- Injustice 3 returning characters remain speculative until NetherRealm confirms the roster.
- Supergirl and Batwoman are the strongest reported roster signals available in 2026.
- Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, and Harley Quinn are safe editorial predictions.
- Joker, Green Arrow, Bane, and Constantine have strong cases but lack direct confirmation.
- Mortal Kombat guests and previous DLC fighters should be treated as lower-confidence predictions.
Injustice 3 Returning Characters: How to Read the Tier List
Injustice 3 returning characters are still a prediction topic rather than an official roster announcement. This guide separates reported information from editorial forecasts, using character importance, story continuity, popularity, and NetherRealm’s previous roster patterns as the main criteria.
A September 2026 report claims that a NetherRealm DC project is in development and identifies Supergirl and Batwoman as characters connected to the project. The report does not establish a complete launch roster, a release date, or a final story direction. Treat those details as meaningful signals, not finished confirmation.
Video Highlights:
- The strongest candidates include DC’s core heroes and recurring headliners.
- Supergirl has a particularly strong story reason to return after Injustice 2.
- Batwoman would be a major new addition to the mainline fighting-game roster.
- Joker remains popular, but his previous appearances create continuity complications.
- Guest characters from earlier entries are weaker predictions than returning DC fighters.
Ranking Method
The tiers below describe the likelihood of appearing in a hypothetical launch roster. They do not represent official confirmation.
| Tier | Meaning | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Reported | Named in a 2026 roster report, but not officially announced | Supergirl, Batwoman |
| Very likely | Strong franchise identity, story value, or broad popularity | Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman |
| Likely | Good return case with some uncertainty | Joker, Green Arrow, Bane |
| 50/50 | Plausible, but competing priorities could remove them | Teen Titans, Red Hood, Mr. Freeze |
| Unlikely | Possible in theory, though current evidence is limited | Doomsday, Black Adam, Zatanna |
| Very unlikely | Needs a major story or design reason to return | Scarecrow, Firestorm, Captain Cold |
| Not expected | Repetition, guest status, or roster logic works against them | Previous MK guests, Brainiac |
A report or creator prediction is not the same as a NetherRealm announcement. Roster tiers can change when official trailers, gameplay reveals, or story details appear.
Reported and Very Likely Returning Fighters
The strongest predictions come from characters with direct reporting, major DC visibility, or a central role in the Injustice identity. These fighters can anchor the story, marketing, and multiplayer roster without requiring a complicated explanation.
Reported Roster Signals
The clearest 2026 signal points to Supergirl and Batwoman. Supergirl’s return would follow naturally from her position in Injustice 2 and the canonical direction established after Superman’s regime. Batwoman is more complicated because her comic storyline reportedly ended in a fatal confrontation with Superman, but comic continuity can be revised, reframed, or continued through another character using the mantle.
| Character | Confidence | Main reason | Main uncertainty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supergirl | Reported / very likely | Central Injustice 2 role and continuing Justice League connection | Final story direction |
| Batwoman | Reported / likely | Named in a 2026 roster report and strong Gotham identity | Comic continuity and mantle question |
| Batman | Very likely | Franchise headliner and central narrative figure | None beyond roster space |
| Superman | Very likely | Core conflict and defining Injustice villain-hero | Story may limit his role |
| Wonder Woman | Very likely | One of the series’ central characters | Possible story repositioning |
| Harley Quinn | Very likely | Major popularity and recurring playable status | None significant |
| Flash | Very likely | Established Justice League presence and gameplay identity | Competition from other speedsters |
| Green Lantern | Very likely | Foundational DC fighter with strong series history | Which Lantern identity appears |
Core Characters Worth Prioritizing
Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman are the safest predictions because Injustice is built around their conflict and alliances. Removing all three would require a major reboot or a story that intentionally moves away from the established premise.
Harley Quinn also has a strong case. She has remained one of the franchise’s most visible characters, and her independent popularity makes her useful for trailers, promotional art, and the playable roster. Supergirl belongs in the same high-confidence group because her personal conflict with Superman gives the series an important emotional thread.
Green Lantern and The Flash are similarly strong candidates. Both have recognizable move-set identities and major Justice League relevance. Aquaman is also a reasonable prediction, although his return may depend on how much the next story emphasizes the previous political conflict.
Story Anchors
- Batman
- Superman
- Wonder Woman
- Central to the franchise premise
Justice League Staples
- The Flash
- Green Lantern
- Aquaman
- Strong team identity and combat roles
Audience Favorites
- Harley Quinn
- Supergirl
- Joker
- High recognition and marketing value
If you are building a personal prediction roster, place Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Harley Quinn, Supergirl, The Flash, Green Lantern, and Aquaman near the top.
Likely and 50/50 Return Candidates
The next group has credible reasons to return, but none should be treated as locked. NetherRealm may prioritize new DC characters, alternate versions, or fighters who better support the next story arc.
Likely Fighters
Joker remains one of the most difficult predictions. His popularity makes him an obvious commercial choice, but his apparent death and the fear-toxin explanation used for his previous appearance create continuity complications. A new interpretation, flashback role, hallucination, or alternate timeline could solve that problem, but none is confirmed.
Green Arrow is another strong possibility. His death did not prevent him from appearing in the previous mainline entry, and his relationship with Black Canary and the wider superhero cast gives him useful story connections. Bane also has a convincing case because he brings a distinct heavy-fighter identity without depending on a guest license.
John Constantine could benefit from renewed DC attention, while Static Shock and Plastic Man would add different visual and mechanical identities to the roster. These characters are not reported as confirmed, but their inclusion would be easy to justify from a franchise-building perspective.
| Character | Prediction | Why the return works | Potential obstacle |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joker | Likely | Iconic villain and major fan demand | Death and fear-toxin continuity |
| Green Arrow | Likely | Mainstay hero with prior return precedent | Roster competition |
| Bane | Likely | Distinct powerhouse identity and popular villain status | Limited story priority |
| John Constantine | Likely | Strong supernatural angle and DC visibility | May be replaced by another mystic fighter |
| Static Shock | Likely | Popular legacy character with a distinct identity | Limited prior mainline presence |
| Plastic Man | Likely | Unique animation potential and broad move-set options | Tone may not fit every story arc |
| Killer Croc | Possible | Monster design and Gotham relevance | Could appear as a non-playable story character |
| Darkseid | 50/50 | Major villain potential and recognizable presence | Boss characters may not repeat |
The 50/50 Group
The Teen Titans are difficult to rank as a group. Nightwing, Raven, Starfire, and Robin each have strong fan recognition, but returning all of them could consume roster slots that might otherwise go to newer DC characters. Raven may have the strongest individual case because her powers and story history fit the series particularly well.
Red Hood is popular and mechanically distinct, but his previous downloadable status creates uncertainty. Mr. Freeze could benefit from wider Batman-related interest, although Captain Cold may be competing for the same cold-based character space. Batgirl also remains plausible because she has a recognizable identity and existing ties to Gotham’s playable cast.
| Candidate group | 50/50 assessment | What raises the odds | What lowers the odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teen Titans | Medium | Strong fan base and story connections | Several characters need roster space |
| Red Hood | Medium | Popular antihero and unique weapons | Previous DLC status |
| Batgirl | Medium | Established fighter and Gotham role | New Bat-family additions may replace her |
| Mr. Freeze | Medium | Strong visual identity and Batman connection | Similar role could go to another villain |
| Darkseid | Medium | Clear major-villain potential | May be reserved for a story boss |
| Penguin | Medium-low | Gotham popularity and recent visibility | Less obvious combat identity |
| Zod | Medium-low | Kryptonian connection | Previous entry already featured him as DLC |
Do not treat a 50/50 character as a weak choice. These fighters often become the most important reveal surprises because their stories and designs support multiple directions.
Unlikely Characters and Continuity Risks
Some fighters remain possible but face practical obstacles. The biggest issues are repeated character roles, story deaths, limited mainline visibility, and the need to create a fresh gameplay identity.
Doomsday and Solomon Grundy may be disadvantaged because both fill large-body powerhouse roles already associated with other villains. Atrocitus and Gorilla Grodd also have strong designs, but the next entry may favor new Green Lantern or animal-based characters rather than repeating every major Injustice 2 archetype.
Scarecrow is a particularly complicated prediction. His fear toxin was closely tied to the explanation for Joker’s appearance, so his absence could make that version of Joker harder to justify. Firestorm, Captain Cold, Deadshot, and Enchantress face similar competition from characters with overlapping combat concepts.
| Character | Outlook | Main issue |
|---|---|---|
| Doomsday | Unlikely | Heavy powerhouse role may be reassigned |
| Solomon Grundy | Unlikely | Another large-body villain competing for the same space |
| Atrocitus | Unlikely | Green Lantern villain slot may go elsewhere |
| Gorilla Grodd | Unlikely | Story and roster priorities may favor newer villains |
| Scarecrow | Very unlikely | Fear-toxin role is closely tied to prior Joker logic |
| Firestorm | Very unlikely | Limited evidence of a return and crowded elemental space |
| Captain Cold | Very unlikely | Mr. Freeze could occupy the cold-based niche |
| Deadshot | Very unlikely | Gunfighter role may be replaced by another DC character |
| Black Adam | Very unlikely | Story position and previous conflict create uncertainty |
| Brainiac | Not expected | Returning as the central boss would repeat the previous structure |
| Previous MK guests | Not expected | Repeating earlier guest fighters would reduce DC roster space |
Why Previous Guests Are a Weak Prediction
Previous Mortal Kombat guests and other crossover fighters are not impossible, but they are weaker predictions than DC characters. The main reason is roster identity: a new Injustice entry needs enough room to introduce heroes and villains from the DC universe.
A guest could still appear as downloadable content or a surprise reveal, but there is no reliable evidence in official announcements that a specific returning guest is planned. Predictions should therefore keep Scorpion, Sub-Zero, Raiden, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Hellboy outside the expected launch roster.
A character’s death does not automatically rule out a return, but it does require a clear explanation such as an alternate timeline, retcon, mantle change, or revised canon.
How to Track Roster Changes in 2026
Use the following process whenever new Injustice 3 information appears. It helps separate genuine roster evidence from fan wish lists, vague social posts, and recycled speculation.
Check the Source
Start with NetherRealm, DC, Warner Bros., or a clearly identified industry report. Treat anonymous claims and unsourced roster graphics as low-confidence material.
Separate Names from Context
A character mentioned in a report may be part of testing, concept work, story planning, or a final roster. Record exactly what the source claims before upgrading the prediction.
Compare Story Continuity
Check whether the fighter’s previous ending, death, allegiance, or identity creates a narrative problem. A continuity issue lowers confidence but does not make a return impossible.
Compare Roster Roles
Look for repeated archetypes such as heavy villains, gun users, speedsters, Lanterns, and cold-based fighters. NetherRealm may replace one familiar role with a new character.
Update the Tier
Move a character upward only when new information adds direct support. Keep fan popularity, wish lists, and general DC visibility separate from roster evidence.
| Evidence type | Reliability | How to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Official character reveal | Highest | Treat the fighter as confirmed |
| Official developer interview | High | Use as support, while checking exact wording |
| Identified industry report | Medium-high | Label the information as reported or alleged |
| Resume or production listing | Medium | Indicates project involvement, not a full roster |
| Creator speculation | Medium-low | Use for discussion, not confirmation |
| Fan roster image | Low | Do not treat as evidence without verification |
| Comment or wish list | Very low | Use only as audience sentiment |
Returning Character Watchlist:
- Track official NetherRealm and DC announcements
- Separate reported fighters from editorial predictions
- Check continuity before ranking deceased characters
- Compare each fighter against overlapping roster roles
- Update the tier after verified character reveals
For ongoing updates, review the 2026 Injustice 3 roster report alongside official NetherRealm and DC channels. The report is useful context for Supergirl and Batwoman, but it should not replace an official announcement.
The most valuable update is a named character reveal with official artwork, gameplay footage, or a developer statement. General project rumors should remain separate from roster confirmation.
Injustice 3 Returning Characters FAQ
Q: Which Injustice 3 returning characters are the safest predictions?
Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Harley Quinn, The Flash, Green Lantern, Aquaman, and Supergirl are the safest editorial predictions because they are core DC or Injustice figures. Supergirl also has a reported connection to the 2026 project.
Q: Is Batwoman confirmed for Injustice 3?
Batwoman has been named in a 2026 report about the NetherRealm DC project, but NetherRealm has not officially confirmed the final roster in official announcements. Her status should be described as reported, not guaranteed.
Q: Could Joker return after being absent from the main story?
Joker remains likely because of his popularity and franchise importance. However, his previous death and the fear-toxin explanation create continuity questions that the next story would need to address.
Q: Are Mortal Kombat guests likely to return?
Previous Mortal Kombat guests are weaker predictions than DC characters. A guest appearance is possible in theory, but there is no reliable evidence in official announcements confirming a returning guest fighter.
Build your prediction around the reported Supergirl and Batwoman signals, then add the core Justice League and Gotham characters before considering deeper cuts.