Strongest DC Villains Of All Time

Being home to many dark creatures, the DC universe is terrifying. In fact, when it comes to creating menacing supervillains, arguably, none do it better than DC. From maniacal clowns to cosmic entities trying to reshape the multiverse, DC Comics has it all.

With so many villains existing altogether, being a member of the Justice League might not seem like such a fun job. However, not all of these antagonists are universe-level threats, but the ones who are can defeat even the mightiest of superheroes without breaking a sweat. That said, here are the strongest villains of all time throughout the DC Multiverse.

Updated On January 5, 2024 By C.M Edwards: DC Comics continues to retain one of the most vast comic book universes in history comprised of dozens of heroes and villains. The constant pull of right and wrong that holds the fate of multiple worlds has been an entertainment rollercoaster for nearly one hundred years. While the heroes shine the brightest in DC Comics, there would be no light without the darkness. The villains place heroes under pressure so that they come out the other side stronger and DC has some of the strongest villains on the market. Hopefully, some will take the stage in the new direction of the DC Cinematic Universe. Here are more of the strongest villains in DC Comics.

11

Mr. Mxyzptlk

Reality-Warping Imp

• First Appearance: Superman #30

The pint-sized master of reality is one of the most powerful villains in DC Comics. Hailing from the fifth dimension, Mr. Mxyzptlk was created by Jerry Siegel and Ira Yarbough, first appearing in Superman #30. Mr. Mxyzptlk has the ability to alter reality on a universal scale.

He could make Superman a regular human being or make himself the strongest being in the universe. Unfortunately, Mr. Mxyzptlk is ruled by his fickle nature and curiosity. He could do anything he wanted, but he would rather do what’s fun. Mr. Mxyzptlk’s power is so great it allows the Joker to become the Emperor of the World.

10

Parallax

The Embodiment Of Fear

• First Appearance: Green Lantern #50 – Emerald Twilight

Known as the source of fear in the universe, Parallax is an emotional entity that was created before the universe had light. Used as the emotional power source for the yellow lantern rings, Parallax is a living being who can possess anyone with fear in their heart and instill fear in others.

Created by Daryl Banks, Ron Marz, Ethan Van Sciver, and Geoff Johns, Parallax first appeared in Green Lantern #50 – Emerald Twilight. Parallax has sent shockwaves throughout the DC universe having possessed some of the mightiest heroes and villains, such as Hal Jordon, Kyle Rayner, and Sinestro. The entities of the emotional spectrum are said to be some of the most powerful in the universe, making Parallax an incredibly dangerous foe for any and all parties involved.

9

Superboy-Prime

Superman’s Evil Counter-Part

• First Appearance: DC Comics Presents #87 (November 1985)

Hailing from Earth Prime, Super-Boy Prime is one of the strongest alternate versions of Superman. Initially introduced as a superhero, this character later transitioned into villainy due to resentment towards his peers. As a dark reflection of the Man of Steel, Superboy-Prime acquires all the traditional Kryptonian abilities. However, his powers are greatly amplified in the comics, making him one of the most formidable villains in the DC Multiverse.

Besides his enhanced abilities, Superboy-Prime can alter reality to his will, making him a multiversal threat. In the Infinite Crisis storyline, his brute strength is displayed as he kills multiple alternate versions of Superman. On top of that, this character has killed The Flash and many Green Lanterns, making him a truly lethal antagonist.

8

Nekron

The Embodiment Of Death

• First Appearance: Tales of the Green Lantern Corps #2 (June 1981)

When a character is the literal embodiment of death, it’s bound to be terrifying. Popular for being an adversary to the Green Lantern Corps, Nekron serves as a powerful character representing the afterlife and darkness. As the ruler of The Land of the Unliving, a purgatory for dead souls, Nekron draws his power from the souls of the deceased.

Being closely related to death, his abilities follow the thematics. Nekron can raise the dead and turn them into Black Lanterns. On top of restoring life to the deceased souls, he can also kill with a single touch. In his hunt to achieve universal death in the Blackest Night Storyline, Nekron raises an army of dead heroes and villains to wage war against the living.

7

Doomsday

Superman’s Greatest Foe

• First Appearance: Superman: The Man of Steel #18 (1992)

Serving as one of the main antagonists of Superman and the Justice League, Doomsday is a monstrous creation. Primarily created on Krypton to be the greatest weapon in the universe, Doomsday acquires many powerful abilities. Besides the traditional Kryptonian powers, this monstrosity can manipulate toxins and use them for offense.

In the battle against Superman in The Death of Superman storyline, Doomsday was able to defeat Superman, creating one of the most iconic moments in DC. With his weird scales, super-human strength, and invulnerability, Doomsday has solidified himself as one of the strongest characters in the comic world.

6

Imperiex

Lord Of Entropy

• First Appearance: Superman: No Limits

Imperiex was created by Jeph Loeb and Mike McKone, first appearing in Superman: No Limits, which was a collected issue of various Superman stories. IMperiex is an unstoppable force that drives fear down the spines of even the strongest villains, one of which being Mongul. Possessing the power of the Big Bang, Impriex eradicated entire galaxies like sand castles without an inkling of remorse.

Seeking to remake the universe in his image, he set his sights toward Earth and the Milky Way. Superman had to combine with another entity just to halt Imperiex’s march on his home. Even then, he was only able to damage Imepriex’s armor, which caused the immense energy swirling within him to leak out and threaten the entire universe with a cataclysmic explosion.

5

Trigon

Master Of Dark Magic

• First Appearance: New Teen Titans #2 (1980)

In a world where Nekron is the embodiment of death, Trigon is the embodiment of pure evil. Hailing from Azarath, Trigon is one of the darkest creatures in all of DC. As the father of Raven, this character serves as one of the key villains for the Teen Titans. Ruling over hundreds of worlds in his dimension, Trigon possesses cosmic-level power.

From draining the soul out of his enemies to manipulating energy, Trigon’s list of abilities is pretty extensive. In fact, when in contrast with other cosmic-level beings, Trigon often surpasses their powers. On top of that, he possesses extensive knowledge of dark magic and the supernatural, making him a true creature of evil.

4

Darkseid

The Lord Of Apokolips

• First Appearance: Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen #134 (1970)

Being a household name in DC, Darkseid is arguably the greatest villain throughout the comic world. Created by the genius of Jack Kirby, Darkseid serves as one of the main antagonists to the Justice League. As the ruler of Apokolips, Darkseid’s story revolves around finding the anti-life equation, a formula that would allow him to eliminate free will and serve as the ruler of the universe.

Darkseid is a God in the DC universe and can wipe out the strongest beings in combat. With his omega beams, superhuman strength, and genius-level intellect, Darkseid is one of the most powerful beings in DC Comics – so powerful, in fact, that he refuses to interact in hand-to-hand combat, emphasizing his cosmic power.

3

Perpetua

Creator Of The Multiverse

• First Appearance: Justice League #1 (2018)

Being one of the recent inductions into the DC Universe, Perpetua quickly cemented her place as one of the most powerful comic villains. As a member of the hands, Perpetua is a cosmic being with near-limitless power. In the comics, she is depicted as one of the forces responsible for the creation of the Multiverse.

So, as the creator of the multiverse, it makes sense that she wants to control it according to her will. To do so, she possesses a plethora of abilities. From grand-scale reality manipulation to cosmic awareness, Perpetua has all the tools required to put a dent in the fabric of space and time, and when she decides to go all-out maniac, not many heroes can stand against her.

2

The Darkest Knight

A Terrifying Version Of Batman

• First Appearance: Dark Days: The Casting #1 (September 2017)

The darkest knight, better known as the Batman who laughs, is an alternate version of Batman. During the Dark Nights: Death Metal storyline, Batman is infected with a toxin that transforms him into his arch-enemy. With his motives corrupted, the Batman who laughs, becomes a maniacal clown with an ambition to reshape the universe.

To further his motives, he transforms into the Darkest Knight by merging with the cosmic Doctor Manhattan, becoming a creature of pure energy. In this form, the Darkest Knight gains near omnipotence and becomes a god-like being able to warp reality. During his battle with Perpetua in the same storyline, he defeats the cosmic being and traps her in the source wall, showcasing his immense power.

1

Anti-Monitor

A Cosmic Giant

• First Appearance: Crisis on Infinite Earths #2 (1985)

Created from anti-matter, the Anti-Monitor is the dark counterpart of The Monitor, a cosmic being in the DC universe. With his first appearance dating back to 1985, this character has stood the test of time and proved himself the strongest villain in DC Comics. As a being of pure anti-matter, the anti-monitor seeks to destroy all universes made of positive matter and expand his reign.

Being a cosmic creature, the Anti-Monitor possesses immortality and can’t be killed permanently. This makes him the biggest threat in the DC Multiverse. On top of that, he can manipulate energy on a cosmic level, allowing him to destroy entire universes. If any character can give the Justice League the heebie-jeebies, it’s definitely the Anti-Monitor.