10 Supervillains Who’d Be a Great Addition to the New DCU

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With the debut of James Gunn’s Creature Commandos and the hotly anticipated release of the newest Superman feature film, the DCU has started to map out its growing slate of ambitious stories. Among the sea of great characters who will have the chance to shine for fans and general audiences, there are also many prominent villains in DC Comics who not only flourish on the page but would also thrive in this expanding universe in any artistic medium.

Having established a clear connection with its movies and television shows, the DCU can include several unique villains from the comics who can appear as various threats across different platforms. Through distinct forms of conflict and character ideology, these interesting DC villains have what it takes to dazzle viewers and leave a mark on any screen.

10

Eobard Thawne Terrorizes the Flash With Delight

First Appearance: The Flash #139 (August 31st 1963)

Driven by hatred and obsession, the time-traveling menace Eobard Thawne — better known as Reverse Flash — serves as a foreboding threat to The Flash and always manages to devastate the scarlet speedster at every turn. Depending on which Flash variant the DCU will utilize in the future, Eobard Thawne could be a logical inclusion into The Flash’s roster of cinematic villains, as the speed demon can match Flash’s skills and outsmart the hero in a complex game of wits.

As a master of the speed force with an unhinged mind, Eobard Thawne can challenge The Flash through several storytelling possibilities. Whether jumping head first into an action-packed time-hopping adventure, a crime mystery thriller or an epic sci-fi flick, this villain can entertain fans and emotionally toy with The Flash to connect audiences to the protagonist’s strife, which is a tell-tale mark of a solid movie villain.

9

Trigon Strikes Fear Into His Enemies’ Souls

First Appearance: The New Teen Titans #4 (February 1981)

Operating as one of the most powerful beings in the DC Universe, Trigon’s extensive battles with The Teen Titans and the Justice League have had a huge legacy within the comics and can be just as exciting to witness on the big screen. With immense demonic powers and a staggering influence on his followers, Trigon would demand the might of many superheroes banding together to stop this antagonist in a grand cinematic spectacle that can be built up across films and TV shows.

Encompassing the true extent of evil, Trigon’s sole goal to rule over every world he encounters makes for a frightening villain motivation. Beyond the demon’s ambitions to extend his kingdom, the fractured relationship with his daughter, Raven, could also provide fans with some intriguing character development from the female hero and would likely bring intense drama to the overarching narrative of her father’s quest to claim Earth.

8

Felix Faust Utilizes the Mystic Arts for Villainy

First Appearance: Justice League of America #10 (March 1962)​​​​​​​

Debuting among the earliest antagonists of the Justice League, Felix Faust has a long history of meddling with the dark arts to gain power and influence, as well as antagonizing the heroes of the DC Universe who stand in his way. Considering how magic and the fantasy genre offer up visually dynamic stories, Felix Faust can be incorporated into any fantastical setting for a DC film and engage with viewers through his splendid sorcery when trying to take down superheroes.

Commanding and scheming, the magician’s efforts to strengthen his powers also make for an interesting character study. Through a combination of good casting and a layered backstory, Felix Faust could be on par with the MCU’s Loki, and the sorcerer’s enduring quench to be all-powerful might be able to thrill fans and allow for various heroes to face this villain throughout the DCU.

7

Veronica Cale Challenges Wonder Woman’s Core Values

First Appearance: Wonder Woman (vol. 2) #196 (November 2003)​​​​​​​

Extremely cunning and opportunistic, the business mogul Veronica Cale is Wonder Woman’s smartest antagonist and has the drive to thwart the Amazonian during each encounter between these rivals. With a new iteration of Wonder Woman on the horizon in the DCU, Veronica Cale would bring out the best facets within the character by opposing Wonder Woman’s sense of feminism and heroism, while simultaneously orchestrating a master plan that could break the heroine on a physical level should she decide to utilize other villains as her thugs.

By defying Wonder Woman’s virtues, Veronica Cale stands as a nuanced character rather than a simple evil genius/scientist. In a detailed portrayal of the villain, Veronica Cale would come across as a smartly written antagonist that makes the audience think about the themes in a Wonder Woman film or series, which have been lacking in many modern superhero media.

6

Silver Banshee Continually Fights Superman With a Vengeance

First Appearance : Action Comics #595 (December 1987)

Embracing her curse by committing to a life of crime, the wailing antagonist Silver Banshee tussles with Superman whenever crossing paths and has often put up a decent fight against the blue boy scout. Based on James Gunn’s commitment to highlighting more unsung characters in DC Comics, Silver Banshee fits the bill with the filmmaker’s goal and would provide some much-needed new blood regarding Superman’s cinematic villains, who have been relatively formulaic over the past few years.

Visually speaking, Silver Banshee equally adds a lively pop by showcasing her raw powers on the big screen for fans. This sense of visual splendor is a vital aspect of Superman’s movie image, where the character’s diverse power scales can be challenged by a villain who equally has a dynamic skill set and would allow for top-notch special effects displaying an intense fight between this antagonist and Superman.

5

Vandal Savage Is a Conquerer and Formidable Mastermind

First Appearance: Green Lantern #10 (December 1943)

Always working in the shadows to achieve global power, Vandal Savage has been one of DC Comics’ most fascinating villains, where the antagonist’s complex comic book origins would enthrall viewers due to the character’s learned skills and brilliant mind. Having fought in countless battles over centuries, Vandal Savage can be just as calculating as he is deadly in a fight, which solidifies his status as a prominent power player working to overthrow any group so he can come out on top as a leader.

Enforcing his code of conduct with considerable force, Vandal Savage is always one step ahead of anyone and demands loyalty toward his ambitions. Whether acting alone or leading a team of super-powered villains, Vandal Savage can face off against the Justice League in the new DCU and will be a dominating figure who opposes the superhero team with a warlike path to destruction.

4

Queen Bee Incorporates Politics and High-Tech for Crime

First Appearance: Justice League of America #23 (November 1963)

Having undergone various personality changes in DC Comics’ history, the main through-line for a character like Queen Bee is her commanding presence as a leader operating a major criminal enterprise who always has to deal with superheroes. Engaging with considerable weaponry and having superpowers of her own, Queen Bee can go toe-to-toe with any hero who wants to meddle in her criminal affairs that reach a global level for profit and power.

Evoking a femme fatale mixed with a general, Queen Bee has an intriguing character dynamic that would instantly light up the big screen. Likewise, the charming and clever villain would also lead to a complicated casting choice, as every talented actress would undoubtedly jump at the opportunity to play this fierce antagonist in the DCU and become an iconic fixture for this franchise and superhero media in general.

3

Count Vertigo Pulls off Elegant and Mind-Bending Crimes

First Appearance: World’s Finest Comics #251 (July 1978)​​​​​​​

Blending a sophisticated demeanor with impressive power, the Vlatava ruler Werner Zytle — a.k.a. Count Vertigo — has all the makings of a deadly villain who can antagonize any street-level hero in the DCU, particularly that of the emerald archer, Green Arrow. By adapting some of Green Arrow’s best series from the comics into a live-action setting, fans can witness the exciting adventures of this hero going head-to-head against a formidable adversary like Count Vertigo, who can both fight and utilize mind-bending techniques.

Prioritizing exciting action and trippy visuals, Count Vertigo’s cinematic debut in the franchise should delight audiences across the board. By crafting the character in the same vein as a Hans Gruber archetype, the villain’s inclusion in an action-heavy Green Arrow flick could foster new fans for Star City’s famed hero and have viewers clamoring for more details about Count Vertigo’s life of crime.

2

Atrocitus Hones His Rage Against the Green Lantern Corps

First Appearance: Green Lantern vol. 4 #2

Positioning himself as an intimidating villain against any Green Lantern, Atrocitus’ fiery command of the Red Lantern Corps and his festering rage provide ample opportunities for a live-action antagonist who is both motivated by hate and deeply nuanced. Channeling a tragic backstory as a driving force to enact vengeance on the Guardians of the Universe, Atrocitus can hook audiences with his sympathetic but unjust actions against the Green Lantern Corps and would also deliver some high-octane sci-fi action.

Exuding flawed characteristics and expansive powers, Atrocitus’ inclusion in the DCU should shake up the legacy of the Green Lanterns in pop culture. Whether included in the upcoming HBO Lanterns series or utilized further down the line in the franchise, the rage-filled antagonist has the necessary pathos to expose the hypocrisies of the Guardians of the Universe and showcase bloody violence for fans in an action setting.

1

Brainiac Deserves a Blockbuster Battle Against Superman

First Appearance: Action Comics #242 (July 10, 1958)

Rightfully labeled as one of the best man of steel villains in all of DC Comics, Brainiac has yet to make the jump to a live-action cinematic brawl with Superman. However, given James Gunn’s nearing re-introduction to the iconic superhero, the legendary antagonist seems ready now more than ever to engage with fans in the DCU. Taking an exciting and emotional sci-fi storytelling approach, the Superman sequel film can frame Brainiac as both a cold villain and a reminder of Clark Kent’s alien heritage.

Deeply obsessive and controlling, Brainiac’s pursuit to destroy Earth and capture Superman should display some harrowing thematic stakes. It is through the duality of Clark Kent’s existence as a Kryptonian and champion of Earth that gives the character depth which challenges Brainiac’s priority to study and manipulate the universe, where the rivalry between these two can equally hone in on fun action sequences that are crafted with meaningful themes of identity.

“}]] The DCU has begun to take form with a slew of new projects and some formidable DC villains should be a part of this new universe  Read More