10 Times Villains Defeated the Entire Justice League

The Justice League is a group of the best superheroes from the DC Multiverse, who have gone through various changes over time. Sometimes they’re a team of top-notch heroes, while other times they include lesser allies. Despite varying team members, headquarters, and working styles, they’ve always managed to save the day. The Justice League has battled some of the most formidable foes – from Earth’s deadliest villains to cosmic threats capable of annihilating entire universes. Although they’ve generally saved the universe, it doesn’t mean they’ve emerged victorious in every battle.

The Justice League stands alone as a formidable force, yet even they face powerful adversaries. While they often emerge victorious, they are not invincible and can be defeated. Remarkably, certain villains and teams have managed to overcome the entire Justice League lineup.

10) Deathstroke

In essence, it’s important to note that the group Deathstroke fought in “Identity Crisis” #3 wasn’t strictly the Justice League as we typically know it. However, this team did consist of several members who are part of the Justice League. While Deathstroke ultimately lost the fight, he managed to temporarily incapacitate key members such as Wally West, Kyle Rayner, and Zatanna, which can be considered a significant victory against a team of Justice League members. His tactical prowess allowed him to gain the upper hand, even if he didn’t knock out Green Arrow, who is also part of the Justice League. So, despite some technicalities, this encounter could indeed be viewed as Deathstroke defeating an entire Justice League team in a sense.

9) Jimmy Olsen from JLA: The Nail

In the story “JLA: The Nail”, an alternate Earth is presented where Superman was not discovered by the Kents. This ’90s DC comic stands out for its exceptional narrative and an unconventional villain – Jimmy Olsen. After being subjected to experiments by Lex Luthor, Olsen’s DNA was combined with residual Kryptonian DNA from Superman’s rocket. This transformation granted him superhuman abilities similar to Superman, but also caused insanity. Convinced of the superiority of Kryptonians, he plotted world domination, causing chaos among the Justice League and the metahuman community.

When the League finally realized his role in these events, they attempted to stop him, but his Kryptonian powers proved too strong for them. However, Jimmy Olsen was ultimately defeated by a Superman raised by Amish farmers when the battle unfolded on their farm. The unstable fusion of human and Kryptonian DNA within Olsen led to his eventual disintegration. Despite this, he managed to bring down the entire Justice League – consisting of Batman, Catwoman, Wonder Woman, Atom, Hawkgirl, Martian Manhunter, Flash, and Green Lantern – single-handedly.

8) Ra’s al Ghul

As a devoted follower of my arch-nemesis, Ra’s al Ghul, I’ve witnessed firsthand his relentless pursuit for power over centuries. He’s devised schemes aimed at annihilating mankind, but I’ve managed to thwart him more often than not as Batman. However, on one fateful day, Ra’s decided to target the Justice League instead of me. Little did I know he had a secret weapon – access to my plans designed to dismantle the Justice League.

With this knowledge, Ra’s masterfully dismantled the Justice League, exploiting each member’s unique abilities with meticulously crafted strategies. The battle showcased Ra’s al Ghul as a top-tier villain, demonstrating his capacity to wreak havoc even upon the mighty Justice League.

7) Doomsday

If a foe poses a threat to Superman, it’s clear they possess sufficient strength to harm the Justice League. This fact was demonstrated during “The Death of Superman,” as Doomsday’s assault overwhelmed both Superman and the Justice League America team. Though Superman and the League fought valiantly against Doomsday, the monster wreaked havoc on the team. The team did their best, but they ultimately proved no match for Doomsday. In the end, it was Superman who continued to battle Doomsday alone, while the team remained incapacitated. Unfortunately, the Man of Steel didn’t survive this encounter, and it’s unlikely that even the Justice League America could have stopped him.

6) General Zod and the Phantom Zone Kryptonians

General Zod, Krypton’s most formidable soldier, conspired against the ruling council, resulting in his imprisonment within the Phantom Zone. Many DC comics enthusiasts are familiar with this backstory, but it was in “Last Son of Krypton” that Zod gained notoriety. In an attempt to gain power, he sent his son Lor-Zod to Earth, along with Zod’s wife Ursa and Non. Upon reaching Earth, they sought confrontation with Superman, who initially had the upper hand due to the numbers. However, Zod utilized Superman’s Phantom Zone projector to free other Kryptonians trapped within the Phantom Zone, amassing an army of the most dangerous criminals from Krypton. This formidable force posed a significant threat to the entire metahuman community, leading to conflicts that took place between issues of various story arcs. Although these battles were intense, Zod’s army managed to overpower not only the Justice League but also the Justice Society, the Teen Titans, the Outsiders, and virtually every active team on Earth. In a surprising turn of events, Superman was forced to ally with Lex Luthor and his Superman Revenge Squad to repel this invasion.

5) Perpetua

In the vast realm of the DC Multiverse, no entity held as much power as Perpetua, a Hand and architect of multiple realities. She crafted the DC Multiverse as a tool against her fellow Hands, only to be banished beyond the Source Wall following a fierce conflict. However, when the Omega Titans’ battle shattered the Wall, Perpetua resurfaced, inciting the return of the Legion of Doom – representatives of the cosmic forces of Doom and Hope.

With each appearance, Perpetua outmatched the Justice League single-handedly. Eventually, The Batman Who Laughs usurped Lex Luthor’s position as her right hand, and together they overpowered the Justice League entirely, conquering the Multiverse. However, their alliance was short-lived, as the Batman Who Laughs betrayed Perpetua in a final showdown. But even he could only defeat her by assuming the form of Dr. Bathattan – a Batman analogue to Doctor Manhattan.

4) The Hyperclan

Grant Morrison is renowned for his exceptional collaborative writing skills, and took charge of the Justice League after a series of diminishing returns. Morrison revived the Big Seven League – Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, the Flash, Green Lantern, Aquaman, and Martian Manhunter – introducing a brand-new adversary: the Hyperclan, who claimed to be earth’s saviors, questioning the efficacy of the Justice League’s methods. A confrontation ensued between the two teams, with the Hyperclan emerging victorious. Eventually, Batman, who had survived and joined forces with the Hyperclan under false pretenses, discovered they were actually White Martians, aiding the Justice League to ultimately defeat them. However, the Hyperclan’s victory over the Justice League remains an enduring memory in their history.

3) Prometheus

In Morrison’s JLA, the Justice League’s new villains were crafted brilliantly, and one often overlooked is Prometheus. Prometheus, unlike Batman who grew up amidst crime-fighting goodness, was nurtured by criminal elements that met a violent end at the hands of law enforcement. He exploited their ill-gotten wealth to acquire training and technology designed for destruction against anyone championing justice.

He brutally murdered an aspiring hero named Retro, who had been granted temporary League membership. Gaining access to the Watchtower, Prometheus embarked on a one-by-one assault of each Justice League member. He was eventually bested by Catwoman, who also infiltrated the Watchtower, delivering a stinging whip attack to his most vulnerable spot.

Prometheus came close to obliterating the Watchtower during his initial, powerful strike against the Justice League, showcasing his formidable strength and tenacity.

2) The Crime Syndicate

One of the top multiverse teams in DC Comics is known as The Crime Syndicate. Over the years, there have been four distinct iterations of this group – the rulers of Earth-Three before the Crisis, the leaders of antimatter Earth after the Crisis, the heads of Earth-3 during the New 52 era, and a post-Death Metal variation. Today, we’ll discuss the New 52 version of The Crime Syndicate. Earth-3 is invaded by the Anti-Monitor, but the Crime Syndicate fails to defeat him. They then flee to the Prime Earth and decide they want to conquer this world as well. Members Ultraman, Superwoman, Owl Girl, Johnny Quick, Power Ring, Deathstorm, and Atomika go up against the Justice League, however, the villains are defeated by the team. In the end, it was Lex Luthor and his band of villains who managed to overpower The Crime Syndicate – a feat that even the Justice League couldn’t achieve.

1) Darkseid

As a devoted cinemagoer, I must say that Darkseid is undoubtedly the epitome of evil in the DC universe. Over the years, he’s demonstrated an uncanny ability to outmatch even the formidable Justice League. Superman himself isn’t immune to his power; Darkseid has shown time and again that he can handle the Man of Steel with ease.

However, it was during Grant Morrison’s DC masterpiece, Final Crisis, that Darkseid truly proved his dominance. In a stunning twist, both Darkseid and his elite followers were slain, but their spirits found a way back to Earth, possessing new bodies. They then unleashed the Anti-Life Equation, seizing control of half of Earth’s population in an instant.

Darkseid’s strategy left the Justice League powerless, allowing him to overrun not only the team but also a significant portion of the metahuman community with his formidable army, all executed almost flawlessly.

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2025-08-24 16:18