Batman has been DC Comics’ flagship superhero for almost 90 years. Debuting in 1939, The Caped Crusader has fought some of the deadliest villains around. From The Joker to Catwoman, many of Batman’s most famous foes have made it to the big screen. Yet even with this ruthless vigilante being featured in the most theatrical releases (16 films) for the brand, there’s still a ton of Rogues Gallery members he hasn’t fought in this medium. There are more than a few Batman-centric projects on the way. This includes Matt Reeves’ The Batman Part II, The Brave and the Bold, Dynamic Duo and Clayface.
The latter is making his live-action big screen debut this Fall from a script by modern horror legend Mike Flanagan. That begs the question, what are the best Batman villains that haven’t been seen in a theatrical release? While we’re counting animated films like Batman: Mask of the Phantasm and DC spin-offs like Birds of Pray, this won’t factor in cameos from The Lego Batman Movie or DC’s endless amount of direct-to-video films like Batman: Under the Red Hood. Naturally, Clayface will not be included on this list given we’re just months away from his own misadventure.
10
The Court of Owls
Debut: Batman #6 (2012), Creators Scott Snyder & Greg Capullo
The Court of Owls, aka The Parliament of Owls, is the most recent addition of villains on this list. This corrupt organization tied to Bruce Wayne (which we won’t spoil here) forever changed Batman and started DC’s “New 52” era off with a bang. The only reason this secret society is so low here is that they’re probably going to show up in a film the quickest out of anyone on this list.
This is because this sinister organization has been hinted at more than a few times in Reeve’s The Batman universe. Most recently in The Penguin spin-off series. There’s a big possibility they’re at the center of whatever The Batman Part II’s is about. Outside the comics, The Court has appeared in TV shows like Gotham and Harley Quinn, as well as video games like Gotham Knights and LEGO DC Super-Villians. It’ll be exciting to see if Reeves will indeed use this group to further shape his Gotham or if they’ll be saved for another DC film all together.
9
Hugo Strange
Debut: Detective Comics #36 (1940), Creators: Bill Finger & Bob Kane.
Hugo Strange is probably the most used villain that’s never been in a proper Batman movie. There’s good reason for that, given that the character debuted all the way back in 1940 with Detective Comics #36. This Frankenstein mad scientist type is a very common trope throughout the franchise and that all started with this Batman-obsessed monster. While he’s appeared in an endless number of TV shows like Batman: The Animated Series, Justice League Unlimited, The Batman (2004) and Gotham, Strange is yet to have a role in a major motion picture. Again, his cameo in The Lego Batman Movie really doesn’t count.
However, his most recognizable appearance was in the video game Batman: Arkham City, where he was the main villain running the title Gotham mega prison. He also knew Bruce Wayne was Batman, which he’d held over The Dark Knight’s head many times before in the comics and TV shows. Given Strange’s access to Arkham and his interactions with many of Batman’s top foes, like The Joker and Two-Face, this is a character that could be easily placed in any type of story. Because of that, we’re bound to see this deranged doctor on the big screen sooner rather than later.
8
Firefly
Debut: Detective Comics #184 (1954), Creators: France Herron & Dick Sprang
Garfield Lynns aka Firefly is the only character on this list that was so close to making his film debut. He was set to be the main villain in the now-infamous cancelled Batgirl film. The film was completely shot with Brendan Fraser cast in the pyromaniac role. Yet this HBO Max film was canceled in favor of a tax write off. While Firefly is lower on Batman’s villain totem pole, he’s made quite a name for himself outside the comics.
This includes in shows like The New Batman Adventures, The Batman (2004), Batman: Caped Crusader, alongside games like Batman: Arkham Origins and Batman: Arkham Knight. Firefly is essentially just a guy with a jetpack and flamethrower, but there are a lot of ways a film could use this burn-obsessed villain. This includes the more fantastical evolution of the character dubbed “Phosperous” as seen in the Season 5 episode of The Batman titled “White Heat”.
7
Scarface & The Ventriloquist
Debut: Detective Comics #583 (1988), Creators:John Wagner, Alan Grant & Norm Breyfogle
A middle-aged man with a corny yet creepy ventriloquist dummy might seem like a one-off concept. However, Arnold Wesker has become an extremely fine example of real-world horrors being explored on the comic book page. Mainly where mental health and America’s failing health care system are concerned. Scarface and the Ventriloguist are a great combo. On the one hand, you get the gangster side of Gotham that has some of Batman’s best stories. On the other hand, you get to see why Batman is one of the best characters in the medium. Batman isn’t about pounding his enemies into a bloody pulp until they can’t stand again.
He’s about helping his foes become better people. Like Wesker, more often than not, these have been people who fell victim to the corrupt system in Gotham. Scarface has been depicted in shows like The Batman (2004) and video games like the Batman: Arkham franchise. However, outside the comics, this display of empathy towards the character was best seen in The New Batman Adventures Season 1 episode “Double Talk”. Here Bruce Wayne gives Wesker a job after he completed his sentence in Arkham. That’s the kind of heartfelt story laced with enough tragedy that could fit any corner of DC Studios’ future plans.
6
Mad Hatter
Debut: Batman #49 (1948), Creator: Bill Finger, Bob Kane & Lewis Sayre Schwartz
While Mad Hatter has sometimes been accused and portrayed more like a Joker clone, Jervis Tetch is more than just a colorful Alice and Wonderland-inspired villain. One of Batman’s oldest foes, his mind-controlled hats/cards and crazed mind make him a uniquely challenging threat. This has been perfectly displayed in the reality-bending levels seen throughout the Batman: Arkham video game franchise and episodes of Batman: The Animated Series like “Perchance to Dream”. The latter of which is widely considered a top 10 episode of that series.
While the character has been seen in live-action in the 1966 Adam West-starring TV series and Gotham, James Gunn or Reeves could propel this broken-hearted mad scientist into the mainstream alongside the likes of Two-Face, Bane and Penguin. Given his character’s more heightened visuals and style, Tetch would fit in more with the colorful world that Gunn’s still establishing. However, that’s the beauty of the combination of shared-universe and elseworld films at DC Studios’ right now; any villain, tone or story idea isn’t off the table.
5
Solomon Grundy
Debut: All-American Comics #61 (1944), Creators: Alfred Bester & Paul Reinman
Most people know the dark nursery rhyme “Solomon Grundy, Born on a Monday, Christened on Tuesday, Married on Wednesday.” DC’s version of that is a monstrous zombie-like foe. More specifically, Cyrus Gold aka Solomon Grundy, who was cursed at the nearby Slaughter Swamp. This is probably the simplest villain on this list and Gunn has already shown his affection for the horror side of the DC Universe with the inclusion of Frankenstein’s Monster in Creature Commandos. Grundy has appeared outside the comics in shows like Justice League (2001), The Batman (2004) and Gotham.
Arguably his most famous appearance was in the video game Batman: Arkham City, where he was the first boss fight the player encountered. There, he was being controlled by The Penguin, who is a character that has a heavy involvement in Reeves’ universe. While it’s unlikely Colin Farrell’s mob boss version will be fighting Batman with any monsters in the near future, there are more than a few similarities between the two versions. However, the more likely scenario is that this hulking monster would be included in Gunn’s universe. Other creatures like Clayface and Swamp Thing are already being focused on in spin-offs. Solomon Grundy would be a perfect candidate to push DC’s horror on the big screen even further.
4
Baby-Doll
Debut: Batman: The Animated Series, Season 2, Episode 9 (“Baby-Doll”, 1994), Creator: Paul Dini
The first of two Batman: The Animated Series-created villains, Baby Doll is a tragic young actress named Mary Louise Dahl who starred in one of the most popular shows on TV, “Love that Baby.” She had a rare condition that made her stop aging, which made it hard to cast her in other things and ended her career after the show was canceled. Taking on the persona of Baby-Doll, she kidnaped all her former cast mates for a killer reunion.
It’s one of the most out-there storylines the show ever had, but the emotions and sincerity of Paul Dini’s writing made it one of the more unique creations. What it said about a child star’s fall from grace is still very relevant today. It also had great commentary on the sitcoms that lined people’s television sets in the latter half of the 20th century. Its themes and characters really do restrict with a very specific kind of story.
You’re not going to see Robert Pattinson’s Batman taking on the horror of the studio system anytime soon. Yet, like The Ventriloquist, this is a character that brought out the best in The Caped Crusader. Batman is best when he’s empathetic towards his adversaries and “Baby-Doll” has an ending that will make any hard-core DC fan cry. Gunn has brought into live-action more absurd foes like Ratcatcher II and Polka-dot Man, so anything is possible where his DCU’s concerned.
3
Lock-Up
Debut: Batman: The Animated Series, Season 2, Episode 14 (“Lock-Up”, 1994), Creator: Paul Dini
The final BTAS-created character on this list, Lyle Bolton, aka Lock-Up, debuted in his self-titled episode in 1994 before being brought into the official comic book continuity in 1996. Lyle originated as an abusive Arkham Asylum guard who got a little too aggressive. He was too violent even for Arkham’s low standards. It was so bad that the likes of Scarecrow, Harley Quinn and Mad Hatter were scared of him. Bruce Wayne helped get him fired, which led to him taking his revenge on the streets of Gotham as a Vigilante. One that makes Batman look like Condiment King in comparison.
His thematic context to Batman and his simple combat soldier designs make him an easy fit for any big screen adventure. Especially considering Reeve’s Batman universe looks to be getting more Arkham-heavy with the likes of The Riddler, The Joker and Sofia Falcone locked up. We’ve gotten a taste of how corruptible and ruthless Arkham guards can be in the likes of Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy and BTAS. Including Lock-Up in The Batman Part II or a future installment could expand upon that famous asylum’s darkness in some creative ways. It can also put a hypocritical spotlight on Batman’s own role in the “system”.
2
Red Hood
Debut: Batman #357 1983, Creators: Gerry Conway & Don Newton
While we will get Jason Todd in some form in the upcoming animated/live-action hybrid Dynamic Duo film in 2028 alongside DC’s first Robin Dick Grayson, that’s far enough away to be included on this list. Todd’s Robin is one of the most tragic figures in DC lore. Debuting in the early 80s, he quickly became comic book reader’s least favorite Boy Wonder because of his rougher style. This got to a boiling point in 1987’s now famous “Death in the Family” arc, where DC ran a contest to see if Todd would live or die. The fans morbidly choose to kill him.
At the hands of The Joker, Todd was beaten senselessly with a crowbar and left for dead in a fiery explosion. Batman was too late to save him. The panel of The Caped Crusader holding his fallen Robin in his arm is still one of the more iconic shots in comic history. Yet, people can’t stay dead in comics forever and Todd was later resurrected by Ra’s al Ghul via the Lazarus Pit. Todd would then take on the mantle of the Red Hood and start a villainous revenge scheme. This was depicted in the 2005 “Under the Red Hood” storyline.
This was later adapted in the 2010 animated film of the same name. A very loose version was then brought to live-action for the first time in the third season of the Titans TV series. It’ll be interesting to see what elements of that will be used in the Dynamic Duo film, but given that Gunn’s universe doesn’t have a Batman yet, it’s safe to say we won’t see that particular storyline brought to film for a very long time.
1
Man-Bat
Debut: Detective Comics #400 (1970), Creators Frank Robbins & Neal Adams
Batman and horror go hand-and-hand – particularly the body horror sub-genre with villains like Clayface and Killer Croc. Kirk Langstrom aka Man-Bat is another fine example of that. Debuting in Detective Comics #400, Man-Bat brought Batman back to his dark gothic roots after the 50s space-centric adventures and the 60s TV show made the character campy in the eyes of mainstream audiences. The villain’s original works, done by co-creators Frank Robbins and Neal Adams, were classic-feeling Batman stories mixed with the mad scientist vibes that made the Universal Monster movies of the 30s and 40s major hits.
Man-Bat isn’t this obscure villain either. He’s been seen outside the comic books in video games like Batman: Arkham Knight and shows like The Batman (2004) and Batman: The Animated Series. The latter of which, was the first villain Kevin Conroy’s Dark Knight ever faced. The character’s debut episode in that iconic series, “On Leather Wings”, could easily be expanded into a full-length feature. After all, Flanagan’s main inspiration for Clayface was the Rogues’ BTAS two-part episode, “Feat of Clay”. While Reeves’ ultra-realistic detective noir take on Batman wouldn’t exactly fit Man-Bat’s blood-soaked vibe, this monster would more than feel at home in Gunn’s extended, comic-accurate DCU.
- Created by
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Bob Kane, Bill Finger
- First Film
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Batman: The Movie
- Upcoming Films
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The Batman – Part II
- TV Show(s)
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Batman: The Animated Series, Batman: The Brave and the Bold, Gotham
- Movie(s)
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Batman, Batman Returns, Batman Forever, Batman & Robin, Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, The Dark Knight Rises, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, The Batman
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