Top 20 Batman Villains

Written by Shiggins

Making heroes go batty.

So since Joker is still making headlines and money, I figured now was as good a time as any to publish the ranking of Batman's best bads from best to 20th. Why 20? Well, it was going to be a top 10 but Batman's rogue gallery might literally be the best of all comic booky time, so I couldn't keep it at the usual 10. (Basically, it's the reason My Hero Academia's list is 20 characters long too!). Anyway, enough stalling. Let's see who's the best of the bad, as if it isn't obvious already!

Note: Spoilers for many origin stories below!



20. Victor Zsasz

Born to a wealthy family, Victor Zsasz's depression and gambling addiction drove him to become a serial killer and damaged individual, seeing life as meaningless and fleeting. With every kill, for which he thinks his victims should be thankful for, he cuts a tally mark onto his flesh to remember them by, and has been a frequent problem for Batman since his debut.

Zsasz is not a complex villain, and isn't that interesting when compared to the rest of the party. However, he is a notable lunatic in a world of them, and he does his job well as a B-list villain for the Batman to knock out, even being one of the first enemies to take down in the amazing Arkham series. He's fine the way he is, even if it isn't much.


19. Buddy Standler/The Condiment King

First debuting in Batman: The Animated Series, The Condiment King is a terrifying and ruthless foe that has been known to strike fear into the heart of Gotham by spraying his various condiments, including both ketchup and mustard, into his enemies as he robs them! While Buddy Standler was the first name he was known by, there is also the alias Mitchell Mayo... so whichever you prefer, it's up to you.

And honestly, it's just funny to know that this character is a canon existence in the world of Batman. A franchise that takes itself far too seriously these days still has room for characters like Kite-Man, Gentleman Ghost and the Condiment King, and I pray to all above that Warner Bros has the spine to introduce the Condiment King to a live-action movie, possibly played by Patton Oswalt.


18. Waylon Jones/Killer Croc

Raised as a "freak" by his family, due to his genetic condition making him grow scales and sharp teeth, Waylon Jones eventually snapped and began a crime spree as a common but terrifying thug before Batman finally took him down. Over the years, he has been a wrestler, a member of the Suicide Squad, and even a love interest of the Enchantress because why wouldn't she go for a character who is constantly a different size in every adaptation?

Personally, I enjoy Killer Croc best when he's at his most monstrous and terrifying, such as the Arkham series when he literally towered over the player, or those times he almost exactly resembled Spider-Man's foe the Lizard, but there's appeal no matter where he is... Except 2016's Suicide Squad. Then again, he did have by far the best line in the entire film. "Not me, shorty. I'm beautiful." Yeah, he owned that film.


17. Roman Sionis/Black Mask

Making his debut in the 80s, Roman Sionis was born unlucky, despite his rich parents (there's a lot of these in Gotham, huh?), as he was literally dropped on the head as a baby. As the abuse from his parents grew, Roman eventually killed them and began a new life as a businessman, which failed so much that he went even crazier and made a black mask out of the coffin of his dead father. Later on, it became fused to his skin and... yikes.

Black Mask is often the loser of the rogues gallery when you think about it, constantly beaten and blasted, forced away to make room for another grander villain, such as when both Red Hood and Joker practically used him for their own schemes in Under the Red Hood. He's a frustrated and angry man, but that's what makes him so adorable! He'll never succeed in anything, bless him.


16. Hugo Strange

One of Batman's first recurring enemies, Professor Hugo Strange is probably one of Batman's less ridiculous foes, sometimes working as a scientist and other times as a psychiatrist for Arkham Asylum, but never in a big costume or mask. Instead, he focuses on manipulating the mind through technology and schemes, so he's almost never seen in a one-on-one with the bird.

Hugo Strange stands out by being more subdued, ironically. He often has henchmen or a sinister plot, but very rarely does he stand on the rooftop to laugh maniacally or take centre stage. He belongs in an office building earning a decent salary, but he's going to keep persistently annoying Batman until the end of his days because that's what villains do. Even the really smart ones.


15. Basil Karlo/Clayface

Much like Venom, there's been several characters who have identified as Clayface, but we're sticking with the original and classic one. Basil Karlo was a b-list actor known for playing in several horrors, who snapped when he heard his most famous movie was being remade. So he donned the "Clayface" disguise from one of his films and started murdering the main cast until Batman and the Boy Wonder stopped him. Afterwards, things happened and Clayface got the power to transform his body at will like clay, even able to shapeshift into other people!

Everyone looks a good shapeshifter done right, and Clayface is as campy as they come. His design is big and cartoonish, his motivations for being a criminal is completely vain and childish in the best ways, and his methods of committing crimes provide a lot of great battles in the series. Arkham, animated, Lego... it's crazy we've not been graced with a live-action version of him yet. Dave Bautista said he's up for that!


14. Thomas Elliot/Hush

I feel like I'm in a minority with this one, but I have a very soft spot for Hush, the titular villain of the Batman: Hush comic line and the recent animated movie. Born Thomas Elliot, Tommy was close friends with a young Bruce Wayne, playing games and braiding each other's hair, but secretly despised his parents. So he caused a car crash to kill them both, but Bruce's father Thomas Wayne saved the life of his mother, enraging Tommy and causing an immense grudge for the rest of his life.

Years later, Tommy had a run-in with a certain Mr Nygma, who had gone through his own recent drama, and the two enacted an overly-complicated plot to take down Bruce Wayne once and for all. Armed with two guns, a face of bandages and an unsympathetic motivation, Hush was finally born, and his reign might have been short, but it was damn colourful.


13. Pamela Lillian Isley/Poison Ivy

Once a rising star in the world of plant biology, Dr Pamela Isley was seduced and experimented on by her professor, turning her into the famous villain of botany and sexiness. With her newfound powers, Poison Ivy quickly began her new activist career, trying to destroy humanity so her plants could exist and prosper, since people and pollution will eventually destroy them all.

Over the years, Poison Ivy's villainous ways have been unbalanced. Many times in fact, she has fought for good and allied herself with Batman, Catwoman, and even Harley Quinn, with whom she shared a romantic interest many times. Often depicted as an antiheroine these days, Poison Ivy continues to fight for the environment, and it's clear she'll use her wicked powers of plant control and seduction-kissing to do whatever she can for them.


12. Slade Wilson/Deathstroke

Having both Deadshot and Deathstroke on the one list felt redundant honestly, since both share so many similarities and have a word for deceased as the first half of their names. And while Deadshot did exist first, Deathstroke is by far the superior one in almost every way, from his design to his abilities to his performances. (And yes, I am saying that both Ron Perlman's and Will Arnett's portrayals were better than Will Smith's, thank you for asking!)

While it is true that Slade Wilson, the former military soldier-turned-mercenary, is the archenemy of the Teen Titans, you can't forget to mention his times fighting Batman and the intense rivalry the two have shared. Deathstroke is an amazing assassin and master strategist, able to use his swords, his wits and his experience to corner Batman in almost every situation they've fought. And he's also the best Arkham boss ever. That alone is worth him being here.


11. Selina Kyle/Catwoman

I wasn't sure if Catwoman should be on this list, since she's almost always considered an antihero these days, but that would be a disservice to all the occasions she was a villain long ago. Selina Kyle is a cat burglar who took the title too literally, and has been one of the Bat-Verse's most consistent characters to date, constantly appearing in almost every major continuity and serving as Bruce Wayne's most endearing love interest.

And that is what makes Catwoman so intriguing. We'd never call her "evil", nor would we call her "pure". I'd say she's Chaotic Neutral. Her whip, tight black suit and pointy ears are iconic and have influenced countless characters in the past (Hello, Felicia Hardy), and her times as a laughing villain determined to end the Bat is a lot of fun, although slightly disappointing if you're wanting to see the complex love-hate she and Bruce have.


10. Oswald Chesterfield Cobblepot/The Penguin

I admit to never taking Batman seriously as a kid, and it was mostly because of his villains' names. Nobody, especially not a teenage twerp, should ever hear the title "The Penguin" and be intimidated or intrigued. And yet, here we are with Oswald Cobblepot being tenth place! One of Batman's most consisting and enduring villains, Oswald fancies himself the "Gentleman of Crime", although... well, the results speak for themselves.

Acting as a mob boss and owner of the Iceberg Lounge, Penguin is such an odd character, from his names to his monocle to his big nose to his entire arsenal of killer umbrellas! Yes, even by Batman standards this is doolally and yet this man is still one of the more sane individuals in the rogues gallery! Also, the performance by Robin Lord Taylor in Gotham was just spectacular.


9. Jason Todd/Red Hood

Nobody liked Jason Todd, the first Boy Wonder to replace Batman's Dick. He was whiny, he was unwanted, and the writers were quickly made aware of that (they're so lucky Twitter didn't exist yet...). Readers literally voted for him to be killed off by the Joker in one of the franchise's best moments, but nobody stays dead forever and so Jason Todd came back for revenge... and did a damn fine job of it too.

This was a reboot done right. A character trained by Batman himself, back from the dead to get his vengeance on Gotham itself, and able to predict his mentor's techniques because he was taught all the secrets! While he is an antihero these days, I'll always prefer when he was out for blood, and the argument that many characters have with Batman about whether to kill is right or not is arguably best when it comes from Jason. Also, the mask is just sexy. I mean, look at it. Look!


8. Harleen Quinzel/Harley Quinn

With the exception of Joker, no character has been more overused in Batman lore than the Joker's sidekick and "girlfriend", Harley Quinn. First appearing in Batman's animated tv show from the 90s, Harley has gone from background character to having multiple live-action films from Warner Bros, a terrible cartoon film released in 2017, and an upcoming animated series of her very own. Why? Well, it might be because she's an interesting character... or it might be because of her ass.

Now to be fair, she is a very strong character and I do enjoy her. Once a psychiatrist in Arkham Asylum, Dr Harleen Quinzel was assigned to talk to the Joker. Instead of being able to help him, he turned her to his side with his words and smile, and she began a life of crime desiring his love and attention, while he just uses and abuses her. It's a tragic, tormented relationship that took years for her to break out of, so you almost feel proud of her for being her own strong woman now. And let's face it, when the directors of Suicide Squad and Batman and Harley Quinn aren't trying to sexualise her so much, she's really damn funny!


7. Ra's Al Ghul

How do you pronounce his name? I hear some pronounce it like it rhymes with a sheep's cry, while others pronounce it as the type of death-gun I'm going to shoot my enemies with... Anyway, Ra's Al Ghul is the leader of the League of Shadows, the assassin guild that trained Bruce Wayne himself to become Batman! Does he get any scarier than that? Yes, he's immortal.

His Lazarus Pit is one of the franchise's biggest problems, constantly healing those that don't deserve it, and giving Ra's a way to return every single time. To make things even more complicated, he's the father of Talia al Ghul, one of Bruce Wayne's biggest love interests who later gave birth to Damien Wayne! As if he wasn't scary enough, he's a grandfather now!


6. Victor Fries/Mr Freeze

Did you know this guy used to be a comedic villain? Back in his original debut, before the 90s animated series made him freaking amazing and tragic, he was a ginger-eyebrow'd idiot in a yellow jumpsuit. Well now, he's a man who had to freeze his wife to keep her from dying of an illness and now hunts day and night to find a way to cure her, committing any crime he has to.

Does he get any more tragic? Yes, because his body can't touch the heat or he'll die! Which means he has to live inside a suit that keeps his temperature down, and he isn't even going to be able to hold his wife dearly if he ever does find a way to cure her. Over the years, Batman has felt great sympathy for him and does recognise his plight, but knows to stop him anyway because he's still committing sinful deeds. Mr Freeze could easily have a film of his own, now that Joker has done so well, and he's legitimately the next one I want to see get adapted. Too bad it probably won't be Arnie again...


5. Bane

The man that broke the bat! Some may worry that the famous event where he broke Batman's back with his leg is the only reason Bane is so high up, but I assure you that he has many values to boast about. Born in a prison with only a teddy bear as a friend, Bane adapted fast and became both a mental and physical genius, but was tormented by a fear of bats. So of course, he broke out and began hunting down Batman.

Unlike many other villains on this list, Bane is able to rival Batman in both strength and brains, as perfectly proven by the Knightfall story arc, and has been relentless in his pursuit to destroy him permanently throughout the years. Thanks to the drug known as "Venom", Bane's strength has gotten quite ridiculous sometimes, but he's a perfect threat to someone like Batman, and despite being relatively new by comparison of several other enemies, he's easily one of the Bat's most iconic.


4. Jonathan Crane/Scarecrow

Originally a psychologist in Arkham Asylum, Dr Jonathan Crane obsessively studied phobias in his patients and began experimenting on them. Over the years, he managed to create his iconic "Fear Toxin", and donned the mask to become the sinister villain Scarecrow. Obviously, this pinned him against Batman.

What makes Scarecrow so much fun is his use of fear and toxins, which provides a perfect counter to the Bat, who operates entirely on striking fear into the hearts of criminals. Scarecrow uses Batman's past against him, makes him sweat like no other does, and his design can be freaking gorgeous when done right. And besides Mark Hamill, he is definitely the highlight of the first Arkham game.


3. Harvey Dent/Two-Face

If there's anyone more tragic than Mr Freeze in the rogues gallery, then it's easily Harvey Dent, aka Two-Face, aka Gotham's former District Attorney, aka Batman's old friend and ally. Years ago, Harvey Dent truly wanted to change and care for Gotham City, improve it and make it better for everyone. Instead, the scum of Gotham fought back and half of his face was scarred by acid during a court trial.

Of course, this resulted in Dent going insane and calling himself Two-Face, becoming schizophrenic in the process. Every decision he makes is decided by the flip of a burnt coin, believing luck and chance to be the only fair way to judge someone's fate. Whether it's the Dark Knight, Arkham City, Animated series, Telltale, the comics or even when he was voiced by William Shatner, we all have a favourite version of Two-Face, and the fact he was once a good caring man that Gotham broke just makes Batman all the more pained to have to take him down each time.


2. Edward Nigma/The Riddler

Maybe a controversial choice for second place, but I personally knew from the start he'd be up here. Hosting one of the funniest "real names" ever, Edward Nigma grew up obsessed with puzzles and being considered the best around like no-one ever was. And since Batman was known as the "World's Greatest Detective", Nigma donned the Riddler persona and took him on!

Over the years, Riddler has almost never been physical in his fights, focusing instead of trying to outwit his enemies through the use of riddles and schemes. His arrogance has been his own undoing for decades, but he's had some truly great moments, including the original Hush storyline (ignore the film). And so he might not be as strong or subdued as many of Batman's enemies, but he's perfect the way he is, screaming and whining at Batman for "cheating", while cheating himself because he can't handle reality. And his name is a pun, which is hilarious.


1. Gentleman Ghost

He's a ghost, that is also a gentleman. He is also voiced by Weird Al Yankovic in Teen Titans Go vs Teen Titans. Nothing else needs to be explained to you.

Now for the real answer...


1. Joker

Don't judge me. Of course it was going to be him. It could literally be nobody else but the Joker. He's Batman's Lex Luthor, his Megatron, his Frieza, his Gargamel... You can't have a Batman continuity without having Joker appear eventually. What's his backstory? Well, that depends on which version you want but I personally lean towards his history being wrapped in mystery, and we don't even know his real name or where he came from.

Regardless of whether he's a psychopath with make-up, or a failed comedian who fell in chemicals, or a Lego figure who wants to hate-marry the Caped Crusader, Joker has and always will be a stunning antagonist and the best DC has to offer. From his laughter to his gadgets to his knives to his bombs to his abuse of Harley to his fascinating co-dependency on Batman... Everything about Joker is brilliant, twisted and evil. There are so many Joker portrayals out there, and almost all of them have been fantastic in their own ways. Heath Ledger, Mark Hamill, Jack Nicholson, Joaquin Phoenix, Cesar Romero, Troy Baker, Brent Spiner, Tony Hale, and even Zach Galifianakis! All give their own performances and all helped make the Clown Price of Crime a true icon of villainy.


What's your favourite Batman enemy or portrayals? Comment below!

Shiggins:[Admin]
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Born under the stars of the Dark Gods, Shiggins owns the power of the Great Eye and is utterly magnificent in his omniscience. If you dare to discover more about someone as great as him, then go ahead. And to all my friends and family members, YOU are wrong and I should be disappointed! Not the other way round!,. You can find out about him or ask him stuff on ask.fm/shigginsishere or go to his tumblr page http://otakugajeel.tumblr.com/