The Top 25 Batman Villains (15-11)

The Top 25 Batman Villains (15-11)

We start to get to some of the big names in Batman's rogue gallery as we continue the countdown.

15. Man-Bat

Real Name: Kirk Langstrom

First Appearance: Batman #400 (June 1970)

Man-Bat

Dr. Kirk Langstrom was a scientist who specialized in studying bats.  Due to his increasing deafness, he developed a serum from some of his lab bats that would give humans sonar abilities similar to bats.  After testing the serum on himself he realized that his formula was successful but at the cost that he began to slowly mutate into a large humanoid-like bat.  With the animalistic instincts taking over in Kirk's mind, Man-Bat went on a rampage that caused him to clash with Batman.  Although Batman was able to administer formulate and administer an antidote, Langstrom suspects that an element was missed as this transformation has reoccured.  Batman's worst fear personified, Man-Bat is especially well known for being the first villain to appear the well received Batman the Animated Series.

Recommended Viewing:

• Batman TAS: 101, On Leather Wings

14. Hush

Real Name: Thomas Elliot

First Appearance: Batman #609 (January 2003)

Hush

A successful surgeon and childhood friend of Bruce Wayne, Hush has created some of the most elaborate plans the defeat Batman.  A child-sociopath, Thomas attempted to kill his parents in order to inherit their vast fortune as his father was an abusive drunk and his mother ,who was formerly a prostitute, would only put up with him for his money so that she would not have to return to her old lifestyle.  Thomas's plan backfired as his father was killed but his mother survived and gained control of the fortune and forced him to care for her well into his adulthood.  Because of his distain for his parents and craving for his fortune he envied Bruce Wayne's "luck".  Hush began to try to work his way up in the criminal underworld by teaming up with other villains and planning schemes to take down Batman who he had learned the true identity of.  The most recent villain on the list, Hush is known for always being one step a head of the dark knight and attacking him where it hurts most, his heart.

Recommended Reading:

• Batman: Hush
• Hush Returns
• Heart of Hush

13. Harley Quinn

Real Name: Harleen Francis Quinzel

First Appearance: Batman the Animated Series: Season 1, Episode 22, "Joker's Favor"

First Appearance in Comics: The Batman Adventures #12 (September 1993)

Harley Quinn

Debuting in the cartoon rather than the comics, Harley Quinn was introduced as a comical sidekick and love-interst for the Joker.  Originally a doctor at Arkham Asylum, Dr. Quinzel had become a psychiatrist to discover why her own father had been a con-man.  While working at Arkham she found herself becoming fascinated with the inmate known as the Joker.  She leapt at the opportunity to interview the patient and found that he had had issues with his father as well.  As the Joker opened up to her she found herself become smitten with him and would eventually create the Harley Quinn persona in order to break out the Joker and aid him in his fight against Batman.  Soon after though, she found that everything the Joker had told her was a lie and found herself regularly abused by him.  Though she stills retains feelings for the Joker she has also used her impressive acrobatic and combat skill to to take on solo heists or with her sister-like figure, Poison Ivy, however she always seems to come crawling back to the Joker.

Recommended Viewing:

• TNBA: 121, Mad Love

Recommended Reading:

• Batman Adventures: Mad Love

12. Mr Freeze

Real Name: Victor Fries

First Appearance: Batman #121 (February 1959)

Mr. Freeze

Dr. Fries was an accomplished cryogenic scientist whose wife, Nora, had contracted a rare and fatal disease.  In order to save her Victor had her placed in suspended animation using his cryogenics in order to preserve her while searched for a cure.  However, when the corporation found out that Fries was using their equipment and resources for personal use they tried to shut it down and in the struggle Victor was exposed to his cryogenic chemicals.  His body now requiring sub-zero temperatures in order to stay alive, Victor created a suit that would constantly keep is body at freezing temperatures.  Taking on the name Mr. Freeze, Victor developed a freeze gun and his strength was augmented with his suit.  A tragic villain he know commits crimes in order to gain the money and resources needed to continue researching a cure for Nora.

Recommended Viewing:

• Batman TAS: 114, Heart of Ice

11. Poison Ivy

Real Name: Pamela Lilian Isley

First Appearance: Batman #181 (June 1966)

Poison Ivy

Originally a shy and timid botany student, Pamela Isley was seduced by her professor into what she thought would be assisting him with lab work.  His real plan was to inject her with various altered poisons and toxins from plants in order to study the effect on humans.  The result caused her to go through a transformation that caused her body to be able to secrete toxins derived from plants.  In addition she can also communicate and control plants as well as give off pheromones that can put men under her control.  A prominent eco-terrorist, Poison Ivy's criminal schemes are often aimed at protecting plants and the environment.  She has also been known to team up with as well as give advice to Harley Quinn.

Recommended Viewing

• Batman TAS: 205, House & Garden

Check back tomorrow for picks 10-6.