7 Great One-Time DC Villains Nobody Talks About

DC Comics is famous for having some of the most well-known and powerful villains in superhero history. From the universe-threatening Darkseid to the spiteful Reverse-Flash, and the incredibly diverse group of criminals Batman faces, DC has consistently created memorable antagonists since the very first supervillain, the Ultra-Humanite. However, with so many characters appearing in thousands of comics, many deserving villains don’t get the attention they deserve and can be easily forgotten.

As a huge DC fan, I’ve been doing some digging lately, and I wanted to share seven of my favorite one-and-done villains – characters who only showed up in a single story, even if that story spanned multiple comic issues. Basically, if they had a good run in one complete arc, they qualify! I think these villains are often overlooked, but they’re packed with potential and deserve a little spotlight. Let’s jump in and talk about them!

7) Imperiex-Prime

I first encountered Imperiex-Prime way back in Superman #153, and it immediately launched into this incredible storyline called “Our Worlds At War.” What struck me most was the idea behind him – he wasn’t just evil, he was entropy, obsessed with wiping out the universe because he saw a flaw in its perfection. He was such a huge threat that even Superman needed help from the most unlikely allies – Lex Luthor, Doomsday, and Darkseid all had to work together! Even though he only really fought once, the impact he had was devastating. Over eight million people died, and Superman himself was deeply affected. He’s a truly cosmic-level villain, something you don’t see often even in the DC Universe, and the fact that he forced so many enemies to unite is what really makes him stand out to me.

6) Heretic

Heretic is a clone of Damian Wayne, created in a lab and first appearing in Batman and Robin #12 (2009). He mostly appeared as a bodyguard for Talia, but his main story arc involved killing Damian before being defeated by Batman. Driven by a desire to please his mother and become the new Batman, Heretic embodies Damian’s negative qualities, combined with the naiveté of a child and the skills of a genetically engineered assassin. He has the potential to become a major enemy for Damian, representing a dark reflection of what Damian himself could become. While it was once believed he reappeared in Teen Titans #38 (2016), that turned out to be a different clone.

5) Anarchist

The Anarchist, a dedicated extremist, first appeared in Justice League of America #127. What sets him apart is his ability to nearly defeat the entire Justice League single-handedly, using a surprisingly specific but potent power: he could manipulate the yellow weakness within Green Lantern’s power ring, constantly draining its energy. This made him incredibly dangerous, and he was only defeated when the League forced Green Lantern to stop recharging, leaving him powerless. Though imprisoned and never seen again, the Anarchist is a compelling villain with a unique ability, and his survival suggests he could return in future stories.

4) Solaris

Solaris was a powerful, artificial sun and a major villain in the DC One Million storyline. For thousands of years, it tried to destroy all life in our solar system, but was constantly stopped by Superman’s future relatives. A crazy, living sun makes for the kind of over-the-top threat that only superheroes – and comic books – can truly handle. What makes Solaris really interesting is that, despite being ancient, it wasn’t simply destructive; it also acted as a power source for the solar system and even tried to help people sometimes. It’s a complex and unique character, and the idea of a living sun is just a really cool concept.

3) Microwave-Man

Lewis Padgett, also known as Microwave-Man, was a unique villain who battled Superman in Action Comics #487 and #488. After spending forty years traveling the universe with aliens and gaining the ability to control microwaves, he returned to Earth and sacrificed his remaining lifespan – reduced to just hours – to fulfill his ultimate goal: fighting Superman. Remarkably, Lewis didn’t want anything except a good fight. Superman allowed him to win as a final gesture, and Lewis Padgett died having achieved his desire. It’s unusual to see a villain so singularly focused on battle, especially one capable of challenging Superman as effectively as he did, even though Superman ultimately let him win.

2) Paper-Man

Wonder Woman has a great collection of villains, and one particularly interesting one is Paper-Man. He first appeared in a 1942 comic and gained his powers after falling into a chemical vat, which made him incredibly thin and flexible – almost like a two-dimensional version of Mister Fantastic. He could fold and bend himself into any shape. This unique ability offers a lot of creative potential for new stories. With some development, Paper-Man could become a truly compelling and recurring villain, and that’s the kind of character it’s exciting to see return.

1) Brotherhood of the Monkey-Fist

The Brotherhood of the Monkey-Fist served as the primary antagonists in the “Brotherhood of the Fist” storyline, which started in Green Arrow #134 (1988) and continued into several Batman comics. This group is comprised of some of the world’s most skilled martial artists. What makes them unique, even in the DC Universe where skilled fighters are common, is their strict code and traditions. They reject modern weapons, instead focusing on finding the strongest opponents to fight – to the death. Their goal is to reduce their numbers until only the most skilled martial artist remains. This dedication creates opportunities for many exciting conflicts in the future.

We’ve looked at seven fantastic DC villains who only showed up in a single story, but really deserve another chance. Which of these lesser-known, one-off villains do you think should make a return?

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2025-11-17 02:41