5 Current Batman Villains Better Suited for Batman Beyond

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As a devoted fan of the original “Batman Beyond” series, I can’t help but appreciate its innovative approach to character development. By either crafting new adversaries for Terry McGinnis or breathing life into forgotten villains from the Silver Age, the creators kept the show fresh and exciting. Take Blight, for instance, he was ingeniously modeled after the almost-forgotten Dr. Phosphorus, while False Face was inspired by the enigmatic False Face. This philosophy was a stroke of genius that I believe should continue to shape the comics today.

The current runs of “Batman Beyond” have found themselves in a peculiar limbo – they’re not quite canon, yet they’ve managed to cultivate a dedicated fanbase. In the spirit of the legendary trio behind the show, Alan Burnett, Paul Dini, and Bruce Timm, let me share some of Batman’s arch-enemies that I believe would resonate powerfully as formidable adversaries in the “Batman Beyond” universe.

Maintaining one of the most robust Batman fan bases, a significant portion of this is attributed to creating a unique rogues gallery for him. Introducing different villains in Batman Beyond compared to the contemporary Batman mythos could make things quite intriguing.

1) Mr. Bloom

In a different phrasing: Scott Snyder seems to have an affinity for introducing numerous characters and ideas reminiscent of Batman’s future, but here’s one example to illustrate. Introduced during the DCYou era of Batman, Jim Gordon as Batman, Mr. Bloom, appears to embody a villain from the future. With his power to transform people and manipulate their growth, as well as shape-shifting abilities, Mr. Bloom stands out among other adversaries.

perhaps a new corrupt drug dealer in Neo-Gotham, and I personally think it’s time for him to come back – he’s just too cool not to.

2) The Great White Shark

In a former life, Warren White was a notorious gangster in Gotham City, who suffered from severe frostbite. Known as The Great White Shark, he has made approximately 30 appearances yet possesses a striking appearance and name. Instead of serving under the Black Mask, he could rise to become his own crime lord during the “Beyond” era. By modifying just a small aspect of his backstory, you create an even more formidable adversary.

Instead of merely looking like a great white shark, this man possesses an entirely different appearance, with extremely pale skin and deliberately sharpened teeth. Therefore, altering his characteristics slightly wouldn’t pose much difficulty. By considering the sci-fi idea of blending human and animal genes from Batman Beyond, let’s fuse him with the DNA of a great white shark. Overlooking the gills might be tricky, but endowing him with increased ferocity and the ability to breathe underwater would make for an exciting transformation. Engaging in combat with Batman and then dragging him into the water could create an intriguing fight scene.

3) Maxie Zeus

Frequently mocked by many authors, Maxie Zeus is a mobster who harbors the conviction that he’s the reborn Greek deity, Zeus. Despite being the main character here, it’s clear that he requires a significant transformation, or in other words, a fresh start beyond his current form. He possesses an appearance and a mental condition that leads him to believe he’s Zeus, but he’s only recently acquired a weapon capable of shooting electricity. It seems like it’s high time for him to undergo a change.

Instead of considering him as the actual Greek God, Zeus, we might present his persona as a powerful mafia boss in a futuristic setting. To enhance believability, advanced technology could be employed to give the impression of being Zeus. By this time, cybernetic implants would have become commonplace and our character could serve as a rival gang leader, perhaps named “Great White Shark.” Intriguingly, we could draw inspiration from Thor’s portrayal in The Ultimates 2, where his identity as Zeus remains unclear to everyone, creating an exciting enigma for both the character and us.

4) Gotham and Gotham-Girl

In the initial phase of Tom King’s “Batman” series, we encounter characters named Gotham and Gotham-Girl. Their names are somewhat predictable, but they are artificially created superheroes who possess powers similar to Superman, only within the city of Gotham. However, due to the shortened lifespans that come with their abilities, they can be seen as ticking time bombs. The way their power usage is linked directly to what’s left of their lives seems fitting for a story titled “Beyond“.

In “Beyond”, Terry was unchallenged as Batman, with numerous villains and only occasional appearances by other heroes in a Justice League two-part series. These two characters could have filled that void. Similar to the trio, they could initially act as heroes but eventually turn into villains, much like in King’s storyline. However, this concept seemed out of place in the era of “Batman” it was intended for. Instead, they would have made an entertaining dark duo to battle against Terry.

5) Mutant Leader

In the future depicted in “The Dark Knight Returns,” we encounter the Mutant Leader, a character who sets the stage for the initial challenges Batman faces. This character seems to be an innovative precursor, not unlike the Jokerz street gang or the T’s, so it makes sense that the Mutants are introduced as well. Unlike their Marvel counterparts, the mutants in this narrative are more like outcasts who have been significantly altered, possibly through genetic engineering or splicing, resulting in a stronger version of these mutated beings.

The Jokerz often seemed rather one-dimensional as a gang, and discussing the T’s might lead us down an unfavorable path. The Mutants, while not particularly formidable in the era of Beyond, possess the capacity to become a significant menace for Terry. It’s possible that some factions might break away, mirroring their behavior from their original storyline. Even naming the Mutant Leader could add a touch more depth, as he seems perfectly suited for this role.

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2025-07-14 17:13