7 Great Batman Villains Nobody Talks About

by

Batman is known for having one of the most impressive collections of villains in comic books. His long-standing popularity has attracted top writers and artists, and their talent has made both Batman himself and his enemies truly memorable. Iconic villains like the Joker, Two-Face, and the Riddler all have rich, complex backstories, but they’re only a small part of what makes Batman’s villain roster so exceptional.

Gotham City provides a fantastic setting for developing compelling villains. While Batman is known for having incredibly strong adversaries, some of the most interesting ones often get overshadowed by the more famous villains. It’s unfortunate, because many of these lesser-known Batman villains are actually among the best. Here are seven villains who deserve more recognition and should be considered among the greatest of all time.

7) KGBeast

Batman battles many incredibly powerful enemies, but KGBeast, also known as Anatoli Knyazev, is often overlooked despite being a major threat. He was a top Soviet assassin sent to America with a mission to eliminate ten scientists. Batman tried to intervene, but KGBeast succeeded, resulting in over a hundred deaths. In a desperate attempt to escape Batman, KGBeast even severed his own hand, sparking a long-lasting rivalry that pushed Batman to his limits. Though the KGB no longer exists, KGBeast remains a compelling villain who has repeatedly challenged Batman over the years. With the right writer, he has the potential to become one of Batman’s most iconic and formidable foes, on par with Bane.

6) Scarface and the Ventriloquist

I absolutely loved *Batman: The Animated Series*, and one of the things that really stood out to me was how it treated even the lesser-known villains. It didn’t just give us great stories featuring the big names, but it really elevated characters like Scarface and the Ventriloquist. Honestly, I wish more comic writers would bring those two back – they’re fantastic! What I find so compelling about them is how they explore mental illness, and they’re genuinely more threatening than a lot of people give them credit for. It’s amazing that the Ventriloquist’s dissociative identity disorder actually protected him from being controlled by the Psycho-Pirate’s Medusa Mask! Plus, there was even a point where there were *two* Ventriloquists working with Scarface. They’re just the kind of villains who, with the right story, could really become huge stars, in my opinion.

5) The Reaper

“Year One” is a well-loved Batman story, but its sequel, “Year Two,” isn’t as popular. “Year Two” focuses on Batman’s second year as a crime fighter and introduces the villain known as the Reaper – Judson Caspian, a wealthy man who took the law into his own hands with extreme violence. After Batman began his work, the Reaper emerged from retirement, leading to a conflict that ended with the Reaper’s death in a fall. Since then, several others have taken on the Reaper identity, including Joe Chill Jr. The Reaper is an interesting concept within Gotham’s history, and both “Year Two” and its follow-up, *Batman: Full Circle*, are solid stories. The Reaper has made occasional appearances since these original tales, and feels like a villain with potential for a future, prominent storyline.

4) The Wrath

Over the years, several Batman villains have mirrored his own story and methods, but used them for malicious purposes. One example is The Wrath, whose parents were criminals killed by the police, leading him to dedicate himself to dismantling law and order. He essentially became a twisted version of Batman, even recruiting a partner called Scorn. While The Wrath hasn’t been a major threat historically – remaining a relatively minor villain – he possesses a lot of potential and deserves more recognition than he’s received.

3) Ten-Eyed Man

I’ve always been fascinated by the Ten-Eyed Man. He started as a bit of a goofy villain, but he’s really evolved into something special over time. The original concept – losing his sight and having his nerves connected to his fingers, giving him ten eyes – was wild, but the newer versions, especially in stories like “Gotham Nocturne,” are truly captivating. This Ten-Eyed Man is genuinely disturbed; the ability to ‘see’ with his fingers has fractured his mind, and he’s constantly seeking more knowledge, but is totally disconnected from reality. Honestly, he’s a far more compelling villain than many of Batman’s enemies and I wish he got more attention!

2) Lady Shiva

Lady Shiva is a highly skilled martial artist in the DC Universe, known for her time with the League of Assassins and her fearsome reputation. While she often appears as a challenging opponent for other villains, she isn’t typically the main antagonist. When she *is* the main villain, it’s usually just to set up a fight with another hero. However, given her impressive victories against some of DC’s best fighters, it’s time for Lady Shiva to have a more significant role in stories beyond simply being a powerful opponent.

1) Hugo Strange

Hugo Strange is one of Batman’s earliest foes, appearing in *Detective Comics* just nine issues after Batman himself first appeared. He’s always been a villain who focuses on psychological warfare, using his understanding of the human mind – and sometimes even the body – to cause trouble in Gotham. While he hasn’t often been the central villain in major stories, usually taking a supporting role, Hugo Strange has remained a consistent threat throughout the years and is more interesting than many realize.

https://comicbook.com/movies/news/major-batman-villains-missing-live-action-movies/embed/#

Read More

2025-09-26 23:19