Top 10 Comic Book Villains Without Powers

Now you see him, now you don't. Working as a talented stage magician has given this villain the illusion of having superpowers, however it's his clever use of hypnotism and special effects that confounds his opponents. Upon closer analysis, it's revealed that all of Mysterio's tricks and conjurations are hidden within his suit. The villain sports a large glass dome on his head that shrouds his appearance and arms the rest of his costume with toxic gasses, a smokescreen, magnetic coil springs, and even a holographic projector. So magic really is all smoke and mirrors, eh?

With wealth comes power and those who use that power for evil are some of the most threatening villains imaginable. There happens to be an immense amount of funding that goes into the super-powered weapons in the Marvel Universe, and this middle-aged business tycoon happens to own quite a number of them. Hammer is more than willing to sell those weapons to the bad guys as long as the price is right, and he sees a way for his company, Hammer Industries, to move up the business ladder.

Being a villain is no excuse to lack presentation and class. Oswald Cobblepot considers himself a “gentleman of crime” and keeps a close ear to Gotham's underbelly through means of his various nightclubs and casinos. Apart from the crime lord's affluence, Penguin is a man who believes in possessing a strong network, making him nearly untouchable by the law or rival gangs. Despite the businessman's small stature, it would be unwise to underestimate his tenacity, will to survive and of course, his weaponized umbrellas.

Ninjas are commonly known for subtly and resourcefulness, although some are still known to accessorize. Shredder is considered the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' most cutthroat villain, for a myriad of reasons. The Foot Clan ninja makes quite the appearance, as he's decked himself out in spiked armor. When combined with his natural combat ability it’s not hard to see why Shredder is one of the most menacing foes in comic book history. Unlike some villains, Shredder is patient and calculating, rarely allowing his ego to cloud his judgement. He commands an army of Foot soldiers that he's slowly accumulated over time in and effort to defeat the Turtles.

Riddle me this. What do you call a narcissistic man that clads himself in a green suit and is chalk full of riddles? A pain in the ass. Most would refer to this illusive villain as The Riddler, Batman's most cerebral foe. Unlike some of the Dark Knight's more confrontational adversaries, Edward Nygma is likely to keep his opponents at a distance and wants nothing more than to prove his intellectual superiority. By contriving hellish puzzles and traps that challenges his victims' mental capacity, The Riddler can wage his criminal war psychologically.

Precision isn't merely an option for this assassin, it’s a guarantee. Bullseye may not have any superpowers, butt his uncanny accuracy and lethal throwing arm have often been described as supernatural. Whether it be an actual weapon or something mundane and innocent, this master assassin can kill just about anyone with just about anything. Bullseye's passion for his art has led him to often stalk and study his target before striking, giving him a psychotic obsession for those he fails to take down.

This enchanting mistress of chaos is as dangerous as they come. Commonly underestimated due to her small stature and child-like behavior, Harley Quinn has proven to be one of Gotham City’s most dangerous criminals. Introduced as the Joker's right hand woman, this ex-psychiatrist is a lot more cunning than she appears to be, and like Joker, she has a specialty for finding and exploiting weaknesses of her opponents. Being a skilled gymnast and versed in a wide array of weaponry also helps this villainess to become a full triple threat with beauty, brawn, and brains. So, where do you think she lands on the hot/crazy scale?

This New York City crime lord believes in living large. Much like his influence in the streets, Kingpin's physical stature is massive, making his presence that much more intimidating. Despite his rounded appearance, Kingpin's body is primarily composed of muscle, giving him the ability to rival super-powered heroes in battle. What makes the Kingpin to threatening is that despite his wealth and prestige, he wont hesitate to get his hands dirty and be in the front lines of his criminal activities.

Power comes in a variety of different forms, however, for this tech-mogul it's expressed through a billion dollar corporation. Lex's genius and wealth has spread his influence beyond the borders of Metropolis, and gave him a bid as president of the United States despite his well-recorded criminal background. Perhaps the only thing that can match the Luthos's intelligence is his massive ego, as he's truly accepted the idea that he is the smartest man alive. There is no facet of modern science that Lex hasn't yet mastered, and with his unlimited access to extraterrestrial resources he won't stop until the whole world recognizes his excellence.
Before we unveil our pick for Top Comic Book Villain Without Powers, here are a few honorable mentions:

Two-Face

Deadshot

Captain Boomerang

William Stryker

Sanity is overrated. Being one of the wild cards amongst DC's long list of villains, The Joker's motivation and sole conquest is something that hasn't been explained. Going up against none other than Batman himself, the Clown Prince of Crime will employ any tactic at his disposal that tests the superhero's morality. Despite his comical appearance, the villain can be described as nothing short of a criminal mastermind. Commonly seen accompanied with a crew of loyal henchmen and a number of different weaponized gag props, Joker is one of the most dangerous villains in comic book history.

Do you agree with our list? What villain-without-powers did you like best? For more Top 10s published daily, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.