Summary

• Some of the best fictional villains originate from comic books, including The Joker and Magneto.
• While antagonists from Marvel and DC are the best known, publishers like Image Comics have also created some spectacular foes.

Every superhero needs a villain to fight. Thankfully, 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:comic books have produced no shortage of memorable foes throughout the decades. Some are deliciously evil baddies you love to hate. Others are more complex, morally gray antagonists you can't help but sympathize with. Either way, comics are a great place to look for some of fiction's most formidable, entertaining, and iconic villains of all time.

While Marvel and DC are arguably the kings of creating legendary comic book bad guys, many terrifically wicked villains come from lesser-known publishers like Image Comics and IPC Media. Whether they're fighting heroes on the page or on the big screen, the following supervillains are always a joy to see and a pleasure to despise.

8 Galactus

Known as the Devourer of Worlds, Galactus is among the most powerful beings in Marvel comics. He's the sole survivor of a dead universe and now finds himself at the very top of the food chain. Equipped with the Power Cosmic, he gobbles up planets across the galaxy to satisfy his never-ending hunger.

What sets Galactus apart from other villains is that he doesn't kill out of maliciousness. He destroys as a means of survival and views humans no differently than humans view their food. You can even argue that he's a force of nature, and killing him would throw the galactic ecosystem off balance. Talk about thought-provoking.

7 Shredder

Arguably the 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:best TMNT villain, Shredder has been fighting the Turtles since the very first issue. Driven by revenge for his brother's murder, Shredder joined the Foot Clan, where he trained to be a ninja and quickly became the leader. As a feared assassin, he takes out his undying hatred on anyone who gets in his way.

Although his backsto൩ry differs between iterations, Shredder always remains a fierce martial arts master with a deep vendetta against Splinter and the Turtles. Thanks to his superhuman strength and blade-like claws, he can even overpower all four Ninja Turtles simultaneously. Needless to say, you do not want to get on his bad side.

6 Judge Death 💙 🎃

Comic book foes don't get more evil than the bloodthirsty ghost Judge Death. When he was alive, he worked as a federal judge who vowed to purge the world of crime by sentencing all criminals to the death penalty. His views on humanity became so twisted and cynical that he eventually considered living itself to be a crime.

After making a deal with the Sisters of Death, the judge transformed into an immortal spirit so he could pursue his goal of eradicating all life on Earth. Heartless and scary beyond belief, Judge Death is one of the na♒stiest villains ever created.

5 Violator

What's scarier than a clown? How about a demon disguised as a clown? Violator's job is to train Spawn to become the leader of Satan's army. However, his burning hatred for humans makes him think Spawn is unworthy of the role, leading him to sabotage and manipulate his student at every opportunity.

Violator is, by all means, the very definition of a demon. Jealous, calculating, and cruel, he savors each act of depravity and views humankind as nothing more than a means of sadistic entertainment. His philosophical clash with Spawn has led to some of the 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:greatest stories by Image Comics.

4 Lex Luthorꦆ ღ

What Lex Luthor lacks in superpowers, he makes up for with genius intellect and an unquenchable thirst for power. Whether he's running a billion-dollar company or acting as President of the United States, everything he does is to satisfy his need for authority, praise, and money.

Luthor's hatred for Superman stems from his deep jealousy. After all, he wants Metropolis to view him as their one and only savior. Because of this, he tries to paint the Man of Steel as a threat to humanity and spends his time developing schemes to end their rivalry once and for all.

3 Omni-Man

Often considered the evil version of Superman, Omni-Man is an alien sent to Earth not to protect it but to conquer it. Posing as a superhero, he earned the planet's trust and even raised a family, all while secretly ridding the globe of any threat to his invasion.

However, under his merciless, mission-oriented surface is a complex inner conflict. The more he gets to know the Earth, the fonder he grows of it and the family he's created. The result is a phenomenal redemption arc that is sure to tug at the heartstrings.

2 Magneto

Not only is Magneto one of Marvel's 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:most powerful mutants, but he's also the most nuanced foe the X-Men have ever fought. As a self-proclaimed Master of Magnetism, he can manipulate all kinds of metal, making him nearly impervious to gunfire, missiles, etc.

A victim of oppression for most of his life, Magneto has come to view humans as a threat to his species. While his acts of violence are extreme, he's motivated by a desire to create a perfect utopia for mutants. He may be a villain, but he raises some very good points and operates in a morally gray area.

Ian McKellen's depiction of Magneto is by far my favorite. I highly recommend watching the first two X-Men films to get a feel for the character's nuances.

1 The Joker

The Joker is the most iconic comic book villain for a reason. To him, life is one big joke, and crime is the punchline. While most of his backstory and motivation is a mystery, it's clear that his one and only reason for living is his deadly cat-and-mouse game with Batman.

Nothing makes Joker happier than dragging others down to his level. He'll stop at nothing to corrupt the Dark Knight, even if it means cutting off his own face to prove a point. Sadistic, unpredictable, and endlessly entertaining, Joker is easily the most complex and fearsome antagonist ever to grace the page.