Hero Helpers: The 10 Best SIDEKICKS in Comic Book History

by <a href=http://www.chrisarrant.com/>Chris Arrant, Newsarama Contributor</a> You've probably noticed that Robin has been in the news lately, given Damian Wayne's evident death in last week's Batman Incorporated #8. Batman's son and partner in vigilantism getting killed off is a big deal in these circles, and we've examined the story from a variety of angels from a <a href=http://www.newsarama.com/comics/pro-and-con-on-the-fate-of-Damian-Wayne.html>debate on whether or not it was a smart move</a>, to <a href=http://www.newsarama.com/comics/is-batman-inc-8-event-permanent.html>pondering if it'll actually stick</a>, unlikely nearly every comic book character death. So we wrap seven days of coverage with a look at where Damian and the Robin mantle itself fits in the annals of the great comic book sidekicks. (Albert Ching contributed to an updated version of this story.) Got a comment? There's lots of conversation on Newsarama's <a href=http://www.facebook.com/Newsarama>FACEBOOK</a> and <a href=http://twitter.com/newsarama>TWITTER</a>!

DEX-STARR

The Red Lantern Corps are known for their brutal and bloody tactics, but the ferocious feline named Dex-Starr reigns supreme when it comics to bloodthirst. Usually seen at the side of Red Lantern leader Atrocitus, Dex-Starr is a magnetizing sight for both hardcore and casual fans the sight of an angry, blood-spewing housecat tends to have that affect. Originally inserted in the background of Green Lantern comics as a joke by artist Shane Davis, writer Geoff Johns seized the moment and developed this cat into a fully fleshed-out force of nature. This former pet was brought into the Red Lantern fold after seeing his human master killed and himself thrown off the Brooklyn Bridge, coming back for revenge) against pretty much anyone standing in the Red Lanterns' way. There's no amount of attention or know-how from Animal Planet's My Cat From Hell host Jackson Galaxy that could make this hellcat tame, though that certainly would make for some must-see TV.

JIMMY OLSEN

Oh, Jimmy. Always a second fiddle to Clark Kent and Lois Lane, but always trying to find a way to break out on your own. This classic character achieved fame with the uniquely specific title of Superman's friend," making him a sidekick if not usually as active of one as some other characters on this list. With his red hair, camera and signature bow tie, Olsen is The Daily Planet's long-time cub reporter and photographer, often seen at first in tow of Lois or Clark in pursuit of their own stories. As time went on, Olsen got into some adventures of his own although Superman is usually within earshot thanks to Olsen's signal watch. Although not introduced as part of The Daily Planet staff in the first appearance of Superman, he made his official debut as a character in a Superman radio serial and was promptly fit into the then-growing DCU pantheon of characters. Although he doesn't wear a costume or have super-powers like most of the sidekicks on our list, Jimmy Olsen is still a sidekick with a set of skills that can make him useful in some unconventional ways.

LOCKHEED

Comics are home to a number of alien superheroes, but none are quite like this entrant. Lockheed is one of his race's bravest fighters, standing toe-to-toe against the Brood and becoming a legend to his people. But it was only when he joined the X-Men that he found his true place. Not bad for a small, purple dragon. Lockheed was introduced in the early '80s as part of Chris Claremont's epic run on Uncanny X-Men, allying himself with Kitty Pryde while they were both imprisoned on an alien planet by the Brood. Since then he's almost always been by Shadowcat's side, whether she be a member of the X-Men, New Mutants, Excalibur or on her own. Lockheed's had some brief solo dalliances with U.N.I.T. and the Pet Avengers, but his place will likely always be by Kitty Pryde's side and he wouldn't have it any other way.

RICK JONES

Being a sidekick can be a temporary position, while others work in an assistant role for decades. For Marvel's Rick Jones, it's a juggling act between each of his various mentors. Originally created as a straight man sidekick to Hulk in 1962's The Incredible Hulk #1, this orphan wandered into the gamma bomb that gave Bruce Banner his powers and found a new friend. After getting fed up with the accidents that always seem to happen when you're rooming with a green-skinned goliath, Rick Jones attempted to start his own ham radio powered super team called the Teen Brigade and lucks into a radio broadcast from Loki that leads him to call some friends who would eventually form the Avengers. Over the years, Jones has been at the side of Marvel characters including the Hulk, the Avengers, Captain America, two different Captain Marvels and even Rom: Spaceknight. He's now a gamma-powered monster himself named A-Bomb, though he's attempting to keep his alter ego in check.

THE NEWSBOY LEGION

Usually a sidekick is a single individual, but sometimes you need more than that. Created by Jack Kirby and Joe Simon back in 1942, the Newsboy Legion were a group of orphans living in the darkest corners of Metropolis. Although they were never model citizens, they befriended cop-turned-superhero the Guardian. In subsequent years they've been killed, cloned, and even pitted against an orphanage with ties to Apokolips. Though they haven't carried their own title or even kept a regular presence in comics since their debut 70+ years ago, the Newsboy Legion is a memorable group of sidekicks that any hero would be lucky to have.

BOB, AGENT OF HYDRA

Deadpool has always been known as a bit of a loose cannon, so the idea of him having a sidekick might seem out of sorts but not when you meet Bob. Bob was a low-level member of the criminal organization of HYDRA that fell into the group after his wife bullied him into it in pursuit of a steady paycheck. Plugging along, Bob's life changed when he crossed paths with Deadpool while the latter was infiltrating HYDRA on one of his typically wacky missions. Using some highly skilled coercion tactics (read: torture), Deadpool turned Bob to his side and that's where he's been ever since as much as Deadpool will let him. Referred to occasionally as Deadpool's minion or pet, Bob's endured multiple gunshots, a case of scurvy and more torture at Deadpool's side. Above all else, the single deed that puts him on our list today was his frank determination in rescuing Deadpool's decapitated head after a face-off with Wolverine and reassembled him. It's times like that you know who your friends are, and Bob must surely be a friend of Deadpool.

HIT-GIRL

The youngest entrant in our countdown today, Mark Millar and John Romita Jr.'s Hit-Girl carved a bloody swath through comics fans' minds When she made her debut in the 2008 miniseries Kick-Ass. This 10 and 1/2 year old street vigilante didn't consider her age or gender a hurdle in becoming the best superhero she or her father, Big Daddy, could ask for. Trained since she was a toddler, by the time that we see her in comics she's what lead character Kick-Ass describes as a combination of Rambo and Polly Pocket. Unlike most sidekicks she's the more front-and-center of her team, with Big Daddy taking on a more hands-off approach when they're out on a mission and recently starred in her own miniseries published by Marvel's Icon imprint.

BUCKY

How do you go from being a hackneyed character of a bygone age to being one of most popular characters of modern comics? That's the story of Bucky Barnes, who in the past eight years has defied all expectations following his unlikely return from death. For a span of almost 50 years, Bucky Barnes was a non-entity in comics referred to only in minor flashbacks and in jokes about Cap's plucky sidekick, considered along with Uncle Ben to be one of the only comic book characters that would stay dead forever. That all changed in 2004 when Ed Brubaker and Steve Epting re-introduced the boyish sidekick as a clandestine operative for Russia dubbed the Winter Soldier in Captain America #1. Barnes went from ally to enemy and back again over the course of the first few arcs, eventually reuniting with Captain America and hastily pulled into duty as Cap himself, when Rogers was shot and believed dead post-Civil War. For most heroes, the ideal sidekick is one that could someday step up and take over the role of their mentor. While Bucky wasn't the first or the last to take this career trajectory, of all the people on this least he was the one that did it best serving as Captain America from 2007 to 2011 and making a sizable contingent of fans reluctant to see the original Captain America return. Bucky continues to be a solo attraction, now in Marvel's ongoing Winter Soldier series.

HARLEY QUINN

Sorry Bucky, but you've lost out to the psychiatrist turned frequent psychotic Harleen Francis Quinzel Harley Quinn. Although in current comics she's a sidekick to no one, she was introduced and will always be remembered for her hyper hijinx at the side of the villainous Joker. Originally introduced in a 1992 episode of Batman: The Animated Series as a relatively minor addition to the DC Animated Universe, she went on to be signature part of the Bat-corner of the comics world and beyond with frequent guest appearances, a long-running solo series, a spot as one of the leads in the New 52's Suicide Squad and a role in the recently wrapped Bat-saga "Death of the Family." Whether it be her playful demeanor, her distinct accent or her flippant penchant for crime, Harley Quinn's stolen more than one fan's heart over the years and has nabbed the number two spot on this list.

ROBIN

Dick Grayson. Jason Todd. Tim Drake. Carrie Kelly. Damian Wayne. No matter which character inhabits the role, the superhero known as Robin is the definitive sidekick in comic books, and arguably to the world at large. Created in April 1940 by Bob Kane and Bill Finger as an erstwhile and diminutive ally to the Dark Knight, Robin has become a hero and a mantle in which an elite group of characters have passed through. As noted, several heroes have taken up the mantle of Robin from the original Dick Grayson to the recently departed Damian Wayne. While some lasted longer in the mantle than others, the name and legacy of Robin has had more than enough greats such as Dick Grayson, Tim Drake and Damian Wayne to make this the clear number one pick. And in case you want some further reading on the subject of Robin: <a href=http://www.newsarama.com/comics/10-best-robins.html>Ranking the ROBINS - From 10 to 1 (Yes, There Are 10)</a> <a href=http://www.newsarama.com/comics/10-new-robin-candidates.html>Help Wanted: 10 Applicants for the New ROBIN</a>