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Storylines like “The Death of Superman,” “Knightfall,” and others have deeply ingrained themselves into comic book lore in large part because of the chilling villains who emerged to tear down the symbols of justice and heroism that had defined DC Comics. These are the most iconic evildoers who came to prominence in this decade.
10) Fatality
When Green Lantern Jon Stewart failed to save the planet Xanshi from destruction, one of its last survivors, Yrra Cynril, aka Fatality, swore revenge. Debuting in 1997, Fatality began a one-woman crusade to kill every Green Lantern using her enhanced strength and deadly weaponry. After many fights against the Green Lanterns, Fatality joined the Sinestro Corps, where she became one of their deadliest members. However, she would eventually find herself forcefully inducted into the Star Sapphire Corps, which purged the hate from her heart and transformed her into a hero. This redemption wouldn’t last long, though, as Fatality eventually freed herself from the Star Sapphire’s influence and resumed her quest for vengeance. Fatality is a complex villain who represents Jon Stewart’s greatest failure.
9) Black Flash
In 1998, the Flash had to race against death itself. The Black Flash is the grim reaper of speedsters, tasked with returning them to the Speed Force upon their deaths. Like a relentless predator, the Black Flash won’t stop until his targets are claimed. As a dark manifestation of the Speed Force, he’s unbelievably fast, and with a single touch can induce death. Whenever he appears, the Flash and other speedsters must push themselves to their limits to stay out of the Black Flash’s grasp. With his immortality, overwhelming speed, and lethal touch, the Black Flash is one of the Flash Family’s deadliest foes and the scourge of all Speed Force-users.
8) Livewire
Like Harley Quinn, Leslie Willis, aka Livewire, was originally created for the DC Animated Universe. Livewire first appeared in Superman: The Animated Series in 1997, before making her comic debut in the spinoff series Superman Adventures that same year. Formerly a radio host, Willis made a career out of bashing the Man of Steel. However, a freak accident caused her to be electrocuted and resulted in her developing electric powers. Blaming Superman for her accident, Livewire turned to a life of crime. Livewire can generate enough voltage to harm even Superman, and she can transform into a being of pure electricity. With her destructive electrical powers and origins as an agitator attacking others online to gain notoriety, Livewire is a dangerous villain whose relevance has only grown over time.
7) Prometheus
A twisted version of Batman, Prometheus was the son of two psychopathic criminals who killed numerous people until the police gunned them down. Swearing vengeance against all do-gooders, Prometheus spent his life studying and training across the world to become the deadliest man alive. Of all his dangerous gadgetry, his most indispensable is a helmet that can instantly analyze and predict his opponents’ next movements. During his first appearance in 1998, Prometheus used his genius intellect and deadly weaponry to single-handedly defeat every member of the Justice League by exploiting their weaknesses. Prometheus is also well-known for destroying Star City, cutting off the hero Arsenal’s arm, and killing his daughter, Lian. Even without any powers, Prometheus is a terrifying villain who hasn’t received the recognition he deserves.
6) King Shark
The son of a Hawaiian shark god, Nanaue, aka King Shark, is a cannibalistic serial killer who became an enemy of Superboy in 1994. As a humanoid shark, King Shark possesses incredible strength, durability, rows of razor-sharp teeth, and the ability to breathe underwater. Even though he’s often portrayed as having low intelligence, King Shark has still managed to build an underworld criminal empire and establish himself as a deadly foe of Aquaman and the Teen Titans. Often acting as the muscle for the government task force of incarcerated supervillains known as the Suicide Squad, King Shark has become one of the team’s most recurring and prominent members over the years.
