Following the success of the Superman movie and the popular second season of Peacemaker, the DC Universe is really gaining momentum in both theaters and on TV. This new take on DC’s classic characters is creating a connected universe with a diverse cast, from iconic heroes like Superman to more unusual characters like the Creature Commandos. Upcoming projects hint at darker, more mysterious stories. James Gunn, the creative lead, has stated the new DCU will explore many different genres, making it a great moment to highlight some of DC’s lesser-known, but still compelling, stories.
Shows like Peacemaker, Creature Commandos, and even The Penguin (despite not being part of the DCU) have proven audiences enjoy stories about flawed, and sometimes downright bad, characters just as much as traditional heroes. So, we’re going to explore seven DC villains who would be ideal leads for their own TV series, and discuss what makes them so compelling. Let’s start brainstorming some supervillain shows!
7) Veronica Cale
Veronica Cale is similar to Lex Luthor in the DC universe – a powerful and resentful businesswoman who opposes Wonder Woman. With Lex Luthor in prison, a power vacuum has opened up, and Cale is perfectly positioned to fill it. A potential show could focus on her efforts to take control of Lex’s empire, proving she’s a superior successor in a world that underestimates her.
This also allows the DC Universe to showcase a different facet of Wonder Woman’s personality and backstory. While the planned Paradise Lost series will explore the fantastical world of the Amazons, a show focusing on Wonder Woman’s more down-to-earth, everyday life can really highlight what makes her such a compelling hero. Featuring Cale in a leading role could broaden DC’s audience and build anticipation for Wonder Woman’s eventual DCU appearance, ensuring audiences understand all sides of her character when she finally arrives.
6) Ra’s al Ghul
Ra’s al Ghul is one of Batman’s most formidable foes, and his long life makes him ideal for a show focused on mystery and history. Because he’s lived for centuries, a series could naturally explore different periods of the past and build out the world’s backstory. Seeing Ra’s journey from his origins to becoming the complex, almost heroic figure he is today would be a fascinating story. This would also provide valuable context for his son, Damian Wayne, who is expected to play a significant role in the upcoming The Brave and the Bold movie.
5) Bizarro
While it might seem unusual, Bizarro is actually a great character to lead a TV series. The story already provides a built-in backstory: in the Superman movie, Superman defeated a flawed copy of himself, and that copy was sent to another dimension. This offers a perfect way to show how that clone developed into Bizarro. The show could be a comedy, with Bizarro hilariously trying – and failing – to be a hero because he does everything backwards. It’s also a chance to showcase more of the DC universe, including lesser-known areas of Metropolis, and to emphasize what makes Superman such a vital character.
4) Sinestro
Most DC heroes call Earth home, but a lot of the universe’s important stories happen among the stars. With the new Lanterns TV show about to show us the Green Lantern Corps, now’s a great time to explore that cosmic side of things with Sinestro and his Yellow Lanterns. A story could focus on Sinestro building his own villainous group, or even his attempt to become a better person after falling from grace. Sinestro is an ideal lead villain because he’s a complicated character – he’s been a hero before and could be again, but his own fears keep getting in the way. He’s uniquely positioned to help us understand the wider universe we’ll see in Lanterns.
3) Time Commander
James Gunn has a knack for transforming little-known characters into stars, particularly those who are flawed and somewhat hapless, and Time Commander perfectly fits that mold. John Starr, the villain behind Time Commander, created an hourglass enabling time travel. With so many heroes existing throughout history, a show following a clearly unprepared time traveler is a fantastic way to delve into the DC Universe’s past and future, while also giving a deserving character a chance to shine. Time Commander stands out as a prime example, because it’s difficult to find a character with more untapped potential and less current recognition.
2) The Rogues
James Gunn has a knack for making audiences love unlikely groups of flawed characters, as he proved with the Guardians of the Galaxy, where he turned a team of misfits into a beloved family. He’s already demonstrated this talent at DC with projects like The Suicide Squad and Creature Commandos, and the Rogues would be another perfect fit. These Flash villains are a chaotic bunch, bound by a shaky moral code and often outmatched, but they function as a close-knit family. A fun, action-packed comedy centered around Captain Cold and his crew could be incredibly entertaining and easily incorporate other famous Flash adversaries.
1) Barbatos
At first glance, Barbatos might seem like an unusual choice, but he brings a unique element to the DC Universe: limitless potential. With the DCU expanding into horror, Barbatos is perfectly suited to deliver truly frightening stories. Originally a dragon designed to eliminate flawed worlds created at the Forge of Worlds – the source of all realities – he seized control of the forge and twisted it, birthing the Dark Multiverse. This terrifying realm is built on everyone’s worst fears and represents a world where everything goes wrong.
What if DC Comics created a series similar to Marvel’s What If, but instead of alternate realities, it delved into dark and frightening versions of their classic stories or brand new horror tales? A character like Barbatos could act as a narrator, presenting a series of terrifying adventures featuring DC’s heroes. This would be a revitalizing approach to the multiverse concept, allowing for truly unpredictable and shocking storylines – which is exactly what these kinds of stories need.
Here are seven DC villains I think would be great as the main characters in a TV series. Which one do you think deserves their own show? Share your thoughts and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!
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2025-12-21 22:12