Top 10 Unfairly Overlooked Batman Villains

Top 10 Underrated Batman Villains

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the Caped Crusader’s most unfairly overlooked adversaries.

#10: Clayface

While probably the most recognizable name on the list, this fearsome foe’s untapped potential makes him a surefire addition. Emotionally, the character’s most celebrated backstory as a theater actor is instantly endearing – whether used for levity or for gravitas. As an enemy, fans have lamented how Clayface is typically used mostly as brute force, even though his power set is so promising. His malleable physical form seems made for innovative set pieces and special effects. Its ability to regenerate body mass and adjust shape, density, or strength should prove daunting to overcome. And perhaps most enticing of all, his shapeshifting provides a wide runway for twists and mischief. Just imagine a detective caper where neither us nor the Bat really knows who’s who.

#9: Black Mask

Organized crime is an essential part of Gotham conflict. With so many strange evil-doers around, the city needs street-level threats to stay (at least somewhat) grounded. And while Chris Nolan got us familiar with a name like Carmine Falcone, this mob boss might just be the pick of the litter. His origin involves burning down his family manor with his parents inside and crafting a mask from his father’s ebony coffin. Yeah, ‘unhinged’ is likely too soft a word for Roman Sionis. While his eventual criminal regime may be built on great wealth and resources, it’s largely maintained by notoriously brutal violence. And unfortunately for his victims and his henchmen, Black Mask’s appetite for cruel torture is second only to his extremely short fuse.

#8: Man-Bat

Before his time as this nocturnal rival, Dr. Kirk Langstrom was a zoologist working to provide extrahuman sonar abilities to those who needed them most. Instead, he found himself taking to the skies as a half-bat hybrid, with frighteningly enhanced strength, speed, and agility. In addition to that athleticism, his transformation gave him razor-sharp claws, ear-shattering sonic waves, and echolocation for navigating darkness. This intimidating combination of traits is only intensified by his unpredictability; either dissociating into an out-of-control beast or retaining his high-level intellect and altruism. Luckily, some stories see that latter version become more of an anti-hero. But in any case, the Man-Bat is primed for a definitive adaptation – especially one that can capitalize on his classic monster movie vibes.

#7: Lady Shiva

It’s not everyday you hear Batman pay a nemesis a compliment! This legendary warrior has been widely touted as the most lethal assassin and paramount martial artist in the DC Universe. Her sheer mastery of combat places her amongst the very few to truly match Bruce Wayne. As the man himself said following his “Knightfall” defeat against Bane, “she may well be the best fighter alive.” On top of helping Bruce recover from that loss, she is also known for training Tim Drake on his path to become Robin; and later, for her complex relationship with her daughter Cassandra Cain, an eventual Batgirl. Shiva’s exceptional abilities include adept body-language literacy to predict opponents’ moves and the use of ‘Dim Mak,’ a devastating technique targeting vital body sites.

#6: Solomon Grundy

Feeling tailor-made for a horror-fantasy film by Guillermo del Toro, this macabre colossus is an inescapable force. He is virtually invulnerable to most forms of damage – including artillery, natural elements, or metahuman energy (including that wielded by the Green Lanterns). And even if killed, his biggest playing card is returning to life despite death after death. As such, versions of Cyrus Gold’s gothic alter-ego have varied. We’ve seen his strength reach levels that have even challenged Superman. In a poignant outing, he built a friendship with Shayera Hol, Hawkgirl. In “The Long Halloween,” we see him as a (mostly) gentle giant who lived in solitude. Whereas in “Arkham City,” he’s a thunderous and ferocious behemoth. Whichever Grundy we get, though, he’s guaranteed to steal the show.

#5: Calendar Man

Talk about a glow-up! Commonly waved off as a gag villain during his early outings, this temporal menace seemed more like a parody of ridiculous gimmicks. His obsession with holidays, dates, and seasons dictated his crime schedule, the acts themselves, and even his chosen outfit. As a result, Julian Gregory Day was the butt of many a joke…until a few truly sinister appearances. Most famously, in “The Long Halloween,” he advised a very reluctant Batman & Gordon in their hunt for a similar murderer. Hannibal Lecter comparisons naturally followed but we’d also argue John Doe from “Se7en” is a strong parallel. Meanwhile, in “Arkham City,” we get even more from an unsettling Calendar Man, whose laundry list of offenses is nothing short of chilling.

#4: Prometheus

While many Bat-foes are mirrors of the Dark Knight in one way or another, this ruthless opponent might be his most striking foil so far. With a drive to destroy justice after his parents were killed by law enforcement, Prometheus’ prowess in strategy, preparation, and technology rendered him a tragic inversion of Bruce Wayne. His physical and mental brilliance makes him a surprising yet genuine solo threat to the Justice League; as seen in encounters where he overpowers or out-thinks multiple heroes. Alongside his imposing armor, his helmet is capable of downloading vast dossiers of knowledge and skills, almost as easily as “The Matrix!” And if that weren’t enough, his hideout lies in the ‘Ghost Zone,’ a dimension that only a few can teleport to.

#3: Maxie Zeus

We’d wager this dastardly heel would love the “Percy Jackson” books! Maximilian Zeus’ portrayals have ranged between an obsessive professor, a fanatic multimillionaire, and a wannabe motivational speaker. In each case, though, we end up with a total megalomaniac who believes himself to be the deity Zeus. As such, he tailors his surroundings to Greek mythology. This god complex helps him climb the ranks of Gotham’s crime lords. On which, he uses his boisterous charisma to sway followers into his autocratic cult of personality. One instance of that supposed leadership can be seen with his group of fellow myth-based metahumans called the New Olympians. All that being said, Maxie’s gimmick is so fun that we can’t help but love to hate him.

#2: The Ventriloquist

Deftly balancing between eerie and campy, this memorable duo has become a beloved part of the Bat’s cabal of wrongdoers. While at first appearing like a classic comedy duo, there is soon evident dread underneath. Stemming within Arnold Wesker’s mind, his dissociative identity gives way to Scarface: a brash and violent mafia gangster, who also just happens to be…his puppet. Unluckily for Arnold, his companion is often the dominant force between them, relegating him to be more of a mere flunkey. But since it all truly is coming from Wesker, this psychosis is also a great source of trauma and tangled agency, ultimately creating a wholly compelling character. Later incarnations pushed the concept even further, with Shauna Belzer introducing superhuman aspects like telekinesis.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

The Clock King
One Comic Iteration Can See Nearly Five Seconds Into The Future And Dominate Combat

Jane Doe
Serial Killer Who Obsessively Studies And Emulates Victims Before Literally Wearing Their Skin

Anarky
Teenage Genius And Anti-Authoritarian Reformer Who Pushes The Limits

#1: Professor Pyg

It’s easy to lose track of normalcy when exploring the depths of Gotham’s most wanted. And then…you come across Professor Pyg. If there were a race for ‘most demented villain,’ we’d struggle to imagine anyone else taking the crown, as even the Joker might attest to! With a focus on physical mutilation and mind control, Lazlo Valentin is an expert surgeon and compulsive serial killer. In his signature pig mask, he abducts civilians and fashions them into appalling, subservient “Dollotrons” according to his vision of ‘perfection.’ At times, he’s even forged human-animal hybrids! Writer Grant Morrison has described him as one of the “weirdest, most insane” characters in Batman lore and we’ve found no reason to argue.

Did we miss any deserving baddies? Let us know in the comments!