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Although superheroes can sometimes have rivalries with each other, they can never compare to the lore-defining bad blood they have with these maniacal supervillains. And while other costumed criminals are content with just robbing banks, these villains have dedicated their every waking moment to torturing and killing their heroic archenemies. DC Comics wouldn’t be the powerhouse of the comic book industry that it is today without these rivalries driving many of its best stories.
10) Batman and Ra’s al Ghul
Among Batman’s extensive rogues’ gallery, few challenge him mentally, physically, and morally like the eco-terrorist and leader of the League of Assassins, Ra’s Al Ghul. Having lived for hundreds of years thanks to the Lazarus Pit, Ra’s is a criminal mastermind and a skilled practitioner of every martial art known to man. Despite their many battles, Ra’s respects Batman and wants the hero to abandon his morals to become the villain’s successor as the new head of the League of Assassins. Adding to their dynamic is the fact that Ra’s daughter, Talia, is a longstanding love-interest of Batman and even sired his son, Damian Wayne. However, even with this familial connection, Batman will never stop fighting Ra’s to protect Gotham and the world.
9) Justice League and Darkseid
The Justice League is the greatest superhero team in the DC Universe, so naturally, their archenemy is the living embodiment of evil: Darkseid. Although initially Darkseid was more of an adversary of the benevolent New Gods of New Genesis, over the years, his campaigns for conquest have led him to target Earth countless times. A major factor of Darkseid’s obsession with Earth is that many pieces of his grand prize, the Anti-Life Equation, can be found there. The Justice League has fought the Lord of Apokolips and his legions of monstrosities countless times, with every one of their clashes determining the fate of the multiverse. The New 52 even retconned it so that it was Darkseid’s invasion that initially brought together the Justice League.
8) Shazam and Black Adam
A true clash of generations, the adolescent Billy Batson, aka Shazam, frequently battles the several-thousand-year-old Teth-Adam, aka Black Adam. Born in Ancient Egypt, Black Adam was the first champion of the wizard Shazam and was granted divine powers. However, after being corrupted by his power, Black Adam was imprisoned, and thousands of years later, the wizard made the orphan Billy his new champion and granted him the powers of mighty gods and heroes. Upon breaking free of his imprisonment, Black Adam has battled Shazam numerous times. Black Adam views Shazam as too naïve, while Shazam views his predecessor as too cruel. Black Adam is the definition of a dark reflection villain who wields the same power set as the hero.
7) Teen Titans and Deathstroke
Despite the Teen Titans fighting aliens and demons regularly, their greatest enemy has always been the mercenary Deathstroke, thanks to his cunning, deadly skills, and immoral nature. After his son Ravager died while fighting the Titans, Deathstroke swore vengeance against the teenage superhero team. His debut battle against the Teen Titans was chronicled in the legendary Judas Contract storyline, where he had the teen hero Terra betray her teammates. Even after his own children, Rose and Jericho, joined the Teen Titans, Deathstroke hasn’t let go of his hatred. The Titans have suffered many losses to Deathstroke, and their mutual hatred for the one-eyed mercenary can’t be overstated.
6) Wonder Woman and Ares
Although Cheetah is oftentimes considered to be Wonder Woman’s archenemy, the Princess of Themyscira’s true opposite and nemesis is none other than Ares, the Greek God of War. Ever since she arrived in Man’s World, Wonder Woman has been a symbol of truth, peace, and equality, all of which Ares is fundamentally against. As a being fueled by war and violence, Ares won’t rest until humanity destroys itself. Many of Ares’ children and minions, like Deimos, Phobos, and the Duke of Deception, are constant thorns in Wonder Woman’s side as well. With his overwhelming power and devious nature, Ares has been the mastermind behind many of Wonder Woman’s greatest challenges that have threaten her principles and the people she loves.
