The Best Animated Version of Every Major Batman Villain, Ranked

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Batman’s history in comic books has changed over the years, but one thing has always stayed true: his collection of enemies includes some of the greatest villains ever created. As the character and his stories have developed in comic books, he’s also consistently appeared in animated series. Adventures of Batman first aired in 1969, and since then, it’s been rare for fans of all ages *not* to be able to watch Batman on Saturday mornings. Each new interpretation of Batman inevitably means a fresh approach to telling the stories of his villains.

While some argue that a specific animated Batman series features the best and most original portrayal of the villains, the sheer number of different shows demonstrates this isn’t the case. What these series offer isn’t just the greatest Batman villains terrorizing Gotham, but clear evidence that they are the definitive interpretations of those characters. Regardless of when or how they were animated, these villains consistently challenged Batman, and occasionally even defeated him.

10) Mr. Freeze in Batman: The Animated Series

It’s possible to argue that Batman: The Animated Series significantly shaped how we see many DC villains. The show reimagined them in ways that made them not only interesting, but also established the core characteristics they’re known for even now. Mr. Freeze is a particularly strong example of this successful reinvention. That said, he truly represents the best instance of this lasting impact.

I always thought the earlier versions of Freeze were a little one-note, just the typical “ice villain.” But Batman: The Animated Series really changed everything. They gave him a heartbreaking backstory – a sick wife – and that became the core of who he is and what drives his technology. It wasn’t just about making his crimes more interesting, it actually gave him a depth and sympathy that so many villains just didn’t have. Honestly, it’s the version of Mr. Freeze that everyone uses now, and for good reason!

9) Poison Ivy in Harley Quinn

For years, Poison Ivy has appeared in Batman cartoons, and people generally saw her as simply a “plant-themed villain”-a correct, but somewhat limited, description. However, as the character developed in comics and other formats, her abilities grew significantly, establishing her as one of Batman’s most formidable foes. This leads us to the portrayal of Ivy in the HBO Max original Harley Quinn.

Without a doubt, the most compelling animated portrayal of Poison Ivy comes from Harley Quinn. This version presents Ivy as a truly formidable villain, showcasing her plant-based powers, intelligence, and strategic thinking on a grand scale. The show also gives her a unique personality – her distance from people and deep connection to plants result in a dry, witty sense of humor that’s perfect for comedy. Plus, this iteration of Ivy continues her romantic relationship with Harley Quinn, which is considered one of the strongest couples in DC Comics.

8) Scarecrow in New Batman Adventures

While The New Batman Adventures builds upon the foundation fans enjoyed in Batman: The Animated Series, it also makes some changes, especially in how it portrays certain characters. The Scarecrow in the original show was consistently depicted as a thin, fear-obsessed criminal motivated by his research. The New Batman Adventures recognized an opportunity to expand on this established character and explore untapped potential.

Scarecrow in The New Batman Adventures keeps experimenting with fear gas on people to perfect his formula, and this time, he’s truly frightening in appearance. His Scarecrow mask is much more menacing than before, and he now wears a noose around his neck. He’s moved beyond simply being a creepy imitation of the character from The Wizard of Oz; instead, this version of Scarecrow has a genuinely terrifying and sinister look that made a lasting impression.

7) Bane in Justice League: Doom

The problem with Bane is that his portrayal in the live-action film Batman & Robin didn’t clearly establish who he was as a character. While he had appeared in animated form prior to that movie, the more complex storyline from the Batman comics didn’t gain significant attention in other media for a long time.

There are two main reasons why the version of Bane in the animated movie Justice League: Doom is arguably the best. First, he makes a huge impact in a short amount of screen time, convincingly portraying himself as Batman’s superior and doing so in a truly intimidating way. Second, he’s portrayed as intelligent and calculating, rather than just relying on physical strength. Other versions of Bane could benefit from focusing on these details that are true to the comic books.

6) Ra’s al Ghul in Young Justice

Ra’s al Ghul is arguably the most interesting Batman villain who hasn’t always been portrayed well in different versions of the story. However, Young Justice really did the character justice by using its large cast to give him depth – both as a villain and as someone capable of change. This version is the most complete portrayal of Ra’s al Ghul in animated or live-action media, showcasing his role as the leader of the League of Shadows and a formidable supervillain, while also exploring his connections with his daughter, Talia, and his grandson, Damian.

5) Catwoman in Harley Quinn

This take on Catwoman truly shines at portraying the two core aspects of her personality: her romantic connection with Batman and her passion for thievery. Throughout the series, the character continues to collaborate with Batman as both a lover and a heroic ally, yet she’s unable to resist the temptation of a valuable jewel when she spots one she desires.

It’s easy to see why the Catwoman from Batman: The Animated Series is considered a great version of the character – she really embodies everything you’d want. However, the Catwoman in Harley Quinn feels especially well-suited to the role because of her personality. She’s a team player, but insists on doing things her own way, and she moves with a cool, graceful confidence, avoiding any clumsy mistakes. It’s really enjoyable to watch, and the show wisely keeps things simple and effective.

4) The Penguin in The Batman

While the animated series The Batman offers some debatable interpretations of DC villains, particularly The Joker, its portrayal of The Penguin is a classic take on the character. Returning to the fundamentals might sound straightforward, but the series successfully focuses on The Penguin’s signature umbrella weapons and establishes him as a bird-themed villain equipped with diverse gadgets. Some viewers might prefer the more contemporary, purely criminal version of The Penguin that’s become popular, but sometimes a comic book villain simply needs to be a bad guy with a unique focus. When done effectively, this approach remains enjoyable, and The Batman’s version of The Penguin demonstrates just that.

3) The Riddler in Harley Quinn

Generally, most portrayals of the Riddler get the character right – he’s usually depicted as a pathetic and irritating person whose love of puzzles and trickery isn’t very interesting. The Riddler in Harley Quinn builds on this, using it for big laughs, but also to develop the character throughout the show. He doesn’t just get in great shape physically, he also starts a romantic relationship with another Batman villain, the Clock King.

2) Two-Face in Batman: The Brave and the Bold

Similar to how The Batman portrays The Penguin, the Two-Face in Batman: The Brave and the Bold is a simplified, classic interpretation of the character. He still fixates on pairs, the idea of two sides, and making choices with a coin, but this version visually resembles his early comic book appearances. Additionally, the voice actor, James Remar, cleverly uses distinct voices for each side of the character throughout the series.

While Two-Face underwent a significant change in Batman: The Animated Series, the character has been reimagined in comics and various stories many times over. Batman: The Brave and the Bold demonstrates that a villain can still be interesting even if they fit perfectly into established expectations.

1) The Joker in Batman: The Animated Series

What more could you ask for? The Joker isn’t just the most famous villain in comic books; he constantly shapes who Batman is, regardless of whether it’s in comics, movies, or other forms of media. While initially influenced by Jack Nicholson’s portrayal in the Tim Burton film, this Joker evolved beyond that, becoming a complex character – he was funny, creepy, chaotic, a genius, and utterly evil.

What truly sets this version of The Joker apart – making it the most memorable and, arguably, the best – is Mark Hamill’s voice acting. The former Star Wars actor demonstrated his versatility by brilliantly portraying the villain’s many sides: a criminal genius, a cruel killer, a surprisingly tender romantic interest, and, of course, Batman’s ultimate foe. He delivers that last role with a particularly personal intensity, which is another key reason why this remains the definitive Joker and has been so impactful.

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2025-10-01 22:18