Why is Batman’s rogues gallery the best out of all of the superheroes? Why is it that one particular character’s list of villains can outshine all the others year after year? As we approach Villain Month, Forever Evil, and the September War, let’s take a look at the strengths of Batman’s rogues gallery.
Why is Batman’s rogues gallery the best in the business?
Original Batman TV Series
An easy way to understand why Batman’s rogues gallery is at the top of the rogues’ food chain, is to take a look at the original Batman TV series. This show was very popular in the mid to late 1960s and brought many of the characters villains from the printed pages to the small screen. The Joker, Penguin, The Riddler, and Catwoman all became household names and eventually took their place in American pop culture.
Naming Names in Batman’s Rogues Gallery
If you were to ask a person who does not follow comics for a listing of villains, chances are good that they would not be able to name very many. Mostly, they would be able to name the characters from the recent Marvel and DC Comics movies. The most would be able to be named from Batman’s rogues gallery than from any other because of the pop culture significance. This gallery is the best, because it is the most widely-known.
Insanity vs. Insanity
With the exception of the Penguin, all of the major members of Batman’s rogues gallery are insane. If you take a look at Batman himself, it would be difficult to argue in support of Bruce Wayne’s sanity. Few superheroes could be labeled as being insane, but when you have a man who is hell-bent on revenge, will push everyone away, and will internalize all of his demons until he breaks. Batman’s rogues gallery is full of colorful insane characters which the Batman uses to quench his personal demons. The Dark Knight’s villains are a direct representation of what the main character needs.
They Get Away with Murder
I would not be going out on a limb by saying that there is more murder committed in the pages of Batman family publications than any other major title or line. Sure, The Walking Dead has a ton of death, but nothing compared to what can happen within a few short pages when the Joker shows up in Gotham. The characters in Batman’s rogues gallery get away with more murder than those of other characters. Which other comics can you think of where almost an entire police force can be killed over and over again? Batman’s rogues gallery is the best because it can get away with the most.
They Still Cause Fear
After all these years, the Joke still causes trepidation whenever he shows up in the pages of a Batman comic. I still shudder when Edward E. Nigma rears his head. I find I have to keep a close eye whenever Penguin pops in. Why is this? Batman’s rogues gallery might not kill him, but they always give him a great fight and they often steal more of Bruce Wayne away from Batman. They still eliminate some of his remaining humanity every time they battle him. Batman’s rogues gallery is the best because they are still effective.
