Batman has the best villains in comics. So many of them are iconic and permeate culture at this point. The villains have as much to do with Batman's popularity as anything else and these are my personal favorites from his incredible rogues gallery.
What can I even say about The Joker that hasn't already been said? Arguably the most popular villain in all of comics and in my opinion, that position is well deserved. Batman wouldn't be the same without Joker.
Ever since I was a kid I have been a fan of Riddler. Unfortunately, he isn't always written well and is frequently overlooked because his gimmick can be hard to write. Still, when it comes to Batman's villains, I'll always have a soft spot for Edward Nigma.
Ra's al Ghul carries a certain amount of gravitas with him. His objectives broaden the scope of Batman to more than just Gotham's protector and he really challenges Bruce on a level not like the rest of Batman's rogues.
My fandom of Batman the Animated Series is no secret and Harley is a favorite of mine because of the great work from Dini and Timm. Her characterization in the comics has been less consistent but when written well, she is a joy of a character.
I am a Psych major and soon to be graduate so I kind of have a bias towards Scarecrow. Plus, a lot of really twisted stories can be told with the character.
One of my favorite narratives in Batman comics is the story of Harvey Dent. From DA and ally to the Bat to one of the biggest villainous presences in Gotham City. The fall from grace is a compelling story and the personal connection to Batman makes for a great character.
This pick, admittedly, is primarily because of Batman the Animated Series. Heart of Ice is one of my favorite episodes from the show and it always brings me back to my childhood. In the comics Freeze has been less effective. There aren't too many stories that can be pointed to for great Mr. Freeze moments but I hope that changes in the future as the potential is there.
Ivy is a villain (and sometimes anti-hero) that is easily related to. She fights for plant life at the expense of human kind and while her methods are ill-advised, at least her goals are admirable.
This one may raise up the ranks in the future but for now, they sit here because they're very new. Court of Owls is one of my favorite Batman stories and I find these villains to be incredibly compelling. They existed under Batman's nose for years and nearly bested him. I look forward to future stories with the Court of Owls.
Another character with a strong link to Psychology. Strange is a character that challenges Batman on a mental level. His obsession with Batman drives him to his actions and he has been the focus of some very well done stories in the past and will continue to be in the future.
