Who are your favorite Batman villains?

[Mister Mets]

I have limited experience with Batman, and want recommended reading for trades- back issues. So who are your favorite Batman villains.

List as many or as few as you want.
List your favorite stories with the villains (if you want.)
Rank the list if you want to.
The villains, and stories can be as obscure, or well-known as you like.

[Guts/Batman]

my favorite is the Joker because although he is quite insane when it gets down to it if he wants to get something done, he gets it done.

I also love his total disrehard for the serious natiure of his crimes. Like in NML when he kills sarah then gets shot in the knee but gordon he jokes saying "oh wait, this is what happened to your daughter isn't it"

He's one of the only people i can say is crazier than Batman.

[the_coldest_sun]

I like Mr. Freeze, Ra's Al Ghul, and the Scarecrow.

[handOFfate]

Comic book version Joker- A twisted psycho who scares every hero in the DC Universe.

Animated version Joker- The definite version for me. Insane and deadly but funny. Mark Hamil was perfect in this role.

Burgess Meredith Batman 60s version Penguin- I simply thought he was hilarious.

Animated version Mr.Freeze- A tragedy. The comic version sucks.

Comic version Catwoman- Especially Brubeker's version. Not really a villain, but close enough.

Animated version Mad Hatter- A very underrated villain. You couldn't help but feel sorry for him.

Comic version Scarecrow- Other than Joker, perhaps Batman's scariest foe.

[Hecate]

My personal all time favorite would have to be Two-face, because he could be capable of good and bad acts at the flip of a coin. although that part of him is not really shown in recent strories he can be Two-face or Harvey Dent, depending upon the flip of a coin. I just love this character.

[Astonishing X-Fan]

Joker is a given. Both his comic and animated counterparts are among the greatest villians of all time. He's just so delightfully insane. And man, Mark Hamill's Joker laugh will always be burned into my mind.

I personally think Poison Ivy is a GREAT villian when used properly, and in a way, underrated(though she is popular enough to be considered on the rogue A-list). Especially during and after No Man's Land. The Ivy that truly loves nature and will fight for it is way better than the crook with a plant gimmick she used to be.

Animated Ivy is great, too. I doubt Ivy would have her spot as a big-time Bat-rogue if it wasn't for the animated series, just like Freeze wouldn't. The show really defined the best parts of her character...and best of all, gave her a heart. Her compassion for Harley and the plant-life were both very real and her quest for a family in "House and Garden" was touching. But at the same time, she was cold and evil to the rest of the world.

Unfortunately, animated Ivy was dumbed down a LOT in The New Batman Adventures, where she pretty much reverted back to "the crook with the plant gimmick." It's too bad, really...I really would have liked to see more of "House and Garden" Ivy...especially since TNBA had transformed her into the plant/human hynrid she is in the comics now.

Aside from Joker and Ivy...there's plenty more great villians. Two-Face, Scarecrow, Riddler...almost every rogue is simply put, a GREAT character. Batman's gotta have the best rogues gallery in comics ever.

[Ned Leeds]

Joker
Killer Croc
Arnold Wesker & Scarface

[AlanScott606]

Riddler
Joker
Mr. Freeze
Scarecrow

[TJEscobar]

I think The Joker is best villian ever in comic book history. He is simply hilarious. The Joker has done it all in comics, movies, and cartoons. Jack Nicholson maybe did the best villian job ever when he played the Joker. His villian acting is up there with James Earl Jones with the Darth Vader voice. I mean not many people can say they are Batman's main obsession. He had taken down Superman, Lex Luthor, Batman, and the list continues. I think the funniest moments with Joker is in the movie when he tricked the guy into shaking his hand and said, "Looks like Anton got a lil hot under the collar." "It will be an hot time in ole town tonight." Then when he tortured Lex in Outsiders #3.

Other notables are Ra's Al Ghoul
Two-Face being so dedicated to that coin flip.
Clayface was absolutely sweet, especially with his history as an actor.
I am really liking Black Mask right now too.

Oh yea I agree with the person who said Bats has the best villians ever.

[SonnyC79]

Joker is the all time classic I 'd think. Doesn't get better than that imo

[TheBatGotHim]

#1. The Joker

-The Riddler
-Catwoman
-Mr. Freeze
-The Penguin

[Trulyures]

#1 would be Catwoman
2. Poison Ivy
3.Mr. Freez as well (your soo cool)

[mgs]

I like Mr. Freeze, Ra's Al Ghul, and the Scarecrow.
WHOA!!!:eek: those are mine too! :)

I'd also add, from outside, Judge Dredd and Grendel Prime.

[Mon-el]

Joker
Clayface
Riddler
Catwoman
Poison Ivy
KGBeast
Ra's Al Ghul
Scarecrow
Hugo Strange
Two-Face

[Astonishing X-Fan]

You know what really makes the Batrogues stand out? Even the b-listers...like Mad Hatter, Scarface, and Harley Quinn...kick ass.

[Helena]

I would have to go with Ra's Al Ghul and David Cain. And the current version of Hush. I have never liked the Scarecrow, The Joker etc and all the psycho's. Batman is a genius and I feel that he is only tested when he goes up against men who are just as brilliant as him. I hav always wished that Batman and Lex Luthor were rivals. Instead of Lex and Superman. What a waste of characterisation.

[stealthwise]

Joker, Scarecrow, Mad Hatter, Mr. Freeze, Killer Croc, Penguin, Two-Face, Riddler, Scarface, Ra's Ah Ghul, Catwoman, Poison Ivy, Harley Quinn, Firefly, Hugo Strange, Manbat.

Yeah, I'm not picky.

[Gaz]

Comic version Catwoman- Especially Brubeker's version. Not really a villain, but close enough.
True, Selina's traditionally a villain, but Brubaker made her into DCs Daredevil...
Me, I like the Joker, Harley, Ivy and Scarecrow.

[Gingold]

Joker's my favorite A list villain. Of the 'minor' Bat-baddies, I'm particulary partial to Deadshot.

Other faves include Catwoman, Two Face, R'as and Talia, Man-Bat, Hugo Strange, and Rupert Thorne.

I'd like to see some of the lesser used villains of the past revived and made interesting again, the Wrath, Spook, Nocturna, Night Slayer,or Catman, maybe?

[Astonishing X-Fan]

Well Gingold, you'll get your wish...Catman's going to be in Gail Simone's "Villians United."

[The Joker]

1. The Joker

I have always loved The Joker. And really fell in love with the character with Jack Nicholson's brilliant performance in Burton's Batman. Quickly began reading comics soon afterwards, and found him to be my absolute favourite comic book villian. Period. A few years later, Batman:TAS debuted. And needless to say, Mark Hamill's timeless portrayal sealed the idea in my mind that The Joker is without a doubt the BEST comic book villian of ALL TIME.


2. Harley Quinn

What can I say? She's The Joker's girlfriend. Her character is just brilliant. So good in fact, that she was able to cross-over into the comic book realm. Love, love, LOVE Harley Quinn! One of the very few animated babes I find attractive. Whether or not thats a good thing or not, is questionable. But it's my prerogative. :D


3. The Penguin

Just have always liked the character. Grew up watching Burgess Meredith's portrayal, and then I also enjoyed Devito's Penguin as well. Though Devito's version was very much different from the classic version of the character I grew up with. I still enjoyed it. Even though I still prefer the classic.
Either way, The Penguin is alright by me.


4. The Riddler

An extremely under-rated villian in the Batman universe, until the HUSH storyline took place. Have just always enjoyed the character. Which Frank Gorshin's awesome performance might have had some influence on. Loved TAS version as well. It's good to see that finally, Edward is finally getting his due.


5. Two - Face

Such a great, traumatic, as well as dramatic character. Quite possibly one of the most harrowing figures ever to be presented in comic book history. Dent's fall from grace is without a doubt one of the most prolific stories in the history of comics. His unpredictability due to the simple flip of a coin makes him one of the best. The perfect villian that represents both, good as well as bad.

Honorable mentions go out to The Scarecrow, Hugo Strange, Clayface, Catwoman, Ra's Ah Ghul, and Bane.

The animated series versions of Mr. Freeze, Mad Hatter, and especially The Clock King are clearly much better than what their comic book counterparts seem capable of. They (TAS versions that is) too are great.

[grifter2k1]

Cain and Ra's are by far the best. I personally think it sucks Cain is in prison and they only had 2 meetings (once in nml and the second during bruce wayne murderer). And Ra's is someone Batman has never beaten just simply stopped him for a short while.

[Venomous]

animated Clayface, animated mr Freeze, animated Mad Hatter

easily the best

[Hex77]

1.Bane
2.Killer Croc
3.Deadshot

[Eternity Eight]

Here are a couple of my favorite Batman villains.

Mr. Zsasz - Probably my favorite of the newer Batman villains. Definetly a scary guy with an interesting premise.
Favorite Story- Batman: Shadow of the Bat 1-4

The Riddler - The Riddler is my favorite of the more classic Batman foes.
Favorite Story - Either the Hush storyline or the short Gaiman written story in that Batman Villains Secret Origins issue from way back

Black Spider 2 - Too bad about what happened - I liked the LaMonica Black Spider. I wish he had been used more often.
Favorite Story - His two part first appearance in Batman...I can't remember what issues though (Kelly Jones drew it)

Spellbinder 3 (?) - I think she is Spellbinder 3...might be Spellbinder 2, though, I'm not that savy on my Spellbinders. Anyway, she was one of my favorite Underworld Unleashed villains. She has been underused, too - except for appearing in Birds of Prey every so often (like the Birds of Prey Batgirl one shot thing and the early Apokalips story)
Favorite Story - I guess her two part Underworld Unleashed introduction in Detective Comics

Batman TAS Mr. Freeze - The Animated Series gave the character depth, something that was previously missing from the cold one *remembers Joker "icing" DCU Freeze in a Robin miniseries before TAS Freeze came along*
Favorite Story - His introductory episode, and then his second appearance of course.

[Funeral Party]

Catman
Cornelius Stirk
Faceless
Gunhawk
KGBeast
The Mad Hatter
Mortimer Kadaver
Narcosis
Ra's Al Ghul
The Scarecrow
Tally Man

[Johnathon Crane]

I like Two-Face, Scarecrow, Mad Hatter, Joker, Ventriloquist & Scarface, the first Tally Man and Black Mask. :evilsmile

Here is some information on both Tally Men, for those unfamiliar with the character (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tally_Man).

[Agentum]

It would b e Joker for me if he was not so extremly overused, they just throw him in in every story just because, i don't like it.

[protege]

I always liked the more obscure ones; Mr. Freeze, Poison Ivy, Mad Hatter, Maxie Zeus (too bad he's dead). Scarecrow and Ra's al Ghul are good too- i like the Riddler, but he seems to be a hard villain to write for.

[Domo Goddess]

I've always liked Catwoman since I like cats and whips ! :D

[brundlefly]

I second Helena's desire for a Lex/Bruce feud; I thought we would get that post-NML and FUGITIVE, but alas, it was not to be. And I liked the mention from mgs of Grendel, although I would go with Hunter Rose as opposed to Grendel Prime, as Hunter and Bruce are intriguing intellectual parallels and a good physical matchup as well.

For the actual Bat-rogues, though, my personal top five are:
Ra's al Ghul (the "Bond villain" of the Bat-rogues)
Two-Face (the unpredictable former ally)
Bane (the ultimate combo of brains and brawn)
Joker (the living, breathing personification of chaos)
Mr. Freeze (the elemental force, driven by personal tragedy)

It's hard to list a runners-up field, since I like so many of the Bat bad guys that I had enough trouble rounding out a top five. Bruce and Spidey easily have the best villains in their respective companies.

[Nefarius]

I loved Joker before the "killing Joke" or "Death in the family" stories.Joker was a homicidal maniac but he was funny.That's why i enjoyed Animated Joker.

Another great villain for me is the Wrath.He is the dark version of Batman.His parents where killed the same day that Bruce Wayne's parents died.But they killed from a cop(who was James Gordon).So he was trained all these year in the art of crime.Too bad he was killed in the same story.But he was great for one issue villain.