The DC Universe has as many memorable villains as it has heroes. Some of these villains hold the power to equal the level of a god. Others are the creation of a universe left to itself, coming into conflict with the greatest champions of the galaxies. While some, like Antimonitor and Parallax, left lasting impressions, others didn’t.
All of these monstrous entities and powerful beings have not stood the test of time. Some dark DC villains have only once threatened the universe and been lost to time or died. Either way, in their time, they were too powerful a threat for any single hero to face alone.
10 Krona launched the universe
DC has a lot of immortals in its universe. Krona is considered one of the first, a scientist of the first race of beings. His curiosity about the universe was his downfall and he accidentally created the DC Universe trying to unlock its biggest secret. Krona was exiled and transformed into living energy for his misdeeds.
DC’s Forgotten Villains
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With his new powers, Krona sought revenge against his race, who had become the current Guardian of the Universe. His intelligence, combined with his ability to absorb different types of energy, made him a powerful enemy, especially to Hal Jordan and his allies. However, Krona never became as notable as villains like Sinestro or Parallax.
9 Dominus Wants What He Deserves 
A former lord of the order, Dominus was an alien priest who wished to rise to the next level of existence. However, when his beloved stood out in the next shot, Dominus grew envious and used dark magic to try to outwit her. His spirit was banished to the Phantom Zone, where he rebuilt his body. Dominus eventually escaped years later thanks to Superman’s Fortress of Solitude.
Like Superman, Dominus’ powers increased on Earth, giving him various mental powers in addition to his wizarding abilities. He manipulated Superman into taking over the world for him. Luckily, the Man of Steel broke free from Dominus’ control and sent him back to the Phantom Zone. Although Dominus appears imprisoned, it’s only a matter of time before the dark destroyer is freed again.
8 Overmaster Wanted To Test Humanity 
The Overmaster was one of the Justice League’s forgotten adversaries. Once a lowly alien giant, he was given a powerful array of abilities by a cosmic parasite that latched onto him. Curious about life, the Overmaster wandered the universe, forcing various smaller planets to test his power and destroying them if they failed.
When the Overmaster visited Earth, he gave various criminals superpowers, forming the Framework to test the might of the Justice League. The League managed to defeat him and his forces, forcing the colossal villain to leave. Although Overmaster died in another battle against the League, the giant might find a way to return one day.
7 Mordru Craves Magic 
None of DC’s evil magic-users have ever stood up to the dark wizard Mordru. One of the oldest Chaos Lords, he seeks unlimited power for himself. Although he was initially an enemy of the Legion of Super-Heroes, his status as an immortal was changed. The comics then showed Mordru battling the Justice League and the JSA.
Mordru’s plans included the destruction of the Rock of Eternity, bringing about the end of the Fourth Age of Magic, as well as the covert orchestration of events such as H-hour for future projects. While the ruthless villain hasn’t returned since Rebirth, a return of the sinister wizard could spell trouble for current and future DC heroes.
6 Quantum mechanics sought the afterlife 
Quantum Mechanics, one of the Justice League’s weirdest enemies, wasn’t meant to be a threat. These cosmic creatures were accidentally conceived during the creation of the universe. Although they were long-lived, they did not possess immortality, which led them to try to discover the afterlife.
Quantum Mechanics investigated and used its vast intelligence to study other worlds and unlock their secrets, abducting planets and universes for their mission. When Earth was stolen, the Justice League fought against these divine creations to save their planet. Although Quantum Mechanics was defeated, the League helped them achieve their wish. They were finally able to go to heaven, but they never came back.
5 Imperiex is powered by a Big Bang 
Among Superman’s underrated villains, Imperiex was a dangerous threat to the Man of Steel. Known as the Galaxy Destroyer, he packs the energy of the Big Bang into his undefinable armor, wielding his power to devastate various universes to become permanently invincible.
Imperiex’s power was so great that it took the combined strength of Superman, his most powerful friends, and his enemies to stop the Galaxy Destroyer. Unfortunately, Imperiex has been slowly forgotten, wiped out since the New 52. If he returns, he could pose a danger to Clark and his family. Should he return, he could pose a danger to Clark and his family, forcing another major battle.
4 Extant Was A Former Hero Turned Villain 
Several of DC’s greatest protectors have fallen into obscurity, some forever tied to villainy. Hank Hall, avatar of chaos and former Falcon hero, has fallen out of favor after killing his future villain in an alternate reality. While he adopted a few new identities during this time, it’s his role as Extant that fans remember lightly.
Under his new role, Extant became one of the main villains of the event. H-hour, killing several notable heroes and wiping out alternate universes alongside a then-Parallax-influenced Hal Jordan. Although he was ultimately killed and reborn as Falcon, his time as an Extant was as undesirable as the minor event he was linked to, erased after the new 52.
3 Neron Is DC’s Devil 
Some fictional universes have their version of Satan. In DC, this mantle is taken by a being known as Neron, another fallen angel who became ruler of the underworld. Almighty and dangerously cunning, Neron ravaged the universe directly and from the shadows.
One of Neron’s biggest battles involved granting various villains powers in exchange for their souls, nearly destroying Earth if Shazam and the Justice League didn’t stop him. Over the years, this demonic being has struggled to control the powers of Hell for himself, usually being the villain of minor events and stories, but proving himself a dangerous adversary.
2 The Sun Eater Consumes Entire Universes 
The Sun Eater was a sentient weapon created by the Controllers, a race of aliens who believed that peace could be achieved by eradicating all life. Originally conceived as a last resort, a renegade controller unleashed the Sun Eater, whose power to absorb everything in its path nearly wiped out the entire galaxy save for the futuristic Legion of Super-Heroes.
In the modern era, the Sun Eater is slowly being realized by other villains, who attempt to develop their version of the enemy gobbler. Unlike other villains who are complex and relatable, the Sun Eater remained a deus ex machina, only summoned to escalate situations.
1 Mageddon Was Hate Personified 
Sometimes the greatest threats in the universe were created to eliminate other threats. Before the New Gods, the Old Gods created Mageddon, a weapon developed to absorb people’s hatred into itself and instill peace. However, they did not predict that the machine would gain sensitivity. Using his power to fuel hatred in other beings, Mageddon caused the gods to die forever.
For billions of years, Mageddon roamed the cosmos, destroying everything in its path. Approaching their universe, the New Gods sent Big Barda and Orion to warn the newly created Justice League of their presence. The Machine attempted to destroy the League by forming a new Injustice League and inciting the citizens of Earth to unite against its heroes. Fortunately, the League destroyed Mageddon, never to return.