7 Best New DC Supervillains of the Past 5 Years

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Since 2020, DC Comics has created a number of highly praised story arcs. Alongside these stories, they’ve introduced compelling new characters, including truly frightening villains who could plunge the DC Universe into turmoil. These villains aren’t just threats; they have complex relationships with the heroes and often reflect current social issues. From shadowy masterminds pulling the strings to unpredictable and dangerous killers, the villains of the 2020s are memorable and could become iconic for years to come.

As a big DC fan, I’ve noticed a trend lately – a lot of the most compelling stories really depend on these new villains. They aren’t just there to be defeated; they actually push the heroes and create genuine, high-stakes conflicts. It feels like DC’s been building these threats to really test their characters, and it’s been working!

7) Respawn

Respawn is a clone of Damian Wayne, created by Ra’s al Ghul in 2021. He was given the super-soldier formula used on Deathstroke, granting him enhanced strength and the ability to heal quickly. Ra’s intended Respawn as an organ source for Damian if he was ever seriously hurt, which understandably led Respawn to resent him. Determined to escape his captivity, Respawn even severed his own arm to break free. Now a skilled fighter inspired by Deathstroke, Respawn has dedicated his life to killing Damian. During this pursuit, he developed a close relationship with Deathstroke, who began to see him as a son. Having endured a life of oppression, torture, and hatred, Respawn is a fascinating new character, adding to both Damian’s enemies and Deathstroke’s complicated family.

6) Sorrow

Nathan Broome’s life fell apart in 2023 when his fiancé, Carol Ferris, was suddenly transported away on their wedding day by her Star Sapphire Ring – she was pulled towards her true love, Hal Jordan. Devastated, Broome became the first Lantern fueled by pure sadness and despair, transforming into the villain known as Sorrow. Now an enemy of both Star Sapphire and the Green Lantern Corps, Sorrow seeks to inflict the same pain he feels upon them. His Lantern Ring allows him to create overwhelming clouds of sadness, crushing anyone caught within. A deeply tragic and complex character, Sorrow is a compelling villain who elicits sympathy despite his actions.

5) Brainiac Queen

Brainiac built a partner to help him conquer the universe. This creation, the Brainiac Queen, first appeared in 2023. When the Superman Family wrecked Brainiac’s ship, he sent her to Earth in an escape pod. With Brainiac’s ship and central control system destroyed, the Brainiac Queen lost her memories, making her easily controlled by Amanda Waller. Waller manipulated the Queen into believing Waller was her mother and that all superheroes were enemies. The Brainiac Queen played a key role in Waller’s plans during the Absolute Power storyline. Following Waller’s commands, she spread false information online to turn the public against superheroes. She also brainwashed Jon Kent, turning him into a loyal soldier for Waller’s campaign.

4) Sovereign

In 2023, Wonder Woman uncovered a shocking truth: the real power behind the United States is a man named Henry Charles, known as the Sovereign. He comes from a family that has secretly controlled the country for generations. Using magical deception, his ancestors manipulated the Founding Fathers into establishing a hidden monarchy. Now, with access to all of America’s resources, the Sovereign is a formidable and dangerous enemy who has clashed with Wonder Woman over the nation’s future. He’s responsible for the death of Steve Trevor and embodies corruption, using lies and prejudice to stay in power. The Sovereign is a powerful new villain for Wonder Woman and a symbol of the deep-rooted issues within the United States.

3) Punchline

As a huge DC fan, I was immediately intrigued when Punchline – real name Alexis Kaye – showed up in 2020. She quickly became known as the Joker’s new partner in crime, but what really set her apart was how different she was from Harley Quinn. It turned out she was totally obsessed with the Joker’s messed-up worldview and started committing murders just to impress him! The Joker, surprisingly, actually saw something in her, took her under his wing, and trained her. What’s really unsettling is that, unlike with Harley, it seems like he genuinely respects her – he sees her as an equal because of her disturbingly brilliant and psychopathic mind. Over the years, Punchline has become a serious threat in Gotham. She’s pulled off huge heists like stealing the Wayne fortune, almost killed both Harley and Batman, and even taken over leadership of the Royal Flush Gang. Trust me, Punchline is definitely not someone to underestimate.

2) Flatline

Nika, also known as Flatline, debuted in 2021 and quickly established herself as a formidable fighter. She works alongside the relatively minor Batman villain, Lord Death Man, and possesses the unique ability to learn from the skills and knowledge of those who die near her, making her a constantly improving and dangerous opponent. During a tournament on Lazarus Island, she fought Damian Wayne and fatally wounded him – but the island’s magic brought him back to life. Surprisingly, this led to a complicated, on-again, off-again relationship between the two, reminiscent of Batman and Catwoman. After stealing Damian’s heart in both senses of the word, Flatline became a popular character, and fans are eager to see what happens next in her story.

1) Failsafe

First appearing in 2022, Failsafe is a dangerous android embodying Batman’s deepest fears and his tendency to overplan. Created by a different side of Batman’s personality – known as the Batman of Zur-En-Arrh – Failsafe’s only purpose is to destroy Batman if he ever takes a life. When Batman was falsely accused of murder, Failsafe launched a relentless attack, targeting both him and his friends. This powerful villain is not only smarter than Batman, but strong enough to defeat the entire Justice League. He also played a key role in Amanda Waller’s conflict with superpowered individuals during the Absolute Power storyline, as he designed Task Force VII – a team of Amazo robots that act as Waller’s powerful soldiers. Ultimately, Failsafe represents the most troubling aspects of Batman’s character.

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2025-12-20 23:14