7 Great DC Villains Who Are Currently Dead

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As a longtime follower of DC Comics, I’ve noticed a curious pattern. We’re used to heroes falling in battle, but villains seem to bite the dust way more often – which makes sense, they’re usually playing a much riskier game. What’s strange, though, is that in a universe brimming with resurrections, some villains just… stay dead. There’s no tease of a comeback, no hint they might return. While anything could happen, it’s clear not every bad guy gets a second act. It leaves you wondering why some are permanently retired while others keep popping up!

Most DC heroes probably aren’t mourning these villains, but it’s worth noting which ones have truly stayed dead. I thought we might see characters like Ursa or the Reverse-Flash (Daniel West version) return, but DC Comics seems committed to keeping them gone. Here are 7 DC villains who are currently still deceased.

7. Doctor Destiny

John Dee, better known as Doctor Destiny, was one of the very first villains the Justice League ever faced. However, his conflict with them concluded during the Knight Terrors event, where he was manipulated by the villain Insomnia to begin a worldwide campaign of terror. While the world largely recovered, Doctor Destiny didn’t make it through the night. It was a surprising end for such a long-standing enemy of the League, and it’s fitting that a villain who tormented heroes with nightmares ultimately perished in one himself.

6. Ursa

While General Zod is a terrifying figure in the DC Universe, his wife, Ursa, was equally dangerous and fiercely loyal. Their plan to rebuild Kryptonian society failed when their new home was invaded by the Khunds, a powerful warrior race who ultimately killed Ursa. Her death fueled Zod’s already intense rage, and he’s now on the verge of unleashing it.

5. Mister Bloom

Many fans remember Mister Bloom as a particularly memorable villain introduced during the New 52 era of Batman. Despite his popularity, he was later forced to join Task Force Z. Bloom quickly betrayed the team, using mind control to incite a rebellion in Gotham. However, Task Force Z defeated him, and they later confirmed he was no longer a threat. It was a disappointing and abrupt end for such a well-liked character.

4. Reverse-Flash (Daniel West)

It feels a bit inconsistent that Eobard Thawne’s Reverse-Flash can repeatedly die and return due to time travel, while Daniel West, the New 52 Reverse-Flash, permanently died after his initial defeat. Despite being just as angry and resentful as other Reverse-Flashes, West actually became a surprisingly good anti-hero during his short time with the Suicide Squad. Though he died while on the team, he managed to redeem his past actions – something other versions of the Reverse-Flash haven’t done.

3. Imperiex

It’s surprising that DC Comics has a villain similar to Marvel’s Galactus, but they’ve only used him in one big story. That villain is Imperiex, a being who represented the decay of everything, and he was the main threat in the “Our Worlds at War” event. Imperiex tried to destroy the entire DC Universe, but Superman—with help from other heroes and even Lex Luthor—stopped him. He was defeated by being sent back in time and erased, which is probably a good thing considering how dangerous he was.

2. The Brain

The DC Universe is full of villains, but I really miss one in particular: The Brain. He hasn’t appeared since the “Unstoppable Doom Patrol” comic, and his last appearance had a dramatic twist. He and his partner, Monsieur Mallah, had a falling out, and Mallah actually destroyed The Brain’s robot body – the last part of him that was still alive! I was surprised it wasn’t a trick, and even more surprised that DC hasn’t brought him back yet.

1. Failsafe

It was surprising to learn that for two years, the DC Universe faced a major threat created by Batman himself. Called Failsafe, this backup system – designed by a version of Batman from another world – was a powerful, adaptable automaton. Like Batman, it could track him anywhere and even fight the entire Justice League. It proved so effective that Amanda Waller managed to take control of it for her own purposes. However, the heroes ultimately defeated and destroyed Failsafe, removing the danger it posed.

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2025-12-03 01:42