The 10 Most Underrated Comic Book Villains, Ranked

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There’s a saying that the villain can make or break a series, and that’s frequently true, especially in the comic book industry. Publishers like Marvel and DC Comics have created hundreds, if not thousands, of iconic villains. However, not every villain gets the recognition they deserve. Some villains fall to the wayside, becoming severely underrated by creators and readers alike.

Some villains lose the popularity polls because they’re not flashy enough, while others feel overdone. However, there’s no denying the power some villains have, even when they’re not the most popular or utilized characters around. After all, it’s their presence that allows the series to continue.

10

Mole Man (Harvey Rupert Elder)

An Underground Villain Who’s Been a Problem for Hulk and the Fantastic Four

First appeared in Fantastic Four #1 (1961)

He believes himself to be the fuller of the underworld (underground)

His abilities include radar sense and a super-genius intellect

It may be tempting to brush off a villain named the Mole Man as nothing more than comedic relief. However, Harvey Rupert Elder, the Mole Man, is a dangerous enemy. Harvey is a genius shunned by society, largely due to his slightly strange appearance and poor eyesight. The latter forced Harvey to take to darker locations, where he felt at home. This eventually led to the Mole Man seeking complete control of the underground.

Ever since Mole Man fled society, he has been working to build up his own power base. Occasionally, he launches an attack on the surface in preparation for something bigger. He’s been a problem for The Fantastic Four, the Avengers, and even the Hulk. As for Mole Man’s abilities, he has a heightened sense to help compensate for his poor vision, giving him a unique version of radar sense.

9

Silver Swan (Vanessa Kapatelis)

Vanessa Kapatelis Can Manipulate the Nanites in Her Bloodstream

A few people have had this mantle over the years, including Helen Alexandros and Valerie Beaudry

Vanessa Kapatelis used to be a fan of Wonder Woman until she felt betrayed and abandoned by the hero

She has mechanical wings, super speed, and more

The Silver Swan is one of several DC mantles that have changed hands over the years. Most recently, it fell into the hands of Vanessa Kapatelis, a young woman who was once a big fan of Wonder Woman. However, Vanessa went through some hard times, and when her hero failed to show up for these moments, she felt abandoned and turned to a darker side. She has since vowed to get her revenge on the hero.

The most iconic feature of the Silver Swan is her metallic wings, which are composed of nanites that reside in her bloodstream. These nanites grant Vanessa a range of abilities, including enhanced strength and durability, a sonic scream, and razor-sharp claws. While it might be tempting to underestimate the Silver Swan, her deeply personal reasons for hating Wonder Woman make her a highly dangerous adversary.

8

Enchantress (Amora)

A Powerful Sorceress From Asgard

First appeared in Journey into Mystery #103 (1964)

She has basic Asgardian physiology (strength, speed, stamina, etc.)

She’s an exceptionally talented sorceress

Amora, aka the Enchantress, is a powerful sorceress from Asgard. Over the years, she has caused many problems, from battles with the Avengers to creating merry mayhem in Thor’s life. She’s had many names, including Valkyrie, Helen Eve, Amora Lorelei, and more. As an Asgardian, the Enchantress has all the enhanced attributes known to her kind, including strength, speed, stamina, and durability. More importantly, she has magical powers unlike any other, with an innate ability to handle Asgardian energy.

The worst part about facing off against the Enchantress is that it is never possible to know her true intentions. Amora is never straightforward about her goals, not even with her allies. She’s been known to ally with Roxxon Corp, the Dark Council, Astonishing Avengers, Loki, Masters of Evil, the Executioner, and other troublesome characters within the Marvel Universe.

7

Radioactive Man (Chen Lu)

Dr. Chen Lu Can Generate Radiation and Manipulate Energy

First appeared in Journey Into Mystery #93 (1963)

His mutation arose from exposure to radiation

He now defends China and gets into lots of conflict with other heroes

Once upon a time, Dr. Chen Lu was a Chinese Nuclear Physicist. In true comic book fashion, something went horribly wrong. He was exposed to high levels of radiation, which, instead of killing Dr. Chen Lu, mutated him into something else: the Radioactive Man. As one might guess from the name, the Radioactive Man can absorb and manipulate radiation. This lets him create dangerous energy blasts and worse.

Radioactive Man has had a complicated life in Marvel Comics. He declared himself a protector of China, but he has consistently put himself in the way of many other heroes, most notably those from other countries. Previously, Radioactive Man worked with more nefarious teams, such as the Thunderbolts, Lethal Legion, and the Masters of Evil.

6

Mordru

A DC Comics Wizard Working on the Side of Chaos

First appeared in Adventure Comics #369 (1968)

Also known as Mordru the Merciless

A member of the Lords of Chaos

Mordru is often seen as a stereotypical evil wizard, and to be fair – he has tried to conquer the world on more than one occasion. What makes this villain stand out is the fact that he’s actually succeeded. Mordru is a powerful magic user within DC Comics, and it is best not to underestimate him or his abilities. Mordru has battled countless heroes, including the JSA, and consistently found ways to turn their plans against him into a positive.

Also known as Mordru the Merciless, he has immense power, which he uses to support the Lords of Chaos. His magic doesn’t follow any strict rules, making him unpredictable and highly dangerous, especially for magicians like Zatanna, who must follow a stricter magical regimen. His abilities include astral projection, divination, pyrokinesis, summoning, time travel, and much more.

5

Vandal Savage

An Immortal DC Villain With the Basic Superpower Starter Pack

First appeared in Green Lantern #10 (1943)

His powers come from a radioactive meteorite

He’s been plotting against the Earth for over 50,000 years

Vandal Savage is an immortal famous for his ruthless and cunning nature. Like many immortal villains, Savage uses time to his advantage; he isn’t afraid to take time with his plans against humanity. Time is the one thing this man has in abundance. Vandal Savage gained his abilities and immortality through contact with a radioactive meteorite. Instead of killing him, this meteorite gave him the basic supervillain power set, including super speed, strength, and agility.

While Vandal Savage is considered to be only a moderate threat in the DC Universe, he’s still found ways to hurt his enemies. For example, he famously stranded two versions of the Justice League of America in different timelines, cutting them off from support and allies. In other words, one simple action nearly destroyed two teams.

4

Graviton (Franklin Hall)

A Brilliant Scientist Turned Avengers Villain

First appeared in Avengers #158 (1977)

AKA Dr. Hall, Minister of Science

He was working on a teleportation device before an explosion that changed everything

Franklin Hall, aka Graviton, is not an enemy to underestimate. As with many scientists in the comic book world, Dr. Hall’s experiments with creating a teleportation device resulted in an accident. Fortuitously, this accident is also the origin of Graviton’s powers. Graviton can manipulate gravitons and anti-gravitons, which is a fancy way of saying he can increase or decrease the pull of Earth’s gravity. His control is so precise that he can choose to affect only a single object or person.

Graviton has been an enemy of the Avengers since the beginning of his villainous career. They were the first to show up after his initial appearance, putting them at immediate odds. He has also battled against the West Coast Avengers, Great Lake Avengers, and dozens of solo heroes. Dr. Hall has been known to team up with the Masters of Evil, Army of Evil, and A.I.M.

3

Parasite (Rudy Jones)

A Superman Enemy Famous for Stealing Power

First appeared in Action Comics #340 (1966)

Has been a member of several organizations, including Supercorp, Injustice League, and Secret Society of Super Villains

Can steal and absorb the strength and/or powers of those he touches

Rudy Jones, aka Parasite, is a dangerous villain, especially when he battles Superman. Parasite is most famous for his power-stealing ability, which lets him absorb the strength, energy, or powers of anybody he comes in contact with. Some variations of this villain can also absorb memories or knowledge, increasing his threat level tenfold.

Parasite is not an ideal match-up for any hero with innate abilities. For example, he was originally designed to provide a believable threat to Superman, which is admittedly a difficult task. His origin story is also a classic villain’s tale – he began as a cleaner for a laboratory (S.T.A.R. Labs) before getting exposed to a biological weapon that changed him forever. Over the years, Rudy has undergone a few changes, reboots, or power boosts.

2

Black Priestess (Selene Gallio)

Black Queen of the Hellfire Club

First appeared in New Mutants #9 (1983)

A member of the Hellfire Club’s Inner Circle

She is an External and immortal

Selene Gallio is a powerful mutant and Black Queen of the Hellfire Club. She’s also a dangerous enemy to those who cross her, as she is determined and long-lived. More accurately, Selene is an External, making her effectively immortal. She can regenerate from any non-fatal injury. Fatal injuries force her to self-resurrect, making her impossible to stop.

It may be tempting to overlook Selene for a flashier villain in the X-Men lineup, but that could prove fatal. The Black Priestess can drain the life forces of other humans through touch. This gives her the added benefit of a bit of a power boost and the memories of her victims. It’s a double-whammy and only the beginning of her real threat. During one crossover event, Necrosha, Selena raised an army of the dead against the X-Men.

1

Prometheus

A Villain Who’s Consistently a Major Threat to the Justice League

First appeared in Blue Beetle #3 (1986)

He battles against justice and thus will always be an enemy of the Justice League

He is a genius and an extremely talented fighter

Prometheus is a supervillain with a major bone to pick with the Justice League. More specifically, this villain has a problem with justice in any form, so the Justice League was a natural target for his actions. Prometheus is a villainous mirror or foil of Batman. His story is both similar and dissimilar to the iconic hero; his criminal parents were murdered in front of his eyes, resulting in him swearing an oath against all forms of justice.

Like Batman, Prometheus also took the time to plan out different ways to take down each member of the Justice League. Unlike the Dark Knight, he was openly eager to implement these actions, taking each hero down like a set of dominoes. By using such a calculated method, Prometheus nearly won his battle against the team, and he has certainly learned from his failure.

“}]] The comic industry has created hundreds, if not thousands, of villains, and while some were instant hits, many more have become underrated villains.  Read More