Throughout the history of the DC UniverseThere were many villain introductions that were considered particularly impressive. As the heroes and villains of DC Comics rank among some of the most iconic figures in pop culture, there have been many movies and TV shows adapting them to the screen. The DCEU movies alone brought many villains to life in live-action, and many more have been adapted into unrelated TV shows and movies.
With so many excellent antagonists, it’s only fitting that they get suitably impressive entrances. For example, the characters of the Arrowverse face off against many fascinating opponents, with particularly memorable scenes introducing the DC villains to audiences. In both film and television, there is a rich history of truly fascinating and awe-inspiring debuts for these characters, which is very important in the world along with the heroes of the DC Universe.
10
Lex Luthor in Superman and Lois
Superman & Lois, Season 3, Episode 12, “Injustice”
Many actors have played Lex Luthor in live-action, and each version tends to be something drastically different from the rest. Superman & LoisS Lex Luthor wasn’t introduced until part way through season 3 of the show, setting him apart from many incarnations of the villain. As Superman’s nemesis, Luthor is often among the first villains introduced alongside any new iteration of the Man of Steel, but Superman & Lois‘ was only introduced upon his release from prison.
The manner in which Luthor is introduced to the cast of Superman & Lois was perfect. shown confidently running his prison, This scene establishes just how brilliant and tough Luthor is. It also reveals a more rugged bearded appearance than the traditional one, with the pounding soundtrack of the scene only underpinning the edge that has allowed Superman & Loiss Lex Luthor to thrive even in such a harsh environment.
9
General Zod in Man of Steel
Man of Steel (2013)
When it was at the beginning of the DCEU’s movie timeline, it was crucial for Man of Steel To set the tone for the entire franchise. The film’s opening sequence was more sci-fi epic than it was traditional superhero fare, with the destruction of Krypton raging on shortly after the birth of Kal-El. While Jor-El pleads with Krypton’s ruling council, General Zod’s forces burst into the chamber and seize control of the planet.
The nature of Zod’s introduction is a perfect representation of his character. He marches in, leading his troops through smoke and rubble, and confidently announces himself as Krypton’s new ruler. He responds to objections from the council by killing the dissenters, further establishing his cruelty. It’s a scene that communicates his military bearing, his fearsome temper and his unnerving charisma all in a few short moments, making it an excellent introduction.
8
Lex Luthor in Smallville
Smallville, Season 1, Episode 1, “Pilot”
Smallville Stands out as a unique origin story not just for Superman, but for many of his villains. The show’s introduction to Lex Luthor comes when a young Clark Kent saves his life, forming the basis of a friendship that the audience always knew would be destined to sour. The scene sets up just as well SmallvilleS Lex Luthor would be From the traditional villain depictions of this character, that was especially intriguing.
however, Smallville Also decided to give Lex another more subtle introduction. After teasing his future as a villain and gradually exposing his dark side, there was one crucial moment when he fully embraced the darkness within. The scene in which Lex confronts his father sees his jealousy of Clark Kent boil over into a confused rage, prompting him to commit patricide in a scene that dramatically introduces the more recognizable villainous version of Lex Luthor.
7
Black Manta in Aquaman
Aquaman (2018)
As one of the most successful movies of the DCEU, it is unsurprising that Aquaman Contains one of the franchise’s best villain introductions. However, it is not the primary antagonist of the film that claims the best debut – it is Black Manta, who only served as Aquamans secondary villain. His introduction sees him attacking a submarine alongside his father, and unexpectedly meeting Aquaman, resulting in his father’s death and a vow that he will take revenge on the hero.
The submarine sequence is brilliantly shot to be claustrophobic and visually striking, but It is the human element of the scene that makes it so impressive. Even amidst the high-stakes action, Yahya Abdul Mateen II’s character stands out as vulnerable and sympathetic, with the scene serving as a great introduction and powerfully emotional. It establishes the human side of Black Manta and his hatred of Aquaman, and although it is not fully explored until Aquaman and the Lost KingdomHis introduction stands out as extraordinary.
6
Zoom into the bottle
The Flash, Season 2, Episode 6, “Enter Zoom”
Throughout the show’s run, the cast of The bottle Featured many excellent villains. Season 2 saw the introduction of Zoom to the Arrowverse show, with his first full appearance as a villain in the episode “Enter Zoom”. A speedster whose identity is shrouded in mystery, Zoom is exposed as a true threat during his full introduction to the show, which sees him take down Barry Allen.
Zoom’s design combined with Tony Todd’s voice makes him a particularly evil villain. Even more so, the way he tells the Flash: “Never forget – I am the fastest man alive“is truly chill-inducing, but the introduction of the villain is also excellent on other levels. The way he portrays Barry is absolutely devastating, and Seeing the hero so quickly placed at the mercy of Zoom makes for a memorably dark and impressive villain introduction.
5
Play Bane in the Dark Knight Rises
The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
Like the last chapter in Christopher Nolan Dark Knight trilogy, The Dark Knight Rises Has the impossible task of living up to 2008s The Dark Knight. The movie starts by introducing its villain: Tom Hardy’s Bane, reimagined to be a more realistic figure that would fit more organically into Nolan’s Gotham. The way Bane is introduced is as memorable as it is impressive.
in The Dark Knight Rises‘ Their first action sequence, Bane infiltrates a CIA. aircraft by disguising himself as one of his own henchmen, kidnapping a nuclear scientist, and escaping from the crashing plane while in the air. It’s a scene that perfectly executes Nolan’s vision, with Hardy’s performance introducing Bane as a physically strong and tactically brilliant villain. His imposing stature, his masterful design and his hauntingly unnerving voice all serve to make it one of DC’s best villain introductions.
4
Penguin in Gotham
Gotham, Season 1, Episode 1, “Pilot”
As a prequel series following James Gordan’s early career in pre-Batman Gotham City, Gothams story has a unique hook in that it provided origin stories for a wealth of Batman characters. One of the primary figures of the show is Oswald Cobblepot, introduced as a low-level criminal who gradually rises to become the powerful crime boss known as the Penguin. His first appearance comes in Gothams pilot, and it’s one of the show’s most underrated character introductions.
The first time Gotham Penguin points out, he is essentially in the background of a scene, holding the umbrella of a more powerful criminal. It immediately becomes clear that no one in Gotham takes Penguin seriously, with the future villain being ridiculed and humiliated by everyone around him. It’s an introduction that promises a fascinating journey to show Penguin achieving his true villainous potentialAnd one that Gotham Was able to deliver over his five-season run.
3
Darkseid in Zack Snyder’s Justice League
Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2021)
After the release of Zack Snyder’s Justice LeagueThe director’s true vision for the film was hailed as superior to the theatrical version released in 2017. One of the many additions to the Snyder Cut that was not in the theatrical film was the villain Darkseid, who was Only mentioned in the original. . Although Darkseid is the over-arching antagonist, his direct role in the film’s narrative is limited. Even so, his introduction is excellent.
Having already established Steppenwolf as a major threat, having Darkseid reveal himself and force the proud Steppenwolf into subservience is subtly brilliant. It immediately hints at the disparity in the power levels of the two villains, as well as cements the dynamic between them. The visual effects in the scene are also exceptional, further establishing Darkseid’s introduction as a foreboding and memorable scene despite his limited role in the movie.
2
Reverse bottle in the bottle
The Flash, Season 1, Episode 9, “The Man in the Yellow Suit”
As one of the most iconic Flash villains in the DC Universe, the introduction of the Reverse-Flash just right was crucially important. Coming up in the ninth episode of The bottleReverse-Flash’s debut was early, long before his identity was revealed to Barry Allen’s eponymous hero. The scene that fully introduces the reverse-flash stands out as particularly noteworthy, not only in its execution, but in the potential it outlines for the show itself.
After glimpsing the Reverse-Flash on a rooftop, Barry gives chase at full speed. The show’s first real example of two speedsters facing off is brought to life in staggering fashionWith visual effects as stunning as any major blockbuster. The mystery of Reverse-Flash’s identity combined with his dark and ominous taunting make the scene both very memorable and an excellent representation of how well the Arrowverse understood the characters it was adapted from.
1
The Joker in the Dark Knight
The Dark Knight (2008)
There is no DC villain as iconic as the Joker, and one of the most beloved interpretations of the character also offered perhaps the best villain introductions in DC movie history. The opening scene of The Dark Knight Shows a group of criminals disguised as clowns rob a bank, only for them to start picking themselves off one by one, on the Joker’s orders. It’s a scene that establishes Heath Ledger’s Joker as one of the darkest and most interesting movie villains of all time.
The Joker revealing himself to be part of the job from the start, brutally killing his own henchmen, is an exceptional piece of storytelling. It communicates so much about the villain’s chaotic bent and his calculating streak, all as part of one of the best bank heist scenes in movie history. As such, it stands out as the best villain introduction in the movies and TV shows of the era DC Universe.
Upcoming DC movie releases