Batman made his debut in 1939 in Detective Comics #27 where he battled Alfred Stryker, a man who conspired to kill many of his associates. It wasn’t until his third appearance in Detective Comics #29 where he fought his first super villain with Doctor Death, who would go on to be a recurring thorn in his side. His list of adversaries would continue to grow in those early days with the likes of The Mad Monk and in the pages of Batman #1 came three infamous villains with Hugo Strange, Catwoman and The Joker.
Some come close, but no superhero has a deeper and more interesting rogues gallery than Batman. Across all of the comics, shows and films, there have been countless versions of the characters and they’ve tormented Gotham in many unspeakable ways, but Batman has been there to foil their plans… most of the time. It wasn’t easy, but we’ve combed through the extensive catalog of ne’er-do-wells that call Gotham home and picked out the 15 best Batman villains, noting their first appearances, why they’re notable, and the worst thing they’ve ever done to Batman, along with some surprises.
Which Batman villains do you think are the best? Let us know in the comments below!
Best Batman Villains
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#15 Scarecrow
First appearance: World's Finest #3 1941
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#15 Scarecrow
Why he's notable: Though not a physical match for Batman, Jonathan Crane is a brilliant chemist whose fear toxin can be weaponized and forces its victims to live out their worst fears in horrifying detail.
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#15 Scarecrow
Worst thing he's done to Batman: In Detective Comics #503, Scarecrow shot Batman with an enhanced formula dart making anyone around him experience their deadliest fear, preventing Batman from helping anyone.
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#14 The Court of Owls
First appearance: Batman (Volume 2) #2
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#14 The Court of Owls
Why they're notable: The Court of Owls have pulled the strings in Gotham City for centuries and have hidden behind the literal walls of the city and made many believe they're simply boogeymen.
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#14 The Court of Owls
Worst thing they've done to Batman: Locked him in a massive underground maze for over a week, torturing him with drugged water and detailed paintings of their previous victims over the years.
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#13 Poison Ivy
First appearance: Batman #181 (1966)
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#13 Poison Ivy
Why she's notable: Poison Ivy's ability to control and manipulate plants alone makes her a noteworthy villain but her ambitions as an Eco-terrorist make her unrivaled.
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#13 Poison Ivy
Worst thing she's ever done to Batman: Once hypnotized Superman in order to kill him.
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#12 Deadshot
First appearance: Batman #59 (1950)
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#12 Deadshot
Why he's notable: Deadshot is a hitman whose entire schtick is that he never misses any shot that he takes. He's also a skilled hand-to-hand combatant.
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#12 Deadshot
Worst thing he's ever done to Batman: When Deadshot made his debut, he was a vigilante and not a career criminal, and he became so popular to the people of Gotham that people began to like him more. This did not sit well with Batman. There's also the time he shot him in the spine off of a roof.
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#11 Mr. Freeze
First appearance: Batman #121 (1959)
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#11 Mr. Freeze
Why he's notable: The line between genius scientist and criminal madman are blurred by Freeze's personal origin story. He's not only a worthy mental opponent for Batman but his tech makes him deadly too.
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#11 Mr. Freeze
Worst thing he's ever done to Batman: Froze Robin solid and almost killed him, along with many other citizens of Gotham.
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#10 The Riddler
First appearance: Detective Comics #140 (1948)
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#10 The Riddler
Why he's notable: The Riddler is a career criminal who has taken part in many daring heists and robberies and unlike many comic book villains, manages to keep most of it over the years.
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#10 The Riddler
Worst thing he's ever done to Batman: Forced him to undergo a number of bizarre cult riturals in the “Dark Knight, Dark City” storyline. He also figured out his identity once.
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#9 Catwoman
First appearance: Batman #1 (1940)
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#9 Catwoman
Why she's notable: Catwoman is a master thief, having picked and pillaged across the globe taking whatever she desires. In recent years she's stepped up her place in the underworld and gone from thief to full on crime boss.
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#9 Catwoman
Worst thing she's ever did to Batman: Charmed him into falling in love with her (more than once if we're being honest).
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#8 Deathstroke
First appearance: New Teen Titans #2 (1980)
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#8 Deathstroke
Why he's notable: Deathstroke is a master assassin and bounty hunter with unrivaled physical abilities.
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#8 Deathstroke
Worst thing he's ever done to Batman: Embarrassed him on multiple occasions by beating him in hand-to-hand combat.
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#7 Two-Face
First appearance: Detective Comics #66 (1942)
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#7 Two-Face
Why he's notable: Two-Face's psychosis and obsession with the number 2 make him a patently interesting villain, but his personal history with Batman is what makes him rooted in the Dark Knight's lore.
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#7 Two-Face
Worst thing he's ever done to Batman: Beat Robin to a pulp, forcing Batman to fire his sidekick (for the time being).
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#6 The Penguin
First appearance: Detective Comics #58 (1941)
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#6 The Penguin
Why he's notable: The Penguin has deep pockets and an extensive reach, and he's able to completely destroy someone's life without even lifting a finger.
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#6 The Penguin
Worst thing he's done to Batman: Pulling the many strings he has to make any charges the Batman brings up against are thrown out in court.
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#5 Hush
First appearance: Batman #609 (2003)
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#5 Hush
Why he's notable: A master tactician, Hush is a former friend of Bruce Wayne's who is an expert surgeon and marksmen, making for a deadly combination.
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#5 Hush
Worst thing he's done to Batman: Tortured him mentally by focusing on his guilt of Jason Todd's death and then killed his associate Harold Allnut in front of him.
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#4 Azrael
First appearance: Batman: Sword of Azrael #1 (1992)
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#4 Azrael
Why he's notable: A genetically-engineered assassin, Azrael is among one of the best fighters Batman has ever encountered; however, his obsession with his holy mission makes him dangerous.
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#4 Azrael
Worst thing he's done to Batman: Took on the mantle while Batman was injured and nearly ruined his name.
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#3 Bane
First appearance: Batman: Vengeance of Bane #1 (1993)
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#3 Bane
Why he's notable: Bane is obsessed with defeating Batman, thinking it makes him the most notable of warriors in the land and he remains obsessed with the Bat long after his life of crime ends.
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#3 Bane
Worst thing he's done to Batman: Literally broke his back.
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#2 Talia al Ghul
First appearance: Detective Comics #411 (1971)
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#2 Talia al Ghul
Why she's notable: Talia in recent years has risen the ranks of on-again and off-again flame of Batman's to a global terrorist player fulfilling her father's legacy.
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#2 Talia al Ghul
Worst thing she's done to Batman: Started the organization Leviathan to oppose Batman Inc. which lead to her orchestrating the murder of her son.
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#1 Kite Man
First appearance: Batman #133 (1960)
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HAHAHAHAHAHAHA
C''mon.
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#1 The Joker
First appearance: Batman #1 (1940)
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#1 The Joker
Why he's notable: The Joker is the perfect villain, a foil to all of Batman's plans and a thorn in his side at all times, with a smile on his face the entire time.
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#1 The Joker
Worst thing he's ever done to Batman: Murdered Batman, mutilated Alfred, paralyzed Barbara Gordon, mentally tortured Commissioner Gordon... take your pick.
