Top 100 Supervillains of All Time

#100: Bizarro

The legacy of Bizarro is one that’s extended far beyond the world of comics. Instead, this supervillain’s moniker can often be seen used to describe just about anything on “opposite day.” That’s because Bizarro started out as a negatively-inspired doppelganger of Superman. The character has progressed over the years to become somewhat self-referential with regard to this premise, leaning into its inherent goofiness in a fun way. Still, there’s no denying that Bizarro’s legacy remains secure within Supe’s universe, if only due to his notably on-the-nose opposite superpowers. “Arctic vision,” anyone?

#99: Ares[a]

The worlds of historical mythology have always remained a fertile ground for the imaginations of comic book writers. This character of Ares is no exception, either, fitting in nicely with the Wonder Woman universe from DC Comics. His significance within that book’s continuity can be seen with Ares’ presence in the first Gal Godot “Wonder Woman” film, with this god of war never straying too far from the fight. He embodies violence and physical combat, able to master any weapon and even inspire conflict by merely existing. Meanwhile, his armored visage inspires fear among all who dare oppose him, an emotion Ares uses to ensure victory at each and every turn.

#98: Omni-Man

This one’s tough because Omni-Man’s moral compass and motivations have shifted throughout his run within both the Image Comics books and his Amazon Prime T.V. series. This insanely powerful extraterrestrial initially intended to conquer Earth, a plan that included Omni-Man’s brutal murders of the Guardians of the Globe. This shocking incident alone remained a talking point for both casual fans of “Invincible” and longtime comic book readers. Granted, Omni-Man seems to have come back to his heroic senses, but this troubled and deeply flawed comic character’s actions still make us feel that he’s appropriate for this list.

#97: Sentinels

It takes only two words for a Sentinel to strike fear within those in its sight: Mutant. Detected. The Sentinels made a huge impression on fans of the X-Men franchise back when they first debuted in 1965, and they’re still going strong today. The Disney+ series “X-Men ’97” even brought them back to identify and neutralize mutants for a whole new viewing generation. The Sentinels' tough exterior and energy blasts can be devastating, but even more frightening is the contextual meaning behind their creation. The Sentinels basically embody the living destructive power of bigotry and hatred, an analogy for civil unrest that dominated conversations back then… and now.

#96: Talia al Ghul

This DC comic book character may not possess any superpowers to speak of, but that doesn’t mean that Talia al Ghul can’t disarm her opponents. We mean that both literally and figuratively since Talia’s proficiency in hand-to-hand combat might be equaled only by her ability to distract, dissuade, and seduce her prey with her physical charms. Talia al Ghul remains a brainy, ruthless, and ever-present threat amongst Batman’s enviable rogue’s gallery. She’s also proof that a real-world, everyday villain can also get one over on the hero if they’re written with the sort of dogged determination that defines Talia al Ghul.

#95: Baroness

The legacy of the Baroness can differ, depending upon who you ask. For many, her legacy as a terrorist operative of Cobra resides within the hit 1980s T.V. show. Others may have followed her exploits as a comic book villain, while younger fans might even point to her big screen adaptations in the live-action “G.I. Joe” films. It ultimately doesn’t matter where you know Baroness, because this master of disguise has likely already figured you out, slipping a knife between your ribs before you’re done listening to this entry. That’s how dangerous the Baroness is, and why The Joes always need to be on their toes when this femme fatale is on their radar.

#94: Skrulls

The “Secret Invasion” storyline was a big deal for Marvel back in 2008. Fans didn’t have to wait too long for the villainous Skrulls to debut on Marvel’s big and small screens. This race of alien shapeshifters attempted to conquer the Earth by impersonating many of her mightiest heroes. Their innate skill as warriors makes them tough customers, while their actual, reptilian appearances might remind older viewers of the “V” television miniseries from back in the ‘80s. It’s the Skrulls’ natural affinity for subterfuge that makes them particularly dangerous, however. And by that we mean their ability to ingratiate themselves within nearly any society that lands upon their collective radar.

#93: Sebastian Shaw

It takes a special kind of villain to turn against their own kind. Sebastian Shaw’s mutant abilities to manipulate energy make him a powerful adversary. Yet, it’s Shaw’s status as a legitimate businessman and public figure that also makes him dangerous to know, and deadly to anger. Shaw’s leadership position within the villainous Hellfire Club also ensures that he has backup, but it was this mutant’s secret financial backing of the Sentinel program that felt beyond the pale, even for Shaw. This villain always seeks to stack the deck in his favor, regardless of who or what gets in his way.

#92: Taskmaster

There are a lot of superpowers out there that feel almost too dangerous for one hero or villain to hold. One could argue that Taskmaster’s ability to successfully mimic his opponents’ fighting style makes him overpowered, and we’d be inclined to agree. Thankfully, there is that little caveat of Taskmaster’s ever-present memory loss that occurs as a result of utilizing these powers. Still, this doesn’t mean for a second that this villain from the 1980s wasn’t able to successfully transition into the modern day. Taskmaster received a gender swamp when it came time for a debut in the MCU, although the character has consistently appeared in a variety of iterations for over 45 years now.

#91: Mister Mxyzptlk[b]

His name is the bane of voice-over artists around the world, including our own! Mister Mxyzptlk is a lighter-hearted sort of supervillain, albeit one with an origin that dates back to the 1940s! Mister Mxyzptlk inhabits the strange and the surreal, a nearly immortal being to whom the laws of reality do not apply. He delights in causing mischief and chaos, particularly for Superman, and can only be banished under some very specific circumstances. This has historically been tricking Mister Mxyzptlk into saying or spelling his name backward. Don’t underestimate this supervillain, however. Mister Mxyzptlk’s true powers of manipulation are seemingly limitless.

#90: Hugo Strange

One of the greatest aspects of Batman’s famed rogue’s gallery is its longevity. Hugo Strange exists as one of the oldest of The Caped Crusader’s antagonists, yet the legacy of this criminal genius has progressed and endured up through the modern day. Strange’s intelligence and resourcefulness likens him to other non-superpowered villains, ala Lex Luthor. This serves as a welcomed respite from all of the gadgets and super suits so often found within the medium. Hugo Strange instead hits Batman where it hurts, discovering his secret identity and thus putting the lives of Bruce Wayne’s loved ones eternally at risk.

#89: Lady Deathstrike

#88: Calendar Man

#87: Fin Fang Foom

#86: Owlman

#85: The Batman Who Laughs

We admit that this supervillain possesses a strange and not-so-subtle moniker, but The Batman Who Laughs is nothing if not unique. This is a supervillain with a comparatively more recent history, having debuted only in 2017. Still, this combination of Batman’s serious fighting skills and The Joker’s absolute insanity feels like a case of design overkill, in the best possible way. The Joker’s amorality essentially puts the kibosh on Bats’ “do not kill” routine, while The Batman Who Laughs is also outfitted with some extra weapons and armor that utilize “dark metal,” that enhance this villain’s attack strength and mental acumen.

#84: Granny Goodness

#83: King Shark

#82: The Phantasm

#81: Black Mask

#80: Mister Sinister

No list of supervillains would be complete without an appearance by Mister Sinister, right? This madman is obsessed with genetic engineering and perfection, a master manipulator who’s determined to create, in his eyes, “the perfect mutant.” Mister Sinister has been a longtime foe of the X-Men since his debut in 1986, recently returning in “X-Men ‘97.” He may have been born a human, but Mister Sinister’s partnership with Apocalypse had helped make him an eternal foe against good, an insane surgeon with the worst bedside manner imaginable.

#79: The Court of Owls

#78: Purple Man

#77: Juggernaut

#76: Man-Bat

#75: MODOK

There are certain supervillains out there with a look so unique, that we can’t help but laugh along, even while our lives are being threatened. Mojo comes to mind, as does the Mental/Mobile/Mechanized Organism Designed Only for Killing… otherwise known as MODOK. The “M.O.D.O.K.” series from 2021 underlined this villain’s inherent ridiculousness while also not forgetting that MODOK also possesses great psionic powers. Granted, MODOK’s tremendous intelligence was gained at the sacrifice of his physical form, but many have underestimated this diminutive powerhouse and paid the price, at the end of MODOK’s… erm, “brain-beams.”

#74: The Ventriloquist & Scarface

#73: The Leader

#72: The Falcone[c] Crime Family

#71: Black Manta

#70: Mephisto

The Marvel Universe needed its greatest tempter, an opponent of good that could exist as an embodiment of lies, avarice and evil. Mephisto answered this call and has been Marvel’s resident ruler of Hell since 1968. This demonic entity can boast multiple Marvel greats among his enemies, from Ghost Rider and Spider-Man to the Silver Surfer. Mephisto’s connections to the Christian devil are obvious, as are the villain’s habitual tactics of manipulation and illusion. Many have bartered their souls against Mephisto, hoping perhaps to beat The Devil at his own game. The house of hell never loses, however, and Mephisto always plays for keeps.

#69: Baron Zemo

#68: Amanda Waller

#67: Emma Frost

#66: Knull[d]

#65: Poison Ivy

Batman’s reputation as “The World’s Greatest Detective” often feels indebted to the hard-boiled film noirs and crime novels of old. There have been a number of femme fatales within this DC universe, as a result, with Poison Ivy existing as one of the most intoxicating of the lot. Her ability to manipulate the minds of her victims allows Poison Ivy to bend just about anyone to her will. Meanwhile, her reputation as something of a seductress is one that’s permeated her appearances in both the Batman comic books and movie adaptations. Bats’ rogue’s gallery is large, but Poison Ivy’s name will always be on the lips of those describing a short list of deadly, dangerous icons.

#64: Parallax

#63: Enchantress

#62: Crossbones

#61: Rhino

#60: The Void

The Sentry may be a superhero, but it’s The Void that lurks behind the alter ego of Robert Reynolds. Specifically, The Void exists as Reynolds’ dark side, a counterbalancing force that commits acts of evil against The Sentry’s everyday heroics. This split-personality dynamic is one of the reasons why The Sentry’s inherent fight against The Void is so compelling. It’s a nice update to the symbiote trope of Spider-Man wearing the black suit back in 1982, only with higher stakes. The Void can also attach itself to just about anyone, a la the alien Venom symbiote, but it’s The Sentry’s immense powers as a hero that makes his dark side all the more dangerous.

#59: Captain Boomerang

#58: The Lizard

#57: Solomon Grundy

#56: Electro

#55: Kang the Conqueror

There are… well, a lot of Kangs out there, to the point where they’ve assembled their own friggin’ Council to keep track of their number. They all possess one unifying desire, however: to conquer. Kang the Conqueror has existed in one form or another since 1963, a tireless combatant who’s forever seeking the perfect challenge. The clothes make the villain in this case since Kang is frequently outfitted with the deadliest weapons and most powerful armor imaginable. The addition of his genius-level intellect and his futuristic battle-tech essentially make Kang the Conqueror a formidable force for anyone unlucky enough to cross his path.

#54: Captain Cold

#53: Mad Hatter

#52: Kraven the Hunter

#51: Sandman

#50: Catwoman

Selina Kyle is another character that’s shifted her moral compass over the years. She’s sometimes depicted as an antihero, but her dedication to… well, “cat-burgling” still makes her a villain in our book. Catwoman’s one of the most iconic of the litter, as well as an eternal love interest for Batman with conflicted alliances between good, gray, and evil. Catwoman’s athleticism and natural sex appeal make her the perfect thief, while her amorality ensures that Kyle is always willing to do what it takes to achieve her goal. What can we say? We just love watching Catwoman work her black magic.

#49: The Anti-Monitor[e]

#48: Vulture

#47: Deadshot

#46: Killer Croc

#45: The Mandarin

Fans of the MCU were notably PO’d at how one of Iron Man’s greatest enemies, The Mandarin, was treated in the franchise’s third cinematic entry. This misstep takes nothing away from this supervillain’s relationship with ol’ Shell-Head since The Mandarin and Tony Stark remain perpetually within each other’s orbit. This power-hungry martial arts master has also found himself with The Master of Kung-Fu himself, Shang-Chi[f], showing off the power of his ten rings. These rings are crafted from alien technology, and lend The Mandarin powers ranging from blasts of ice and lightning to psionic feats of illusion and manipulation. The Mandarin may possess at least a semblance of honor to his moral compass, but make no mistake: world domination is still on his to-do list.

#44: Abomination

#43: Clayface

#42: Carnage

#41: Sabretooth

#40: Harley Quinn

The meteoric rise of Harley Quinn as one of the DC universe’s most popular characters has been one long and strange trip. She’s often been depicted as being in eternal orbit with The Joker, either as a damaged victim of his whims, or an independent spirit, free of his control. Harley Quinn has earned a rabid fan following of her own, which is pretty wild, considering she was actually conceived for “Batman: The Animated Series,” as opposed to debuting within the pages of a “Batman” comic. Still, the feisty Quinn has captured the collective imagination of these fans as a total wild card that’s dangerous as hell but impossible to resist.

#39: Gorilla Grodd[g]

#38: Cobra Commander

#37: Red Skull

#36: Mr. Freeze

#35: The Shredder

There have been a lot of excellent villains throughout the extended universe of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Sometimes, however? The most obvious answer also makes the best choice. Oroku Saki[h], a.k.a. The Shredder will forever be linked to Splinter’s sons as their primary antagonist. He’s written with compelling history and motivation, while The Shredder’s visual design is beyond cool. His martial arts skills are deadly, and his desire for vengeance is unstoppable, but Shredder can also be remarkably composed when it comes to seeing his plans carried out. He’s also endured through comic book, television, and silver screen adaptations to become a supervillain that’s easily recognizable for even the most casual TMNT fan.

#34: General Zod

#33: Dormammu[i]

#32: Riddler

#31: Homelander

#30: The Penguin

We live in an age where even the cheesiest characters from comic media’s earliest recorded histories can be re-appraised, and given a fresh coat of creative paint. The HBO series “The Penguin” and its parent film “The Batman” from 2022 grounded this gangster in reality as a ruthless, Tony Soprano-styled crime lord. This was a far cry from both Burgess Meredith[j]’s campy Batman ‘66 portrayal, and Danny DeVito’s macabre ‘n monstrous take from “Batman Returns.” What remains constant is that The Penguin is just interesting. His motivations for either money, love, or respect feel grounded in the crime alleys and noir storylines of the Batman universe. And we just can’t help but watch.

#29: Prometheus

In comics, nobody is a better example of a one-man army than Prometheus. In many ways, he’s like Batman, only he doesn’t use his abilities for the greater good. This skilled strategist is able to adapt to virtually anything and anyone thanks to his cool toys. With his special helmet, he can learn any fighting style instantaneously, and with his “Ghost Zone” key, he can teleport. These kinds of gizmos have helped him single-handedly take down the Justice League. Yeah, that’s right, Prometheus has gotten a one-up on some of the greatest heroes of them all! If he can nearly defeat the Justice League all by himself, then he definitely deserves some respect on his name.

#28: Mysterio

You can never trust what you see when Mysterio is around. The Spider-Man villain’s mastery over VFX makes him a dangerous threat who can twist reality on a whim. Okay, maybe he doesn’t actually twist it, but when his tricks look that real, it’s practically the next best thing. Besides his extreme knowledge of special effects, Quentin Beck has also dabbled a little bit in chemistry. That extracurricular activity has allowed him to make substances that can weaken Spider-Man’s webs and even his spider-sense. Besides the comics, he also pretty much ruined Peter’s life in the MCU when he outed his secret identity to the whole world. Sure, the fishbowl helmet might make him look silly, but ultimately he’s no laughing matter.

#27: Deathstroke

Slade Wilson is one of the most feared villains in the DC universe and for good reason. He’s easily one of the most skilled assassins around and that line of work isn’t easy - since superpowers exist. When he’s not hunting down people for money, he’s also battling heroes like Batman, Green Arrow, the Teen Titans and more. We really can’t understate just how wicked he is. Sure he’s cool, like, he once had a sword that could kill gods, but he’s also completely rotten to the core. He manipulated Terra in a truly heinous way, hijacked the Speed Force, and even battled his own kids. He’s sometimes toed the lines of morality, but when it comes down to it, Deathstroke’s a villain plain and simple.

#26: Mystique

Looks can be deceiving, and that’s never been more true than with Mystique. The mischievous mutant can fool anyone by changing her physical appearance. It’s a trick that proves useful on more than one occasion. That’s not all though. Mystique is also a highly-skilled combatant who’s unafraid to step into the heart of the battle. While she’s experienced a shift to good in recent years, it’s hard to ignore the villainous threat she’s been. Like, she was once the leader of the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants. No matter which way you look at it, that's some very specific branding and it’s pretty hard to distance yourself from something as extreme as that!

#25: Scarecrow

Psychologist Jonathan Crane uses his extensive knowledge of the human mind like it's a weapon, manipulating people however he sees fit. Though he can play people like a fiddle, he primarily relies on his fear toxin to do the trick. When exposed, the gas forces people to hallucinate their worst fears. If you think about it, this unique brand of villainy makes Scarecrow a perfect foil for Batman. Because if Batman’s persona is all about instilling fear in criminals, what happens when he faces a villain whose chemicals can terrify even him? He can turn even the toughest of men into weeping little children. Plus, if his toxin wasn’t haunting enough, his unsettling design will scare you too. This guy is the master of fear for a reason.

#24: Ultron

The looming threat of artificial intelligence and the dangers it can pose for the world are more relevant than ever before. And in the Marvel universe, the most powerful AI of them all is Ultron. Created by Hank Pym to be a force of good, he quickly went against his original programming. That’s hardly new ground for these types of evil robots, but remember, Ultron is an evil AI in a world filled with superheroes. Meaning that his beef isn’t just with humans, it’s with everyone, including the Avengers themselves. He’s become a vengeful maniac who has repeatedly slain countless innocent people in his bloodthirsty quest to extinguish humankind. So yeah, he’s far more than just a ticked-off chatbot!

#23: Reverse Flash

This might sound controversial, but we’re going to say it anyway: Reverse Flash might be the greatest hater in all of fiction! Eobard Thawne has manipulated all of time just so he can ruin Barry Allen’s life over and over. His most diabolical schemes include murdering Barry’s mother Nora, and his girlfriend Iris. Even Thawne’s own family isn’t safe considering he wiped his brother Robern out from existence too. He also broke into the Batcave and tore apart a letter from Batman’s father as an additional ‘F You’. His pettiness truly knows no limits and he’s too stubborn to die. Yes, you can kill him, but thanks to the Negative Speed Force, he’s always been able to come back! He’s vicious, psychotic, and easily the Flash’s greatest nemesis!

#22: Two-Face

The once promising Harvey Dent’s facial disfigurement marked his fall from grace and cemented his role as a bad guy. There’s a real tragedy to Two-Face that makes him such a compelling Batman villain. He was once friends with Bruce Wayne, but everything changed for the worse. As Two-Face, he typically operates with a coin in one hand and a gun in the other. He’s always looking to enact his own twisted sense of justice and that puts him at odds with Batman. Harvey is a cunning, yet incredibly unstable foe. He’s constantly teetering on the edge of sanity and his unpredictability makes him someone you can never truly trust. Heck, with his fractured mental state, Two-Face can barely even trust himself!

#21: Bullseye

The world of comics isn’t short on assassins, but even on a crowded playing field, this villain stands out. Not unlike the Joker, Bullseye’s origin story is shrouded in mystery - he loves to keep those interested in the dark with conflicting accounts of his early life. And that’s not all this Marvel villain shares in common with the Clown Prince of Crime; he’s also a violent psychopath with a sadistic streak a mile wide. The arch-nemesis of Daredevil, Bullseye really left his mark on the medium and cemented his status as an iconic supervillain when he savagely killed Elektra with one of her own sai, and then stuck around to watch Daredevil mourn. He lives to kill, but loves tormenting the Man Without Fear.

#20: Galactus

The Devourer of Worlds, the Connoisseur of the Cosmos, the giant killer space dude, Galactus has gone by many names. But no matter what he’s called, his reputation precedes him. The planet-destroyer is literally and figuratively one of the biggest villains in the Marvel universe. But even though he’s tried to conquer Earth and consume countless planets, some could argue that he’s a necessary evil. That’s a loaded debate for another day, but what’s not up for debate is that Galactus possesses sheer power that we can’t comprehend. He’s a pure force of nature and we’re not just saying that. When it’s all said and done, Galactus will outlive us all.

#19: Dark Phoenix

Many heroes have been manipulated, mind-controlled or possessed by dark entities to make them turn evil at some point or another in their career; but it’s usually short-lived. When Jean Grey was possessed by the Phoenix Force however, she became an unstable villain with awe-inspiring, earth-shattering and downright terrifying powers, and she remained that way for the duration of the landmark Phoenix Saga, forever changing the face of the X-Men. In this super-charged, volatile state, Jean Grey was responsible for the death of billions when she consumed a star. Of course, at the very heart of the character’s enduring appeal is the internal struggle between Jean Grey and the corrupting influence of the Phoenix Force. She’s a villain, sure, but underneath lies a beloved hero.

#18: Ozymandias

He’s the man pulling the strings in arguably the greatest graphic novel of all time. What makes Adrian Veidt such a great villain is that he truly believes that what he is doing, he does for the greater good. Blessed with extremely high levels of intelligence, Ozymandias is known as “the smartest man in the world" in his reality, and unfortunately, this one-time hero clearly allowed that title to go to his head. He orchestrates the death of millions in the name of bringing about peace on earth. There might be some utilitarian-minded philosophers out there who would defend his actions, but anyone with a shred of humanity would agree that this not only makes him a villain, but one of the greats.

#17: Brainiac

When a hero is as powerful as the Man of Steel, their villains need to be similarly impressive. Thankfully, in Brainiac, Superman has found a foe worthy of decades’ worth of high stakes conflict. Not unlike the Watchmen anti-villain Mr. Veidt, Brainiac is cold and calculating, his hyper advanced intellect making him wholly detached from the wants and needs of the beings he sees as inferior to himself. He has a thirst for knowledge, and he satisfies it by collecting civilizations in the form of shrunken cities. And as for the rest of the planet… they usually get destroyed. Why? Because knowledge is power, and Brainiac isn’t interested in sharing his.

#16: Sinestro

Once upon a time, Thaal Sinestro of Korugar was considered the greatest Green Lantern to wear a power ring. The lack of criminal activity in his sector made him a hero and model to many, which is why he was charged with training new lanterns, including rookie Hal Jordan. And then it was discovered that Sinestro used his remarkable willpower to keep the peace on Korugar by authoritarian means. A trial and imprisonment followed, but from his disgrace, Sinestro was reborn, going on to found the Yellow Lanterns, who, in the place of will, derive their power from fear. He still seeks order, and sees his actions as necessary for the greater good, but his methods are pure villainy.

#15: Kingpin

The pages of Marvel and DC comics aren’t wanting for criminal masterminds. But looking back over the history of the medium, and even taking into account the likes of Black Mask and the Penguin, Kingpin stands out as the cream of the crop. He’s left his mark on not just Daredevil, but Spider-Man and the Punisher as well. If it’s crime and it’s happening in New York City, you can bet that Kingpin is getting his cut. And if he isn’t, well… his goons will be coming to collect anyways - plus interest. What he lacks in superpowers, this villain makes up for with his mastery of the criminal arts. Kingpin can outplay the best of them - and he knows how to take a punch.

#14: Doctor Octopus

A character with a name, color scheme, and haircut like this guy should have ZERO chance of being this high on a list of the greatest supervillains of all time. But considering everything Doc Ock has working against him, that just makes his success and impact as a villain all the more impressive. The not-so-good doctor is a scientist blessed with staggering intellect and a deep knowledge of various fields. It was he who formed the Sinister Six, and he who beat Spider-Man so badly in their first encounter that our hero considered walking away from crimefighting. He once nearly killed Black Cat and also managed to take over Peter’s body. But for all his evil acts, like the best villains, he continues to captivate.

#13: Doomsday

Elaborate schemes and devious plots… who needs them when you’re an unstoppable killing machine? Just select your target and keep attacking until he finally lies down and dies! No one would ever call Doomsday a well-rounded or deep character; he’s just about the worst conversationalist in comics. But when this Kryptonian monster single-handedly trounced the Justice League, he demanded the attention of readers. And when he then proceeded to kill the Man of Steel? He cemented his place in comic book history. Doomsday is a simple creature designed to be the perfect hunter. Nigh indestructible, full of rage and existing purely to destroy, Doomsday is a monster through and through, and a villain without redemption.

#12: Loki

With his involvement in the MCU, there’s no denying that Loki has risen to great heights. And with his success, he’s experienced a renewed popularity in the comics, getting far more love from the editors. Is he overrated? Well, his cinematic success has certainly skewed the perception of the general public, but considering his long and colorful comic book history (not to mention his villainous greatest hits), we feel he’s earned his place here. The modern Marvel incarnation dates all the way back to 1962, and since then this magical, shapeshifting God of Mischief has more than done his title proud, even manipulating other villains to his own ends. In the comics, like in the movies, it was Loki’s villainy that forced the Avengers to assemble!

#11: Ra's al Ghul

Few villains commit acts of evil for evil’s sake - most find a way to rationalize their actions. But few villains are more resolutely confident in the “good” of their own actions than Ra’s Al Ghul is. An environmental terrorist (and so much more), Ra’s Al Ghul is one of the few villains in Batman’s rogues gallery whom the Caped Crusader truly respects. In many ways, they are equals and two sides of the same coin, fighting for what they each believe to be right - just from very different perspectives. In fact, Ra’s has repeatedly tried to make Bruce his successor. With his deadly league of Assassins and the regenerative properties of the Lazarus Pit extending his life, this brilliant villain is as enduring as he is compelling.

#10: Thanos

Considering his recent success on the big screen, this character requires little introduction. And considering the massive space he currently occupies in the pop culture consciousness, some might be surprised that he didn’t land higher on our list. But… we’re talking all-time here, and so there’s a lot of history to consider. And looking just at the comics, Thanos has indeed earned his spot. In the Infinity Gauntlet comic book event, Thanos similarly wipes out half of all life, but he didn’t do it to save reality, he did it to impress the woman of his dreams - Mistress Death. Now if that isn’t villainy of epic proportions, we don’t know what is!

#9: Venom

Some of you will surely point out that Venom has evolved into an antihero over the years, if not an outright hero depending on who’s wearing the symbiote. But when he first debuted, Venom was a thoroughly villainous force the likes of which Spider-Man had never faced before. He is physically formidable, shares some of Spidey’s powers and is absolutely terrifying to behold. And for anyone who feels that Venom lost his edge as an antiheroic “Lethal Protector”, the sheer brutality of Venom during Mac Gargan’s time wearing the symbiote more than solidifies his villain status.

#8: Bane

A muscle-bound man who uses super steroids and wears a luchador mask? Taken at face value, Bane has “henchman” written all over him. But in his very first story arc, the character quickly established himself as arguably the single greatest threat that Batman had ever faced. A cunning strategist, brutal combatant and natural leader, Bane broke Batman - first psychologically, by overwhelming him with criminal activity after orchestrating a mass breakout from Arkham, and then physically when he broke Batman’s back. He also managed to figure out Batman’s secret identity with little effort, demonstrating deductive reasoning rivaling that of Bruce Wayne’s. Batman has mastered the fine art of beating the odds against overpowered villains, but Bane isn’t just overpowered, he feels tailor-made to beat the Caped Crusader.

#7: Apocalypse

People often say that the X-Men play in their very own corner of the Marvel universe. Sure, their adventures cross over with the more conventional caped crusaders, but they’re more insular than most. And in the X-Men sphere, there are few villains more formidable than the ancient mutant, Apocalypse. En Sabah Nur was born in Ancient Egypt, where the nomadic tribesmen who raised him instilled him to believe in the survival of the fittest. Flash forward thousands of years and numerous regenerations later, and Apocalypse is still being driven by the same values. In the modern age, he views mutants as the superior race, and he does not hesitate to cull those he deems inferior - i.e. homo sapiens. ​​

#6: Darkseid

We haven’t seen much of him on the big screen, but Darkseid doesn’t need to raise his profile - this villain has already earned his place in the pantheon of legendary comic book villains. For the uninitiated however, the easiest way to describe Darkseid is as the DC equivalent of Thanos; and for the record, Darkseid debuted a full two years earlier. Darkseid’s thirst for power arguably outmatches all other villains in DC comics; he seeks to rule everything in existence. And unlike most characters with his caliber of powers and raw strength, he also has a mind to match. A godlike villain with an army at his back, Darkseid is the endgame for the Justice League.

#5: Norman Osborn/Green Goblin[k]

This entry is made up of both this character’s civilian persona and their villain alter ego. The reason? Because while it was the Green Goblin who originally cemented himself as Spider-Man’s greatest foe - particularly after he killed Gwen Stacy - it’s Norman Osborn who has more often plagued heroes in the years since. It's this historical duality that makes the character such a formidable villain. As Green Goblin, he is wild, violent, unpredictable and more than a little unhinged. Norman Osborn, by contrast, is cold and calculating. In some ways, the two feel like the Joker and Lex Luthor wrapped into one. Over the years, wielding his fortune and business acumen, he’s also placed himself in various positions of power - with devastating results.

#4: Doctor Doom

There are few villains who inspire fear and respect like Victor Von Doom. Though he is first and foremost the arch-nemesis of the Fantastic Four, the man in the iconic mask is a world-class villain. He rules Latveria with an iron fist, but his kingdom is allegedly free from not only crime, but poverty and illness as well. He’s a megalomaniac, sure, but he’s not without honor and has even been known to play the hero under the right circumstances. Doom might suffer from the same ego problems as many of his peers, but unlike most, this brilliant polymath actually lives up to his own lofty self-image. He also once reshaped reality as he saw fit.

#3: Magneto

There are those who will be sorely disappointed that the master of magnetism lands in this spot, and for the record… it was an incredibly tight race. Max Eisenhardt, also known as Erik Magnus Lehnsherr, knows firsthand the atrocities that humankind is capable of when driven by hatred and fear; he is a survivor of the Holocaust. In his zealousness to protect mutantkind from those who would harm them, however, his methods have seen him commit horrible acts of his own. Magneto refuses to kneel. He is powerful, both in terms of mutant abilities and as leader, and we never tire of the moral dilemmas he’s presented over the decades.

#2: Lex Luthor

It’s remarkable… Superman is a living god, and he has tangled with numerous similarly overpowered villains over the years, and yet his greatest foe remains a mortal man. Armed with nothing but his intelligence, business-sense, political clout (and yes, on occasion, a wicked awesome warsuit) Luthor proves that there’s nothing more dangerous than a human with a grudge. Lex is a self-made man, and it’s his personal mission to unmake Superman - which he’s come close to doing on many occasions. Though heroes know his villainous heart, his philanthropic ways have earned him the trust of the masses, and this makes him twice as dangerous.

#1: The Joker

According to co-creator Jerry Robinson, the Joker was designed to be an enduring arch-nemesis for the Caped Crusader - a larger-than-life Moriarty to their costumed Sherlock Holmes. Of course, the accounts of Joker’s creation are as conflicting as his in-universe origin; some claim he was supposed to die at the end of his introductory arc. Regardless, debuting in Batman #1, the Joker would grow and evolve into a massive pop culture icon. Unlike most villains, Joker’s worth can’t be measured in bodies (except maybe of Batman’s sidekicks); what makes him so compelling is his uniquely disturbed mind. He is chaos incarnate, an evildoer who defies convention by showing disinterest in power or money. He’s undoubtedly a monster, but one whose thoroughly human perversions never get old.

Who’s your all-time favorite big bad? Let us know in the comments!