Joker is #1 in Comic Vine's Top 100 Super Villains 2011

[CConn]

What a tweest!

Though, IMO Doom is the best super villain. He's such a great character!

Y'know, when I first started getting into the FF, I thought Doom was going to be one of my all time favorite villains. I'm a big Lex Luthor fan. I love villains who are pompous, fill of themselves, all powerful, megalomaniac, etc. so Doom seemed like the go to guy for all of that.

But truthfully, from everything I've read of him...I'm not all that impressed. He's just a bit too out there. Crazy. And not in the Joker-esque "I'm going to murder you while laughing" crazy, more "I'm dumb enough to think I can take over the world, even though I've failed 87 times before" crazy.

Plus the whole fantasy/magic aspect of his character - again - detracts from any promising psychological aspects about him.

 

[hippie_hunter]

I disagree with the Joker being #1. I would rank Magneto, Dr. Doom, Norman Osborn, Deathstroke, Ra's al Ghul, Lex Luthor, and Darkseid higher than the Joker.

 

[CConn]

Luthor is the only villain that comes close to the Joker, IMO. And to be entirely truthful, Luthor's potential is way too often wasted.

 

[The Morningstar]

Collectively, The Joker is the number one villain in all of fiction.

Come off it.

You know who is a better comic book villain than Joker? Lucifer Morningstar. He could talk Joker into topping himself.

 

[CConn]

Nah.

The thing the makes the Joker unique is just how multifaceted the character has become thanks to the changing medium that is comics. He's gone from calculating killer, to zany, but harmless prankster, back to murdering psychopath. Depending on his incarnation, he can appeal to adults or kids, light or dark, smart and sophisticated, or dark and depraved.

That's something that few other literary characters can lay claim to.

 

[The Morningstar]

Just because he has been portrayed in various different ways doesn't automatically make him the best villain in all of fiction ever.

Is Batman the best hero in all of fiction ever because he's also been portrayed in various different ways?

 

[munchie64]

Yes

 

[Lantern Venom]

Really? What about Iago in Othello? Darth Vader? Or Lucifer in Paradise Lost?

Don't get me wrong, Joker is one of the greats easily in my top ten. But, in all of fiction? Something that has been going on for about thousands of years?

Iago immediately comes to mind as a great villian in the same way Palpatine does. They were both able to manipulate heroes into becoming villians. That really personifies evil.

It's hard to use "greatest" with any villian, but few baddies have had the lasting impact on the imagination of generations in the way the Joker has. He's certainly near the top of the list.

 

[Pythenis]

Satan is losing his touch only clocking in at #44.

Also no Ming the Merciless makes this list invalid.

 

[Venomfan]

check out the bio they used for Doctor Doom, its the movie version

 

[M.E.H.Z.E.B]

Comic Vine must have been watching The Dark Knight, while finalising their list. No way, in my humble opinion, is the Joker number one.

 

[CConn]

Just because he has been portrayed in various different ways doesn't automatically make him the best villain in all of fiction ever.

Is Batman the best hero in all of fiction ever because he's also been portrayed in various different ways?

No, it's the fact that the Joker has been hugely successful and highly praised in all of those incarnations.

And yes.

 

[Venomfan]

TDKR hasn't even come out yet but it must have influenced Bane being ranked number 8. then again on the heroes list batman is like number 35. (my numbers might be wrong, looked at the list a few hours ago, too lazy to re-check)

 

[M.E.H.Z.E.B]

TDKR hasn't even come out yet but it must have influenced Bane being ranked number 8. then again on the heroes list batman is like number 35. (my numbers might be wrong, looked at the list a few hours ago, too lazy to re-check)

I agree with the exaggerated Bane ranking. But then again, right now, TDKR is the talk of the town. Although, isn't this a comic book ranking, rather than one heavily influenced by film?

 

[Blitzkrieg Bop]

Really? What about Iago in Othello? Darth Vader? Or Lucifer in Paradise Lost?

Don't get me wrong, Joker is one of the greats easily in my top ten. But, in all of fiction? Something that has been going on for about thousands of years?

I wouldn't say that either.

Come off it.

You know who is a better comic book villain than Joker? Lucifer Morningstar. He could talk Joker into topping himself.

Deal with it.

 

[HighFivingMF]

What!?!? You like one guy!?!? What about other guys!?!?

 

[RLAAMJR.]

Comic Vine must have been watching The Dark Knight, while finalising their list. No way, in my humble opinion, is the Joker number one.

well i think, DC fans really go for Joker especially of his exposure not only in comics but on films and video games too.

 

[DoomsdayApex]

TDKR hasn't even come out yet but it must have influenced Bane being ranked number 8. then again on the heroes list batman is like number 35. (my numbers might be wrong, looked at the list a few hours ago, too lazy to re-check)

I say Bane certainly deserves to be ranked in the top ten based on potential, but in regards to accomplisments and accolades, I think he belongs in the top thirty.

Too bad Bane never got enough love from Batfanatics (some of which are Bane-Haters)... until it was announced that he would headline Nolan's next Batman film as the main villain.

 

[KRIM]

Nah.

The thing the makes the Joker unique is just how multifaceted the character has become thanks to the changing medium that is comics. He's gone from calculating killer, to zany, but harmless prankster, back to murdering psychopath. Depending on his incarnation, he can appeal to adults or kids, light or dark, smart and sophisticated, or dark and depraved.

That's something that few other literary characters can lay claim to.

This x100

There's no other fictional villain that can say every single one of their mainstream incarnations have been a hugely successful turn and helped boost an entire brand property to new pop culture heights. Three. Different. Times. In completely separate eras.

I can't think of anyone else whose record is as spotless and perfect as Joker's. The character just has that resonance which doesn't die for the audience. The history speaks for itself.

 

[Poetic Chaos]

This thread really makes me wanna watch "O" with Mekhi Phifer.

 

[Godzilla2000]

Movie Universe Loki would have won that poll even if it went against the rules because of his fangirl powers.