World’s Greatest Villains
When it comes to villains, there is no doubt that Batman’s Rogue Gallery is an impressive roster. From critically acclaimed characters like Joker to morally complex antagonists like Mr. Freeze, picking a favorite is no easy feat. This list attempts to rank Batman’s villains from most influential to least.
1. Joker
To the surprise of no one, the number one spot for Batman’s most influential villain undoubtedly goes to the clown prince of crime. Not only is Joker’s identity a major mystery, but his comedic and chaotic flair is the exact antithesis of Batman’s brooding justice. Seeing these two fight is like watching forces of nature clash against one another.
2. Red Hood
Red Hood stands out as one of the darkest moments in DC, as fans themselves voted to have the former Robin removed. What followed was a gruesome encounter with Joker, which left Jason Todd bitter, angry, and eager for revenge. This is the Robin that Batman failed, the one he couldn’t save.
3. Mr. Freeze
When it comes to morally gray heroes, Mr. Freeze fits the bill perfectly. With the simple desire to save his wife from a debilitating disease, this villain has the tendency to pull at our heartstrings. The man isn’t a bad person, but he’s willing to do bad things.
4. Two-Face
The fall of Harvey Dent was a tragic tale that turned a good-hearted lawyer into a bitter agent of chaos. Leaving everything to the flip of a coin, Harvey’s ruthlessness and crime lord tendencies have often left him with complete control over Gotham.
5. The Batman Who Laughs
One of Bruce Wayne’s worst villains is, in fact, himself. The Batman Who Laughs is a twisted and dark iteration of the hero, and in comic books, he has made his way across worlds to torment Batman.
6. Catwoman
While Selina Kyle is a reliable love interest for the Bat, she got her start as a supervillain. However, just because she’s taken on anti-heroic tendencies doesn’t mean she isn’t one of his craftiest rogues. In terms of story, she has also had significant influence, whether that means betraying the Bat or marrying him—or both.
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7. Riddler
The Riddler has a long history alongside Batman. From comical whack job to ruthless hacker, he always keeps Bruce guessing. Without a doubt, the Riddler is the smartest rogue in the gallery and has an intellect that rivals the Bat.
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8. Bane
Infamously, Bane is one of the few villains who has successfully beaten the Bat. While many may dismiss him as nothing more than brute force, he’s actually quite smart. He meticulously freed Arkham prisoners and kept the Bat running all night to tire him out before taking him out.
9. Poison Ivy
When it comes to femme fatales, Poison Ivy takes the cake. Her plant agenda is arguably admirable, and her powers make her quite the force. She once had Superman wrapped around her fingers and is now an integral character in Harley Quinn’s story.
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10. The Penguin
The Penguin is the personification of organized crime, and in modern iterations, his story showcases how a single man ruthlessly climbs to the top of a city. Unlike some of the crazies on Batman’s list, the Penguin has always been a businessman first, making him quite unique.
11. Deathstroke
Slade Wilson is considered one of the fiercest assassins around. He predominantly terrorized the Teen Titans, but when pinned against Batman, he notoriously took him down in some of their comic encounters.
12. Thalia al Ghul
Talia may not be the strongest or smartest opponent when it comes to Batman’s villains, but she has a different kind of sway. What makes her so unique is her relationship with the Bat, as she is Damian’s mother as well as the daughter of Ra’s al Ghul. Talk about complicated.
13. Scarecrow
The concept surrounding Scarecrow is undoubtedly one of the coolest things about him. With his ingenious fear toxin by his side, there have been countless occasions where Scarecrow has taken over the whole of Gotham. He was also a great antagonist in Arkham Knight.
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14. Harley Quinn
Harley Quinn is more of an anti-hero these days, but she started out as villainous as ever by Joker’s side. Regarding her influence, Harley has certainly evolved into something new and exciting.
15. Ra's Al Ghul
Ra’s has a pretty unique powerset, equipped with ancient martial arts knowledge and a life-giving Lazarus Pit that essentially makes him immortal. What makes him a great villain, though, is his tie to Batman and constant efforts to get the Bat to join the League of Assassins.
16. Hush
Hush is a pretty interesting guy, and his story shows us the consequences of Batman’s mythos. Starting out as a stalker, Hush is able to dismantle the Bat’s world from afar, showing how far a great mind can get in the City of Gotham.
17. Solomon Grundy
Solomon Grundy, likely born on a Monday, is the classic strong-man supervillain. But what makes him special is his sweet side, as we often find him showing us Batman’s humanity. Just think of their encounter in The Long Halloween, where the two managed to share a Thanksgiving dinner.
18. Hugo Strange
Similar to Lex Luthor, Hugo Strange is obsessed with his local vigilante and is pretty keen on breaking him down. Certainly, one of the smarter villains around, Strange was quite the force in Arkham City.
19. Clayface
Clayface may seem like a mindless monstrosity, but he’s honestly misunderstood. An actor who underwent a terrible accident, Clayface gives Batman the opportunity to be understanding but firm. Like most rogues in the gallery, Clayface is a product of his environment.
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20. Carmine Falcone
While Carmine Falcone lacks superpowers and craziness, he has quite a reputation as one of the kings of Gotham. Not only does Carmine control crime throughout the city, but his deep ties with the Wayne family make him a personal antagonist for Bruce.
