to the Devil, gaining immortality and allowing him to summon the Demons Three.

13 Shazam/Black Adam

The Wizards Champions

  • First Appearance - Whiz Comics #2 (1940) / The Marvel Family #1 (1945)
  • Real Name - Billy Batson / Teth-Adam
  • Creator - Bill Parker / Otto Binder
  • Status - Hero / Villain

Both Shazam (Billy Batson) and Black Adam (Teth-Adam) both received the powers of the wizard Shazam. Although they don't use magic in the conventional sense like casting spells or enchantments, their powers are purely magical based. With the powers of Shazam, they are both some of the strongest characters in DC.

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They are both empowered by the Wisdom of Solomon, Strength of Hercules, Stamina of Atlas, Power of Zeus, Courage of Achilles, and Speed of Mercury. With the strength of Hercules, they are often on par with Superman's strength.

12 Circe

The Goddess Of Magic

  • First Appearance - Wonder Woman #37 (1949)
  • Real Name - Circe
  • Creator - Robert Kanigher
  • Status - Villain

Circe, often referred to as the Goddess of Magic, is an immortal witch who's said to be the daughter of Helios, the personification of the Sun. With her immortality, she is said to have lived for thousands of years and thus is one of the most knowledgeable beings in DC.

With her vast knowledge, she is competent in all forms of earthly magic but prefers to use Animal Metamorphosis to transform men into Ani-Men. Under Circe’s command, the Ani-Men (Beastiamorphs) will do anything she asks, and with increased strength, speed, and durability, they can go toe to toe with powerful heroes like Wonder Woman.

11 Raven

The Daughter Of Darkness

  • First Appearance - DC Comics Presents #29 (1980)
  • Real Name - Rachel Roth
  • Creator - Marv Wolfman
  • Status - Hero

Raven is the daughter and herald of one of the most powerful beings in all of DC, the Celestial Demon, Trigon. Inheriting Trigon's power, Raven has some of the most raw potential in DC and is one of the most powerful heroes. The only thing holding Raven back is her lack of experience and knowledge.

teen titans trigon raven beast boy
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Being a Human-Demon hybrid and combined with her magical powers, Raven can use Psychokinesis, allowing her to manipulate and alter astral forces, influence and control minds, generate energy, and manipulate matter, down to the atomic level.

10 Phantom Stranger

The Man Who Betrayed Jesus Of Nazareth

  • First Appearance - Phantom Stranger #1 (1952)
  • Real Name - Judas Iscariot
  • Creator - John Broome
  • Status - Neutral

The Phantom Stranger was given Divine Empowerment when cursed to walk the earth forever after betraying Jesus of Nazareth. When Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus of Nazareth, he was overwhelmed by guilt and chose to end his own life. When he awoke expecting Heaven or Hell, he was greeted by the Council of Wizards and cursed to roam the earth for all eternity to atone for his sins.

The Phantom Stranger was later chosen by the Presence (God) to be his eternal servant. Allowing him the chance at salvation, the Presence (God) gave the Phantom Stranger incredible power. With Divine Empowerment, the Phantom Stranger is one of the most powerful magic users on Earth.

9 Zatanna Zatara

The Mistress Of Magic

  • First Appearance - Hawkman #4 (1964)
  • Real Name - Zatanna Zatara
  • Creator - Julius Schwartz
  • Status - Hero

Zatanna Zatara is one of the best mortal magic users in all of DC. As a Homo Magi, Zatanna has greater control over her magic than normal humans, allowing her to use spells and techniques deemed too dangerous for others. Being the daughter of John Zatara, Zatanna has spent her entire life learning, practicing, and developing her magical abilities.

Zatanna's main form of magic is Logomancy. With Logomancy, Zatanna speaks her spells backward and can essentially make the impossible possible. It’s said part of Zatanna's powers when using Logomany comes from the Dark Multiverse, Otherkind. As a member of the Justice League, and often leader of Justice League Dark, Zatanna is one of the most competent magic users in all of DC.

8 Merlin

The Most Famous Wizard Of All Time

Merlin
  • First Appearance - Adventure Comics #3 (1936)
  • Real Name - Myrdin Wyld
  • Creator - Rafael Astartia
  • Status - Hero

Merlin is perhaps the most famous example of a magic user in all the DC mythos. Merlin was once the aid to the legendary King Arthur and continued to battle evil long after his death. During his time as the protector of Camelot, Merlin created many forms of magic that would later influence the likes of Constantine and Zatanna.

Merlin, like Raven, is a Human/Demon Hybrid and grandson to Trigon, giving him incredible amounts of raw power. Combined with his vast knowledge and experience, it's clear to see why Merlin is one of the strongest magic users in all of DC.

7 Mordru

The Dark Lord

Mordru
  • First Appearance - Adventure Comics #369 (1968)
  • Real Name - Wrynn
  • Creator - Jim Shooter
  • Status - Villain

Mordru, or Mordru the Merciless, is a being of pure energy that has possessed many host bodies over the past thousands of years. It is said that Mordru has partaken in every cruel thought that man has had for the past thousand years and intends to do so for another thousand years.

Mordru is a Lord of Chaos, the direct opposite of the Lords of Order, and thus can use magic with no restriction or limit, bending reality to his will. His magical power is beyond measure and he was one of the first magic users on earth giving him thousands of years to master his skills.