The best superhero stories have a strong antagonist as well as a strong protagonist, especially when it comes toDC. While the heroes can have amazing powers, there is a fine line between what makes them a hero versus a villain. A villain is willing to do some truly evil things to reach their goal.
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But what if the villain is right? The villain’s methods can be clearly evil, but there’s also the possibility that what drove them to those methods is just as, if not more, evil than the villain. And, sometimes, those villains can bring about a change in the hero or the system in which the hero works.
10The Riddler
While there are manyversions of the RiddlerthroughoutBatman, both in print and on screen, Matt Reeves brought about themost well-rounded versionof the Riddler inThe Batman. The Riddler has begun killing the politicians who are responsible for the system that produced the supervillains.
Gotham is overrun by crime, and while Batman is trying his best to step in and save the city, the politicians continue to turn more citizens into supervillains. Murder is obviously wrong, but the Riddler is right about one thing; the entire political system of Gotham needs an overhaul.
9Ra’s al Ghul
The leader of the League of Assassins is clearly not above murder to improve the world. But the assassinations the League commits are not random. Each has a specific purpose that Ra’s al Ghul and the League, itself, believes willmake the world a better place.
RELATED:The Best DC Movie TrailersThis is what makes Ra’s al Ghul such a compelling villain any time he is introduced in aBatmanproject. He really believes he’s improving the situation regardless if his methods are morally acceptable or not. He’s right that those the League kills are hurting others, but he’s not right in killing them.
8Ozymandias
Ozymandias served as one ofThe Watchmenbefore his villainous turn. He wanted to unite the world, and the scariest part is that he succeeds. He fakes an attack on New York City and the world unites to fight off who they think are the aggressors. As he says himself, he “kills millions to save billions.”
In the graphic novel, it’s a perceived outside threat, while in the movie, he frames Dr. Manhattan. It’s an extreme way to try to unite the world, but he had seen so much division in his lifetime that he just wanted things to be better.
7Gentleman Ghost
Gentleman Ghost is one of the saddest villains in the DC canon. He waswrongfully killed byHawkman and Hawkgirl. He just wants to move on to the afterlife, but he can’t. He needs their souls to move on, so he can move too, but they keep getting re-incarnated.
Gentleman Ghost tries to break their reincarnation link, so he can move on. The problem with that is that will end them forever. He’s willing to commit murder, so his soul can find peace. And, given he’s only a ghost because of their mistake, it’s easy to see why he acts the way he does.
6Magog
Magog is the villain whose actions are vile enough to force Superman into exile. In theKingdom Comegraphic novel, Magogtakes it upon himself to kill the Jokerafter the Joker kills Lois Lane. Magog believes there is no redemption for the Joker, given his history.
This, of course, violates Superman’s number one rule about not killing villains. Superman always believes there’s a chance for redemption, but Magog is convinced the Joker will just kill again.
5Poison Ivy
Plant life is essential to the existence of both human and animal life, so protecting it is an admirable goal. Unfortunately,Poison Ivysees herself asmore plant than humanand that leads her to be willing to end human lives to save the lives of plants.
In real life, there are plenty of people who will remove many of nature’s wonders in the name of progress without any concern about what can happen to the future. While there are times these people need to be stopped for the betterment of humanity, Poison Ivy’s methods undermine her ecological efforts.
4Enchantress
What happens when an evil demonic spirit possesses an innocent girl? If theSuicide Squadis nearby, her heart is put in a box and the supposed good guys use the girl’s heart tomanipulate and torture the evil spirit.
Enchantress hates everything to do with the Suicide Squad due to the actions of Amanda Waller, and it’s pretty easy to see she has a point. June Moon has already been possessed, but now she’s manipulated and tortured, as well.
3Phantasm
What if Batman had decided to murder the people who murdered his parents and then murder others who he believed would end other lives? That’s the backstory of the Phantasm. TheBatmanvillain takes a different path than the hero, but her motivations have some solid ground.
RELATED:Characters Who Could Appear In DC’s The AuthorityMuch like with the Riddler and Magog, the Phantasm believes she issaving more lives than she’s ending. Her views are on par with Ozymandias. She may be accomplishing her goals, but much like the other villains, it’s not her choice to make.
2Zoom
Zoom is a speedster from the future who understands that superheroes learn a lot from hardships. He looked up to the Flash and decides he will do everything in his power to makethe Flashthebest hero he can be. The problem, of course, is Zoom creates the Flash’s hardships.
Zoom’s view about learning from hardship is correct, but he shouldn’t be creating hardships for the Flash. As seen in comics, television series and films, the Flash creates enough of his own hardships, he doesn’t need help from future speedster.
1Mr. Freeze
Victor Fries is a loving husband who will do anything to save his dying wife. He commits murder and theft all to save his beloved Nora. She is his rock and he will stop at nothing to keep her in his life.
Love is a powerful motivator, and there are many times throughout history that love has led to some villainous actions. It’s easy to understand why Batman won’t just sit around and let Mr. Freeze commit murder and theft, but it’s also easy to understandMr. Freeze’s motivation.
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