Top Batman villains

Batman is rich, powerful and feared amongst all wrong doers but there are some villains or so called super-villains who can match batman in a fight. They have won several times and caused him pain which even time cannot heal. So I have compiled a list of legendary Batman nemesis based on their madness by creating havoc in Gotham and Bruce Wayne’s life.

5) Scarecrow

He instills fear on minds of people by his fear gas; Batman has been prey to his plans on several counts. He has killed many innocents on his way and is associated with major terror groups.

 Name – Scarecrow

Real name - Jonathan Crane 

When first appeared?

World's Finest Comics #3 in 1941

How many issues has he appeared?

495+ issues

What are his other names?

Scarebeast
The Sinister Scarecrow
Schrocken
Ichabod Crane
Master of Fear

Physical characters - 

Gender - Male

Height - 6' 0"

Weight - 140 lbs (64 kg)

Eyes - Blue

Hair - Brown

Other stats -

Relatives - Karen Crane (mother), unknown grandmother (deceased),unknown father, unknown sister (deceased?)

Base of Operations - Gotham City

Citizenship - American

Marital Status - Single

Occupation - Professional Criminal; former Professor of Psychology

Education - Gotham University

Who created?

 He was created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane.

How did he become a villain?

He had a troubled childhood as he was born out of wedlock and his friends used to call him names like Ichabod and Scarecrow. He was abused by his great grandmother as his mother left him ; soon he became fan of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and considered Ichabod the main character his idol. He even innovated ‘violent dancing’ a blend of Kung Fu and dancing. When he was 17 he liked a girl Sherry Squires; Bo Griggs and Sherry play a prank on Crane as she guides him into a dark room and Griggs wears a Jack O'Lantern mask like antagonist Brom Bones from The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. He thus has grudge on bullies and his family for his lost childhood.

 Who was he?

He got no love or care as a child and was victim of abuse and taunts both in family and outside world. He was weak and so was bullied by almost all students in school. He was called names and children used to throw stone at him. He did swear to avenge his abuse.

  

Who is he now?

During Blackest Nights as the Black Latern Corps are destroying Gotham he goes outside to feel fear but cannot as the fear gas had its toll on his emotions. He cannot feel 5 emotional conditions and fear is one of them. He gets into Sinestro Corps to fight against Black Latern but his joy is short as Lex Luther takes his ring. He kidnaps and starts murdering college interns working for LexCorp during Brightest Day. He is stopped by Robin and Batgirl and is taken to Arkham. He is freed as Deathstroke and Titans break into Arkham Asylum.

What are his abilities?

Chemical genius – he is a skillful chemist and is evident as he developed ‘fear toxin’.

Expert fighter – he has his style of fighting technique wherein a mix of Kung Fu and dancing is involved called as ‘violent dancing’.

Phobia expert – he has immense knowledge in psychology and knows about all kinds of phobia.

Healer – he has treated many patients in Arkham Asylum.

Scarebeast – he turns into a monster with high endurance and strength.

What are his most notable crimes?

1) At 18 he causes an automobile accident in which he kills Sherry Squires and paralyses Bo Griggs.

2) He later kills many innocents as he finds pleasure in frightening innocents till death.

3) He murders his grandmother and tries to kill his sister.   

4) He kills psychology professor Avram Bramowitz and takes over psychology department in Gotham University and gives importance to study of phobia.

5) He was dismissed as he fired a bullet at a flower pot in classroom to demonstrate fear in human body; he turns his life into a criminal and thus kills everyone responsible for his dismissal.

6) Columbus Day Massacre of Gotham’s mob bosses were carried by a team of super-villains in which he was a member.

What are his weapons?

He has his fear toxin and had yellow power ring.

What are his weaknesses?

He has phobia of birds as in childhood they attacked him.

How does he Transport?

He does not have a specific vehicle.

Who portrayed him in films?

Batman Triumphant – Nicolas Cage or Steve Buscemi would have played Scarecrow if this sequel to Batman and Robin was developed. Scarecrow along with Harley Quinn supposedly was to be played by Madonna would bring Joker back to life by use of fear gas according to Joel Schumacher. This was shelved as Batman and Robin was panned by critics.

Nolan’s trilogy– played by Cillian Murphy.

4) Ra’s Al Ghul

He believes in making world a better place to live in and will resort to any atrocity to achieve it. He is father of Talia al Ghul and father-in-law of Batman.

He is immortal and has vast lifetime experience to make him Batman’s mightiest of enemies. He will commit assassination and  terrorize the world to achieve his goals.

Name - Ra’s Al Ghul

Real Name - Unknown 

When first appeared?

Batman #232 in June 1971

How many issues has he appeared?

400+ issues

What are his other names?

The Demon's Head
Terry Gene Kase
Henri Ducard
Messiah Of The Crimson Sun

Physical characters –

Gender – Male

Height – 6’4”

Weight – 215lbs (98kg)

Eyes – green

Hair - grey (with a white streak on both sides)

Other stats -

Relatives – The Sensei (father),Sora (1st wife, deceased),Melisande (2nd wife, deceased), white Ghost(Dusan Al Ghul) (son), Talai Al Ghul  (daughter), Nyssa Raatko (daughter), Robin (Damian Wayne) (grandson)

Citizenship – Egyptian American (under a false alias in Arkham)

Marital Status - Widowed

Occupation - Eco Terrorist, Businessman, Cult Leader

Education - Unknown

Who created?

Ra's al Ghul was created by Dennis O'Neil and Neal Adams.

How did he become a villain?   

 He saves a dying Prince by Lazarus pit but the Prince kills his wife and the King imprisons him with his wife’s corpse for his son’s evil deeds. He escapes the prison with a boy’s help and return to his tribe as his uncle is their King. They plot a plan by using his immense knowledge in germ research they give an infected fabric to the Prince and making him ill; King comes in their tribe for help and he executes both the King and Prince. He kills everyone in the city and declares himself as ‘The Demon's Head’.

Who was he?

He was born 600 years ago in a nomad tribe where there was no opportunity for him to expand his knowledge in field of science; so he goes to the city and marries Sora.

Who is he now?

It is because of Lazarus pit that he is immortal but his daughter Nyssa injures him and then stabs through his heart. Dying Ra’s reveals that it was his plan to make his daughters unite and be head of ‘The Demons’. Damian was used to be a portal for Ra’s resurrection and they go to Nanda Prabhat a place like Lazarus pit having Fountain of Essence. The temple is under attack from Sensei (Ra's al Ghul father) and after duel with him Batman finally emerges victorious. Ra's al Ghul returns to Gotham and makes it his new base of operation. Batman under the false identity of ‘Terry Gene Kasse’ along with forged medical and police records takes an unconscious Ra's al Ghul to Arkham Asylum as the documents reveal of him being a prisoner with multiple personality disorder and being sentenced to life imprisonment. It is told later that he escapes from Arkham.

What are his abilities?

Immortal – Lazarus pit has extended his life span.

Combater – he has used his life and wealth in learning various fighting techniques making him superior to Batman in duel.

Swordsmanship – he is excellent with swords

Alchemy – he is intellect in field of Alchemy.

Extended power – he has advanced speed, durability, strength and stamina because of Lazarus pit.

Strategist – he plans months and years ahead before executing his works.

Multilingual – he knows major languages in world apart from various Indian languages.

What are his most notable crimes?

1)  He is called as ‘Demon’s Head’ as he kills everyone in the old city after killing the King and Prince.

2) He kills the boy with whose help he escaped earlier from prison.

3) He plans a worldwide genocide in ‘Contagion’.

4) His organization unleashes a deadly virus known as ‘Ebola Gulf’ in Gotham City.

What are his weapons?

He is not shown with weapons but with his servant Ubu an expert fighter.

What are his weaknesses?

He needs Lazarus pit to power himself which might turn out to be his biggest weakness.

How does he Transport?

He is wealthy and has aircrafts and cars for locomotion.

Who portrayed him in films?

  

Batman Begins - played by Liam Neeson who is like a father to Bruce Wayne.

The Dark Knight Rises – will be played by Josh Pence

What are his memorable quotes?

"The only thing that thrives outside these walls are the six billion shortsighted parasites who continue to ravage our planet’s natural resources. On its own humanity is a destructive force. It needs a master."

“Detective, as you know, I am cursed with a love for emptiness desolation. It is a beauty to which my soul responds as pure as untainted as the deserts of my birth. I deem it my mission to purify this planet to restore it to its former beauty a mission I will brook no interference in."

"Everything I have done, I do for the greater good."

"Whoever said a picture was worth a thousand words is about to see just how badly he miscounted."

3) Bane

He is known as for causing physical damages to Batman which only a few were able to do. He is shown to be powerful than Batman even without his Venom steroid. He is one of the few people knowing Batman’s secret identity.

Name - Bane

Real Name - Unknown 

When first appeared?

- Batman: Vengeance of Bane #1 

How many issues has he appeared?

-330+ issues in January 1993

What are his other names?

The Man who “Broke the Bat”

Physical characters - 

Gender - Male

Height - 6' 8"

Weight - 350 lbs (159 kg)

Eyes - Brown

Hair - Brown

Other stats -

Relatives -  Edmund Dorrance (father), Mother (unnamed, deceased)

Base of Operations - Gotham City

Citizenship - Santa Priscan

Marital Status - Single

Occupation - Professional Criminal

Who created?

Bane was created by Chuck Dixon, Doug Moench, and Graham Nolan 

How did he become a villain?

He was subject of test for a drug named as Venom which had killed all the other subjects. He is saved by a near death experience and his physical strength is increased but he needs to take Venom every 12 hours through cables connected to his brain.

Who was he?

He was prisoner of his father’s crime and so was his mother. His mother died and he was left with a teddy bear named Osito at the age of 6. He was an excellent learner and used the prison gym to maintain his physique.

Who is he now?

He escapes from Peña Duro prison and goes to Gotham as he wanted a face-off with Batman. He breaks the wall of Arkham Asylum and sets Joker, Two-face, the Scarecrow, the Mad- Hatter , Zsasz free. He waits for Batman in Wayne Manor and breaks Batman’s back in Batcave thus leaving Batman paraplegic; he gets to be known as ‘The man who Broke Bat’. Sometimes he is shown as a person with good intentions as he saves a child and strived hard against the usage of drugs in his homeland.

What are his abilities?

Superhuman strength - he has immense power to that of a superhuman and healing abilities because of the Venom discharged by the cables. He can lift about 2 tons and sometimes 3 tons driving him insane for a brief period. He has broken backs of Batman and Killer Croc.

Super speed – with Venom he can run as fast as any man can.

Genius – in his days in prison he read almost every book and has deep knowledge in various fields thus becoming one of the most intelligent foes of Batman.

Super durability – he can endure pain of any kind .

Healing ability – he can heal his body after bullet hits and explosion; he can also fight dangerous diseases.

Legendary Warrior – he can almost fight till the end of his opponent.

Recall ability – he can recall any events in his life thus being a disciplined student and fighter.

No College – without going to college he studied book on various subjects and has knowledge in par with that of an expert.

Multilingual – he knows at most 10 major languages.

 Escapist – he escapes through the prison and helps other escape.

Great combater – he is an expert in hand to hand combat like Lady Shiva or Batman.

War strategist – he has planned various War.

Sustain without Venom – over the years he has developed a skill to be a force to reckon without use of venom.

What are his most notable crimes?

1) He killed a man at the age of 8 as the man wanted information to escape from prison.

2) He broke Batman’s back and thus established himself superior to Bat.

3) He had a fight with Captain America and was going to break his back but the latter’s shield hit Bane’s head thus saving him.

4) He was shown as a dictator as takes control of his homeland.

What are his weapons?

Venom tube is the path of injecting Venom into brain which is attached to his wrist. He can make any amount of Venom from air and quickly turn into steroids. He can control the intake amount of Venom to his body.

What are his weaknesses?

Dependence on Venom is his major drawback as an over amount of Venom can make him go on an uncontrolled rampage.

Who portrayed him in films?

Batman and Robin Movie – played by Robert Swenson in this he gets beaten by Batgirl and Robin; he barely speaks in this movie as he growls more.

The Dark Knight Rises – will be played by Tom Hardy.

What are his memorable quotes?

“Perhaps I merely wanted to help. Perhaps my heart two sizes one day; the heart is simply a muscle no. Who is to say what my venom can do?”

“You know nothing of strength, little boy. I know strength. Such as the strength that comes from numbers. And the strength one gains from knowing his enemy's weaknesses. Checkmate. ”

“For Batman I break you, Thorne! Scream his name that he may hear you. ”

“You will know my one day and on that day you will beg for mercy. You will scream my name. SCREAM IT” 

2) Two-face

One of the most dreaded criminal minds in Gotham and Batman’s arch enemy. You feel sympathy about the acid incident and so does Batman because he couldn’t save Harvey; that is the reason he is a lethal weapon against Batman.

Name - Two-Face

Real Name - Harvey Dent 

When he first appeared?

- Detective Comics #66 in August 1942

How many issues has he appeared?

- 650+ issues                                                                 

What are his other names?

Multi-Face
Twoheaded
Apollo
Janus
Gotham's Protector
Harv
The Holiday
Handsome Harvey
Big Bad Harv
Gotham's White Knight
Harvey Kent
Binary Star
The Double Man
Mr. Apollo
Mr. Dionysus
Double Dog
Mister Dent
Duke of Duality
One-Face

Physical characters -

Gender - Male

Height - 6' 0"

Weight - 182 lbs (83 kg)

Eyes - Blue

Hair - Brown

Other stats –

Relatives -Gilda Dent (ex-wife), Christopher Dent (father), unnamed mother (deceased), Murray Dent (brother, deceased)

Base of Operations - Gotham City

Citizenship - American

Marital Status - Divorced

Occupation - Criminal; former Gotham District Attorney

Education - Law School

Who created?

Bob Kane and Bill Finger

. 

How did he become a villain?

Mafia boss Sal Maroni threw acid at Harvey thus half of his face being scarred.  With this incident he developed a dual personality. It was shown differently in the movie ‘The Dark Knight’ as it is Joker planning to kill Harvey and his fiancée.

Who was he?

He was the D.A. of Gotham City and Batman’s supporter.

Who is he now?

 He is a dangerous criminal as he has to deal with dual personality. He flips the coin and does whatever the coin commands. He does crime at time 22.22(military time) which is 10.22 pm and uses .22 automatic; this is his obsession with number 2. He was once a crusader of justice and fierce than batman in implementing that.

But sometimes he does good deeds as his coin flips in good Harvey’s favor.

Many times his face was under the knife but still did not change his deeds.

What are his abilities?

1) Combat - He is good in hand to hand combat, Kung- Fu and detective work as Batman trained him.

2) Law - He knows law like no one else in Gotham being a former district attorney.

3) Underworld - He has underworld friends and is often shown as being powerful than the Penguin.

4) Sharp shooter - He is a sharp shooter as Deathstroke the Terminator trained him.

What are his most notable crimes?

1) Batman fired Dick Grayson or Robin I because of him.

2) He hires Crime Doctor to kidnap Paul Sloane an actor and scar his face.

What are his weapons?

Two semi-automatic pistols, Sniper rifle, Knives, Rocket launchers and poison gases, and many more

What are his weaknesses?

It is his coin which guides him to commit a crime or not to; Batman has stopped him several times by making him a mere pawn.

How does he Transport?

He has used many channels of escape but the most prominent one is a vehicle with one side pained green and the other white indicating his dual personality.

 Who portrayed him in films?         

Batman - he is played by Billy Dee Williams.

Batman Forever – he appears as one of the major villains in this film, alongside the Riddler; he is played by Tommy Lee Jones. Tommy lee Jones fails in capturing Two- faces’ craft in character.

The Dark Knight – he is portrayed in the right intensity by Aaron Eckhart.

What are his memorable quotes?

“I tossed my coin on it and you guys lost. That makes me a good guy for now.”

 “Heads or tails, it was a no-win situation tonight, pop” 

“I’m sure he'll understand about the greater good and the choice you had to make and all that. My question is will you ever really? 

 “Two-Face Usually, it's Harvey. Don't tell me you've given up on my better half, Batman “

“So this coin just told me to give it to you. I've got to get my old one back this one's a pain. ”

 “You said it yourself, lady. Batman made every one of us.” 

“Two faces just like this mirror. Two faces and two minds can’t fix them until they’re one right ?right?”

1) Joker

He is the main worry for Batman as his motivations are still not clear. He is known as Clown prince of crime. His style lies in his madness and attire. He had many chance of killing Batman but he didn’t as he considers Batman to be his only and worthy opponent.

Name - Joker

Real Name - Depends on his current psychosis 

When first appeared?

- Batman #1 in 1940

How many issues has he appeared?

-1400+

What are his other names?

 Clown Prince of Crime 
Harlequin of Hate
King of Arkham Asylum
Public Enemy #1
Ace of Knaves
Thin White Duke of Death
Jack Napier
Mr. Rekoj
Nemesis of The Knight
The Bandit
Mr. Face Paint
Patient 0
Patient 223
Prometheus
Red Hood
Joe White
Jocund Jack of All Crimes
Bozo
Agent of Chaos
Mr. J
Puddin'
Joe Kerr
Melvin White
Jack White
Oberon Sexton
The Gravedigger
The Domino Killer
Funny Man
Clown Prince of Chaos
Harlequin of Havoc
Mephistopheles of Mirth
Man of a Thousand False Fronts
The Man Who Laughs
Johnny Jape

Physical characters -

Gender - Male

Height - 6' 0"

Weight - 160 lbs (73 kg)

Eyes - Green

Hair - Green

Skin - White

Other stats -

Relatives - Rumored to have had a wife and daughter, both deceased.

Affiliation - Formerly Black Glove, Injustice Gang, Injustice League, Joker League of Anarchy

Base of Operations - Gotham City, Arkham Asylum; The Ha-Hacienda

Citizenship - American

Marital Status - Widowed

Occupation - Professional Criminal

Birthday: 04/01/1940

Died:

Who created?

He was created by Jerry Robinson and Bill Finge

How did he become a villain?

His origins are still not clear except the fact that he fell into a large tank of chemicals which caused oxygen deprivation in his brain and is responsible for his mental state.He blames Batman for his condition and madness.

Who was he?

He himself has told many variations about his past life. One time he says that he prefers a multiple choice option as he remembers his past life in one way and then the other way. During his stint as ‘The Red Hood’ and committing a robbery he fell into chemical tank in Ace Chemical Processing Plant.

Who is he now?

He is notorious among the lot. His entry in Gotham by killing the television reporter with Joker Venom and then announcing on television about his plan to execute Henry Calridge the millionaire. He is successful in his plan as the police and Batman remains mere spectators in his crime. He is known for murdering thousands of innocent people including police officers and detectives.

What are his abilities?

 1) Strange physiology - Due the chemical drowning he has a unique physiology compared to a normal human.

 2) Enjoys pain – his exposure to chemicals has also increased his pain resisting capacity thus he laughs at being beaten.

3) Toxic immunity – he cannot be harmed by his or other venoms.

4) Never die – he was shot point blank, dropped from heights, electrocuted and been in explosion many times but he never dies and returns with a bang to create more havoc.

5) Intellect - he has knowledge in chemistry and weaponry as he makes his explosives.

6) Sharp at point – his is a good marksman with various arms like throwing cards or grenades.

7) Brilliant planner- he is shown to be perfect with plans.

What are his most notable crimes?

1) Killing batgirl is his notable achievements as he shot Barbara Gordon in her spine, takes her naked pictures and leaves her crippled for life; she is now Oracle as she knows everything and is working with Black Canary.

2) Robin II or Jason Todd and his mother were killed by Joker in a bomb explosion.

3) He captures a large number of officers and disguises as Joker. Their friend’s sniper kills them as they have grudge against the clown; many officers were killed.

4) Damian Wayne or Bruce Wayne’s son is beaten into submission by him.

5) He shoots Sarah Essen (Jim Gordon’s ) wife in presence of infants.

6) He breaks Psimon’s head infront of Clayface and Two face.

7) He murders Mayor Dickerson and the Superintendent and several officers.

What are his weapons?

 Razor - sharp playing cards, acid flower, guns, joy buzzer and other types of weapon.

What are his weaknesses?

His unpredictable nature and mental illness are his weak points. Majority of villains don’t believe and trust him for this reason.

How does he Transport?

He uses Jokermobile.

Who portrayed him in films?

Batman: The Movie (1966) – played by Cesar Romero .

Batman (1989) - played by Jack Nicholson and is revealed that he killed Thomas and Martha Wayne.

The Dark Knight (2008) - Heath Ledger played Joker. He kills Commissioner Loeb, a judge and Rachel; Harvey becomes Two- face by the explosion planted by him.  He was given Academy award for Best Supporting Actor in a unanimous decision after his death for this role.

What are his memorable quotes?

"I believe that whatever doesn't kill you simply makes you stranger."

"Wanna know how I got theses scars?"

“Do I look like a guy with a plan? Do you want to know what I am? I'm a dog chasing cars, I wouldn't know what to do if I caught it! I just do things."

"Y'know what I noticed ? nobody panics when things go 'according to plan', even if the plan is horrifying. If tomorrow I told the press that like a gangbanger will get shot or a truckload of soldiers will be blown up, nobody panics, because it's 'all part of the plan', but if I say one, little old mayor will die well then, everyone loose their minds!"

"Why so serious?"

"You shot me in the leg! How will I walk...oh, just like your daughter. Good one, Commissioner! "

"Both of us trying to find meaning in a meaningless world! Why be disfigured outcast when I can be a notorious Crime God? Why be an orphaned boy when you can be a superhero?"

"You can't kill me without becoming like me! I can't kill you without losing the only human being who can keep up with me! Isn't it ironic?"

" The real joke is your stubborn, bone deep conviction that somehow, somewhere, all of this makes sense! That's what cracks me up each time!"

P.S – Many of batman’s foes are not there in this list like The Riddler, Catwoman, Penguin, Mr. Freeze, Mad- Hatter, Zsasz , Poison Ivy and many more because I feel like these 5 above are more vicious than any one.