supervillains
Costumed criminal masterminds
Supervillains is the plural of supervillain—a fictional antagonist with extraordinary powers, abilities, or resources, typically opposing a superhero.
The term emerged from comic books but extends to any fiction featuring larger-than-life evildoers: The movie's supervillains plotted world domination.
Informally, supervillain describes someone perceived as exceptionally malevolent or ruthless: Tech billionaires cast as corporate supervillains.
Gotham's chaos-loving nemesis
- LokiNorse god of deception
- VenomAlien symbiote character
- CatwomanWhip-wielding antiheroine
- RiddlerPuzzle-obsessed costumed criminal
Thanos · Magneto · Lex Luthor · Doctor Doom · Darkseid · Green Goblin · Ultron · Bane
Scheme's chief planner
- megalomaniacOne with grandiose self-image
- mad scientistDeranged researcher archetype
- evil geniusWicked yet brilliant schemer
- tyrantCruel, absolute ruler
overlord · crime lord · terrorist · psychopath · shapeshifter · sorcerer · cyborg · alien invader
Complete control of Earth
- doomsday deviceHypothetical total annihilation weapon
- death rayLethal energy weapon
- ransomPayment for captive's release
- heistOrganized large-scale theft
revenge plot · kidnapping · blackmail · coup · destruction · takeover · conspiracy · extortion
Conveying threat or danger
- cunningSly, scheming cleverness
- ruthlessLacking any compassion
- diabolicalExtremely wicked or cruel
- calculatingColdly self-serving in strategy
sadistic · egomaniacal · charismatic · intelligent · deranged · obsessive · theatrical · narcissistic
Secret place of refuge
- fortressHeavily defended military structure
- underground baseConcealed subterranean facility
- headquartersCentral command location
- laboratoryFacility for scientific investigation
dungeon · castle · tower · bunker · space station · submarine · throne room · control center
Mental object manipulation
- mind controlDirecting another's thoughts
- shapeshiftingTransforming into other beings
- invisibilityState of being unseen
- superhuman strengthExtraordinary physical force beyond mortal capacity
invulnerability · telepathy · manipulation · immortality · regeneration · necromancy · time manipulation · reality warping
Joker
Gotham's chaos-loving nemesis
Thanos · Magneto · Lex Luthor · Doctor Doom · Darkseid · Green Goblin · Ultron · Riddler · Bane · Red Skull
mastermind
Scheme's chief planner
- megalomaniacOne with grandiose self-image
- mad scientistDeranged researcher archetype
- evil geniusWicked yet brilliant schemer
tyrant · overlord · crime lord · terrorist · psychopath · shapeshifter · sorcerer · cyborg · alien invader · monster
world domination
Complete control of Earth
- doomsday deviceHypothetical total annihilation weapon
- death rayLethal energy weapon
- ransomPayment for captive's release
heist · revenge plot · kidnapping · blackmail · coup · destruction · takeover · conspiracy · extortion · genocide
menacing
Conveying threat or danger
- cunningSly, scheming cleverness
- ruthlessLacking any compassion
- diabolicalExtremely wicked or cruel
calculating · sadistic · egomaniacal · charismatic · intelligent · deranged · obsessive · theatrical · narcissistic · vengeful
hideout
Secret place of refuge
- fortressHeavily defended military structure
- underground baseConcealed subterranean facility
- headquartersCentral command location
laboratory · dungeon · castle · tower · bunker · space station · submarine · throne room · control center · prison
telekinesis
Mental object manipulation
- mind controlDirecting another's thoughts
- shapeshiftingTransforming into other beings
- invisibilityState of being unseen
superhuman strength · invulnerability · telepathy · manipulation · immortality · regeneration · necromancy · time manipulation · reality warping · flight
- superhumanssuperhumans, metahumans, superheroes, mutants, capes
- immortalsgods, deities, divine beings, immortals, eternals
- Rogues Gallerymugshots, wanted posters, booking photos, criminal records, repeat offenders
supervillainssuperheroes
Costumed figures with powers
heroes · good guys · crime fighters · champions · vigilantes
supervillainsprotagonists
Central figures in narratives
heroes · saviors · rescuers · allies · liberators
supervillainscivilians
Non-military population
bystanders · innocents · ordinary people · ordinary citizens · common people