4 Batman Villains Who Already Exist in James Gunn’s DC Universe

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In simpler terms, several villains from Batman’s comics, such as those published by DC Comics, have already been introduced in the revamped DC Universe before the premiere of “The Brave and the Bold.” Although Bruce Wayne himself hasn’t made an appearance yet (except for a brief glance in “Creature Commandos”), some of his adversaries have already emerged. The specific release date for “The Brave and the Bold” unveiling the new Batman is still uncertain, but it was confirmed in January 2023 that James Gunn and Peter Safran will reimagine the Dark Knight for their DCU.

In my perspective as a die-hard Batman fan, it’s exciting to note that although legendary characters like Joker, Bane, Riddler, Ra’s al Ghul, and Catwoman (Selina Kyle) have yet to make their debut in the DC Universe, some of his lesser-known adversaries have already graced our screens. The DCU has so far rolled out three fresh projects: the animated series “Creature Commandos,” the revamped “Superman” story, and the second season of “Peacemaker.” These productions have beautifully woven the Batman mythology, introducing Gotham City, the Dark Knight himself, and four formidable DC villains.

4) Rupert Thorne

2024’s “Creature Commandos” series was the stage for the introduction of Rupert Thorne, a DC Universe villain who originally made his debut in 1977’s Detective Comics #469. In the sixth episode, titled “Priyatel Skelet,” we delve into Thorne’s past through flashbacks. We learn that Thorne financed nuclear scientist Alex Sartorius’ research on a cancer cure. However, Sartorius discovered that Thorne intended to sell this life-saving research to the fascist nation of Bialya. In retaliation for Sartorius exposing his plans, Thorne had Sartorius’ family brutally murdered and attempted to eliminate him using his own equipment. But in a twist, Sartorius transformed into Doctor Phosphorus and avenged himself by slaying Thorne and seizing control of his criminal empire. As a die-hard movie fan, witnessing this epic power struggle between these characters was truly exhilarating!

Benjamin Byron Davis, known for roles in “The Belko Experiment” and “Borderlands”, provided the voice for Rupert Thorne in “Creature Commandos”. Given this connection, there’s a chance he could bring Thorne to life on screen as well. However, it’s important to note that Doctor Phosphorus ended Thorne during flashback sequences, potentially ruling out a return for the crime boss. But since Batman was responsible for apprehending Doctor Phosphorus following Thorne’s and his family’s demise in “Creature Commandos”, there could already be an established link between them within the DC Universe. This dynamic might even be explored in the upcoming “The Brave and the Bold” reboot.

3) Jaina Hudson’s White Rabbit

As a die-hard movie buff, I’m absolutely thrilled about the opening of Peacemaker season 2! Contrary to its initial release as part of the DC Extended Universe, this season has solidified its place as a significant piece of the DCU. The story picks up with Christopher Smith (John Cena) vying for membership in the Justice Gang, an endeavor that leads him to encounter an unforeseen adversary from Batman’s rogue gallery, whose audition didn’t exactly go smoothly.

In the very first episode of season 1, we saw Brey Noelle (known for her roles in Replicator and See You Again) debut as Jaina Hudson’s White Rabbit. This Gotham City high-society darling and Arkham Asylum escapee has now entered the DCU, potentially paving the way for her future confrontations with the Dark Knight himself.

2) Clayface

In the comic book series “Creature Commandos,” Clayface made his first appearance as a DC Universe villain. This is particularly thrilling because Clayface will also star in an upcoming solo movie within the DC Universe. In the fifth episode of Creature Commandos titled “The Iron Pot,” Clayface confronts Rick Flag Sr. and Eric Frankenstein while they’re investigating the residence of Professor Aisla MacPherson, who turns out to be Clayface in disguise. Clayface’s unique ability comes from his body being composed of a clay-like substance that allows him to transform into various forms. Since his debut in “Detective Comics #40” in 1940, Clayface has been a recurring adversary for Batman in DC Comics.

As a film enthusiast, I’m thrilled to share that Tom Rhys Harries, known for his roles in “Suspicion” and “The Gentlemen,” will bring the villainous Clayface to life in the upcoming DCU movie. Directed by James Watkins, this live-action adventure will have a script written by Mike Flanagan and Hossein Amini. This unique body horror story unfolds as an up-and-coming actor, played by Harries, transforms into Clayface following an experimental treatment to correct a disfigurement caused by an attack. This is a fresh twist for live-action superhero franchises, and the September 2026 release date has me buzzing with anticipation. We might be on the brink of meeting one of Batman’s most captivating DCU villains!

1) Talia al Ghul

While Talia al Ghul hasn’t explicitly made an appearance in the DC Universe up until now, her son Damian Wayne being featured alongside a new Batman in “The Brave and the Bold” strongly hints at her presence. For those unaware, Talia al Ghul is the mother of Damian Wayne who took on the mantle of Robin following his reunion with his father, Bruce Wayne. Introducing Talia al Ghul as both a villain and Bruce Wayne’s romantic interest in “The Brave and the Bold,” which promises to be an authentic Bat-Family tale, could significantly alter Bruce Wayne’s narrative, potentially leading to the debut of other adversaries like Ra’s al Ghul, Bane, Deathstroke, the Joker, and others.

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2025-09-06 15:11