Gerry Conway and Chuck Patton created Dale Gunn, first appearing in Justice League of America Annual #2 in 1984. He was introduced as an architect and security specialist hired by Commander Steel, a World War II hero, and industrialist, to design and maintain the bunker in Detroit that served as the new headquarters of the reorganized Justice League. The team consisted of young and inexperienced heroes such as Vibe, Gypsy, Vixen, and Steel’s grandson Hank Heywood III, who inherited his grandfather’s cybernetic enhancements. Dale Gunn became a friend and mentor to the team and a love interest for Zatanna, the only veteran member of the group.

Dale Gunn’s tenure with the Justice League Detroit was short-lived, however. In 1986, during the events of Crisis on Infinite Earths, the team was attacked by androids created by Professor Ivo, a mad scientist and longtime enemy of the Justice League. Vibe and Steel were killed in the ensuing battle, while Vixen and Gypsy were severely injured. Dale Gunn blamed himself for failing to protect the team and evicted the surviving members from the bunker after Commander Steel was left unconscious.

Dale Gunn did not appear again until 2013 when he was reintroduced as part of the New 52 DC Universe reboot. In this continuity, he is an agent of ARGUS, a government agency that deals with superhuman affairs. He is assigned to recruit and train Vibe, who is revealed to be a metahuman who can manipulate interdimensional vibrations. Dale Gunn acts as Vibe’s handler and liaison with the Justice League of America, a team ARGUS director Amanda Waller created to counter the original Justice League in case they go rogue.

In this version, Dale Gunn is also gay and married to another man named Casey Klebba. However, he keeps their relationship secret from his superiors and enemies for fear of being exploited. He also has a history with the CIA, where he worked as a covert operative before joining ARGUS.

Dale Gunn has not appeared in any media besides comics but has been mentioned or referenced in some animated shows. In Justice League Unlimited, he is namedropped by Steel when he introduces himself to Superman. In Young Justice: Outsiders, he is listed as one of the potential candidates for Batman’s covert team.

Dale Gunn is a minor but exciting character in the DC Comics lore. He represents a rare example of a non-powered human who can hold his own among superheroes. He also showcases diversity and representation as one of the few LGBTQ+ characters in DC Comics. He may not be as famous or popular as other Justice League members, but he deserves recognition and appreciation for his contributions and achievements.