The Most Powerful DC Villains You’ve Never Heard of, Ranked from Weakest to Strongest

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Every year, the DC Comics Universe expands with dozens of new characters. It simply isn’t possible to keep up with all of them. As such, there’s a good chance that most readers are unaware of an ever-growing list of heroes and villains residing within the universe. The truth is that for every new villain that makes a big splash on the pages, countless more fall to the wayside.

It could be their origin stories, or maybe these villains need to up the ante when it comes to their grand schemes and plans. Whatever the reason, there’s a lot to learn about the villains who flesh out the roster.

10

Stallion Is a Reformed Villain

Stallion Was Formerly Penguin’s Muscle

First introduced in Nightwing #11 (2017)

Was an enforcer for Penguin before doing time

Now he’s part of a former super-criminal support group

Once upon a time, Randy Hanrahan was an enforcer for the likes of Penguin. He was a stereotypical hench with good ol’ boy energy. However, his life took a turn when he ended up in Blackgate Penitentiary for four years. It was Nightwing who put him behind bars, and honestly, given all of the other potential consequences for henchmen, Randy got off pretty easy.

Once he was free and clear, Randy moved to Blüdhaven, where he once again crossed paths with Nightwing. The good news is that Randy really has turned his life around. Now going by Stallion, he joined up with The Haven Community Center, which offers a support group for former super-criminals. When things started getting rough in the city, he and fellow members created the Run-Offs and set out to keep people safe.

9

Penny Plunderer Is an Important Part of Batman’s Lore

Penny Plundere May Be Long Gone, But He Left a Mark on the Batcave

First appeared in World’s Finest #30 (1947)

His full name is Joseph Coyne

He created the infamous giant penny

Even those who have never heard of the Penny Plunderer have likely seen the mark he left in Batman’s story. Joseph Coyne, aka the Penny Plunderer, was a petty thief obsessed with pennies. Yes, really. He decided the best way to make a name for himself was to pick a theme and run with it, so he created a list of penny-themed heists. One such event involved the use of a Giant Penny.

This Giant Penny is the very same one seen in Batman’s cave. The cause behind the penny changes slightly depending on the timeline, but it always revolves around Coyne’s actions. However, The Penny Plunderer never lived to see the impact he left behind, as he was arrested and sentenced to death, making him one of the few Gotham criminals to face such a fate.

8

The Calculator Has Evolved Over the Years

The Calculator Is a Villain Who Took a Page From Oracle’s Playbook

First appeared in Detective Comics #463 (1976)

His full name is Noah Kuttler

He was originally known for being a Batman villain, cape and all, but swapped to overwatching for other villains

Noah Kuttler used to be a stereotypical costumed villain, fighting various heroes such as the Atom, The Elongated Man, Black Canary, and Batman. However, he changed his villainous career trajectory after seeing Oracle in action. In other words, Noah got the idea of becoming the man in the chair, but for villains. He took on the name The Calculator, and he began doing overwatch for several villains.

To be fair, there are plenty of villains who could use a little guidance in their scheming phase. While The Calculator continued to be obsessed with Oracle, he happily targeted other heroes. For example, he created a new version of The Fearsome Five to go after heroes such as the Teen Titans. Most recently, The Calculator has become obsessed with discovering and revealing Oracle’s true identity.

7

Amazo Has Faced Off Against The Justice League

Amazo Can Replicate the Abilities and Powers of Those Around Him

First appeared in The Brave and the Bold #30 (1960)

AKA Humanzo, Hourmazo

Member of the Secret Society of Super-Villains and Junior Injustice League

Despite his relative obscurity, Amazo is actually a dangerous antagonist. Thanks to his android physiology, Amazo can mimic the superpowers of pretty much any metahuman he comes across, including the Justice League. Professor Ivo designed him to oppose the superhero team, and as far as evil science inventions go, this is a solid method of attack.

Amazo was such a menace to the Justice League that he earned an extended time out inside the Fortress of Solide’s prison. He not only escaped but continued to create new enemies on the way. Believe it or not, Amazo has graced the animated scene several times. The villain has appeared in several shows, including Young Justice, Justice League Unlimited, and Batman: Under the Red Hood.

6

Ten-Eyed Man Is a 1970s Batman Villain

Ten-Eyed Man Has Been Underused In Recent Years

First appeared in Batman #226 (1970)

His real name is Philip Reardon

He had an enhanced 360-degree vision

Philip Reardon, aka The Ten-Eyed Man, is a classic Batman villain from the 1970s. However, readers today likely don’t recognize him, as he has largely fallen out of use or style. As with many villains, his origin story consists of an accident. In Philip’s case, the accident cost him his eyes. On the (not so) bright side, a doctor used an experimental treatment to reconnect Philip’s optic nerves to his fingertips.

The Ten-Eyed Man gained enhanced senses from this experiment, though it must have been a strange sensation. He could now see with his fingertips, giving him both enhanced vision and a 360-degree view of the world. During the Crisis on Infinite Earths event, The Ten-Eyed Man died, resulting in his erasure from the continuity.

5

Crazy Quilt Is a Painter-Turned-Villain

Crazy Quilt Is Obsessed With Textiles

First appeared in Boy Commandos #15 (1946)

Originally from Earth-Two

Member of the Secret Society of Supervillains and Underground Society

Paul Dekker was a painter of some fame. He used his paintings to send messages to his henchmen, as he was actually a villain in disguise. One thing led to another, and Paul was betrayed, arrested, and voluntarily experimented on. The final result was a new man with renewed eyesight. He quickly turned back to a life of villainy, this time as the Crazy Quilt.

There are a few notable things about The Crazy Quilt, including his odd-looking helmet. It didn’t take long for him to draw the attention of Batman and Robin. If only it were so easy to draw the attention of all readers. The Crazy Quilt later became a member of the Secret Society of Super-Villains, though he was mocked heavily for his choice of headwear.

4

Tar Pit Is a Flash Rogue

Tar Pit Lives Up to His Name

First appeared in The Flash #174 (2001)

His real name is Joseph Monteleone

His body is made of molten asphalt

Joseph Monteleone has a classic villain origin story. He started life on the wrong side of the tracks, working for a drug kingpin in Keystone City. Unfortunately, Joseph was always one of those people who never took anything seriously, not even a dangerous job like his. So, naturally, he ended up in prison. While in prison, Joseph learned that he would project his astral form into different objects.

Most people would consider this a turning point in their lives, but Joseph just used it to create merry mayhem within the prison. He pushed things too far and got stuck as an animated vat of tar. So he went with it, calling himself the Tar Pit and leaving his old body behind. From here, Tar Pit was mostly a lower-level villain, never living up to the potential his powers offered.

3

Wotan Has Been Around Since the 1940s

Wotan Is a Wicked Sorcerer Who Gets in the Way of Doctor Fate

First appeared in More Fun Comics #55 (1940)

Real name unknown

A dangerous magic user with abilities such as flight, astral projection, and mind control

Every sorcerer needs a good antagonist; just ask Doctor Strange – he’s got dozens of them. Doctor Fate’s fated archenemy is called Wotan. Wotan is a sorcerer who delves into the dark side of magic, utilizing abilities such as mind control, spiritual drain, and even reincarnation. His only goal in life is seemingly finding new and creative ways to get in Doctor Fate’s way.

Wotan has spent lifetimes mastering the art of mysticism and the occult. Originally born during the prehistoric era, Wotan has reincarnated into countless new bodies. While Wotan is Doctor Fate’s oldest enemy, he isn’t that well-known. This may change as Doctor Fate makes more appearances in the larger DC Universe, but it’s impossible to be certain.

2

Floro Is Connected to The Green

Floro Is Also Known as the Floronic Man

First appeared in The Atom #1 (1962)

AKA Plant Master or Floronic Man

Affiliated with the Secret Society of Super-Villains, The Society, and New Guardians

How many scientists have become superheroes or supervillains? Well, add Jason Woodrue to the count. He was once a botanist who took his passion too far, experimenting on his body to create a plant-human hybrid. Gaining a connection to The Green, Jason dubbed himself the Plant-Master, though he also goes by Floro and The Floronic Man.

The Floronic Man has a surprising connection with DC Comics, as he was Pamela Isley’s teacher before she became Poison Ivy. As for his enemies, Floro is most commonly seen battling the Atom, though as part of the Secret Society of Super-Villains, he’s crossed the path of several heroes in his days. Floro may or may not be immortal, thanks to his plant-like nature and connection to The Green.

1

Volthoom Is the First Lantern

Volthoom Could’ve Been a Hero If Things Had Gone Differently

First appeared in Green Lantern Annual #1 (2012)

AKA First Lantern or Rami

Emotional Spectrum Manipulation

Volthoom is the First Lantern, meaning he was the first to wield a power ring. He originally worked alongside the Maltusians, the species that would later become the Guardians, as they sought to understand the emotional spectrum of light. Their research led to the creation of a powerful energy source known as the Great Heart, and Volthoom became the first to harness its power by placing a ring on his finger. However, over time, the Maltusians deemed Volthoom unfit to continue his work. Whether due to his growing instability or the dangers of his power, they ultimately decided to imprison him, sealing him away for centuries.

That’s enough to turn anybody to the dark side. However, it gets worse. The Guardians would use his DNA to create an army to destroy the Green Lantern Corps. Outside of the Green Lantern series, most people haven’t heard his name. As far as power scales go, he’s more powerful than either Sinestro or the Black Hand, but he certainly isn’t as popular.

“}]] Over the years, DC Comics has introduced hundreds of new villains, but not all of them leave the same mark as the Joker and instead get lost in time.  Read More