Top 15 Adult Superhero Cartoon Characters

“The Boys Presents: Diabolical” (2022)
The Homelander from “The Boys” is already a television tour de force, but we were still surprised by the depth of his animated counterpart. In the eighth episode of the anthology series, we see the superhero's first day as a member of the Seven. While the Homelander we know today is undoubtedly a monster, he surprisingly started out with good intentions. But that side of him is thrown out the window when his team up with Black Noir goes south. Antony Starr's live-action portrayal is already compelling, but the younger and more naive depiction gives us a refreshing perspective on the character. With the right guidance Homelander really could've been a force for good.

“Injustice” (2021)
After the Joker tricks Superman into killing Lois Lane and destroys Metropolis, he's met with the wrath of a Superman with nothing left to lose. From then on, the man of steel slowly becomes the world's most dangerous supervillain as he brings the Earth under tyrannical rule. It's fascinating to see the dynamics between the heroes and villains change, as Superman leads an all out war on Batman’s insurgency. While the film's violence can be hard to stomach, we can't help but be fascinated by the idea of an evil Superman.

“Stripperella” (2003-04)
She might not be the first character that comes to mind when you think of Stan Lee, but she certainly stands out for being one of the most unique superheroes he ever created. At night, Erotica Jones is an exotic dancer, and by late night, she’s a superhero/spy named “Stripperella”. In the early 2000s cartoon, she uses various superpowers– and her ‘assets’– to fight crime. Her raunchy adventures have put her in the crosshairs of many bizarre, and very adult-themed supervillains. Though she had a short run on tv, it’s hard not to appreciate her boldness and cheeky tone.

“The Maxx” (1995)
This MTV comic book adaptation came at a time when few superhero shows dared to tread such dark and experimental territory. The title character, “The Maxx”, is a homeless man who also lives a double life as a purple-skinned hero in a bizarre reality called the ‘Outback’. In both realms he protects social worker Julie from danger. With his vivid mask and animalistic traits, he’s one of the most striking and intimidating heroes out there. However, it’s his struggle to navigate the line between fantasy and reality that really makes him fascinating.

“Kite Man: Hell Yeah!” (2024-)
Who would've thought that a D-list Batman villain could be a pretty endearing lead character? Chuck Brown is a wannabe supervillain with unearned confidence and a heart of gold. From gaining his parents approval to running a grimy dive bar, Kite-Man's goals aren't exactly villainous. You'll find him in most episodes of this “Harley Quinn” spin-off just trying to get by and keep a positive attitude. While we love how evil and ambitious the Joker and Lex Luthor are, Kite-Man's problems and down-to-earth personality are a breath of fresh air.

“Batman: The Killing Joke” (2016)
When making an R-rated Batman movie, there's only one person you could get to voice the Joker: Mark Hamill. He reprises the role to perfection in what many consider to be the clown prince's definitive storyline. The story captures the Joker at his worst – he cripples Barbara Gordon by shooting her point-blank, then tortures Jim Gordon in an attempt to drive him insane. And he does this all while delivering haunting jokes and disturbing monologues. We also get flashbacks of the man before his chemical bath, letting Hamill showcase an oddly endearing Joker before he had his one really bad day.

“X-Men ‘97” (2024-)
The original animated series had a lot going for it with its surprisingly mature themes. “X-Men ‘97” takes it a step further by being more overt in its messaging. Nowhere is this clearer than with Magneto, who returns to the series to fight for mutant rights once again. Throughout his journey he makes an effort to follow in Xavier’s footsteps. Eventually he's pushed too far when a Sentinel attack takes countless mutant lives. His subsequent actions, while radical, are more understandable than ever; an aspect of the character that's better appreciated from an adult perspective. While Magneto's powers are also fun to watch, it's really his fight against hate and bigotry that makes him one of the greats.

“Batman: Under the Red Hood” (2010)
Years after the Joker brutally kills the second Robin, Jason Todd, a new vigilante called the Red Hood comes to Gotham. This would turn out to be a vengeful Jason back from the dead. While there are plenty of heavy hitters in Batman's rogues gallery, no one strikes at his heart quite like Red Hood does. Jason's resentment of his “no killing” rule calls his whole purpose into question. Jason even threatens to replace Batman by permanently wiping out criminals in the city. Although Jason's methods were demonstrated to be wrong in the end, he still gets points for challenging Batman in a way that no one else has.

DCAMU (2013-24)
One of the best characters in the whole DCAMU is the laughing magician himself. From conning ancient gods to summoning demons, Constantine has probably infuriated just about everyone he's crossed paths with. As a master of the occult, Constantine uses his magic to fight monsters and, on occasion, save lives. But his real power isn't in his spells, it's in his sharp wit and cunning, which have helped him survive everything from hellspawn to aliens from Apokolips. Despite his deceptive charm, however, he's a deeply tragic figure. He's often haunted by his greatest sins and the ghosts of his past. Wherever he goes, you can count on him to turn any situation into a bloody, chaotic mess.

“Batman: The Dark Knight Returns” (2013)
There have been several iconic animated Batmans. Films like “The Long Halloween” were great at adapting the character's deep sadness and intelligence. “The Dark Knight Returns”, however, captures practically everything we love about Batman, even if he is an older and more cynical iteration. Based on Frank Miller's acclaimed miniseries, this story follows Batman as he comes out of retirement to fight a new wave of crime in Gotham. His crusade leads him to face off against a Mutant gang Leader, the Joker, and Superman, in some of his greatest fights ever put to film. In the end he proved that even old age won't stop him from being one of the best superheroes of all time.

“Hellboy: Blood and Iron” (2007)
While we do love Guillermo del Toro’s live-action films, animation perfectly captures the flair and horror of the supernatural hero. Set between del Toro’s first two movies, this animated feature pits Hellboy against the dark goddess Hecate. He delivers all the fierce action and witty banter that fans have come to expect from him. That’s due in no small part to Ron Perlman, who flawlessly transitioned into voicing the iconic role. Hellboy’s design is also reminiscent of Mike Mignola’s original artwork. So it really feels like the character hopped straight out of the pages of the comics.

“Hit-Monkey” (2021-)
One of Marvel's most underrated characters, Hit-Monkey finally gets the spotlight in his own series. After the traumatizing massacre of his entire clan, Monkey sets off on a revenge quest against those who killed his family. If you're a Marvel fan and action junkie, this character is tailor-made for you. Hit-Monkey gets into all kinds of thrilling shootouts, fast-paced sword fights, and high octane chases. But he's not just about mindless violence - Monkey's guilty conscience and friendship with the assassin Bryce serve as the emotional core of the series. You'll watch Hit-Monkey for the gunfights, but you'll stay for his surprisingly heartfelt story about loss and redemption.

“Spawn: The Animated Series” (1997-99)
The assassin turned antihero from hell may be Todd McFarlane’s most iconic creation. Though the series strays quite a bit from the comics, the violence and mature storylines are present throughout. But the best part of the show has to be Spawn himself. His internal struggle with the devil’s influence makes for a tragic and deeply captivating figure. He steals nearly every scene he’s in just by letting his cape billow in the wind. And we’d be remiss to not mention Keith David’s chilling, and outright badass vocal performance. The show wouldn’t be nearly as memorable without him in the role.

“Harley Quinn” (2019-)
What happens when the Joker's girlfriend decides to become her own special brand of villain? You get one of the funniest, most foul-mouthed, and excessively violent characters that DC has ever produced. In this show, Harley Quinn, voiced by Kaley Cuoco, tries to make a name for herself by pulling off insane crimes. She may not be the most dangerous Batman villain, but she manages to stand out by being resourceful, and hilariously relatable. We all know what it's like to want independence, deal with frustrating coworkers, and feel nervous about a new relationship. We might not handle it by swinging a baseball bat, but we get why it works for Harley.

“Invincible” (2021-)
Most of the first episode had us thinking we were getting a typical superhero show. The end fight quickly proved us wrong, and Mark Grayson's violent journey since has made him one of the most uniquely adult superheroes. Throughout the series, Invincible is constantly put through the wringer. He dishes out brutal beatdowns and takes his fair share of punishment in return. Somehow he manages to keep his moral compass intact, choosing to hold back his full power so that he doesn't become like his enemies. But that doesn't mean he won't get his hands dirty when he needs to. Invincible is a shining example of how to write a superhero for adult audiences without making them evil or edgy.

Many of the most violent and adult-themed superheroes seem to come from DC. Does that mean DC is darker than Marvel? Tell us what you think in the comments.