His Dark Materials: 10 DC Heroes Paired With Their Daemons
From sigils to sidekicks all superheroes come with some sort of symbol that draws the readers or viewer's eye and attention. Who sees a bat without thinking of Batman? Or a robin without thinking of the bird's DC comic incarnation? But just because the animal or symbol represents the public persona of the hero doesn't necessarily mean that it embodies the human being (or alien) underneath.
When we look at the world of His Dark Materials and the daemons who grow up as animal manifestations of a person's soul, what might those manifestations look like paired up with our favorite DC superheroes? Here are just a few thoughts.
10 Robin - Tarsier
For the sake of specificity, this is the Dick Grayson iteration of Robin. One of the Flying Graysons it only makes sense that Dick's daemon should also be able to do a bit of acrobatics. Due to the trauma of Dick's past his daemon wouldn't be one of the more social primates but rather a tarsier, known for their solitary lifestyles.
They are nocturnal (which again would help with Dick/Robin's nighttime work schedule). Tarsiers are also relatively small (though their tails are very long) which makes them convenient for travel as well.
9 Green Arrow - Bald Eagle
Green Arrow gets a bald eagle for his daemon for a few reasons. For one, the eagle has the best eyes in the animal kingdom which certainly match up with Green Arrow's incredible archery ability. Oliver Queen also matches up with the eagle due to his playboy antics.
Before becoming the hero, Green Arrow, Queen was quite the playboy and show off. What would be more beautiful and showy than walking around with a bald eagle at your side (or on your shoulder) o matter what party you were at?
8 Aquaman - Alligator
Arthur Curry is Aquaman in part because he is a man of two worlds, land and sea. That means that his daemon would also need to be able to exist on land as well as in water.
That's why Arthur would likely be followed around by an alligator. Both Arthur and his daemon would make quite the intimidating pair, which is also part of the point. It's easy to see Arthur patting his daemon on the head like a good boy while passersby look on in both awe and horror. It's a good look all around.
7 Shazam - Northern White-Faced Owl
Billy Batson may have been able to infer a little bit about his incredible future as the "adult" superhero Shazam if he had fully examined the capabilities of his White-Faced Owl daemon.
The White-Faced Owl, like Billy himself, is able to change its size, both making itself larger or smaller depending on the threat it faces. The fact that the daemon is a bird certainly also allows it to easily follow Billy/Shazam into the sky when danger or a mission demands it.
6 Catwoman - American Wirehair Cat
Yes, for once the daemon matches the hero/villain herself. Selina Kyle would be partnered with an American Wirehair daemon. Why? Well, for one, the American Wirehair is one of the rarest cat breeds in the world (like Selina herself) and is known to be very strong for their size.
The wirehair also knows how to entertain herself and, while they appreciate the attention, does not always nee it. Her complicated connection with Bruce Wayne/Batman himself also takes on greater complexity as they both would have cat daemons in the world of His Dark Materials.
5 The Flash - Peregrin Falcon
Barry Allen wouldn't just need a fast daemon (like the cheetah) but one who was also used to surviving incredible speed and, was slightly more portable when Barry was on the run.
Peregrines have a long history of working with humans and, like Barry's love for Iris West, Peregrines are a species that mate for life. Barry, as fast as he is, needs to keep his strength up, and Peregrin Falcons are not picky eaters in the slightest.
4 Green Lantern - Platypus
Green Lantern has some of the most alien powers of any DC hero so it only makes sense that he should also have one of the more alien-looking daemons. What's more alien-looking on earth than a platypus? A duckbill?
An otter-like fur? The tail of a beaver? It's as if Green Lantern were trying to use his ring to make something but couldn't quite make up his mind at the moment and came out with a mash-up. Males even have a poisonous spur on their foot for protection, so that could always be helpful.
3 Wonder Woman - Mustang
The free-roaming Mustang sounds like it would be right at home on Themyscira or in the United States. The power and strength, as well as the independence of the mustang, would also fit with Diana, as well as Wonder Woman's, personality perfectly.
With endurance, beauty, and mixed heritage, it's easy to see how the mustang and Diana would pair up in the world of His Dark Materials.
2 Batman - Black Cat
Besides the similarity in "costume" color, and the silence and often unobtrusiveness of a cat, Bruce Wayne would have connected with a sleek cat just as much as his Batman alter ego. As a child with a traumatic past, it would have been helpful to have a daemon that was soft and easy to hold.
A cat's aloof attitude toward most people would also match Bruce's often guarded personality. Add to that the dexterity of a cat and the daemon could easily follow Batman on missions as well as attend high society parties without looking out of place.
1 Superman - Solar-Powered Hornet
Superman (or Clark Kent) can't take his powers on and off with his costume as Batman can, so his daemon would be slightly more connected to his super abilities than some of the other members of his superhero cohort. A solar-powered hornet can produce energy (very much like a plant's photosynthesis) to sustain itself.
The fact that Superman/Clark can fly (like the hornet) and also gains power from the Earth's yellow sun certainly tie Clark and his daemon together in a very special way.