Superman killed the Joker.
That one sentence basically rewired how we look at DC fighting games. When Injustice: Gods Among Us dropped back in 2013, NetherRealm Studios didn't just give us a Mortal Kombat reskin; they handed us a tragedy. They took the "World’s Finest" and broke them. But the real magic isn’t just in the edgy story—it’s in how the Injustice characters actually play. Whether you’re a veteran of the FGC (Fighting Game Community) or just a comic book nerd who likes seeing Batman punch a god in the face, the roster across both games represents a masterclass in archetype design.
Honestly, it’s a bit of a mess if you try to track every single variant, but let's get into the weeds of who these people are and why they matter.
The Pillars: Superman and Batman
You can't talk about Injustice characters without starting at the top. Superman is the "big bad" here, which still feels weird to say out loud even years later. In the first game, he was a powerhouse—huge damage, decent zoning with the heat vision, and that annoying-as-hell "Super Breath" that could reset a combo. By Injustice 2, he felt a bit more refined but no less oppressive.
Then there's Batman. Batman is the technical king. If you’ve spent any time on the ranked ladders, you know the "Batman main" stereotype: lots of jumping, constant mechanical bats (his character power), and enough gadgets to make a Swiss Army knife look pathetic. He’s the ultimate jack-of-all-trades. He has a tool for every single situation, which makes him a nightmare to play against if the person behind the controller actually knows their frame data.
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The Joker and Harley Quinn: Chaos incarnate
Joker is the reason everything went south. In terms of gameplay, he's always been a "setup" character. You’re throwing teeth, you’re using crowbars, and you’re trying to catch your opponent off guard with high-low mixups. He’s not easy to play. You'll probably lose your first ten matches with him.
Harley, on the other hand, stole the show in the sequel. Her character arc in the story is genuinely great—moving from a victim of the Joker to a key member of the Insurgency—but her gameplay is where she shines. She’s got the dogs, the hammers, and the pistols. She’s a "rushdown" character with incredible mobility. If you like staying in someone's face and not letting them breathe, Harley is your go-to.
The Zoning Kings: Dealing with the "Spammers"
Look, we’ve all been there. You’re playing online, and you get matched against a Deadshot or a Deathstroke. It’s infuriating.
- Deathstroke (Injustice 1): The original controller-breaker. His guns were so fast and hit so hard that "zoning" (keeping your opponent away with projectiles) became the defining meta of the first game.
- Deadshot (Injustice 2): He took Deathstroke’s mantle and made it worse. His wrist cannons and rifle shots had almost zero recovery time at launch.
- Dr. Fate: He’s the more "magical" version of this. While the gun users are annoying, Dr. Fate is sophisticated. He uses Ankhs and orbs to control the screen. It's beautiful to watch and miserable to play against.
The community gets heated about these Injustice characters. Some people think zoning is a "cheap" way to win, but pros like SonicFox have proven that it takes immense skill to manage space perfectly while someone is trying to cave your skull in.
The Weird Ones: Gorilla Grodd and Swamp Thing
NetherRealm likes to throw in some curveballs. Gorilla Grodd is a "grappler." He wants to get close, grab you, and break your spine. He even has telepathic abilities that can stun you or cancel your moves. He’s heavy. He feels like a tank.
Then there’s Swamp Thing. Honestly? Most people struggle with him. He’s slow. Like, really slow. But his reach is insane. He can sprout vines from across the stage and pull you into the ground. He’s a "specialist" character—you either main him and know every niche trick, or you never touch him at all. There is no middle ground with Alec Holland.
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The Ladies of Injustice: More Than Just Support
Wonder Woman in these games is... complicated. In the story, she’s basically Lady Macbeth, whispering in Superman’s ear. In the game, she has a unique stance-switch mechanic. She can swap between her sword/shield and her lasso. It’s a lot to manage, but a good Wonder Woman is untouchable because she can adapt to your playstyle on the fly.
Black Canary was a massive addition in the second game. She’s a pure martial artist. No guns, no lasers, just hands (and a sonic scream). Her "Canary Cry" is a timed character power—the longer you wait, the stronger the stun. It’s a high-risk, high-reward mechanic that makes her one of the most satisfying characters to master.
Why the Guests Matter
We can't ignore the guest Injustice characters. Seeing Sub-Zero and Raiden show up was a cool nod to the Mortal Kombat roots, but the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles? That was a stroke of genius. The way they implemented all four turtles into one character slot—selectable by changing your "weapon" gear—is still one of the most creative things I’ve seen in a fighting game. Each turtle has a slightly different move set and personality. It wasn't just a gimmick; they were actually viable in competitive play.
What Most People Miss About the Stats
One thing the casual player doesn't realize is how much the "Gear System" in Injustice 2 changed the characters. You weren't just playing as The Flash; you were playing as your Flash.
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- Strength: Increases damage on basic attacks.
- Ability: Makes your special moves (like the lightning bolts) hit harder.
- Defense: Reduces the damage you take while blocking.
- Health: Pretty self-explanatory—it's your life bar.
This meant that in "Multiverse" modes, a level 30 Brainiac could be built as a glass cannon or a literal wall. While this was mostly disabled in competitive "Ranked" play to keep things fair, it added a layer of RPG-style depth that kept the game alive way longer than its predecessor.
The Forgotten: Characters Left Behind
It’s a bit sad looking back at the first game’s roster. Characters like Raven, Nightwing (Dick Grayson), and Ares didn’t make the cut for the sequel. Nightwing is particularly missed because his staff/eskrima stick switching was incredibly fluid. Sure, we got Robin (Damian Wayne) in the second game, but it’s not the same. The "Staff of Grayson" ability in Injustice 2 is a rare loot drop that lets Robin use Dick’s old moves, but the RNG is so brutal that some players have logged hundreds of hours without ever seeing it.
The Practical Side: Who Should You Play?
If you're just jumping in, don't pick a "technical" character like Captain Cold or Dr. Fate right away. You’ll get frustrated.
Start with Supergirl. She’s arguably the most beginner-friendly character in the franchise. She has a teleport that catches people off guard, a simple frost breath to freeze enemies, and her lasers can be fired from the air or ground. She’s mobile, forgiving, and has a very high ceiling once you start learning her "optic blast" cancels.
If you want something a bit "chunkier," go for Bane. There is nothing quite as satisfying as pumping yourself up with Venom, ignoring an opponent's hit (thanks to armor), and slamming them into the pavement. Just watch out for the "Venom Debuff" afterward, or you’ll be a sitting duck.
Actionable Insights for Injustice Players
To actually get good at these games, you need to look past the flashy supers and focus on the fundamentals:
- Learn the "Interacts": Every stage has objects you can throw or jump off of. Some characters (Power types) throw them, while others (Agility types) use them to escape corners. Know which one you are.
- Manage your Meter: Don't just burn your "Super Move" the second you get it. Using meter for "Meter Burn" special moves or "Clash" breaks is almost always a better use of your resources.
- The Clash System: If you’re down to your last health bar, you can initiate a Clash. This is a betting game with your meter. If you win, you gain health. If you lose, you take massive damage. It’s the ultimate "bluff" mechanic.
- Frame Data is King: If you keep getting hit after you block, it’s because your move is "unsafe." Check the move list; if a move has a high negative number on block, stop using it as a finisher.
The Injustice characters are more than just a list of names; they are a weird, dark, and incredibly deep collection of archetypes that redefined what a DC game could be. Whether we ever get an Injustice 3 or not, this roster remains the gold standard for how to handle a licensed fighting game property.
To start improving your game right now, head into the Practice Mode and turn on "Frame Data" in the settings. Pick your favorite character and find one "string" (a series of button presses) that is "plus on block." This means that even if your opponent blocks it, it's still your turn to attack. Mastering this one concept will put you ahead of 90% of casual players online.