The Lone Courier
Member
DC no contest imo. Batman's rogue gallery alone puts it a step ahead.
-
Hey Guest. Check out your NeoGAF Wrapped 2025 results here!
Marvel vs DC: Who has the better villains?
- Thread starter NotTheGuyYouKill
- Start date
- Status
Dreams-Visions
Member
DC by a country mile.
Deeper, more complex villains and it's not really close. But in terms of "cool" factor, Marvel by a country mile. It's easier for them to be entertaining, as there is rarely heavy setup required for them to be motivated to fuck shit up or grab power. They also tend to have cooler abilities/powers that lend themselves to cool panel drawings.
Nobody will be blown away by the powers of The Joker, The Riddler, The Penguin, Lex, Bane, etc. That's not what makes them formidable, Darkseid and Doomsday notwithstanding. The games those supervillians play is more like chess than WWE wrestling. Whereas you can *see* the powers of most Marvel villains blasting out of their hands/eyes/etc.
That to me has always been the essential distinction between DC characters in general and Marvel characters in general, in addition to DC heroes being nearly gods almost without equal (where Marvel heroes almost always feel vulnerable).
Deeper, more complex villains and it's not really close. But in terms of "cool" factor, Marvel by a country mile. It's easier for them to be entertaining, as there is rarely heavy setup required for them to be motivated to fuck shit up or grab power. They also tend to have cooler abilities/powers that lend themselves to cool panel drawings.
Nobody will be blown away by the powers of The Joker, The Riddler, The Penguin, Lex, Bane, etc. That's not what makes them formidable, Darkseid and Doomsday notwithstanding. The games those supervillians play is more like chess than WWE wrestling. Whereas you can *see* the powers of most Marvel villains blasting out of their hands/eyes/etc.
That to me has always been the essential distinction between DC characters in general and Marvel characters in general, in addition to DC heroes being nearly gods almost without equal (where Marvel heroes almost always feel vulnerable).
Combat Wombat
Banned
This isn't even a question for me. I love so many of DC's villains. Those saying their only villains of notable worth come from Batman and Superman are plain wrong and makes me wonder if they ever bothered to look at some of their other heroes.
I think it says alot that their villains are able to shine despite their more classic designs and approach compared to Marvel's.
I think it says alot that their villains are able to shine despite their more classic designs and approach compared to Marvel's.
BossDarkseid
Member
DC by a multiverse.
In terms of heroes...honestly I feel like DC's Trinity are probably more iconic than any of Marvel's heroes bar Spiderman (who seems to eternally be absolute lightning in a bottle) but in the last decade or so obvs Marvel has penetrated the public consciousness a lot more. Superman's S is supposed to be one of the most recognizable symbols in the world etc.
So in villains it's DC.
In heroes the last decade or so has seen it go Marvel-side.
In terms of heroes...honestly I feel like DC's Trinity are probably more iconic than any of Marvel's heroes bar Spiderman (who seems to eternally be absolute lightning in a bottle) but in the last decade or so obvs Marvel has penetrated the public consciousness a lot more. Superman's S is supposed to be one of the most recognizable symbols in the world etc.
So in villains it's DC.
In heroes the last decade or so has seen it go Marvel-side.
Hero Doomsday would have happened in 616 Marvel. See Slayven's Abomination pic.
Now, I know I haven't gotten enough sleep lately because it took a full 30 seconds for the pun to actually make contact with my brain.
TheKaeptain
Banned
They also make their heroes fight each other every few years. At least DC makes their heroes fight evil version of themselves once a decade.
ChimpanzeeThat
Member
DC all day. I love some of Marvel's villains though, but i just love more of DC's, Forever Evil's Villain Month was simply beautiful.
Donald Duck all day, every day motherfucker
TheKaeptain
Banned
What's crazy is how nothing touches Disney princesses in terms of popularity.
When I was in college a Disney rep came to talk to my class. I asked him if Disney was forced to break up what would be the two things they would keep. Before I finished he responded Princesses and Mouse. He didn't even think about it.
Watch Da Birdie
I buy cakes for myself on my birthday it's not weird lots of people do it I bet
Probably DC, but maybe because there's been way more animated properties allowing someone like me who doesn't follow the comics to see more of the rouge galleries that the movies don't have time to focus on.
Like, for example, in Marvel I mostly know the non-Spiderman/X-Men villains through the movies...meaning the only interesting and memorable one really is Loki. But thanks to Justice League, Teen Titans, Batman, etc., I know a ton of DC villains.
Manga's got cooler villains though I think, but that might be a strength of the linear storytelling when they're more concrete.
Like, for example, in Marvel I mostly know the non-Spiderman/X-Men villains through the movies...meaning the only interesting and memorable one really is Loki. But thanks to Justice League, Teen Titans, Batman, etc., I know a ton of DC villains.
Manga's got cooler villains though I think, but that might be a strength of the linear storytelling when they're more concrete.
Mr. Poolman
Member
Not so surprising since Superman is seen almost as an USA icon (and this is not a positive on certain countries).
In fact, it surprises me more how beloved Captain America is these days, I guess being a really cool guy on the movies has helped!
He is popular. The only superheroes more popular than him is Batman and Spidey.
GravityInsanity
Member
DC! My 2 favorite villains are Joker and this OVERPOWERED teenage brat!
Big Green Anus
Member
If you remove Batman villains, then Marvel definitely wins the villains side, but those Batman villains are just so iconic!
The responses that are either "dc just because of batman" Or "Marvel Dc just has batman" are really disheartening. I enjoy both companies, but lean towards DC, and only a few of my favorite dc villains would even be batman villains. Favorite is probably pimp master sinestro or black adam, or swag master slade.
Poodlestrike
Banned
Gotta give it to DC on this one. Batman's rogue gallery is iconic, but it's only scratching the surface; when you've got the Rogues, Luthor, Sinestro, even Darkseid to back up Joker & co, that's just unstoppable.
I mean, dude.
I mean, dude.
You get it.
+020-043.jpg)
Schweinehund
Member
edit: lmao wrong thread 
.
Forever Evil is great crash course into DC's villains from a slice of about everything. Sinestro was great in it.
.Forever Evil is great crash course into DC's villains from a slice of about everything. Sinestro was great in it.
As a die hard Marvel fan, the answer by a long mile is DC.
There's something quite Shakesperean about the DC villains. I look at most DC heroes as gods among men. This doesn't always make for relatable heroes, but it makes for super compelling villains who truly operate as the purist foil for any hero.
Joker works because he matches Batman in intellect and exists solely to tear his world apart. They're arguably both insane but Joker accepts his insanity.
Luthor is the representation of power. Here you have an all powerful being who can crumble before a meek man with infinite intellect, resources and connections.
In the early Wonder Woman comics Dr. Psycho was a foil to Diana's truth and empowerment through deception, illusions and exposing weaknesses.
And most DC villains operate in this space of symbolism and tie really well in the mythos of these larger than life characters.
On the Marvel side, the greatest villains they face are usually their own humanity. An alcoholic Iron Man, poor and nerdy Parker, man of time Cap, the monstrous Hulk. As a result, the villains are only there to fuel the characters own internal struggle. The truly compelling Marvel villains are more often than not heroes in their own right. Magneto and Doom to me are shining examples. Their agendas are very human.
So I think DC wins by a long shot, but I think the types of stories they write cater better to the traditional definition of a villain.
There's something quite Shakesperean about the DC villains. I look at most DC heroes as gods among men. This doesn't always make for relatable heroes, but it makes for super compelling villains who truly operate as the purist foil for any hero.
Joker works because he matches Batman in intellect and exists solely to tear his world apart. They're arguably both insane but Joker accepts his insanity.
Luthor is the representation of power. Here you have an all powerful being who can crumble before a meek man with infinite intellect, resources and connections.
In the early Wonder Woman comics Dr. Psycho was a foil to Diana's truth and empowerment through deception, illusions and exposing weaknesses.
And most DC villains operate in this space of symbolism and tie really well in the mythos of these larger than life characters.
On the Marvel side, the greatest villains they face are usually their own humanity. An alcoholic Iron Man, poor and nerdy Parker, man of time Cap, the monstrous Hulk. As a result, the villains are only there to fuel the characters own internal struggle. The truly compelling Marvel villains are more often than not heroes in their own right. Magneto and Doom to me are shining examples. Their agendas are very human.
So I think DC wins by a long shot, but I think the types of stories they write cater better to the traditional definition of a villain.
Even though I prefer Marvel's stable of villains, I can get behind all of this. DC has a lot of the greats
Geoff Johns GL run made me a fan. He's a great, nuanced character.
Still love Batman trying to buck at Luthor's squad.edit: lmao wrong thread
Forever Evil is great crash course into DC's villains from a slice of about everything. Sinestro was great in it.
Looking at him like "Sit down and be quiet when grown folks is talking."
Not as bad as "Sit your five dollar ass before Captain America makes change" momentStill love Batman trying to buck at Luthor's squad.
Looking at him like "Sit down and be quiet when grown folks is talking."
Isn't Mickey Mouse declining in popularity?
Combat Wombat
Banned
Still love Batman trying to buck at Luthor's squad.
Looking at him like "Sit down and be quiet when grown folks is talking."
As an avid Superman fan and one who dislikes the batgod worship, this is really satisfying to see.
Schweinehund
Member
Sinestro never forgot.
I think Timm or Dini brainwashed a whole generation.
As if thousands of voices suddenly cried out in terror while I was reading that panel.
These are the L's that burn a man's soul.Not as bad as "Sit your five dollar ass before Captain America makes change" moment
You know Black Adam was about to drop his ass. He waiting for it.
TheGreatDirector
Banned
It's nice seeing even Batman getting knocked down by these villains.
Manmademan
Member
Ah, you know I'm going to correct you on this right? you have to. how could I not? ah, the struggle between being responsible and arguing comics on the internet
Manmademan
Member
there's a pretty obvious flaw in the bolded. see if you can spot it in the time it takes for me to come back.
several actually. Man of his time? Is Sally Ford a super villain now? Nerdy parker? ha
Manmademan
Member
Slayven as usual gets it in record time. It's hilariously outdated.
one of the big differences between Marvel and DC is that Marvel has allowed their characters to age in (marvel) time, and the things that defined them have changed.
The concept that "marvel heroes are flawed, DC heroes are untouchable gods" is a trope that hasn't been true since the 1980s. Both companies have moved on. Superman and Batman are a lot more "flawed" and human than they were in the gold and silver age. A big part of this is because DC saw the money marvel was making and changed a lot of things, but it is what it is. There's not a lot of daylight in the approach between the two in the modern era.
On the Marvel side? Spiderman hasn't been a "poor nerd" in forever. Current parker is a CEO worth millions that's been pulling supermodels since the 1980s.
Cap has been in the "present" longer than he was in the 40s, and is just as comfortable in modern new york as he is among the stars, battling alien races and liberating solar systems. "letting go" of his 1940s crap and moving on was a plot point of his recent series- but not a recent one, it's been done before. The masters of evil destroyed all of cap's memorabilia in the early 80s, and "getting over it" was done back then too. (it was since rescued by time travel, only for marvel to have Cap get rid of it again).
There are many, many, many strong villains on the marvel side that have nothing to do with internal struggle- and making the claim kind of requires you to ignore the Xmen rogue's gallery entirely- there are some blockbusters in there that are pure diabolical spectacle and not much else.
Captain Cold but no Ra's or Riddler? I'd also give the nod to DC. Everyone is so iconic and well-written. That isn't to say that the Xmen and Spider man are slouches, but the rest aren't really characters I've remembered.
Manmademan
Member
Equinox THE THERMAL DYNAMIC MAN
where do you FIND these things
edit: lmao wrong thread
Forever Evil is great crash course into DC's villains from a slice of about everything. Sinestro was great in it.
His entrance in that storyline... wow. It was one of those moments where I was like, uh, they could really use some help and bam!
Sibersk Esto
Banned
Equinox THE THERMAL DYNAMIC MAN
I remember him from my "Spider-man: The Ultimate Guide" book I had as a kid at least
- Status