Greatest Batman Villains, Part One

“Who is your favorite villain?”  That’s the question I get asked the absolute most in regards to Bat-fandom.  It’s not an easy question to answer, but answer it I will.  To do that, I present you with:

My Top 15 Bat-Villains

Honorable Mentions

These guys are all extremely credible villains, but in a field so crowded, not everyone could make the cut.

Killer Croc

 

First appearance (Batman #357, March 1983)

Mr. Freeze

 

First appearance (Batman #121; March 1968)

Poison Ivy

 

First appearance (Batman #181, June 1966)

Scarecrow

 

First appearance (World's Finest Comics, Fall 1941)

Professor Hugo Strange

 

First appearance (Detective Comics #36, February 1940)

#15- Harley Quinn

 

Ms. Quinzel

Not always the dual hair-toned, shorts wearing psychopath that Margot Robbie will play in 2016’s Suicide Squad, there’s one thing Harley Quinn has always been: Awesome.  First appearing on Batman: The Animated Series, Harley has since been adapted into the comic book world, where she has transformed as a character completely different than the sidekick of The Joker as she was introduced.  Now starring in three separate comic titles (Harley Quinn, New Suicide Squad, and the June debuting Harley Quinn and Power Girl), Harley has become one of DC’s most well-known characters, even appearing on the cover of the crossover event Convergence.

#14- Carmine “The Roman” Falcone

 

Carmine as he appears in Batman Begins

With his first appearance in Batman #404, the opening issue of Frank Miller’s “Year One”, Falcone has remained a staple of Batman’s origin since the late-80s.  The character has made prominent appearances in The Long Halloween and Dark Victory, but has largely remained in Batman’s past until 2014’s Batman Eternal weekly series.

#13- Jason Todd

 

Boy Wonder no more

Yes, one of Batman’s greatest villains is a former Robin.  Thought dead at the hands of The Joker, Jason Todd went on to become the murderous vigilante known as Red Hood.  Holding a grudge against Batman for not avenging his believed death, Jason took matters into his own hands against the Clown Prince of Crime.  Ultimately, Red Hood began operating under Batman’s rules again (no killing, duh) and became a fixture in the Batman Family once more.

#12- 

How would a list of Batman’s villains be complete without the scum that began it all?  One night, after a viewing of The Mark of Zorro, Bruce Wayne’s parents are gunned down before his eyes.  The origin of Batman was told in Detective Comics #33, but the gunman remained unnamed until July 1948’s Batman #47 where he was revealed as Joe Chill.

#11- The Penguin

 

Batman #169

For a villain who is oftentimes viewed as comedic, the audience of Fox’s Gotham can attest that Oswald Cobblepot is far from it.  A mainstay of Batman’s rogues for seven decades, Penguin adds a bit of flair to the already flamboyant collection of criminals.

#10- Court of Owls

 

Creepy mf-er's

Owls creep me out.  Always have.  The introduction of the secret society known as the Court of Owls in September 2011’s Batman (vol. 2) #1 did nothing to help matters.  Operating in shadows and whispers in Gotham City since its inception, Batman learns of the Court’s existence and becomes their target.  Along with their well-armed, zombie-like soldiers known as the Talons, the Court of Owls are the best addition to the Batman mythos in at least 15 years.

#9- The Riddler

 

First appearance (Detective Comics #140, October 1948)

Riddle me this: who can pull off not only a question marked jumpsuit, but also a bowler hat and cane?  Obviously, Edward Nygma.  The best villains challenge their heroes in ways that no others can.  In the case of The Riddler, it’s Batman’s wits that he matches with.  Riddler fancies himself smarter than the Dark Knight, which (almost) always is his undoing.

#8- Hush

 

First appearance (Batman #609, January 2003)

Young Tommy Elliot took childhood jealousy to the extreme when he masterminded a plan to completely destroy everything that Bruce Wayne/Batman holds dear.

#7- Two-Face

 

Two-Face as he appears in 2011's Arkham City video game

With his psyche as split as his scarred face, former Gotham District Attorney Harvey Dent is as obsessed over duality (and his coin) almost as much as Batman is obsesses with bringing justice to his city.  His first appearance came in Detective Comics #66 (August 1942).

#6- Catwoman

 

First appearance (Batman #1, Spring 1940)

What better adversary than someone you love?  Oftentimes the person with which we are infatuated is the same to cause us pain.  No more true is that than with Batman and Catwoman.  Two people who are diametrically opposed to one another in ideology, but are so very similar despite that.

 

Superman!  Wtf, bro?

Just as every Batman needs a Robin, every Batman needs a Catwoman.

Will your favorite villain make the top five???  Will The Joker end up at the top of the list???  Tune in tomorrow to find out!  Same Bat-Time!  Same Bat-Channel!

-Josh

Sources: excerpts from primary source interviews; Wikipedia

 
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