Batman may have debuted in comics after Superman, but there's no denying that the Dark Knight has risen to the top of DC's superhero tier list. Likewise, his villains have become the most critically acclaimed in superhero media. Every Gotham City foe, from the Joker to Two-Face to Riddler and Catwoman, brings a unique challenge to Batman's crimefighting.

Books have been written on Batman and his rogues gallery, like Batman and Psychology: A Dark and Stormy Knight by Travis Langley, which dives into the minds of Batman's greatest villains. Across films, animated series, and hundreds of comics, some of Batman's most popular villains are also the best-written, proving more interesting than the Caped Crusader himself.

10 Poison Ivy's Love/Hate Relationship With Humanity

Poison Ivy was a fairly shallow character when she debuted in Batman #181. Poison Ivy was like most femme fatales of the Silver Age of comics, using her powers of seduction and the underestimation of others to her advantage. As Poison Ivy's powers grew, so too did her motivations.

As Poison Ivy's control over plants grew, she developed a hatred for humanity while trying to preserve the natural world. Ivy has love for very few people. She married Harley Quinn and even sacrificed herself to save Gotham in the Batman: Arkham Knight video game. Despite her cold demeanor and disdain for humankind, she cares for those closest to her, particularly her Gotham City Sirens, and has proven she is willing to die for others.

9 Mr. Freeze Has A Cold, Cold Heart

When he first debuted in comics and later appeared on the Adam West Batman live-action TV series, Mr. Freeze was an extremely simple character. He was a goofy villain obsessed with diamonds who made an abnormal number of ice puns. Batman: The Animated Series changed all that. Mr. Freeze was now a deeper villain who lost his wife and wanted revenge.

"Heart of Ice" is generally regarded as one of the best Batman: The Animated Series episodes because of how it elevated Freeze's character and motivations. Subsequent stories across video games like Batman: Arkham City and the New 52 Detective Comics have delved further into Mr. Freeze's life and goals, making this cold villain into a surprisingly deep character whose warm heart was trapped in ice.

8 Batman Who Laughs Is The Perfect Batman/Joker Hybrid

Coming off the heels of their massively successful Batman comics during the New 52, Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo were the hottest names in comics. They continued their reign across the Batman Universe with the release of Dark Nights: Metal, a huge crossover that showcased the Dark Multiverse and a legion of evil Batmen who acquired superpowers.

The head of the Batmen of the Dark Multiverse was the Batman Who Laughs, a dark Bruce Wayne who was exposed to Joker toxin, transforming him into the most terrifying amalgamation of Joker and the Dark Knight. The Batman Who Laughs is one of the greatest newer additions to Batman's rogues gallery and quickly evolved into one of the biggest threats in the DC Universe, thanks to future appearances in Justice League comics.

7 Clayface Is The Most Tragic Batman Villain

Clayface is not simply a man with a gun or control over a criminal empire; he's a powerful shapeshifter who could give powerful members of the Justice League a run for their money. In Batman: The Animated Series, Matt Hagen was a prominent actor in Gotham City who was left deformed after an accident that transformed him into Clayface.

The two-part "Feat of Clay" episode presented Clayface's fractured mind, which sought recognition and identity after acquiring the power to become anyone. In DC Rebirth, the original Basil Karlo version of Clayface joined the Bat Family in Detective Comics, proving that he simply needs someone like Batman or Batwoman to point him in the right direction.

6 Bane Is More Than Batman's Physical Superior

Bane is not simply a brute who enhances his strength using Venom toxin. Granted, he is one of the toughest Batman villains who often lets his fists do the talking, but he's far more strategic and cunning than the Batman and Robin (1997) movie would lead DC fans to believe.

In "Knightfall," Bane orchestrated a massive Arkham Asylum and Blackgate prison breakout, tiring Batman to a point where Bane could dominate the Dark Knight and take control of Gotham City. Bane later headlined the "City of Bane" arc, teaming up with Flashpoint Batman, culminating in an epic, maskless showdown with Bruce Wayne. Bane is one of the best-written villains because he attacks Batman from so many different angles–a physically imposing, mentally dangerous foe with power and resources.

5 Catwoman Is A Batman Villain Turned Lover

For most of DC's Golden Age, Catwoman was one of Batman's most prominent villains. She wore a cape and mask, just like most criminals back then. When DC entered the Silver Age and began experimenting with alternate universes, readers met Earth-Two versions of Bruce Wayne and Selina Kyle, who married and had a daughter, Helena.

Catwoman still antagonizes Batman occasionally, usually looking for blood when Batman looks for justice, but they're generally allies and frequent romantic partners. Catwoman has proven to be Batman's closest ally alongside people like Superman and Dick Grayson, evolving from a villain who debuted in Batman #1 to Batman's bride on several occasions.

4 Red Hood Is The Child Of Batman's Heroics & Joker's Villainy

Jason Todd was originally the second kid to don the Robin costume, though this Dynamic Duo was not as harmonious or lighthearted as the one formed by Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson in DC's Golden Age. Jason Todd was a more aggravated, aggressive Robin, but when he returned as the Red Hood, he was more villain than hero.

Jason's story arc, from his death as Robin to his resurrection, his revenge on the Joker, his rise as Gotham's crime lord, and his turn against his former allies in "Battle for the Cowl," features some of the best character developments in DC Comics. Though the Red Hood is now a member of the Bat Family, he's always one bad day away from becoming a big problem for Batman.

3 Two-Face Is A Mind Fractured

Harvey Dent is a tragic figure in the Batman Universe. Harvey was Gotham City's district attorney who once shared Batman and Commissioner Gordon's thirst for justice. Many comics have evolved Two-Face's origins and motivations, and Batman: The Animated Series (naturally) emphasized Two-Face's split personality.

Comics like Arkham Asylum, written by Grant Morrison, further examine Two-Face's troubled mind, showcasing its fragility. Two-Face splinters even further after trading his coin for a deck of cards. Two-Face always has the potential for redemption, as his Harvey Dent persona sometimes holds Two-Face's violent hand at bay.

2 Harley Quinn's Redemption Within The Bat-Family

Harley Quinn feels like she's always existed in the Batman Universe. However, she actually debuted in Batman: The Animated Series in 1992 and didn't appear in DC Comics until several years later. That's a testament to her creators and her popularity. Harley was originally the Joker's henchwoman and romantic partner, but she's had one of the best character progressions in DC Comics.

Harley Quinn defied the Joker, left her abusive relationship, and began a romance with her longtime friend Poison Ivy. Harley Quinn is now so much more than just a Batman villain. She is an unofficial member of the Bat Family who has even helped the Justice League in books like Heroes in Crisis.

1 The Joker Is Batman's Equal & Opposite

The Clown Prince of Crime debuted in Batman's first solo comic and has terrorized the Dark Knight's world ever since. No Batman villain has hurt the Bat Family more, caused Gotham City more damage, or tormented Bruce Wayne's life more than the Joker. He is truly the worst villain in the DC Universe.

While the Joker doesn't develop like most characters by learning a lesson or completing a journey, he remains the best-written Batman villain. His actions, villainous plans, misdirections, and more are always enjoyable and rarely fail to take Batman and his readers on wild rides.