MovieChat Forums > Batman: Arkham Asylum (2009) Discussion > Who's your favorite Batman villain?

Who's your favorite Batman villain?

posted 13 years ago by ExplorerDS6789
29 replies | jump to latest

I have quite a few. The Joker is my all-time favorite, and you know, I think The Joker is impossible to completely dislike. Horrible, heartless, murderous and violent as he is, he still remains a likeable character. Mainly because he's such a fun villain, very colorful, and always full of surprises. You never want to take your eyes off of him.
Also attributing to The Joker's likeness factor is Mark Hamill's outstanding performance in this game as well as in the cartoon. All the actors who have ever portrayed The Joker (from Romero to Ledger) have been so good and unique, that one can't possibly be judged as better than another.

Another favorite is Mr. Freeze, because he's literally cool, and I feel so bad for him.

The Penguin is also a big favorite of mine. Mainly on Batman: The Animated Series with Paul Williams' terrific vocal talents.

Ventriloquist and Scarface, particularly the latter, because he's so funny as well as so evil. Plus who can't resist that 1930s gang slang of his?

Mad Hatter- Mainly the BTAS version. He was so wicked, and yet remained sympathetic.

[–] Henry_Marzini 13 years ago

I agree with pretty much everything you said about Joker in my opinion he is one of the greatest villians ever created. In fact I consider Batman and all his villians to be some of the greatest characters ever created.

I love pretty much all of Batman villians

Another favorite is Mr. Freeze, because he's literally cool, and I feel so bad for him.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who LOVED Mr Freeze. Freeze from the TAS was such an enchanting villian. He was completely tragic not just because of his own condition but because he lost his wife as well. In my opinion Micheal Ansara who voiced him was incredible and he is dangerously underrated. I reccomend you watch Batman Beyond episode Meltdown. That is my personal favourite portrayal of Freeze.

As well as Joker and Mr Freeze, my other two favourite Batman villians are Bane and Two- Face.

Bane because he is incredibly strong and a fierce fighter and opponent. But he isn't the typical big strong, dumb muscle thug, he is quite the opposite. He is extremely strong but quite intelligent as well and even sopshisticated.

And Two-face. I love him because he is or atleast was a good person who was tragically transformed into the way he is ( just like Freeze ). As Two-Face he is mainly a ruthless villian who takes his fury out on Gotham but he does still have some of the old Harvey Dent and good elements in him. I think that makes him a perfect, unpredictable villian

Remember, there might be some MOMENTARY DISCOMFORT.

[–] ExplorerDS6789 13 years ago

"I reccomend you watch Batman Beyond episode Meltdown. That is my personal favourite portrayal of Freeze."

Personally, they should have let Mr. Freeze's story have a happy ending with "SubZero". I mean, everything got resolved, so why did they have to make him an evil bad guy again with TNBA episode "Cold Comfort"?

"Bane because he is incredibly strong and a fierce fighter and opponent. But he isn't the typical big strong, dumb muscle thug, he is quite the opposite. He is extremely strong but quite intelligent as well and even sopshisticated."

Right, his portrayal in Batman & Robin was all wrong, but then so were Batman, Robin, Poison Ivy, Mr. Freeze, and Batgirl. But technically, abusing those venomous chemicals the way he does, wouldn't that give him brain damage?

Going back to Batman & Robin, since they made Bane a mindless henchman, I wonder how they would have portrayed Killer Croc, as an ordinary crocodile on a chain?

[–] Henry_Marzini 13 years ago

Personally, they should have let Mr. Freeze's story have a happy ending with "SubZero". I mean, everything got resolved, so why did they have to make him an evil bad guy again with TNBA episode "Cold Comfort"?

I have seen Subzero and ofcourse I loved it. But unfortunately I didn't see" Cold Comfort " I think isn't that the one where at the end Batman fights Freeze on a blimp and defeats him by attaching him to a huge missile or bomb ? I could be completely wrong though. If you disliked the way he was shown there then you should definately try and see that episode Meltdown I told you about. Without giving too much away Freeze is DEFINATELY a tragic villian. There is more tragedy than evil in him in that episode.

Right, his portrayal in Batman & Robin was all wrong, but then so were Batman, Robin, Poison Ivy, Mr. Freeze, and Batgirl. But technically, abusing those venomous chemicals the way he does, wouldn't that give him brain damage?

Yeah as we know Batman & Robin was an absoulete disaster and insult to Batman and his characters. But regarding Bane and his steroid drug, Venom I think it's called, you raise a good point about how it should damage his brain cells. I'm not an expert on science but I suppose the steroids must be specially created or modified in order to avoid damaging his brain and just concentrate on making his body stronger. Well I'm afraid I don't know really.

Going back to Batman & Robin, since they made Bane a mindless henchman, I wonder how they would have portrayed Killer Croc, as an ordinary crocodile on a chain?

LOL I wouldn't be suprised if they did ! I wonder how else they would have portrayed Batman's other villians. it's a good thing Schumacher eventually stopped making his Batman films.

Remember, there might be some MOMENTARY DISCOMFORT.

[–] ExplorerDS6789 13 years ago

"I have seen Subzero and ofcourse I loved it. But unfortunately I didn't see" Cold Comfort " I think isn't that the one where at the end Batman fights Freeze on a blimp and defeats him by attaching him to a huge missile or bomb?"

Right. His android body is trapped in an ice berg, but Freeze's head is nowhere to be found.

"There is more tragedy than evil in him in that episode."

Yeah, although they really should have let sleeping dogs lie.

"Yeah as we know Batman & Robin was an absoulete disaster and insult to Batman and his characters. But regarding Bane and his steroid drug, Venom I think it's called, you raise a good point about how it should damage his brain cells. I'm not an expert on science but I suppose the steroids must be specially created or modified in order to avoid damaging his brain and just concentrate on making his body stronger. Well I'm afraid I don't know really."

Well not ALL of Batman's villains are realistic (i.e. Clayface, Mr. Freeze, Killer Croc, Mad Hatter, etc.)

"LOL I wouldn't be suprised if they did ! I wonder how else they would have portrayed Batman's other villians. it's a good thing Schumacher eventually stopped making his Batman films."

I heard that they had planned another Batman film after B&R, called Batman Triumphant, which would have been a return to the darker Burton films. It would have had The Scarecrow, Man-Bat, Harley Quinn, and even an appearance by The Joker, with Nicholson returning. From what I've heard, it sounded really good, but because Batman & Robin tanked, WB scrapped the project. They still have the script to Batman Triumphant locked away in their vault. Maybe when the Christopher Nolan movies are finished, they might reconsider this one.

[–] Henry_Marzini 13 years ago

I heard that they had planned another Batman film after B&R, called Batman Triumphant, which would have been a return to the darker Burton films. It would have had The Scarecrow, Man-Bat, Harley Quinn, and even an appearance by The Joker, with Nicholson returning. From what I've heard, it sounded really good, but because Batman & Robin tanked, WB scrapped the project. They still have the script to Batman Triumphant locked away in their vault. Maybe when the Christopher Nolan movies are finished, they might reconsider this one.

I did hear a little information on Batman triumphant and although I did hear it was going to be quite dark more, than the previous two ( though that wouldn't be very difficult to do ) there was just something about it I didn't trust. I think the Batman series at that point needed an entirely fresh new approach to it and maybe a break as well. So i'm kinda glad that the film wasn't made but probably only because Chris Nolan restored Batman to his serious and darker roots. I certainly wouldn't want Batman & Robin to be the final live action film in the Batman series.

Remember, there might be some MOMENTARY DISCOMFORT.

[–] ExplorerDS6789 13 years ago

And maybe when Nolan is done, somebody else will man the helm, so to speak. Either reboot the series again or do a sequel. I mean unless Nolan kills off Batman in the next movie, and I'm very sure he won't, then there's no reason it can't continue.
I would have really liked to see The Penguin in Nolan's universe. I don't know why he considers him farfetched.

[–] Henry_Marzini 13 years ago

I would have really liked to see The Penguin in Nolan's universe. I don't know why he considers him farfetched.

Well, who knows eh ? I would have loved to have seen Mr Freeze in Nolan's universe, a TAS style one ( not the Schwarzenegger one ). Did you see Batman Returns directed by Tim Burton ? if so what did you think of Danny Devito's performance ?

Remember, there might be some MOMENTARY DISCOMFORT.

[–] ExplorerDS6789 13 years ago

Danny was really good and The Penguin was very sympathetic. I felt sad when he dies.

[–] Rockhound6165 13 years ago

Burton's portrayal of The Penguin is where the series started heading south. The Selina Kyle/Catwoman aspect of the movie, while not being accurate to the comics, wasn't bad and had the basic idea down. However, Oswald Cobblepot was not a deformed, deranged man-beast. He is just a fat man with exquisite manners.

[–] ExplorerDS6789 13 years ago

I guess with Penguin, they were just trying a different and far darker approach. You know Burton; My favorite Peguin out of all the adaptions is the Batman Animated Series version. Great character and a great voice to boot.

[–] SenaShetani 12 years ago

I loved how dark Burton's Penguin was. I personally think they should of kept that theme throughout the rest of the franchise and future adaptions but whatever.

"Shall I or Shan't I?" -Guy
"Is he or isn't he?"- Mr. Lucas

[–] lizfilmfan 12 years ago

1.) Poison Ivy. I think she's much more interesting than Cat woman.

2.) Two-Face. He's so complex and interesting.

3.) Scarecrow. Sooooooo creepy! :D

Proud member of AACAR (Americans Against Crappy American Remakes)

[–] parkyson 12 years ago

It's a very difficult choice, of course you have to love the Joker that's a given, but I almost exclude him on the basis that he is too good of a choice.

In the game I was surprised at how much I liked the representation of Killer Croc as the beastial nightmare he is.

But of course Scarecrow was also brilliant.

However id have to say a tossup between Two Face and The Riddler.

Hmm probably Two Face, he's more interesting.

[–] CroseusProject 12 years ago

In this game it's Joker and Scarecrow.

[–] pfr_77 12 years ago

I'm not all that into batman but from what I've experienced in this game I'd have to say I really dig the Scarecrow

[–] karen2401 12 years ago

The Joker, Harley Quinn, Killer Moth and Clayface

Aaron Hughes

[–] muppetmollystargleek 12 years ago

Number 1 for me is the Joker. Sure, he's a mass-murdering lunatic, but he's also charming and funny and stylin'. I love the way he toys with people, seemingly lets them in then blows their brains out. And as you mentioned, MARK HAMILL!!! He is, in my opinion, the ULTimate Joker. Perhaps not physically, but he gave J a depth and complexity that I've yet to see anywhere else. He made him sound sophisticated, intelligent, dare I say sexy. He infused maniacal joy into all that madness, and when the time came he was truly terrifying. LOVE HIM!

2nd is Harley. I know she new comparatively, and I'm fully aware of how annoying she can be, but I LOVE what she does to the Joker. I mean yes, he uses her and beats her and threatens her and, on many occasion, tried to kill her, but even he isn't immune to her crazed humour, her rockin' body, her unstable dedication, her willingness to kill, and her style. She confuses the HELL out of him sometimes, and of course that ticks him off and endangers her, but it's fun to watch. He chose her for a reason, and I think that's why he keeps her around and doesn't just kill her and be done with it.

III is SCARECROW!! I think he's fascinating. I like the way his evil little mind works. I find him oddly adorable and quirky. He's one of the Bat's more threatening villains, and it's all with his mind. He's SO smart, and that's lovely.

Then, the Riddler! Yes, he's narcissistic and irritating and Jim Carry sucked, but he's still brilliant and interesting.

Basically, I like the tall, thin, insane, intelligent, stylish ones. The ones who don't rely on their strength and have no powers or special abilities. Normal men with effed-up minds... and Harley. XD

"It's SHOWTIME!" ~ Beetlejuice

[–] www1125 11 years ago

My favorite villains would be

1. Penguin: Mainly the Burgess Meredith version, but I like all versions of Penguin quite a bit. I honestly don't know what my fascination with the character is, I've just always loved Penguin more than any other villain. A dark villain with a bit of a comic touch. Perhaps that's what I like about him. Plus, Meredith's squacks were priceless.

2. Joker: Every version of the Joker I find to be superb. As somebody else said, it's impossible not to like the Joker. Cesar Romero, Jack Nicholson, and Heath Ledger all had memorable performances in the role, but my favorite would be Mark Hamill. He just has the perfect voice for it, and that laugh! Spot, on!

3. Egghead: A villain from the original Adam West Batman series. A villain of extreme intelligence who discovered Batman's identity through deduction and knowledge, rather than mind reading. I'd like to see him used again in one of the films, shows, or games. But I doubt it would happen.

4. Mr. Freeze: I've always loved the idea of this villain. A scientist who can only survive in very low temperatures, and has to live in a suit that provides that temperatures. The freeze gun is a major bonus as well. I liked the version from the animated series the best. It was a very sympathetic version of the character.

5. Two-Face: I wasn't very impressed with Tommy Leen Jones' portrayal. The character was used much better in The Dark Knight, but it was the version from the Animated Series, that really got me interested in the character. The two part episode titled Two-Face is really a sad episode. Plus, the idea of a coin toss deciding whether you live or die is a pretty scary thought.

6. Scarecrow: A villain that uses fear gas to make your deepest, darkest fears come to life.....This villain sounds like he belongs in a horror film. Cillian Murphy's performance was my first look at the character, and I have to say his is my favorite version.

"Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read."
Groucho

[–] mike_the_bloody 11 years ago

Top 5

1. Scarecrow
2. The Joker
3. Two-Face
4. Mr. Freeze
5. Black Mask

"I'm just a happy camper! Rockin' and a-rollin'!" - Patrick Bateman, American Psycho

[–] Channel_1393 11 years ago

Ra's........Ra's al Ghul.