10 Greatest DC B-List Villains

DC Comics is home to the greatest villains in comic book history, hands down. For decades, they’ve consistently created the most popular and groundbreaking villains. Iconic characters like Lex Luthor, the Joker, and Bane aren’t just well-known – they’ve heavily influenced villain creation across the entire comic book world. But it’s not just these famous faces. The vastness of the DC Multiverse allows for an incredible range of villains, resulting in some truly amazing and unique characters.

DC Comics is known for having a wealth of interesting characters, and some of their most memorable villains aren’t always the most famous. These ‘B-list’ villains are fan favorites because they consistently deliver compelling stories. While they might not be incredibly powerful or have deeply personal conflicts with the heroes, they always manage to create exciting adventures. Here are ten of the best B-list villains from DC, characters who have driven great storylines for decades.

10) Bizarro

Bizarro is a long-standing DC character, famous as Superman’s opposite. While he possesses all of Superman’s incredible powers, he’s typically depicted as a comical and somewhat tragic figure. This blend of power and pathos has prevented him from becoming a top-tier villain – his stories often focus on humor or his unfortunate existence, and he’s rarely seen as a major threat. Despite this, Bizarro remains a compelling character, which has allowed him to maintain a dedicated fanbase.

9) Prometheus

The Justice League has faced many great villains, but Prometheus is one of the most compelling and underused. He first appeared in the JLA comic series and is essentially a dark mirror of Batman – his parents were criminals killed by law enforcement, leading him to dedicate his life to dismantling the idea of justice itself. While he’s fought both the Justice League and Batman, only a few writers, notably Grant Morrison and James Robinson, have truly captured the essence of the character. This inconsistent portrayal has prevented him from becoming a top-tier villain, which is unfortunate. I highly recommend revisiting New Year’s Evil: Prometheus #1, JLA #16-17, and the “World War III” storyline – you’ll quickly see why he deserves more attention.

8) Doctor Psycho

Wonder Woman’s villains aren’t particularly famous; even characters like Ares and Cheetah aren’t considered top-tier. However, that doesn’t mean they’re weak – they just aren’t as widely recognized. Doctor Psycho is a great example: he’s not a household name, but he’s always a fun addition whenever he appears. This small but powerful telepath intensely dislikes Wonder Woman (and women in general) and has consistently tried to defeat her. Doctor Psycho has appeared throughout Wonder Woman’s history, though his portrayal has evolved over time. Despite never becoming a major, spotlighted villain, he remains a compelling and entertaining character who deserves more appearances.

7) Krona

I’ve become a huge fan of Krona, and it’s shocking how many DC fans don’t know about him! He was one of the original Maltusians – the people who eventually became the Guardians of the Universe – and he was obsessed with learning how everything began. He built machines to look back at the dawn of time, which was strictly forbidden. What he saw – the Hand that created the universe – was incredible, and almost destroyed him! While he’s often seen as a Green Lantern villain, he was massively important in the Crisis on Infinite Earths storyline, and whenever the DC universe starts messing with alternate realities, his name always comes up. Honestly, he’s a terrifying threat to pretty much any hero, making him a really complete and compelling villain.

6) Mordru

Mordru began as a villain for the Legion of Super-Heroes, consistently attempting to dominate all future magic. Over many years, he fought the team repeatedly, posing a unique challenge compared to most single villains. It was later discovered that Mordru was an ancient Lord of Chaos, explaining his immense power and ability to always return. The JSA comic reintroduced Mordru in a modern setting, making him an even more formidable threat. He was a central figure in the first fifty issues of JSA, and is considered powerful enough to be among the top-tier villains.

5) Johnny Sorrow

Johnny Sorrow originated in the pages of JSA and remains one of DC’s most underrated villains. Originally a Golden Age thief, he used a device to phase through solid objects. A fight with the Justice Society caused the device to fail, trapping him in the otherworldly Subtle Realms. There, he became a servant of a powerful, Lovecraftian being and gained the ability to become intangible, as well as the terrifying power to kill anyone who looks at his face without a mask. He also received enhanced strength and unpredictable magical abilities. Every appearance he’s made has been excellent, even in stories like Justice League vs. Suicide Squad, but he doesn’t receive the recognition he deserves. Despite this, Johnny Sorrow is consistently a compelling villain and a legendary enemy of the JSA.

4) Blockbuster II

The original Blockbuster was a powerfully built, but not very bright, villain who sometimes fought Batman. He was part of a team of supervillains before tragically dying from a heart attack caused by his own abilities. The second Blockbuster was his brother, and he was both incredibly strong and intelligent. This allowed him to take control of the criminal underworld in Bludhaven, becoming Nightwing’s greatest foe – a truly effective villain. Think of him as a superpowered version of Kingpin, and you get the idea. He’s a serious challenge for any hero working on the streets and has become a favorite character among readers of Nightwing’s comics.

3) Parasite

Superman has battled many dangerous villains, and the Parasite is often overlooked despite being one of his best. The Parasite’s power – draining energy from anyone with superpowers – makes him a truly formidable opponent. The longer he fights, the stronger he becomes, leading to some memorable clashes with Superman and other heroes. While the Parasite isn’t a complex villain, or one known for intricate schemes, he excels as a powerful, straightforward threat. This simplicity has kept him from reaching A-list status, but it doesn’t diminish how great of a villain he truly is.

2) Vandal Savage

Vandal Savage is a villain who sometimes appears as a major threat and other times as a supporting antagonist, but he’s generally considered a second-tier villain. This immortal caveman has been influencing world events for thousands of years, and has amassed a significant amount of power, making him incredibly dangerous. He’s a versatile opponent for almost any hero, having even challenged teams like the Justice League and the Justice Society. Savage fits well into a wide variety of DC storylines and is a consistently compelling character, making him one of the most interesting villains in comics.

1) Captain Cold

Captain Cold is the quintessential gimmick villain, but don’t let that fool you. Len Snart, wielding a cold gun, became a master of freezing temperatures and a formidable opponent to the Flash, even holding his own against both Barry Allen and Wally West. As the leader of the Rogues – arguably the greatest team of supervillains in comic book history – he’s far more than just a one-note character. He’s surprisingly complex, incredibly charismatic, and always entertaining to read. Plus, he has a fantastic costume! While he initially appears to be a typical, somewhat silly villain from the early days of comics, Captain Cold has proven himself to be a true legend.

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2025-12-23 17:14