Summary
- Inque, a liquid assassin, tested Batman beyond his limits with shape-shifting abilities.
- Red Claw, a martial arts expert, led a terror group and created thrilling action with Batman and Catwoman.
- The Phantasm, a vengeful vigilante, brought a romantic twist and nuanced threat to Gotham City.
As the biggest-selling superhero of all time in the comic-book medium, Batman has had plenty of space to tackle a variety of dangerous villains over the decades. Often praised for having one of the superhero genre's most colorful, engaging rogues galleries, The Caped Crusader's toughest tests haven't always received the conventional comic-book start.
With a variety of adaptations across mediums such as video games, animation, and film, it's hardly surprising that some enemies of The Dark Knight have gotten their start outside the page. From deadly terrorists to super-powered assassins, writers have enjoyed giving DC's iconic hero new tests to overcome. One of these villains has even risen to be one of the franchise's most popular, proving a conventional start is not always necessary to become a household name in the long-running world of Batman.
5 Inque
A Liquid Assassin Who Put Terry McGinnis Through The Ringer
- First Appearance: Batman Beyond - Black Out
- Creator: Robert Goodman
One of Batman Beyond’s most unpleasant rogues, Inque has the unsettling ability to liquefy her form. In turn, Inque is able to use shape-shifting to her advantage as a deadly mercenary.
Beyond handing viewers arguably the series’ grimmest moment when she poured herself down Terry McGinnis’ throat, Inque provided creative action thrills, and mystery. Frequently getting the better of the futuristic Batman, Inque’s sadistic demeanor and no-nonsense obsession with money made her a standout rogue. Of the many dark, sci-fi villains Batman Beyond provided viewers with, Inque’s body horror powers ensured she remained one of the most memorable.
4 Red Claw
A Devastating Martial Arts Expert Out To Cause Mayhem
- First Appearance: Batman: The Animated Series - The Cat and the Claw Part 1
- Creator: Sean Catherine Derek, Laren Bright
The widely beloved Batman: The Animated Series introduced fans to a score of fresh rogues. One of the darker figures to pop up was the master martial artist, Red Claw.
Serving as the leader of a dangerous terrorist group of the same name, Red Claw’s true goals are never revealed. What viewers do get to know is that the dangerous organization has caused all kinds of criminal trouble all over the world by the time they arrive in Gotham. With a thrilling storyline involving Batman and Catwoman teaming up to stop Red Claw from wreaking havoc with a deadly virus, this villain’s episodes provided an action-packed, memorable thrill-ride for viewers to enjoy.
3 Andrea Beaumont/The Phantasm
A Volatile Vigilante With A Romantic Connection To Bruce Wayne
- First Appearance: Batman: Mask of the Phantasm
- Creator: Alan Burnett
The well-regarded Mask of the Phantasm film introduced fans to Andrea Beaumont. A former love interest of Bruce Wayne’s, Beaumont’s life is forever changed after she discovers her wealthy father Carl making a deal with the mob.
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Following the death of her father, a vengeful Beaumont returns to Gotham City, dealing out brutal vigilantism via her Phantasm alter ego. Needless to say, it quickly falls to The Caped Crusader to tackle her murderous rampage. Between the doomed romantic angle with Batman and her bloodthirsty war on crime, The Phantasm made for a compelling, nuanced new threat to Gotham City, affecting Bruce Wayne in all areas of his double life in the process.
2 Derek Powers/Blight
This Radioactive Business Tycoon Caused Two Generations Of Batmen Nothing But Trouble
- First Appearance: Batman Beyond - Rebirth
- Creator: Alan Burnett, Paul Dini
The primary villain of the first season of Batman Beyond is a radioactive menace. The wealthy Derek Powers initially had great success professionally, merging his company with Wayne Industries and making moves for a full corporate takeover.
Everything changes for the nefarious business tycoon, however, when he is exposed to a horrifying amount of radiation. The result is a complete physical transformation, as Powers becomes a glowing green monster with a fully visible skeleton. Unsurprisingly furious with his situation, the now-dangerously powerful Blight takes the fight to Terry McGinnis and Bruce Wayne, being a health hazard at all times due to the radiation he emits. With even his own son wanting him out of the picture, Blight was a suitably unlikable antagonist for the popular animated series.
1 Harley Quinn
The Joker's Colorful Love Interest Quickly Became A Breakout Star In The Batman Franchise
- First Appearance: Batman: The Animated Series - Joker's Favor
- Creator: Paul Dini, Bruce Timm
The Joker’s doomed psychologist became a runaway hit with Batman fans shortly after arriving in the classic early ‘90s animated series. Growing infatuated with the Clown Prince of Crime, Dr. Harleen Quinzel assists The Joker in escaping and becomes his diabolical partner-in-crime.
Quinn’s love for The Joker leads to a toxic relationship, as the green-haired menace frequently mistreats her and, unsurprisingly, puts his never-ending feud with Batman ahead of her on his priorities list. Since debuting on the show, Harley Quinn has entered the comic book, film, and video game mediums, remaining a fan favorite Batman rogue across the board.
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