The DC Universe (DCU) is gaining momentum with hits like *Peacemaker*, *Creature Commandos*, and *Superman*, and even more characters are on the way with projects like *Supergirl*, *Lanterns*, *Clayface*, and the new *Man of Tomorrow*. While Batman hasn’t been featured prominently yet, that’s going to change, and his iconic villains will likely have a huge impact on the DCU. We’re taking a look at 7 of Batman’s most dangerous enemies and how they could shake things up when they finally appear in the DCU, starting with a villain who’s a match for almost anyone.
7. Deathstroke
Deathstroke is one of the most dangerous and effective villains around, capable of frightening even the strongest heroes. He’s built this reputation over decades, and his list of enemies now extends well beyond the Teen Titans. Recently, he’s faced off against a new generation of DC heroes in *Dark Crisis* and even managed to outsmart the Justice League in *Identity Crisis*-all without any help.
I was really impressed by how dangerous Deathstroke was during Dark Crisis – he proved he can be a major threat when fighting alongside so many other heroes and villains. Combine that with how skilled he already is in a one-on-one fight, and he’s instantly a force to be reckoned with whenever he shows up. I’ve heard rumors he’s teaming up with another big bad, and if that’s true, I expect he’ll make a huge impact right away!
6. Bane
We previously reported that Deathstroke is likely joining the DC Universe in a movie alongside the villain Bane. While both are dangerous opponents, Bane has the potential to become a major player throughout the entire DCU, much like he is in the comics.
Including Bane introduces the idea of venom, which is being explored in surprising ways in the current Absolute Batman storyline. Beyond that, Bane has a complicated past with Batman – he’s one of the very few villains who’s managed to defeat him and keep him out of action for a significant period.
Everyone remembers Bane for breaking Batman’s back, but he once completely took control of Gotham City, cutting it off from the outside world. He had such a firm grip that other heroes weren’t allowed to intervene. If the movies show this happening, we could see devastating losses as Gotham fights for its freedom, and those losses would have lasting consequences for the DC Universe.
5. Brother Eye
Batman is a hugely popular hero for DC Comics, but he’s made some questionable decisions. One example is when he built Brother Eye, an AI surveillance system. Over time, this system secretly gathered a massive amount of data on his fellow heroes.
Batman’s plan went horribly wrong when Maxwell Lord hijacked his surveillance satellite. Lord immediately used this new power to activate a network of secret agents called O.M.A.C.s. Things escalated further when the satellite, now controlled by Lord, broadcast a video appearing to show Wonder Woman killing him, turning public opinion against the Justice League. But the situation truly spiraled out of control when Lex Luthor managed to seize control of the satellite itself.
Introducing Brother Eye into the DC Universe now could create a major storyline for the future. While we’ve seen glimpses of this potential – like Lex Luthor manipulating public opinion with footage of Superman’s parents – Brother Eye could take things to a whole new level, impacting everyone instead of just a single hero and potentially causing widespread chaos.
4. Failsafe
Let’s discuss another one of Batman’s plans that backfired: Failsafe. Batman created a hidden, subconscious personality called Zur-En-Arrh to control himself. However, without Batman knowing, Zur-En-Arrh secretly built a powerful android backup in case Batman ever lost control or died. To make matters worse, Zur-En-Arrh also wiped Batman’s memory of how to stop this android, which caused a major problem when Zur-En-Arrh transferred his mind into the Failsafe android.
Driving the powerful vehicle known as Zur-En-Arrh, Failsafe defeated both the Bat Family and most of the Justice League. He did this by combining advanced technology with Batman’s own understanding of his teammates’ weaknesses.
Even after being defeated, Failsafe was recruited by Amanda Waller and became an even more dangerous opponent in the ‘Absolute Power’ storyline, demonstrating the immense threat he poses in the new DC Universe against any hero. A Waller-focused series could benefit from adapting ‘Absolute Power’ as a major crossover event, and Failsafe would be a fitting antagonist if the opportunity arises.
3. Poison Ivy
Poison Ivy is one of Batman’s most iconic villains, and her influence is growing throughout the DC Universe. She’s expanded her activities beyond Gotham City, and as her powers develop, she’s having a bigger impact on the wider DC world.
Ivy still occasionally causes trouble in Gotham, but she’s now more focused on things that don’t involve Batman – specifically, her growing influence over The Green. The Green is a powerful, global force connecting all plant life, and Ivy is uniquely able to connect with and control it.
Ivy’s become a much more important figure in the wider DC Universe. Combined with stories featuring Swamp Thing and other characters tied to The Green, her presence could significantly affect the entire DCU with the right plot. As often happens in DC comics, major events frequently involve The Green and the fundamental forces of nature. Ivy provides a connection to these large-scale stories while remaining a powerful force within Gotham City and Batman’s world.
2. Ra’s al Ghul
Ra’s al Ghul’s true potential is showcased in Absolute Superman. Traditionally, he’s been a villain primarily focused on Batman and Gotham City. However, this story demonstrates what he could achieve with his vast resources and army, transforming him into a worldwide threat that impacts everyone, not just the Dark Knight.
This setup would work brilliantly for a DC Universe adaptation, and would require a major, united response from DC’s heroes if the story was well-executed. With the League of Assassins under his control and unlimited resources, Ra’s al Ghul could operate on a massive scale, forcing the heroes to team up. Taking inspiration from how similar events unfolded in *Absolute Superman*, this could become a defining moment and the first large-scale crossover event for the DCU.
1. The Batman Who Laughs
We’re now entering the realm of multiverses, and there’s a villain who could drastically impact Batman and two very distinct universes. That villain is The Batman Who Laughs. While exploring this would mean fully embracing multiverse storytelling, the current creative team is capable of pulling it off successfully.
The Batman Who Laughs is a version of Bruce Wayne from an alternate universe – specifically, Earth-22 within the Dark Multiverse. In this reality, Batman is tragically forced to watch the Joker commit horrific crimes, unable to intervene because he’s paralyzed. After regaining his mobility, Batman finally kills the Joker, but not before the Joker unleashes a deadly toxin. This toxin infects Batman, slowly transforming him into an even more dangerous version of the Joker.
The Joker’s actions drive Batman to a point where he violently kills many of his closest friends and allies, then conquers the world with a legion of unstable Robins. This extreme turn leads to his recruitment by Barbatos, and ultimately, to Batman commanding the forces of the Dark Multiverse in an attack on the main DC universe.
This event would be incredibly massive in scope, starting as a twisted take on Batman and expanding into a huge story across the entire DC universe, filled with memorable scenes. The threat level would be immense, comparable to Thanos. While it’s uncertain if The Batman Who Laughs will ever appear in a movie, the possibility is still thrilling.
What do you think? Leave a comment below and join the conversation now in the ComicBook Forum!
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2025-09-24 02:41