The Biggest Bads
The best supervillains don’t just fight superheroes.
They hold up a mirror, presenting a tantalizing vision of a super-id unleashed.
Dark Phoenix
Jean Grey was a kind person, so bland that she made boredom look aspirational.
ILLUSTRATION by VINCE PASTICHE for EW
Then came absolute power and everything changed.
Despite goofy retcons and half-baked adaptations, the fiery wonder of Dark Phoenix Saga hasn’t dimmed one bit.
Decades beforeBreaking Bad, Dark Phoenix was the original Heisenberg.
Marvel Comics
Galactus
A world-devouring skyscraper-man who represents the literal high point of co-creator Jack Kirby’s religio-scientific mythmaking.
No wonder Venom’s so popular: He’s the internet with teeth.
Ozymandias
Every superhero is a failure.
Marvel Enterprises/Courtesy Everett Collection
Batman can’t even keep the Joker behind bars.
Of course, they’re united in fear which also makes Ozymandias the world’s most successful terrorist.
Loki
Thor’s nefarious brother existed in comics for decades and in mythology for centuries!
Marvel Comics
Catwoman
On a list with serial-killing world-conquerors, “non-violent burglary” looks like the most venial of sins.
You actually want tobeCatwoman: She has all the fun.
Hes a man of scienceanda man of faith…and he’s got a cool mask, too.
Alan Moore & Dave Gibbons/DC Comics
Kingpin
A bald-headed cartoon anvil in a bespoke suit, the Kingpin started out aDick Tracy-worthy street-boss pastiche.
The Dark Knight’s nemesis isn’t just crazy.
He’s a walking, talking, giggling, mass-murdering assault on the whole idea of moral sanity.
Zade Rosenthal
In a world of chaos, sometimes laughter is the best medicine.
Warner Bros./Courtesy Everett Collection
Marvel Comics
Barry Wetcher/Netflix
Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection
Kerry Hayes
