Villains in 21st-century comics have become much more complex. They now often take center stage, with detailed histories and motivations that can fuel entire series. Both classic villains and new characters are being reimagined through large-scale storylines and interconnected events. This demonstrates how modern comics increasingly depend on these antagonists not just as opponents, but to challenge and even change the heroes we know.
This list highlights villains who first appeared or became known as villains between 2000 and 2020. It includes information about their creators, significant comic book appearances, and how they’ve impacted modern comics from publishers like DC, Marvel, and Image—with one extra villain from Gotham added at your request.
The Batman Who Laughs
The Batman Who Laughs was created by Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo as part of DC’s Dark Multiverse storyline. He’s a version of Bruce Wayne from a world poisoned by the Joker’s toxin. He first appeared in short stories and the ‘Dark Nights: Metal’ event, and later starred in his own miniseries that showed how he gathered other dark Batmen and caused trouble on our Earth (Earth-0) by creating chaos and collecting information about superpowered individuals.
He combines meticulous planning, like Batman, with the chaotic unpredictability of the Joker. His equipment includes a spiked visor that allows him to see and control beings affected by strange, otherworldly energies. In terms of DC Comics, he’s central to the current multiverse storyline, connecting older stories with new ones, and tie-in comics reveal his operations against Gotham, the Justice League, and threats beyond Earth.
Gorr the God Butcher
Gorr, a character created by Jason Aaron and Esad Ribić for *Thor: God of Thunder*, appears throughout different points in Thor’s life – as a young hero, a seasoned Avenger, and a powerful king – to demonstrate the vastness of his mission to destroy gods. The story begins by tracing a path of fallen deities, leading to epic cosmic battles, and features an investigation spanning centuries, conducted by various versions of Thor.
I’m absolutely fascinated by Gorr the God Butcher! The power he gets from the Necrosword, All-Black, is just incredible – he can create things from shadows, heal almost instantly, and withstand attacks that would destroy anyone else. What’s even more interesting is how his story connects to the origins of symbiotes later on. The arc where he hunts gods is brutal – seeing him systematically take down entire pantheons and build a weapon to end them all really changed how I think about the gods in Thor’s world. It wasn’t just about power anymore; it forced them to face the consequences of their actions, which is a really compelling twist.
Homelander
Homelander first appeared in the comic book series *The Boys*, created by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson. The series exposes how Vought-American controls situations involving superpowered individuals, using internal records, secret operations, and cover-ups. *The Boys* details instances of abuse of power, covert missions, and even attempted takeovers, highlighting the connection between the carefully crafted image of superheroes and the country’s national security system.
Throughout the show, evidence like files, witness statements, and surveillance footage reveals planned rescue operations, destructive battles, and the specific events that cause the Boys to react. The TV series ‘The Boys’ mirrors the original material by showcasing similar incidents and detailed records, emphasizing the importance of contracts, public relations strategies, and information leaks.
Court of Owls
As a huge Batman fan, I was really blown away when the Court of Owls showed up in the New 52 series. It introduced this incredibly creepy secret society that’s been pulling the strings in Gotham for centuries – they’re hidden *everywhere*, from the buildings themselves to charities and even in positions of power! What I loved was how the story wasn’t just talk – it presented real clues, like old blueprints of underground tunnels, creepy rhymes, and hidden lairs. And the explanation of how their assassins, the Talons, came back to life? Totally wild – something about a special metal called electrum and being frozen! It felt so grounded, even with the fantastical elements.
Later investigations reveal the Court’s reach extends to surrounding cities and even into the past, tracking murders, property holdings, and how they recruit new members. Their records—which include disguises, personalized cards, and clues hidden within local myths—essentially transform Gotham City into a history of their activities. This provides a methodical way to identify and confirm groups of villainous conspirators, fitting a Batman story that heavily relies on forensic evidence.
Negan
When Negan first appears in issue #100 of *The Walking Dead*, the story immediately details the extent of his power – how many people he’s controlled and the areas he rules. The comic explains how Negan’s group, the Saviors, operate by demanding tribute from others, rotating their enforcers, and using a network of outposts. It also shows the practical side of maintaining control in a world with limited resources, including managing fuel, ammunition, and medical supplies.
The records then detail talks with others, how prisoners were handled, and strategies used in battles – including using infected weapons and manipulating the enemy. Later sections cover efforts to control the spread of the infection, attempts to help people recover, and how laws and communities changed as survivors tried to rebuild. These records create a long-term study of the enemy, tracking their impact not just through fighting, but also through how settlements grew and laws evolved.
The Maker
I’ve been following Reed Richards’ story in the Ultimate Universe, and it’s been fascinating to see him become the Maker. It really shows how much he’s changed! We’ve seen how his powers have grown, and it’s clear he’s thinking *way* ahead. The comics have detailed all sorts of incredible things he’s been building – massive habitats, experiments that affect entire cities, and even messing with alternate realities as if they were just labs for him to test things out. It’s pretty wild stuff!
Records show interactions with Earth-616 following events that caused universes to collide. These records document the exchange of technology, details about prison construction, and the development of suits that adapt to the wearer. The files also describe techniques for mental control, planned escapes into isolated dimensions, and how ideas originally developed by the Future Foundation were twisted for oppressive purposes. All of this creates a documented history of a scientist now considered a major danger.
Hush
Tommy Elliot, also known as Hush, appears in the Batman storyline *Batman: Hush* by Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee. This story details his elaborate plan against Bruce Wayne, which involves skilled surgery, clever financial dealings, and stealing people’s identities. The plot shows Hush working with other Batman villains, secretly watching Wayne Enterprises, and using facial reconstruction to look like important people.
Okay, so this villain, Hush, isn’t your typical brawler. What really struck me was how he operates – it’s less about brute force and more about meticulously planned schemes. We see him setting up backup plans, digging up dirt on people, and really exploiting the Wayne family’s past. The movie does a great job of showing both the action *and* the detective work – tracing money transfers, medical records, even crime scene photos. It’s clear Hush is a modern villain, just as comfortable with paperwork and precise planning as he is with, well, let’s just say more direct methods. He’s a real white-collar threat, and the way they build the case against him through forensic evidence is fascinating.
The Hood
Parker Robbins, also known as The Hood, first appeared in a comic series by Brian K. Vaughan and Kyle Hotz. He gained superpowers from a magical cloak and boots that let him float and become partially invisible. The story follows his rise to power in New York City’s criminal underworld, as he brings villains together, creates territories, and collects magical items stolen from illegal dealers.
As his operations grow, he establishes connections to sources for advanced weapons, tries to build trust with known criminals, and clashes with both the Avengers and local heroes. He has a long history of illegal activities – including misusing powerful artifacts, owing debts across dimensions, and constantly running afoul of federal task forces – making him a modern example of organized super-crime within the Marvel Universe.
Morlun
Morlun first appears in *The Amazing Spider-Man* #30 (Volume 2), written by J. Michael Straczynski and illustrated by John Romita Jr. He’s presented as a hunter who survives by draining the life force from beings with totemic powers. The early issues detailing their confrontations are structured like investigative reports, including Peter Parker’s medical results showing his weakening condition, records of Morlun’s tracking, and notes from Ezekiel explaining the larger world of spider-totems and their place in a larger mythos.
Following the “Spider-Verse” storyline, extensive information emerged about Morlun and his family, the Inheritors. This included details on their methods for traveling between universes, how they capture their prey, and defenses against their unique abilities. Records outline strategies to interrupt Morlun’s hunting patterns, the importance of dimensional tuning forks, and how different Spider-People can work together to stop him. This makes Morlun a well-understood, though dangerous, enemy throughout the Spider-Man multiverse.
Omni-Man
As a huge fan of *Invincible*, the comic by Robert Kirkman and Cory Walker, I was completely blown away by the way the story unfolds. It starts with Nolan Grayson, who everyone knows as Omni-Man, seemingly being the ultimate hero. But then, things get seriously complicated when we learn about the Viltrumites – a powerful alien race with a hidden agenda. The comic really dives deep into their culture, showing us how they train, how they conquer planets, and the strict rules they follow. It’s not just about superpowers; it’s a detailed look at an entire imperial system and the chilling reasons behind Omni-Man’s presence on Earth.
Later reports cover the aftermath of battles with the Viltrumites, including details on injuries, how fights happened in different environments, and the overall impact on populations. The ‘Invincible’ TV show uses information from these reports, expanding the amount of available evidence across different sources.
Mr. Bloom
As a huge Batman fan, I remember when Mr. Bloom showed up during the “Superheavy” storyline – he was a really creepy villain. He basically spread these biomechanical seeds around Gotham that could give people powers, but at a terrible price – they were incredibly dangerous and often fatal. The story really delved into the science behind these seeds – what they were made of, how he got them into people, and what activated them. It was unsettling to see how he’d already been working his way into different communities, picking out who he wanted to give these powers to.
The story details how he went from being a person with limited abilities to a major threat capable of disrupting the entire city, including taking control of the power grid and trying to mutate large groups of people. Reports describe his constantly changing and flexible body, and how standard methods of holding him captive haven’t worked. This puts him among the recent villains in Gotham who use technology and biology to cause chaos.
Knull
Knull first appeared in recent Venom comics as the original creator of all symbiotes. His story began in the Venom series by Donny Cates and Ryan Stegman and was further developed in the King in Black event. The comics reveal his long history, including creating symbiotes in cosmic forges and acting as a living weapon, and show how he controls the entire symbiote hive mind.
Knull’s attacks are tracked by monitoring entire planets, large-scale battles in space, and the awakening of previously inactive symbiotes. The records explain how networks of symbols, symbiote communication systems, and specific disrupting frequencies impact control, essentially outlining Marvel’s modern approach to handling symbiote-related dangers.
Atrocitus
Atrocitus first appears in Green Lantern comics written by Geoff Johns, where he’s established as the creator of the Red Lantern Corps. These lanterns are unique because their power comes from anger. The initial stories detail key events like the Five Inversions, the destruction of Sector 666, and how the Red Lanterns recruit, train, and are led.
The Red Lanterns have a unique biology and how their rings work – they expel corrosive plasma, the ring replaces the user’s heart, and their power depends on their rage. Records show they frequently clash with Green Lanterns and other Lantern groups. We’ve also documented how the Red Lanterns are organized, their oaths, and their reliance on special artifacts, demonstrating how rage is channeled into a powerful, organized force.
Professor Pyg
Professor Pyg, a villain created by Grant Morrison in their Batman stories, is a criminal with a disturbing obsession with surgery. He transforms his victims into mindless, doll-like beings—called Dollotrons—through a combination of invasive procedures, chemicals, and psychological manipulation. The comics show details of his gruesome methods, including operating rooms, chemical mixtures, and scripts designed to wipe away a person’s identity.
Similar crimes have begun appearing in Gotham, mimicking Pyg’s methods and spreading internationally. He’s also been obtaining medical supplies through illegal channels. Police reports highlight the danger of contamination at these crime scenes, the need for specific antidotes, and detailed procedures for helping victims recover from his psychological manipulation. This makes dealing with Pyg a complex and ongoing challenge for both the police and those operating outside the law.
Veranke
The Skrull Queen, Veranke, is revealed to be the mastermind behind the large-scale infiltration of Earth, which led to the events of the *Secret Invasion* storyline. Comics detailing this plot show that Skrull culture includes long-term planning and prophecy, and that they use highly advanced technology to perfectly mimic and replace individuals, including superheroes, with sleeper agents over time.
Operational logs detail secret communications, deceptive operations designed to look like they came from someone else, and efforts to bring together different groups of Skrulls using religious influence. After contact, reports cover which organizations were infiltrated, how detection methods improved during conflicts, and what happened to those who were originally taken – whether they were returned home or honored as deceased.
Daken
Daken first appears in *Wolverine* comics as Logan’s son, possessing a healing factor and retractable claws covered in a poisonous resin. His initial storylines focus on his secret training, shifting allegiances, and work as a covert operative, frequently serving the agendas of governments or large companies.
Records show this individual consistently uses emotional manipulation, likely through pheromones. Analyses of their actions in combat compare them to Logan, and their alliances change depending on what they’re trying to achieve. Their history reveals a pattern of changing identities, expanding control, and conflicts involving the X-Men, the Avengers, and more grounded heroes, creating a clear picture of their evolution from a successor to an enemy in the 21st century.
Share your picks and the story arcs you’d add to the list in the comments!
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2025-10-10 03:48