The Most Important Villains in Comic History

Welcome to Villains Month! Who are the most important and influential villains in comics? In this episode, we sort through the long list of comic book villains to determine our lineup of the most iconic antagonists in the history of comics. These villains have left an indelible mark on the comic landscape and have been integral to some of the most memorable and impactful storylines. Join the conversation and give us your list down in the comments!
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#comicvillains #dccomics #marvelcomics

[@Silver_Spectre]

My favourite Dr Doom moment was from Judgement Day, a celestial tells him to just say Reed is smarter than him and he’ll pass, he laughs and walks away and he still passes

[@camh9780]

Dr. Doom is by far my fav. I feel like he perfectly encapsulates the word villain. He’s spooky, brilliant, suave and powerful which is why he can mold so well into any story because of how versatile he is. Without him we wouldn’t have MF Doom and Darth Vader. Goat material fs.

[@Indybone]

Doc Doom wasn’t the FFs first villain, just their most iconic

[@sergioandrade8735]

The FF's first villain was the Mole Man.

[@jeuryrabassa4724]

And one of the greatest Marvel supervillains. And one of my favorites.

[@hogunthegrim5464]

Dr. Doom is my favorite villaim because he is so complex and his run as Infamous Iron Man was one of the weirdest, yet well-characterized stories ever.

[@SombreroBeanieHat]

Doom is hands down the best villain. He’s everyone’s enemy!

[@Carlos-xz3vi]

May I suggest the limited series Books of Doom by Ed Brubaker. Perfection.

[@kingnoire9587]

Loved Doom as iron man

[@WolverBean]

Love Infamous Iron-Man. That was a great story.

[@kingnoire9587]

@@WolverBean hell yea!!!

[@jeuryrabassa4724]

Dr.Doom has always been one of my personal favorite supervillains. He's pretty much the Marvel comic book supervillain version of Darth Vader from Star Wars. (As well as Magneto from X-Men)

[@jrs1145]

Fyi Doom came before Vader

[@jeuryrabassa4724]

@@jrs1145 True. And the one who inspired Darth Vader as well.

[@NadeemShekh-uy9zn]

Doctor octopus is in the thumbnail but not in the video itself lol

[@EldritchGrimoire]

Darkseid definitely put the fear of God in me as a kid. I used to have nightmares about his omega beams

[@GuardianKyle]

We are all forgetting the most important DC Villain of all time.... Lord Death Man.

[@Gear_teen]

Could you do a second list? Like Venom, Carnage, Ras al ghul, Hobgoblin, Bane, and maybe Knull? Also maybe Kang?

[@prodlilrasta]

definitely Deathstroke too

[@ifogclbcphcohcphvphcphcohc3529]

Doomsday?

[@coltonshore4444]

Sinestro too?

[@handsuporillshoot381]

I would’ve added Ozymandias, Ras al Ghul, Sinestro, and Black Manta to the list as well.

[@DaggerofTime]

Sinestro for sure.

[@efrancoish]

Who you taking off the list for these villains?

[@jamalwalker]

Ozymandias for sure watchmen is too influential to not have representation

[@ethansoderstrom8287]

You scared me when you brought up Luther last! Honestly, I feel like Sinestro would be more recognizable and influential than the anti monitor. Maybe even more than Galactus.

[@MarkTUsman96090]

Yeah I Agree the list he just read out are the best and most dangerous villains in comic history

[@michael141998]

Joker is so overrated, and Batman can beat "anyone" with preptime, but somehow can't figure out a different way to permanitely stop a clown.

[@PLUTOXGOAT]

No one said Batman can beat anyone with Prep time. Thats just people who aren't proper Batman fans and started liking him recently without ever reading his comics. Batman takes alot of losses to other villains. (And Batman has beaten joker several times too, so your comment doesn't add up)

[@KidCthulhu82]

It's a tight list on Marvel's end, but for me Red Skull is one of their most iconic villains, just not sure who I would switch out for him- probably Galactus. DC could lose Anti- Monitor, yes he is important to the creation of the universe but isn't really popular or iconic outside of that. Doomsday is truly iconic for killing Superman though.

[@KidCthulhu82]

@TheKing12829 shame your replies aren't...

[@andrewft31]

Galactus isn’t a villain, no more than we are villains for eating a chicken lol he is just hungry.

[@jorgecarbajal8076]

5:19 Don't forget about Michael Fassbender. 7:09-7:18 The Fantastic Four's first villain was actually Mole Man. 9:51 Yeah, I was wondering about him.

[@benrozner3353]

Its a great list here are sone of mine for no reason or order: Captain cold Scarecrow Surtur Two face

[@azertytores]

Joker, Lex Luthor, Reverse Flash, Green Goblin, Magneto, Thanos, Loki, Carnage, Sinestro, Catwoman, Ra's Al Ghul, Shredder I'll say.

[@bluetarantulaproductions6179]

I would have also mentioned The Shredder and Krang (TMNT)

[@IAmImprintJones]

Love Darkseid, Doom, and Zoom but special shout-out to black manta for breaking cultural barriers and Arthur Curry's heart 😂😂😂 🙏. In some ways manta is like an off shoot of ta'challa with all the cultural significance but only more ruthless

[@PlanetAfterlife]

Havent watched your channel in like 7 years. Glad youre still cranking these out.

[@mcjames8879]

Scarecrow, don't mess with him because he can make have a horror trip.

[@crypto_que]

Joker firing into the crowd in The Killing Joke and laughing so hard while enjoying it is top tier Greatest Villain of All Time.

[@tempest3376]

Ayee the MF DOOM poster for the Dr. Doom segment was awesome! Long live DOOM and Malikai 💜

[@ShadowRavencroft]

As much as I like the Joker, I feel he is a bit overused.

[@Pako_equis]

Someone has to be the face of all villains why not him?

[@ShadowRavencroft]

@@Pako_equisI get that, but he is getting like the Reverse-Flash from CW's Flash. It was great at first, but then he kept coming back. He died like 4 times. And even went over to Legends of Tomorrow, died there and came back to the Flash

[@Pako_equis]

@@ShadowRavencroft How would you write him? Hes not immortal so hes going to have to die right? But then he cant stay dead right? So how would you write him? Hes the joker relax dude as long as hes back with another master plan im good

[@ShadowRavencroft]

@@Pako_equis I wouldn't change him. I just would not use him as much. Use a different Batman villain and give them some spotlight. Joker's appearance should be like your favorite holiday. It comes around once a year and you get all excited for it and it is such a blast. Now imagine celebrating that holiday every freaking day. It would kind of get boring.

[@Pako_equis]

@@ShadowRavencroft I think youre over thinking it cause its not everyday. Its every time we get a new Batman. Is that what youre trying to say? We have too many Batmen?

[@kingshadow8782]

Lex Luthor Doctor Octopus Doomsday Joker Darkseid and Thanos are my all time favorite Supervillains.

[@simonashtear2739]

I think anyone that I would add would probably deserve their own list. "Greatest Villains that mean the most to the hero" with the likes of Bruce Wayne's best friend Harvey, Peter's mentor, almost father figure Curt, maybe even Otto in some respects, Hal and Sinestro, Flash and some of his Rogues, Thor and Loki, Matt Murdoc and his college sweetheart, and sooo many X-Men villains.

[@neutralbychoice3584]

No Kingpin? Yeah, he is not a cosmic threat or even that powerful, but the saga of hate between Fisk and Murdock is legendary. It’s pretty much the oposite of Batman saying “how can two men hate each other so much and know nothing about each other” about his and the jokers relationship. Daredevil and Kingpin grew up in the dame neighbourhood, they know pretty much all of each others secrets and despite having each other with such a passion they have a sort of understanding. For years Kingpin kept his mouth shot about Daredevils secret identity. That is interesting.

[@UCONN_HUSKIES]

1) The joker 2) Lex Luther 3) Reverse flash 4) Darkside

[@willjohnboy]

Darksieds 3rd with dr doom imo

[@user-bs3zy4jl3v]

VERY WELL PUT! THANK YOU!!😊

[@danablack1490]

For me Venom is one of the most iconic villains.

[@calvinjordaniii1854]

My fav villain thanks to Spider-Man TAS

[@Jackferrett6781]

I hope Green Goblin appears in the Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 video game. People keep demanding that he be in the 3rd game without even considering that insomniac will most likely put Spidey to bed after the 2nd game

[@MinusGoji1]

Naw save him for the next game

[@Jackferrett6781]

@@MinusGoji1 did you not read my comment completely

[@Jackferrett6781]

@lucgermain9310 it makes perfect sense. Insomniac are likely gonna move on after this game. The sooner we realize that, the sooner we can avoid major disappointment

[@Jackferrett6781]

@lucgermain9310 because as I just said that’s how we hype people up only for it to collapse the World Trade Center. Moving on after this game would be a perfect way to show that insomniac made classics. Which would be better than cashing out on another game just to make a quick buck. You gotta learn to move on

[@Weskalia]

You thought Green Goblin, Doctor Octopus, Venom would be Spider-Man's most important villain? But it was I Paul.

[@jspur22]

You are Paul???

[@danielwesley5051]

Paul, Ha! Your power pales is comparison to the true, most dastardly villain of comic books. THE WRITERS!!! (insert dramatic thunder)

[@johnsantos507]

Venom may be a villain because he and Eddie Brock has hatred of both Spider-Man and Peter Parker. But Venom hates Carnage more than he hates Spider-Man. So consider Venom is a antihero.

[@thunder8987]

I'd say joker, lex, darksied, reverse Flash, dr doom, magneto, Thanos, and the green Goblin are definitely my most important.

[@onyxwolfreaper21]

Funny considering that’s all the villains mentioned in the video-

[@thunder8987]

@@onyxwolfreaper21 yeah I noticed that lol. I posted that before watching the video and I figured he might have because it's the truth. I think if none of these aren't on the list then it's a invalid list in my eye. Especially if lex wasn't on here I would have freaked out.

[@jrr2480]

This is my list 📃 of the greatest comic book 📙 villains (in no particular order) -Joker 🃏 -King Pin -Shredder -Frieza -Red Skull 💀 -Lex Luther -Amanda Waller -Green Goblin -Death Stroke - Metallo

[@RacerC45]

How is Amanda Waller a villain?

[@jrr2480]

@@RacerC45 she's an enemy to both super heroes and villains.

[@quentinfogger5755]

So when are you going to do history of DC Despero since he is one of the biggest Justice League Villians from the Comics?

[@haroldalan7080]

Villains like Venom and Carnage are very important Baddies in Marvel comics, with Venom being one of the most well known Spiderman villains in animated shows and in live action films like Spider-Man 3 and his first Stand alone movie with the actor Tom hardy has been Bane before to joined the Mcu as Venom🕸️🕸️.

[@andrewft31]

Venom only wants to kill Spiderman, Carnage wants to kill everyone, Kletus is a serial killer, Brock is just a journalist, obviously it is evident whole would be the worst person to give powers to

[@haroldalan7080]

@@andrewft31 He was also a Cellmate with Kletus casdey during their time in prison where Eddie brock workout and they became friends until Kletus turn his back on him🕸️🕸️.

[@rubyrubio3970]

Can you do the history of magneto, gambit, judge dredd, Cassie hack, qwenpool, hit monkey, vamperrella, moon girl & devil dinosaur and league of extraordinary gentlemen

[@quentinfogger5755]

Are you going to do history of Jentorra, Kryler(played by Bill Murray), Multiple Man, Cassie Lang as Stature/Stinger and the city of Chronopolis in honour of the Ant-Man and the Wasp Quantumainia movie?

[@JaqenHghar.]

Doomsday is one of my all time favorites. I get why hes not on this list but hes still an awesome villain. Hes the John Wick of bad guys. He doesn't have an elaborate goal or complicated personality, hes just fucking shit up Edit: also, The Batman who Laughs, even though very new, could make a case to get on a list like this one day

[@kylecollins3755]

It’s got to be Joker, then Lex Luther as one and two. After that, I would think Dr. Doom, Darkseid, and Thanos would make everyone’s top 10. My last five would probably be Venom, Bane, Norman Osborn, General Zod, and Ultron. But, I do think 6-10 are fairly interchangeable. I thought Galactus was an interesting choice because he’s not really a bad guy in the traditional sense.

[@chidieberenwadike4165]

I would definitely add Venom, General Zod, Riddler, Sinestro, Carnage, Kang, Knull, Ra's al Ghul, Ultron, and Black Manta.

[@quentinfogger5755]

Can you do history of the Elementals, Cyclone and Sandman along with Kurt Conners the Lizard, Rhino, Chameleon, Scorpion and the Human Fly along with the Tinkerer, Alistair Smythe the Ultimate Spider Slayer, Living_Brain, and Prowler?

[@sheard4328]

It's wild that Reverse Flash is above Lex Luthor.

[@jaydonwil1604]

They're not ranked

[@miltonfreeman2047]

I wouldn't touch that list with a stick because you Mr arris is on the money with these villains, keep it coming variant 😊

[@dieseltyme]

Doc Oc & Venom were on the thumbnail. I'd put both of them ahead of Antimonitor.

[@quentinfogger5755]

Can you please do history of DC OMAC along with the Reach who are the aliens who created the Scarabs in honour of the release of the Blue_Beetle movie?

[@s-boy4613]

I can't believe the Shredder didn't even get an honorable mention

[@cactusblack5993]

My Mt. Rushmore of comicbook villains and in no order... Lex, Joker, Magneto, Dr. Doom. Honorable mention goes to Green Goblin.

[@artsport9753]

Joker is the perfect warped mirror to the man who completes him. Good choice. A possible extra would be Ozymandias, the intellect of Luther and the fall of a super hero to a supervillain. Love to hear if you did think about him for inclusion. Great list

[@racheljackson4428]

i would put Two Face on the list because Cain and Abel is my Favourite Bible Story.

[@BoyNamedSue4]

For me Doctor Octopus is the ultimate “science gone wrong” villain

[@1slandgirlcaribbean304]

I ❤ villains month. Keep 'em coming.

[@BaconManGaming101]

should've mentioned that sins past was retconned because more people who don't read comics are gonna hear about the gwen affair and go around saying it without knowing it never actually happened

[@carlosgarza400]

Love Villains month

[@ericwilson8558]

I would like to add Cletus Kasady, aka Carnage, to the list because not only does he have a thing with killing kids like the joker, but he is like an unstoppable force of nature that pushes the superhero boundary of not killing anyone no matter how evil. For example, in Carnage USA, he was able to possess an entire town of people in Colorado and the Avengers. Then, he killed a little girl who lived in the town. Then, in the origin of carnage, spider-man and Venom had to team up to stop him and he threw a baby out the window without a second thought. Not to mention, he found a way to release Knull, the god of all the symbiotes and the creator of the necrosword, allowing Knull to kill one of the celestials and possess the rest. And finally, when Cletus Kasady was separated from the Carnage symbiote, Norman Osborn took it for himself to become the Red Goblin before it went back to Cletus Kasady! This character is more of a badass in comics than in the movie Venom 2, which I still wish it was an R- rated movie!

[@yurei_re2838]

It sucks that we couldn't get the first two Venoms rated R but Sony really wanted that crossover with Tom Holland's Spider-man

[@danielwesley5051]

Also, the guy just shrugged off getting ripped in half by the Sentry

[@kylecarter1599]

Carnage was created because someone asked, "What would happen if Joker got a symbiote?".

[@romeyrome32]

I can't disagree with that. Carnage has been a huge favorite of mine since The Spider-Man animated series and now from comic books.

[@phatkiddre]

Definitely honorable mention especially of late!

[@waahaa2348]

I love villains month.

[@bouchamr]

Awesome video, Hope for Marvel Scorpion video soon

[@crimsonflash9577]

Why isn’t anyone saying KINGPIN. Dude is iconic across comics, cartoons, and movies.

[@dariusswift1228]

Solid list

[@masterofmastersmaster2991]

My interpretation of Lex Luthor is more of a misunderstood man trying to think ahead regarding humanity. See Luthor hates Superman because he is an alien who stunts humanities by saving us, which in turn stunts or growth and evolution. Eventually humanity would reach a point where we will fail to exist without Superman’s intervention because we were unable to develop the necessary defenses on our own through trial and error.

[@culjoe91]

Not sure if this was only a DC/Marvel list but I also had Shredder from TMNT on my list

[@sammarchetti9143]

The Norman and Gwen affair was retconned to be a mysterio illusion with clones (thank god)

[@connorohalloran1636]

Honorable mention, Doc Oct and Venom

[@Artisan1979]

7:17 it was The Mole Man. Doom didnt debut until several issues later.

[@hectorvergara3394]

7:00 Dr. Doom played a game of Mortal Kombat one day, saw subzero’s finisher and said, “here hold my controller” and went on to fight Thanos to one up the finisher move 😂

[@marcusyates3044]

The Joker is the most iconic and most evil villain who can't EVER be topped!

[@thiccmcchicken550]

“I find your lack of faith disturbing”

[@CC-1138_DS]

Nah the Joker is Stil the more complex and fascinating character

[@trisstudio625]

Joker Good

[@kevsteron]

Dear Arris, You've just given me an idea for a Death Battle: Lex Luthor vs Norman Osborne

[@MichaelTaylor-qp2xf]

Magneto is my favorite villain and I'm glad to see him represented here.

[@tmxcomics]

They luckily retconned that Gwen pregnancy story last year

[@TrueTrickster2016]

Everyone: Joker Me: Venom

[@Lakewood_Archives]

Same.

[@quentinfogger5755]

Can you do history of the characters mentioned in this video?

[@jdmtc5]

I'm not gonna, but I think you guys just narrowed down to the most basic villains. I would like to see you other different villains

[@187mrsmith]

Galactus: coming to u in the year 2099 can't wait!

[@michaelmetler6315]

Shredder Rita Repulsa Lord Zed Skeletor COBRA Commander Zorack Megaton. Gargamel Witchipoo Mum-ra

[@galactus4mac]

I like your list far better! Skeletor being on top. Hordak is deserving of a spot as well.

[@haroldalan7080]

Lothor, Meagog, Dai shi and Emperor grumm are excellent Power rangers villains during the Disney era age of Power ranger shows📺📺.

[@viliguns]

I'm glad to see Magneto and Dr. Doom on this list.

[@Swampthing71]

My top 20 supervillains in comics 1. The Joker 2. Magneto 3. Green Goblin 4. Lex Luthor 5. Dr. Doom 6. Reverse-Flash 7. Darkseid 8. Loki 9. Thanos 10. Sinestro 11. The Kingpin 12. Black Manta 13. Apocalypse 14. Red Skull 15. The Cheetah 16. Deathstroke The Terminator 17. General Zod 18. Bullseye 19. Captain Cold 20. Anton Arcane

[@aidant6091]

I would also add Doomsday, he killed Superman and that event transcended comics

[@dr.wolfstar1765]

Joker and green goblin

[@sarvajithnalaneelan7923]

Green goblin????????

[@dakotatrue12]

@@sarvajithnalaneelan7923Green Goblin is one of the most iconic comic book villains. He’s definitely up there.

[@sarvajithnalaneelan7923]

@@dakotatrue12 b-tech joker

[@dakotatrue12]

@@sarvajithnalaneelan7923 Hell no, he’s up there with the Joker lol. Definitely not B tier.

[@sarvajithnalaneelan7923]

@@dakotatrue12 I didn’t say b tier. He is in probably A tier. Joker, vader, and darkseid are on their own league

[@gnarlygrilledcheese2979]

Loved the inclusion of off screen Tim😂

[@jonathanswinny5680]

Totally agree with your list, if it should be longer i might add these from comic books as well. Shredder (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles). Apocalypse (Marvel Comics). Carnage (Marvel Comics). Doomsday (DC Comics). Joe Dalton (Lucky Luke). Lobo (DC Comics). Venom (Marvel Comics). Doctor Octopus (Marvel Comics). Billy the Kid (Lucky Luke). 😈

[@chidieberenwadike4165]

Marvel and DC has some great villains. Just love them.

[@marklangley2087]

Love the MF Doom pic on the Doctor Doom intro lol

[@darkservantofheaven]

You should do another list like this for non marvel and dc villai villains Shredder would easily be on this villain

[@deadmezero8742]

This is basically who is the villain who does the most personal horrible things to heroes

[@milosan259]

Hell yea! Villains month!

[@kelvincherry769]

I wait all year to hear that laugh 😂

[@haroldalan7080]

Moat important villains in comic book history are Sabertooth and Magneto as well, with both incredibly powerful X men foes that's puts like Wolverine a hard time in some fights, and the Live action versions of X men villains are just as Iconic🧲🧲.

[@stephencollins4997]

Some villains from comics that I have are Joker, Lex Luthor, Captain Cold, Black Manta, Darkseid, and Black Adam for DC. Green Goblin, Ultron, Thanos Doctor Octopus, Venom and Doctor Doom for Marvel.

[@thunder8987]

I wish lex was portrayed better in the movies he needs to be shown he is the number 2 villain and maybe number 1. I know everyone and their mom wants to say joker and I agree but its closer than some think.

[@mr_brazypitts5584]

Could u please do an update on all the flashes wally mostly but please!?!?

[@JamaicanScouser]

Let's not forget that Mark Hamil voiced both Joker n Green Goblin in animated series 😂😂😂

[@sadusattack2628]

Don't get the high protein pancakes at IHOP. I shit my pants on the drive home.

[@donaskdonttell]

This list needed Brainiac

[@stayfrosty5623]

As a guy named Lex, I see this as an absolute win

[@DJSpinczar]

i think the fact you know ppl clicked on this bc they saw venom in the thumbnail alone puts venom in that S tier convo

[@bryanlabady9825]

Venom and Doomsday. Doomsday showed up out of the blue, merked Supes and instantly become iconic

[@NadeemShekh-uy9zn]

Joker Green Goblin Reverse flash Magneto Galactus Doctor Doom Thanos Darkseid Anti monitor Lex luthor

[@ryanmatthews3609]

my first soon-to-be original character jinx the loose cannon is gonna be on that list one day.

[@reesejackson5935]

I think ones who are just shy of the list would be doc oc, vandal savage, sinestro and loki

[@oscrmc8496]

Norman Osborn and Gwen Stacy having kids was (thankfully) retconned. You disrespected Doctor Doom though

[@RacerC45]

Do a video on characters who have remained dead in comics and will they ever be resurrected.