Top 10 Greatest DC Comics Supervillains

DC Comics has spent decades building a rogues' gallery so twisted, brilliant, and downright entertaining that sometimes you can't help but root for the bad guy. These aren't your average petty criminals. These are the ones who challenge gods, break minds, and rewrite the rules just because they feel like it.

You might love them, fear them, or want to keep them locked in Arkham forever, but there's no denying they steal the show. From cold-blooded tacticians to chaos-loving maniacs, DC's villains push their heroic counterparts to the edge and often force fans to think twice about who's really in control. They're complex, clever, and in many cases, just plain terrifying. And let's face it, their entrance scenes are almost always cooler than the hero's.

This list is all about deciding who truly deserves the title of DC's greatest villain. Maybe you've got a clear favorite. Or maybe your top pick hasn't been getting enough love. Either way, your vote helps shape the outcome.

The Top Ten

  1. The Joker

    The Joker is a fictional supervillain created by Bill Finger, Bob Kane, and Jerry Robinson, who first appeared in Batman #1, released on April 25, 1940, by DC Comics. Credit for the Joker's creation remains disputed. Both Kane and Robinson claimed responsibility for his visual design, while Finger is... read more

    Joker is my favorite DC Comics character of all time. He's better than every villain and hero in DC Comics.

    Joker is such an interesting supervillain. He has a whole bunch of fun tricks for Batman and never bores us. Joker is awesome.

    He is as much a genius as Batman. He is not protected with technology only.

  2. Darkseid

    Darkseid is a fictional supervillain in DC Comics, created by writer and artist Jack Kirby. He made a cameo in Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #134 and fully debuted in Forever People #1. He is the father of Orion, Kalibak, Grayven, and Grail, and is considered one of the most powerful antagonists in the... read more

    Darkseid has an army that grows with each new capture, taking that being's abilities and putting them to use to serve him. Count in the Omega Beams, super technology, and the mind capable of ruling his own planet, and you get a bad guy who should be number one.

    Darkseid is the most evil and powerful villain in the entire universe. He is the reason why there is a Justice League.

    Badass to the core, super powerful, super intimidating, evil in its physical form. Easily deserves top notch!

  3. Lex Luthor

    Alexander "Lex" Luthor is a fictional supervillain appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. He is typically portrayed as the archenemy of Superman. Lex Luthor is a brilliant businessman and inventor known for his intelligence and ruthless ambition.

    In many ways, more interesting than the usual number one, Joker, Lex Luthor is more diverse by being part billionaire, part mad scientist, all mixed together with a large ego. What makes him interesting is that he sees himself as a hero and believes he could save the world if it wasn't for Superman (there is some small truth to this).

    Capable of being a large threat for the Justice League or a personal one for Superman, Lex Luthor has evolved from the simple mad scientist to being one of the most innovative and impressive villains of comics and pop culture. With moments like curing his own ill sister only to reverse it and refusing to explain how he did it as long as Superman lives, to spending $75 million on a fake presidential campaign to tick Superman off, I would say he is the best villain there is.

  4. Deathstroke

    Deathstroke is a fictional supervillain appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character was created by Marv Wolfman and George Pérez. He is a mercenary and assassin who first appeared in The New Teen Titans #2 in December 1980 and has since become one of the most formidable foes... read more

    Took down several members of the Justice League (including Green Lantern) by himself at the same time! Almost beat Batman, and he's badass!

    Since Joker will forever remain number one, I'll vote for everyone's favorite DC super soldier. Deathstroke is amazing.

    He's just really cool. If I had to pick a villain to be, I would pick him.

  5. Sinestro

    Thaal Sinestro is a fictional supervillain appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character was created by John Broome and Gil Kane and first appeared in Green Lantern (vol. 2) #7 in August 1961. He is best known as the archenemy of Hal Jordan, the Green Lantern of Earth.

    Sinestro... smart, with the most indomitable will of the universe, a role model for other villains. Even the Guardians give him many chances for redemption due to his value.

    "In Blackest Day, In Brightest Night,

    beware your fears made into light!

    Let those who try to stop what's right,

    burn like my power, Sinestro's might!"

    Sinestro is the best supervillain of all time.

    Sinestro shows great fear in the universe.

  6. Catwoman

    Catwoman is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, commonly associated with the superhero Batman.

    Catwoman has been featured in numerous media adaptations related to Batman. Actresses Julie Newmar, Lee Meriwether, and Eartha Kitt introduced her to a broad... read more

  7. Bane

    Bane is a fictional supervillain in DC Comics who often serves as an enemy of Batman. He first appeared in Batman: Vengeance of Bane #1 in 1993 and was created by Chuck Dixon, Doug Moench, and Graham Nolan. Bane is known for his superhuman strength and intellect, and for using the drug Venom to enhance... read more

    Bane is the best DC villain ever! He challenges Batman in strength, combat, speed, and intelligence. He even discovered his identity and broke his back. In the Injustice timeline, he defeated Doomsday with the aid of Superman.

    Nearly destroyed Gotham, the only villain to take control of the entire city and nearly blow it to pieces! He is the most powerful and greatest villain in Batman!

    Broke Batman's back and almost killed him. Very strong, and if his strength isn't enough, he's also very smart.

  8. The Riddler

    The Riddler is a fictional supervillain appearing in comic books published by DC Comics. He is known for his obsession with riddles, puzzles, and word games. The Riddler is a frequent adversary of the superhero Batman and often leaves clues about his crimes.

    Yes! The Riddler is my personal favorite DC villain, and I love how he is still in the top ten. He is extremely intelligent, calculating, twisted, insane, sophisticated, and awesome!

    While he's not the type of villain to go head-on into a fight unless he gets desperate, it's his intelligence that makes him unique. He tests Batman's detective skills and has even gone toe-to-toe against the Flash, Green Arrow, and even the Justice League!

    The Riddler's intelligence rivals Batman's. I see no reason why he is not number one. He is eccentric, mysterious, and just downright amazing. He wears a suit covered in question marks and has a question mark cane. He isn't even violent. He will forever be my favorite.

  9. Poison Ivy

    Poison Ivy is a fictional supervillain appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. She is commonly portrayed as an adversary of the superhero Batman. Known for her expertise in botany and toxicology, she uses plant-based toxins and mind-controlling pheromones as weapons.

    She's able to outwit the majority of her opponents. She can wield her charms unlike most others, and she can kill you if you touch her. She has control over all plant life, can manipulate men into doing her bidding with ease, and can generate vines from virtually anywhere.

    How is she not higher on this list?

    She's seriously 21 on this list? She can manipulate men into doing her bidding, has genius-level intellect, and has control over all plant life. She uses her wiles to distract, and she can kill you if you so much as touch her.

    How is she so low on the list?

  10. Doomsday

    Doomsday is a fictional supervillain appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, usually depicted as an adversary of Superman. He first appeared in Superman: The Man of Steel #17 in 1992 and is best known for being the character who killed Superman in the 1992 storyline The Death of Superman... read more

    He killed Superman (for a while) and makes chaos everywhere he goes. So he's pretty scary.

    The only one that came close to killing Superman.

    11. The Newcomers
  11. ?

    Calendar Man

  12. ?

    Envy

    13. The Contenders

  13. Black Adam

    Black Adam is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. He is one of the main adversaries of the superhero Shazam, who was formerly known as Captain Marvel. Black Adam was originally depicted as a villain but has since evolved into a more complex antihero.

  14. Harley Quinn

    Harley Quinn is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. She was originally introduced as the Joker's sidekick in Batman: The Animated Series before becoming a prominent character in her own right. Over time, she evolved into an antiheroine and has appeared in numerous... read more

    In my opinion, she is one of the most psychologically intriguing characters in comics, from her obsession with the Joker to how she walks the line between silly and sinister. My favorite version of her is definitely the Batman: The Animated Series version.

    Harley Quinn is under the love of Joker. She is brave enough to love him with no love returned.

    YES! So happy she is 10! Although, she could be ahead of a few others.

  15. Two-Face

    Two-Face, also known as Harvey Dent, is a fictional villain in the DC Comics universe. He was once one of Gotham City's most respected district attorneys until half his face was disfigured by acid, an event that triggered his descent into criminality under the name Two-Face. The character has been portrayed... read more

    Either you die a hero, or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain.

    He has a good backstory, and I like the whole coin-flipping concept. He looks evil as well.

  16. Scarecrow

    The Scarecrow is a fictional supervillain appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. He is commonly portrayed as an adversary of the superhero Batman. Created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger, the character first appeared in World's Finest Comics #3 in 1941.

    Come on, 18? Scarecrow is a main nemesis of Batman.

    There is nothing to fear but fear itself.

    My favorite Batman villain, not including Joker or Deathstroke.

  17. Mr. Freeze

    Mr. Freeze, real name Victor Fries, is a fictional supervillain appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, commonly as an adversary of the superhero Batman. He is known for his cryogenic suit and ice-based weaponry. The character first appeared in Batman #121 in 1959.

  18. General Zod

    General Zod is a fictional supervillain in DC Comics and a well-known adversary of Superman. He is portrayed as a Kryptonian military leader with powers similar to those of Superman, derived from Earth's yellow sun. Zod has appeared in numerous comic storylines, animated series, and films, including... read more

    My favorite villain! He nearly destroyed Earth to rebuild Krypton and kill every human.

  19. Ares

  20. Deadshot

    Deadshot is a fictional character in American comic books published by DC Comics. He is commonly portrayed as an adversary of Batman and is known for his expert marksmanship and use of high-tech weaponry. While traditionally a supervillain, Deadshot has more recently taken on the role of an antihero... read more

  21. Professor Zoom

    Eobard Thawne, known as Professor Zoom or the Reverse-Flash, is a fictional supervillain appearing in comic books published by DC Comics. He is primarily portrayed as a nemesis of the Flash. Thawne is one of the most well-known speedster villains in the DC Universe.

    He is the ultimate bad guy, who started out with good intentions, then got muddled up by a time paradox so crazy it would make his own head hurt. He turned evil, and it is so fun to see the mind games played against his nemesis, the Flash, especially considering the history the two characters have. This should be much, MUCH higher on the list!

    I mean, seriously, he's basically the Flash but even faster. He set up one of my favorite superhero arcs. Without him, Barry Allen's mother wouldn't have been killed. If she hadn't been murdered, Barry Allen wouldn't have become the Flash.

  22. Mister Mxyzptlk

  23. Mad Hatter

  24. Atrocitus

    Atrocitus is a fictional alien supervillain and anti-hero in the DC Comics Universe. He was created by Geoff Johns and Ethan Van Sciver and is known as an adversary of the Guardians of the Universe and of Sinestro, who was once a Green Lantern. Atrocitus leads the Red Lantern Corps, a group fueled by... read more

    He's a complete badass, and he is in the Red Lantern Corps. So yeah, I vote for this dude.

  25. Killer Frost

    Killer Frost is a name used by several fictional supervillainesses appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character first appeared in Firestorm #3 in 1978, and the identity has been used by Crystal Frost, Louise Lincoln, and Caitlin Snow. Killer Frost is typically portrayed as... read more

  26. Reverse Flash

  27. Killer Croc

    Killer Croc is a fictional supervillain appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. He is most commonly portrayed as an adversary of the superhero Batman. Known for his reptilian appearance and enhanced strength, Killer Croc has appeared in multiple Batman stories, animated series, and... read more

    A crocodile humanoid with a Boston accent who is also a gangster. What more do you need?

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