With Batman vs. Batman vs. Batman vs. Batman, Batman’s been to town so many times, he feels like one of the locals. And what a town! While other heroes have retired or gone on an extended vacation, our Dark Knight is always ready to rumble. With multiple side stories featuring the great Detective Bane and his infamous mercenaries, this year’s annual battle between the Caped Crusader and the Not-So-Caped Crusader is sure to please fans of the series and newcomers alike. But who will emerge victorious? Let’s jump into our analysis and find out.
The Villains
One of the things that makes Batman vs. Batman vs. Batman so great is the abundance of villains. There are so many iconic bad guys and iconic costumes that it would be a shame to limit ourselves to just one article, so here’s a list of the top villains from the series. From Talia al Ghul to the Joker, these are the baddies that have captured the imagination of moviegoers worldwide.
The Riddler
First off, we have the legendary mastermind behind the riddles, the Riddler. As a child, we were subjected to the torture of watching the Riddler play games with his gadgets and catch phrases. Thanks to the creative team behind the animated series, we’re finally given the opportunity to watch the Riddler once more. For many, this will be their first encounter with the character but for other fans, it’ll be a nostalgic trip down memory lane. Regardless, the Riddler is as demented as ever and will do anything to get what he wants.
Harley Quinn
This famous archer is one of Batman’s most popular adversaries despite appearing in only one movie, Batman (1942). Many people compare Harley Quinn to the infamous Harley Davidson, a character she somewhat resembles. She’s been around since the inception of Batman but has become more popular over the years. This is mainly due to her frequent appearances in the recent years. It’s also probably because of her infamous quote: “You’re cute, but don’t get cute with me”, which she says to Batman right before she shoots him in the shoulder. Besides being a terrific fight scene, that scene also marks the beginning of the end for Batman’s reign of terror. Since then, we haven’t seen much of him until later in the year when he resurfaces to fight a newly empowered Bane.
Two-Face
This villain has been around since the beginning of time but has recently become one of the most popular baddies of all time. It all started with the groundbreaking 1960s film directed by Stanley Kubrick and starring Michael Keaton. In the decades since then, we’ve seen multiple sequels and even a prequel which explored the origins of the character. No matter what type of moviegoer you are, you’re probably already familiar with Harvey Dent, the “good” version of Two-Face. Now, thanks to Joker (2005), we are given the opportunity to see the villainous side of this iconic character. Many people have speculated that Joker was inspired by the life and times of the real-life Harvey Dent. In either case, it’s fair to say that Two-Face is back with a bang and is a great example of how great Batman vs. Batman vs. Batman vs. Batman can be when it comes to villainy.
Ironman
Batman vs. Ironman was the first appearance of a superhero that wasn’t originally from Earth and it was a real turning point for the series. While some may argue that Ironman is just a gimmick, it’s actually one of the most significant plot points in the series. After witnessing the effects of the atomic bombing of Japan during World War II, millionaire entrepreneur and weapons manufacturer Tony Stark decided that he wanted to do something to help. He spent his entire fortune to transform himself into a cyborg called Ironman. Since then, he’s been one of Batman’s most formidable opponents and a major adversary of Ironman is sure to be a real highlight of Batman vs. Batman vs. Batman vs. Batman. Unfortunately, because of the complications of having a super powered being as a villain, Ironman has been sidelined for the past several entries in the franchise.
Clarisse
First off, let’s not forget about the gorgeous Clarisse. The French actress who plays the character of Clarisse starred in the 2013 French film adaptation of Death Note, which was directed by Lars Von Trier. It’s safe to say that she is one of the most stunning heroines in comics. Fans of the source material will argue that her character is based on the legendary supervillainess Harley Quinn but the actress herself has denounced any similarities. Nevertheless, it’s hard to argue that Clarisse isn’t badass. She debuted in an interview with Screen Rant as follows: “I’m a huge fan of the Batman franchise so when I heard they were adapting the Death Note manga, I was ecstatic. Then, when I saw the first picture, I was like ‘Oh God, not the Joker.’ But then I thought ‘No, better not. Keep it dark and mysterious.’ I love playing villains because they’re much more fun.”
Cypher
Speaking of playing villains, let’s not forget about the fabulous Kathy Cypher. Much like Harley Quinn, Cypher is one of Batman’s most popular adversaries. She’s appeared in multiple films, including Batman & Robin (2013) and Suicide Squad (2016). It’s also fair to say that this character is more popular in Europe than she is in America. The character is German and the actress, Kati Outi, has admitted in interviews that she doesn’t feel that she fits in with the culture of the United States. Interestingly, the character is named after the famous play, Psycho, which was inspired by Alfred Hitchcock’s gruesomely violent horror film, The (1980) film. So, it’s kind of like Kathy’s an unofficial Psycho villain.
The Joker
There is no question that the Joker is one of the greatest villains of all time. Not only does he boast one of the most recognizable faces in comics, he is also one of the most unique and versatile characters. Although he originally inspired the brilliant Jack “The Joker” Nicholson, the character has been adapted, remixed, and recreated for film so many times, it’s difficult to pinpoint the original source material. Since his debut in 1940, the Joker has appeared in more than 900 films and many TV shows. His unique blend of crime and comedy has made him a timeless figure that resonates with audiences worldwide. Even today, more than 75 years later, the Joker’s popularity continues to this day.