Does Batman have the best rogues gallery in comics?

[Alan2099]

I'd give Spider-man a slight edge, but batman's got a lot of great ones too.

[ngroove]

How is this even a question? Of course. Then Spider-Man.

I'd assume more people in general, for decades, recognized Joker, Penguin, Catwoman, and Riddler, as well as Lex Luthor, for decades, before "Green Goblin", 2002.

[Sacred Knight]

Between his and the Flash, I think.

Spider-Man's rogues are overrated. Too many of them are dated and corny. Quantity isn't necessarily quality in his case, unfortunately.

[teej]

I'd say the Flash and then Batman.

Batman certainly has the most iconic villains, but for me at least there isn't a Batman villain that's more interesting than the Rogues or Thawne.

[oasis1313]

Spider-Man: Best Villains. But then again, it's hard for anybody to compete with Lex Luthor. This guy (at least in the Old 52) because he blamed Supes for making him go bald. You can't get nastier than that.

[the nomad]

Between his and the Flash, I think.

Spider-Man's rogues are overrated. Too many of them are dated and corny. Quantity isn't necessarily quality in his case, unfortunately.

Right. And Calendar Man is such a quality villain. The Sinister Six alone would eat Batman's main villains for breakfast. And I would love to see a crazy contest between the Joker and Carnage and which one would win in a fight. C'mon. Spider-Man wins hands down, but I will admit Batman villains get the most exposure.

[ngroove]

As far as Marvel goes, I'd say Doctor Doom has been the representer of Marvel's fiends, moreso than Green Goblin or Doctor Octopus, Doom having been chief villain in almost every medium (except live action television), but his movies having been stinkers as well.

But I'd still say, in public recognition:

1. Joker
2. Catwoman
3. Penguin
4. Riddler
5. Lex Luthor
6. General Zod
7/or/8. Mister Mxyzptlk or Bizarro

Mister Freeze, also having been, from Batman (1966), until Beware the Batman, every single Batman television show, plus movie Batman & Robin (1997), praised or famously mocked, Arnold Schwarzenegger Freeze action.

Even Metallo, from Superboy, other than Legion of Superheroes, been in every Superman television show, live action or animated.

[The Kid]

Joker
Ra's al Ghul
Riddler
Penguin
Scarecrow
Catwoman


Yes, he does and I don't think it's particularly close

[ngroove]

Right. And Calendar Man is such a quality villain. The Sinister Six alone would eat Batman's main villains for breakfast. And I would love to see a crazy contest between the Joker and Carnage and which one would win in a fight. C'mon. Spider-Man wins hands down, but I will admit Batman villains get the most exposure.

Mindless "Metahuman" like Powers isn't always everything.

[scribbleMind]

I think the Fantastic Four is close, the only thing is that their villains become larger than them to the point where few of them are considered Fantastic Four villains anymore.

[the nomad]

Joker
Ra's al Ghul
Riddler
Penguin
Scarecrow
Catwoman



Yes, he does and I don't think it's particularly close

Joker- Carnage
Ra's al Ghul- Green Goblin (Neither Knows how to stay Dead)
Riddler- Doc Ock
Penguin- Kingpin
Scarecrow- Mysterio
Catwoman- Black Cat (She's on the edge of being a villain. Kinda. It's complicated. Read Amazing Spider-Man #1)

You know what, I think they both have equally interesting characters, who pose a great threat to their respective universe. How about that. No one is better than anybody.

[Batman Begins 2005]

100% yes. Spidey's second.

[xMatt]

Sinestro is another great villain who's really stepped up over the years, but isn't enough to take away the limelight from Batman's villains. For me, there's a far more psychological edge to them that writers haven't shied away from, which makes them more appealing to read about and deconstruct from certain perspectives.

[the nomad]

Mindless "Metahuman" like Powers isn't always everything.

Neither is mindless killing just because it's fun. But again, both characters have equally compelling characters, no one is better than anyone and they both have good villains. Fair.

[ngroove]

Neither is mindless killing just because it's fun. But again, both characters have equally compelling characters, no one is better than anyone and they both have good villains. Fair.

No, Joker, Penguin, Riddler, Catwoman, Two-Face, ect, is more than just potentially fatal physical action, they use CUNNING. They use their wits and ruthlessness and environment to time and again cause trouble for Batman, Robin, Batgirl, ect, way, to more than make up for their lack of "super". Even time and again, just pure savagery of desperation of what Joker is capable to do when cornered into physical confrontation leads to more dramatically compelling showdowns, than some "zapfest" of zapping, or webbing, or busting walls.