Batman's always been my favorite superhero. I've always enjoyed the fact that Batman can handle any villain without the need of powers. It almost makes it seem like he could actually exist in our world.
They say a hero is defined by his villains. If that's true, it's no wonder Batman's so obsessed with order. His enemies are so uniquely evil, they're practically the stuff of our nightmares.
What follows are my favorite Batman villains. In fact, since I'm such a Bat-nerd, I'll even give you their first appearances. Oh, and for you Catwoman fans, I'm excluding her from the countdown because she spends so much time on the right side of the law, she's more of an outlaw than a villain.
10) Harley Quinn (Batman: the Animated Series ep 22: "Joker's Favor") Harley Quinn is a unique character because unlike the others on this list, she was originally created solely for the excellent Batman: the Animated Series. She got so popular DC actually worked her into the actual universe. Harley is certifyably insane. Anyone who's fallen so hopelessly in love with The Joker has to have a screw or two loose.
9) Poison Ivy (Batman #181): Posion Ivy is more than just sex appeal. She's an environmental terrorist who can control plants. I've always thought environmentalists were crazy, but I never thought I'd actually like one.
8) Mr. Freeze (Batman #121): When Mr. Freeze first appeared he was just another villain who used cold, a la Captain Cold (was DC thining "We have two cold villains. Surely, we must be cool now!) Then came Batman: the Animated Series and that changed. Now he became a tragic character you could almost pity. When he lost nora, Freeze didn't just lose his love, he lost his sanity and humanity. He became as cold as the ice he creates. He had no emotions now, making him even more frightening. Now if only he'd turn Joel Schumacher into a human icicle.
7) The Riddler (Detective Comics #140): The Riddler is one of the craftiest villains around. I love when he shows up because he gives you the ability to play detective with Batman. If it weren't for his obesession with clues, he'd probably be a more baffling foe. But then, he wouldn't be The Riddler. And you gotta love the thinking behind his alter ego's name: Edward Nigma. That's right--E. Nigma!
6) Bane (Batman: the Vengeance of Bane) Oh boy! Bane broke Batman's back and started one of the best Batman crossovers, "Knightfall." But Bane is more than just a steroid junkie. He actually had enough intelligence to know that if he kept Batman distracted by breaking all of Arkham's inmates out, he'd weaken Batman both physically and mentally. He's tried again and again to break Batman, but if you ask me, he should forget him and go after Joel Schumacher instead. (Okay, that's the last jab I take at the guy--for this column anyway.)
5) Two-Face (Detective Comics #66) Okay, I know, I should've put Two-Face at #2. But to put him at #5 still works--it's the halfway point!
Anyway, what I like about Two-Face is he represents the evil nature within all of us. He could've been a great district attorney, but evil had other plans.
4) Deadshot (Batman #59) Hey Christopher Nolan, I have a great idea: put Deadshot in your next Batman movie. Deadshot is Batman's polar opposite. They're both rich people and have similar origins. But Deadshot is evil and will actually kill people and even use guns! Now that we've seen two animated versions of Deadshot, let's see a live-action version. Trust me, Nolan, it'll work.
3) Scarecrow (World's Finest Comics #3) Scarecrow is your worst nightmare. He can bring your worst fears to life or create completely new ones. I thought Cillian Murphy did a great job playing Scarecrow. It was very close to both the comic book and Bruce Timm and Paul Dini's version.
2) Ra's Al Ghul (Batman #232): Ra's Al Ghul is what Batman would be if he had a bigger ego. IF you listen to Ra's Al Ghul's rhetoric, the only way to fix the world is to put him in charge. I don't need Talia to tell me how screwed up that'd be. Ra's Al Ghul even crated a disease and spread it through Gotham in the "Contagion" crossover.
1) The Joker (Batman #1): Was there any doubt that the Joker would be at the top? When most people think of Batman, the Joker is the first villain they think of. The Joker delights in the chaos he reeks. The guy even poisoned the Gotham River just so the fish would have his face. Then he tried to patent them!
The Joker has even made the fight personal. He broke Batgirl's legs in The Killing Joke. He killed the second Robin, Jason Todd, in A Death in the Family. (Yeah I know DC brought him back. Don't they realize majority rules?) And let's not forget his most evil act of all, when he took over Tim Drake's mind in Batman Beyond: the Return of the Joker. The Joker is pure evil. That's why he's such a great villain.
