20. Rip Hunter
There is a strange irony in the fact that Legends of Tomorrow‘s original leader ended up getting left behind by the show, but that’s really what happened. Rip Hunter was the mysterious figure from the future who showed up with the request that various heroes and villains join him in an adventure around the timeline. He promised them a future as Legends, but he really just needed expendable people that history forgot to help him save his family.
Throughout Rip’s time on the show, he was the captain of the Waverider until he was reprogrammed by the Legion of Doom in season 2. After that, he acknowledged that Sara was a stronger captain than him and formed the Time Bureau instead. In the end, however, he acknowledged that the Legends’ way of doing things was always the best way of doing things.
Rip may have faded from Legends fans’ minds but the truth is that there would be no Legends without him. And even though he did create a lot of conflict during his time on the Waverider, he formed some great friendships with his team (especially Gideon) and went out on a touching note, suitable only for a Legend.