Top 30 Greatest Batman Villains

Is The Ventriloquist one villain or two? It depends on how you look at things. Arnold Wesker, the man with his hand inside the dummy, appears to suffer from dissociative identity disorder. This means that while the puppet, a mobster named Scarface, may not actually have a mind of its own, his psychological hold over Wesker is all too real. Once just a scared young orphan, his repressed feelings eventually manifested into a violent bar fight that resulted in him being sent to Blackgate Prison. Wesker first met Scarface while incarcerated and, in another violent outburst, killed the man who had carved him. Theyve been inseparable ever since.

Unlike the Grinch, this is one villain who really knows how to get into the spirit of the season. Of course, the way Calendar Man, also known as Julian Gregory Day, likes to celebrate important (or minor) holidays is to go on a crime spree. So, maybe thats not a good thing. But still, we cant knock his commitment to the bit. Hes even been known to dress up for special occasions. How could we not love that? Even his name is a clever nod to the Julian and Gregorian calendars!

Once a history teacher with a severe hyperfixation on Greek mythology, Maxie Zeus has now risen to prominence as one of Gotham Citys most esteemed gang leaders. The only problem with his leadership? His delusions of grandeur are such that he believes he literally is an incarnation of the Greek god he shares his last name with. Another example of a villain who is firmly committed to the role, Zeus themes all his schemes around mythology, frequently wears a tunic, and even speaks in an exaggerated tone of voice that he ditches only when communicating with his daughter Medea.

In a catalog of villains that have some quirks, to say the least, Professor Pyg ranks as one of the oddest and most disturbing. A deranged serial killer and surgeon consumed by the pursuit of flawlessness, the professor transforms his victims into mindless Dollotrons. These puppets are nearly indestructible, making him a formidable threat. Professor Pyg has an obsession with the legendary Greek mythological figure Pygmalion, a sculptor who fell in love with one of his statues. Wait obsessed with a Greek mythological figure? This guy and Maxie Zeus should hang out!

Solomon Grundy, born on a Monday Made famous as an adversary of the Green Lantern Corps, Solomon Grundy has nonetheless had his fair share of run-ins with our favorite caped crusader throughout his career! The undead supervillain had a few spins put on his origin story throughout the years he tends to die and come back to life a lot! But in his original incarnation, he was a homicide victim who was resurrected as a zombie. While most of the time Grundy is straight-up evil, some of his resurrected forms have shown that they are not incapable of doing good.

Does anybody else have that one adult relative whos a little too obsessed with karate or is it just us? Lady Shiva is considered to be perhaps the greatest martial artist within the DC universe and has even put Batman on his toes. She pretty much spends her time traveling the world picking fights with everyone she comes across. Shes kind of like that guy you know whos always demanding that people debate him except thats mostly just on Reddit. Shivas tendency to wander so much in search of a worthy combatant once caused Batman to accuse her of having a death wish.

The Joker gets a lot of credit for being a dark mirror of our hero. But may we present Batmans original foil, Killer Moth, whos a little like a villainous version of the hero whos obsessed with moths instead of bats? Seriously, just like Batman, he has plenty of gadgets and gimmicks and he even has a Mothmobile! Were also impressed by just how garish his original outfit manages to be. The combination of bright green, orange, and purple, along with the fact that hes, yknow, dressed as a moth, really makes it stand out!

As a zoologist studying bats, Dr. Robert Kirkland Kirk Langstrom developed a serum that he hoped would bless humans with their sonar senses. Langstrom had a personal investment in the results of the experiment, as he was going deaf. The good news? He no longer has issues with his hearing! The horrifying news? The bat gland extract also has the mild side effect of transforming Langstrom into a grotesque bat-like creature. Be careful what you wish for we guess! Later stories have attempted to paint Man-Bat in a more sympathetic light. We can understand why its hard not to feel for a guy who just wanted to maintain the gift of hearing and ended up as an uggo.

The Phantasm is among the most memorable Batman adversaries who somehow still havent made a live-action debut. This mysterious figure debuted in the animated feature, Batman: Mask of the Phantasm, in 1993. Despite being the only animated Batman film to see a wide theatrical release, barring anything LEGO-related, the flick often ranks as a fan favorite! Forget film though The Phantasm didnt even debut in the canon of the comics until Batman/Catwoman #1 in 2020, nearly three decades after her movie was released. What gives?

Carmine Falcone is an incredible example of a Batman villain whos not intimidating because of any superpower he possesses. Instead, hes a worthy foe to Batman because of the might he wields as the face of Gothams criminal syndicate. Its an unfortunate fact that with money comes power and this Falcone crime family member has a lot of it. But its Falcones ruthlessness and strategy that really makes him someone you do not want to cross. This might be why the mob boss seems to have everybody in his pocket including the police and government officials. At times, the rivalry between the Falcones and the Maronis, Gothams other most prominent crime family, headed by Sal Maroni[e], has turned to violence in the citys streets.

Before the Joker, Batman had to deal with another demented egomaniac. Professor Hugo Strange first appeared in Detective Comics #36 in 1940. Although he has a loose grasp on sanity, hes also a genius. The criminal scientist was the first to discover Batmans true identity as Bruce Wayne. In the animated series, Strange even attempted to auction off the mask reveal to the highest bidder. The villain first appeared in live action on Gotham thanks to B.D. Wong. Strange serves as the Chief of Psychiatry at Arkham Asylum while overseeing where he conducts experiments on superhumans. In every continuity, his mask of genius allows him to get away with intellectual and complex crimes that constantly give Batman a headache.

Jervis Tetch is known for his affinity for mind control and Lewis Carrolls Alices Adventures in Wonderland. In one world, hes a shy scientist at Wayne Industries. After becoming obsessed with his secretary Alice, he uses mind control chipped cards to turn her and his enemies into mindless robots. Theres also a live-action version of the character who used his background as a professional hypnotist to control the minds of unlucky Gothamites. He also employs the Terrible Tweeds as muscle that Batman often has to deal with. If you think a guy whos a little too into Alice in wonderland isnt a threat, just talk to one of his many mentally scarred victims.

The deadly marksman who never misses first appeared in 1950s Batman #59. Deadshot, oddly dressed in a tuxedo and top hat, arrived in Gotham City as a new vigilante crime fighter. But his true aim was to become a new kingpin of crime. After the Dynamic Duo locked him up, he became more known as a hired assassin with a much better outfit. Deadshots incredible skill with weapons and off the charts accuracy has the dark knight wary of stepping into his crosshairs. Fortunately, the villain is often drafted onto Task Force X to solve problems for Amanda Waller. But whenever he crosses paths with Batman on a mission, you can bet that the bullets will fly.

Killer Croc aka Waylon Jones suffered from a rare genetic condition that gave him rougher than normal skin. Over time, he becomes more animalistic in nature. Batman has unfortunately been on the wrong end of Killer Crocs teeth more than once. Thanks to his inhuman strength and endurance, overpowering him is no easy feat. Batman usually has to rely on his wits to come up with ways to stop him before the villain can find more prey. But Killer Croc has also been seen through a sympathetic lens as a desperate man rejected by society. Whether hes portrayed as a lonely man or an all out beast, the caped crusader generally tries to avoid going for a swim with this villain.

Just like Bruce, Roman Sionis came from a wealthy Gotham family. But thanks to awful and self-absorbed parents and bad business decisions, the villain dove off the deep end. Sionis slayed his parents and used pieces of his dads casket to create his iconic black mask. The villain and his False Face Society quickly grew into a huge problem for Gotham. And since Sionis has severe anger issues, standing near him feels like hanging around a bomb that can explode at any time. Black Masks intimidating look and personality are a constant reminder of what Batman would have become if circumstances were darker. While Bruce used his money to better Gotham, Sionis used his wealth to bring Gotham down to his twisted level.

Slade Wilson was a high-ranking member of the US Army before he underwent experiments that turned him into a super-soldier. He eventually began a secret career as a mercenary called Deathstroke. Since Wilson has incredible intelligence, enhanced physical abilities and mastery of a wide range of weapons, hes an absolute nightmare for the Bat and his allies. Deathstroke has a long history of targeting Robins specifically. HIs cold and calculating nature allows him to come up with long term plans that whittle his enemies down physically and mentally. By the time Deathstroke comes to finish off most targets, theyve often already lost. Fortunately, Batman and his allies have the courage and strength to keep this mercenary from collecting his latest bounty.

Before Tommy Elliot became a brilliant surgeon, he was a childhood friend of Bruce Wayne. But the two couldnt have been more different underneath the surface. After Bruce got in his way several times, Tommy grew obsessed with bringing down the dark knight. In several realities, Elliot wrapped bandages around his head and operated as the villain Hush. Since the antagonist often knows his old friend is Batman, he can mess with both of Waynes identities. There are versions of the character who have even surgically modified their face to take Bruces place in public. Hushs obsessive nature, willingness to do anything to hurt the hero and knowledge of the caped crusaders identity have made him a villain whos very capable of silencing the bat.

The Court of Owls mainly consists of members of Gothams wealthiest and oldest families. They often use violent means to keep the city under their powerful influence. While Bruce avoids being recruited by this sinister society, Batman has to deal with the Courts chosen Talons. These lethal assassins excel at bringing down anyone that offends the owls. What makes the court and their Talons so impressive as Batman foes is how important theyve become in a short time. After first appearing in 2011, the court has played vital parts in everything from animated movies to live-action storylines. Unfortunately for Bruce, it doesnt look like the owls will fly away anytime soon.

This role of this mud monster has been played by many people who have a variety of powerful abilities. However, the version of the character most fans are familiar with was an actor who encounters a special substance that allows him to shapeshift at will. But his transformation often leaves him stuck in a mud like base form. Clayfaces ability to become virtually whoever and whatever he wants makes it extremely easy for him to hide from the worlds greatest detective. If that wasnt bad enough, he can alter his size and shrug off blows that would easily take down most foes. While Clayface is capable of playing many roles, his most famous job is being one of Batmans most difficult enemies.

One of Batmans most deranged foes is unquestionably Victor Zsasz. This supervillain likes to keep count of how many people hes slain by making new scars. And if you glance at Zsaszs body for more than a few seconds, you might be horrified about how many he has. Unlike other Batman adversaries, this villain doesnt wear a colorful costume or plan many theatrical schemes. Zsasz is quite simply a man who loves increasing his body and scar counts for money and pleasure. This villain has been hired hitman for many of Gothams worst criminals over the years. Every time Zsasz shows up in the city, Batman and his allies unfortunately know just how the villain got all of his scars.

Weve seen it time and time again the pearls, the bullets, the fleeing gunman. But the man behind the gun that typically ends Thomas and Martha Waynes lives is often overlooked. Depending on the adaptation, Joe Chill is anything from a common crook to a hitman. Whatever his formal profession or backstory may be, hes ultimately the one who fires on the Waynes. The criminals brutal actions inspire Bruce to don the cape and cowl as Gothams hero. While Chill initially gets away, he often pays a terrible price for his crimes later on. No matter how the villains life ends, hes commonly the one there when Batman begins.

To the surprise of many Gothamites, Oswald Cobblepot became one of Gotham Citys most prolific gangsters. Whether he has bird-like features or just wears black and white, enemies typically underestimate him and think calling him Penguin was funny. But Cobblepots actually a master manipulator who knows the value of information. He can easily blackmail others or use gossip to set enemies against each other. While Penguin isnt a physical match for Batman, the villain has plenty of tricks up his suit sleeves. Cobblepot can utilize trick umbrellas, hire thugs to fight the dark knight, or concoct a long term plan that puts him on top. While people still might assume Penguin is harmless at first glance, Batman will never make that mistake.

Jonathan Cranes childhood trauma made him obsessed with fear and the idea that he could control it one day. While he was ruining his reputation by experimenting on people, he developed a fear toxin. This hallucinogenic drug makes even Batmans worst nightmares feel extremely real. Since the dark knight also uses fear as a weapon, Scarecrow is his perfect psychological match. Crane is a big enough threat when he just has his fear toxin and creepy mask. But there are some versions that choose to become even more dangerous by wielding themed weapons like scythes. Each and every time an armed or unarmed Scarecrow shows up in Gotham, Batman is tasked with overcoming fear itself.

One of Batmans best-known villains is Edward Nygma. Hes the man with all the answersand the questionswell, more specifically riddles. But dont let his seemingly silly love for brain teasers fool you. While the Riddler isnt the most intimidating rogue to look at, a few of his twisted schemes have left Batman puzzled. The narcissistic megalomaniac Nygma likes to use his genius to come up with puzzles that put others in great peril. He doesnt care who gets hurt in his pursuit to prove that hes one of the smartest people in Gotham. In some iterations, Riddler becomes smart enough to figure out who Batman really is. Theres really no question as to why Nygma is such a problem for the worlds greatest detective.

Harvey Dent was once a successful District Attorney that was close to Bruce Wayne and Jim Gordon. While the legal-minded mans noble efforts earned him public adoration, he secretly had a dark side. In many versions of his story, the suppressed anger Dent kept contained for years boils to the surface when half his face is scarred. He soon becomes a dichotomous villain named Two-Face who leaves both mundane and brutal decisions up to the flip of a coin. What makes this villain stand out in Batmans rogues gallery is his truly tragic journey. Although he wanted to save the city, his suffering turned him into one of Gothams biggest threats. Batmans reminded of the dear ally he lost whenever he looks at Dents face.

While the alluring Poison Ivy insists that she only wants to save the environment, Batman knows that shes one of his deadliest foes. She often sees humanity as an obstacle in her goal to save nature. When Poison Ivy isnt using her masterful ability to command plant life, shes utilizing her powerful pheromones to control peoples behavior. She can ensure that everyone from the Dark Knight to the Man of Steel does what she wants. And Poison Ivys incredible powerset makes it very difficult for Batman to fight her. And although she absolutely does not need help, she has a habit of teaming up with fellow villains and anti-heroes. Poison Ivy has definitely blossomed into a supervillain that we cant take our eyes off of.

Mr. Freeze has one of the saddest origins of any Batman adversary. In many continuities, cryogenics scientist Victor Fries is completely focused on finding a cure for his terminally ill wife Nora. After cryogenically freezing her to preserve her life, he has an accident with icy chemicals that requires him to wear a special suit to survive. Mr. Freezes desperate need for money and quests for revenge against old enemies caused him to run into Batman countless times. However, the dark knight frequently wants to help instead of hurt the doctor. Although Freeze has occasionally worked with Batman, the doctors desire to do anything for Nora always wins out. This tragic antagonist will embrace the darkness if it means saving his wife.

Serving as the mystical leader of the League of Assassins, Ras Al Ghul seeks to eradicate humanitys evil. Unfortunately, he believes fixing the world is worth destroying institutions, cities and people. Variants of Ras tend to have centuries added to their lives after bathing in Lazarus Pits. This act has given the villain plenty of time to master martial arts that worry Batman. Despite constantly clashing with the bat, Ras al Ghul respects the hero. The League of Assassins leader even wanted Batman as his successor. But the closest Ras got was seeing his daughter Talia and Bruce have a son named Damian. Unsurprisingly, the boys birth didnt fix everything. As long as Ras evil plots put innocent lives in danger, Batman will stop him.

The man famous for breaking the Bat is often the Bane of Batmans existence. This villains path to evil started when he was forced to grow up in a brutal prison to pay for his fathers crimes. After spending years sharpening his body and mind, he took part in experiments for a drug known as venom. This substance improved his physical strength so much that he became a gigantic problem for most heroes. Although Batman can get around Banes massive muscles, thats only half the equation. Since the villains brain is as big as his biceps, the dark knight always has to be careful to avoid falling into a psychological trap. We dont think this villain will be satisfied until he permanently breaks the bat.

Was there ever any doubt that the Clown Prince of Crime would stand at the top? Batmans greatest enemy has presented himself as a campy prankster, a crime kingpin, a trigger happy maniac and more over time. But Jokers one constant in every adaptation is that he is highly unpredictable. As Joker commits unspeakable crimes, Batman is always unsure whether the clown wants to torment Bruce, decimate Gotham, or just have fun. The fact that the supervillains true origins are usually unknown makes him even scarier. Throughout the years, everyone from Mark Hamill to Heath Ledger has given us iconic takes on the character. The Jokers wild nature and fascinating relationship with Batman make him into a supervillain that always puts a smile on our faces.


Whos your favorite Batman villain who isnt the Joker? Let us know in the comments!