Ahasessionsdailynews.com – DC Comics is widely known for having a darker feel than Marvel and featuring darker heroes and villains like Batman, the Joker and Black Adam, who have just had a very successful run at the box office. Nevertheless, many of their stories are still full of bright spots.

Some stories, however, take the meaning of the word “dark” to a whole new level. These stories are filled with violence, despair and little hope for the world. However, the darkest storylines seem to be happening throughout the multiverse, allowing writers to slay fan-favorite characters without contradicting Prime Earth’s story. These are 10 of the darkest DC stories from across the multiverse.

The dark knight returns

Arguably one of the most famous graphic novels of all time, The dark knight returns takes place on an Earth where Batman is retired, superheroes are illegal unless they work for the government, and Superman is the face of all registered superhumans.

Gotham is overrun by gangs until Batman returns to help the people take Gotham back. The plot has dark elements throughout, including a key moment when Batman almost kills Joker, only for his nemesis to finish the job himself to make it look like Batman started killing. However, Batman’s survival after his battle with Superman and plans for rebellion show that there is still hope for this world.

freedom fighter

While the titular team may not be cooler than the Justice League, the Freedom Fighters story is steeped in darkness and a war lost.

The Freedom Fighters story is set in an alternate reality where the Axis powers won WWII, meaning the whole world is under Nazi rule, including a Nazi version of the Justice League. The freedom fighters are the only ones who can fight back, but it’s a slowly losing battle. While there is still hope for this world, a world so ruled is easily one of the darkest found in the multiverse.

Guardian

Guardian is another famous DC comic that became a smash hit, so much so that a sequel, doomsday clockwas written to bring the characters into the mainstream DC Universe.

In an alternate timeline as the United States slowly moves towards World War III with the Soviet Union, a group of superheroes attempt to hunt down a superhero killer, coming into conflict with the government and one of their own. Guardian is a dark series that seeks to deconstruct the superhero genre, intertwining it with political messages and warnings, forcing the characters to make morally questionable decisions that could change the fate of the world.

injustice

injustice shows Superman at his lowest, performing terrible deeds during his reign – and showcasing one of the darkest recent worlds in DC history.

In this story, Joker tricks Superman into accidentally killing his wife and unborn child, which also destroys Metropolis in the process. Enraged, Superman kills Joker and eventually takes over Earth, killing anyone who tries to stop him including characters like Green Arrow and the Green Lantern Corp. Watching Superman, the hero meant to be the purest force of good in DC, transform into A Murderous Dictator is enough to make any fan despair over the fate of the universe of injustice.

flash point

It takes place in another alternate timeline caused by the Flash. flash point takes over the world and completely transforms it into a chaotic, war-torn dystopian wasteland.

As the Flash goes back in time to rescue his mother, an alternate timeline was created where Atlantis and the Amazons go to war and destroy the world in their struggle. Many heroes and characters are already dead, and more would die as the story progressed. Because of that, and the heavy violence and dark themes, it’s no surprise that this is one of the darkest comics out there.

Batman & Dracula

Decades ago, Batman faced the Lord of Vampires himself in the Batman & Dracula trilogy – and lost his humanity in the process.

After becoming a vampire to kill Dracula, Batman’s humanity is slowly lost over the course of the trilogy, eventually leading him to kill his entire villain gallery. In the end, his best friends are forced to hatch a plan to kill him, which Batman willingly carries out after a final fight that ends with no survivors. As dark as the story is, Batman’s ultimate realization of what has become of him shows that there was still some good in him in the end.

DCeased

DCeased is widely known for having one of the best portrayals of zombie superheroes in comics, and that leads into the darkness that comes with it.

In this world, Darkseid’s Anti-Life equation changes, turning humans into zombies that spread unlife everywhere. This world is particularly dark considering that great heroes like Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman have all succumbed to the virus and the survivors are forced to leave Earth. While there was a brief glimmer of hope after a cure was found, that hope may soon be gone as the final part of the DCeased The story is currently a work in progress and will feature countless worlds turned into zombie hordes.

Last knight on earth

Billed as “The Last Batman Story”, Last knight on earth follows Batman as he journeys through a post-apocalyptic world with the Joker’s severed, still-living head and tries to figure out what happened to the world. And what he finds is shocking.

Turning its back on the heroes after a debate between Superman and Lex Luthor results in Superman’s death, the world has descended into chaos ruled by a mysterious being known as Omega. The heroes are all dead, and what few remain are led by Wonder Woman as the Resistance. The comic shows what happens when faith in heroes is lost, and the gory, brutal pages in it only make this case even clearer.

The Batman Who Laughs

Batman Who Laughs quickly made a name for himself upon his debut, with fans wanting to see him in a live-action film. His origin story only goes to show how much of a sadistic criminal mastermind he is – and why his universe exists in the Dark Multiverse.

In this world shown through a one-shot, Batman is infected with Joker poison by a dying Joker. The poison consumes Batman, turning him into a psychotic criminal mastermind who murders all his allies and every single hero on Earth, and enslaves the remaining populace. The story serves as a lesson in what might become of Batman if he strayed from his ideals and how Joker should become.

DC vs Vampires

That Batman & Dracula The trilogy wasn’t the only time DC heroes messed with vampires. But the ongoing series DC vs Vampires makes Batman’s first fight with Dracula look like nothing.

In this world, vampires, led by the Vampire King Nightwing, slowly infiltrate society before striking all at once. They take complete control of Earth, turning almost every hero and villain into vampires and forcing the remaining humans into blood camps. What makes matters even grimmer is that even if the remaining heroes, led by Green Arrow, manage to defeat the vampires, the world is already in ruins and there is very little the heroes can do to fix everything already destroyed by the blood sucking nightmares .

Ahasessionsdailynews.com – DC Comics villains love to put on a massive theatrical show and draw attention to their evil deeds. For example, Captain Cold has made it very clear in the past that he is not, or will not be, confused with Mister Freeze, and that sort of self-centered approach to villains represents the attitude most DC villains possess.

But occasionally, DC villains take a more subtle approach to their evil deeds. Villains sometimes pretend to be the hero to tarnish the hero’s reputation or ruin the cohesion of a superhero team. Whatever the goal, some of the most gruesome moves DC villains have taken have involved taking on the role of a hero in order to tarnish their reputations.

10/10 Fake face imitated Lady Blackhawk

Birds of Prey Vol. 1 #112 by Tony Bedard and David Cole

The False Face name has belonged to more than one supervillain in the DC Universe over the years. The original False Face debuted as a Batman villain disguising himself to pose as Gotham’s wealthy elite and pull off bank robberies.

In 2008, False Face II debuted in birds of prey. In the issue, False Face II used a costume that allowed her to pose as Zinda Blake, also known as Lady Blackhawk. False Face planned to kill Lady Blackhawk and take her place in the Birds of Prey, but Zinda foiled their plan.

9/10 Red Hood pretended to be Nightwing

Nightwing Volume 2 #118 by Bruce Jones and Joe Dodd

Since his debut as the second Robin in 1983, Jason Todd has taken on the roles of hero, villain, and anti-hero. His wavering morale has often put him at odds with the other members of the bat family, particularly the other Robins.

One of the biggest disagreements Jason had with Dick Grayson happened nightwing#118 During DC’s One Year Later event, Grayson arrived in New York and discovered that Todd embodied Grayson’s Nightwing persona. A vicious battle and a tentacle monster later, Grayson emerged as the one and only Nightwing.

8/10 Mirage posed as Starfire

Team Titans #2 by Marv Wolfman and Kevin Maguire

Miriam Delgado, also known as Mirage, accompanied her fellow Titans as they traveled back in time to kill Donna Troy before she could give birth to Lord Chaos. Mirage’s powers involved the use of psionic mirages to disguise her appearance.

When she arrived in the New Teen Titans timeline, Mirage used her powers to impersonate Starfire to get close to Nightwing and she used her disguise to trick Grayson into sleeping with her. Although Mirage and her team never managed to kill Donna Troy, Mirage’s injury to Dick and Kory made it impossible for the team to truly trust her.

7/10 Prometheus killed Retro and stole his identity

New Year’s Evil: Prometheus by Grant Morrison and Arnie Jorgensen

Prometheus’ origin as a supervillain was watching his delinquent parents get killed by cops. The decisive event turned Prometheus against any form of justice. Armed with a helmet that allowed him to download anyone’s skills and knowledge into his head, Prometheus was determined to use that ability to destroy the Justice League.

As he began his plan to take down the Justice League, Prometheus kidnapped Retro, a new hero who had won the right to visit JLA HQ. Prometheus killed Retro pretending to be him to infiltrate the League.

6/10 Match pretended to be Superboy to break up young justice

Superboy Vol. 4 #74 by Karl Kessel and Tom Grummett

Kon-El, also known as Superboy, is a clone of Superman and Lex Luthor. The secret organization known as Agenda created Match from a sample of Kon-El’s DNA. When the Agenda decided to fight against the existence of young heroes, the organization used Match to take Kon-El’s place in Young Justice.

The goal of Match in Young Justice was to drive a wedge into the team and cause it to fall apart due to internal struggles. Match almost succeeded and his plan was only stopped because the real Superboy showed up to stop him.

5/10 Hank Henshaw tried to destroy Superman’s legacy

Superman Volume 2 #78 by Dan Jurgens

Hank Henshaw was exposed to cosmic rays that completely destroyed his physical body. Henshaw’s consciousness was first transferred into LexCorp’s mainframe and later into Superman’s Birth Matrix. While stuck without a physical body, Henshaw began to blame Superman for his tragic situation.

After Superman’s death by Doomsday, Henshaw constructed a cybernetic body that allowed him to pose as the man of tomorrow. His mimicry was a desperate attempt to destroy Superman’s reputation and Henshaw was able to decimate Coast City and almost succeeded in sending a second warhead into Metropolis. The plan was foiled by Supergirl, John Henry Irons, and a newly resurrected Superman.

4/10 Hush used his surgical skills to give himself Bruce Wayne’s face

Batman RIP Heart of Hush by Paul Dini and Dustin Nguyen

Thomas “Tommy” Elliot spent his childhood as a deeply troubled friend of Bruce Wayne. While both were children of wealthy parents, Elliot actively attempted to kill his own parents. When Thomas Wayne saved Tommy’s mother’s life, Tommy began a life of hating the Waynes.

After teaming up with the Riddler and learning Batman’s true identity, Tommy became the supervillain Hush. Tommy planned to take on Bruce’s identity and performed cosmetic surgery on himself so that his face exactly matched Bruce Wayne’s. Hush attempted to impersonate Bruce Wayne several times, but was foiled each time by Batman or one of his allies.

3/10 Deathstroke embodied Batman

Outsiders Vol. 3 #21 by Judd Winick and Carlos D’Anda

After the death of Donna Troy, the Titans disbanded. Nightwing and Arsenal eventually formed a new version of The Outsiders along with teammates like Grace Choi and Thunder. Soon after, Arsenal began receiving information about criminal activity from what he believed to be Batman.

However, it turned out that the “Batman” Harper had interacted with was actually Deathstroke. This led to a fight between Arsenal and Deathstroke, where Arsenal only escaped because Deathstroke saw the hero’s old gunshot wounds from their previous fights.

2/10 Clayface teamed up with Hush to impersonate Jason Todd

Batman: Hush by Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee

in the Batman: Hush, Tommy Elliot has teamed up with Clayface disguised as Jason Todd. While Jason Todd later attained a more villainous status, he was only remembered as a dead Robin at the time. He was without a doubt a hero who had died in the line of duty.

Clayface’s disguise as Jason worked for a time, and Batman chased the fake Jason around town. Eventually, Batman realized that Clayface wasn’t Jason. Further retcons would also involve a resurrected Jason Todd, but the original Hush storyline was entirely Clayface’s act of deception.

1/10 Eobard Thawne fooled everyone into believing he was Barry Allen

Flash: The Return of Barry Allen by Mark Waid and Greg LaRocque

After Barry Allen’s death in Crisis on Infinite Earths, Wally West took over the mantle of the main flash. Years later, Wally got the shock of his life when Barry Allen showed up on his doorstep one Christmas morning.

But this resurrected Barry Allen was more violent and cruel than the one Wally remembered. Over time, Wally realizes that “Barry” is actually Eobard Thawne, aka Reverse-Flash. With the help of Jay Garrick, Johnny Quick and Max Mercury, Wally put an end to Thawne’s impersonation.

Ahasessiondailynews.com – There’s no shortage of iconic DC superheroes, but Batman’s notoriety has endured for more than 80 years and he remains one of the biggest names in the medium. There is a certain simplicity to Batman’s backstory and abilities that have made him a character that has received numerous interpretations over the years.

DC’s Dark Knight also has one of the most creative rogue galleries in comics, many as famous as Gotham’s greatest protector. Villains like the Joker and Catwoman have been the focus of their own films, but there are hordes of lesser-notable DC Comics menaces that embarrass malevolence and should be forgotten.

10/10 Penny Plunderer’s crimes don’t think big

First Appearance: World’s Finest Comics #30 (1947) by Bill Finger, Bob Kane & Ray Burnley

Comic series take time to get a foothold and figure out what types of villains work best for their heroes and audiences. Joe “Penny Plunderer” Coyne is a cranky Batman antagonist who shows up World’s #30 Best Comics and unlikely to find its way into Matt Reeves’ next Batman film.

Penny Plunderer stays true to his name, and he’s a villain interested only in stealing pennies, a crime that rarely even registers on Batman’s radar. Perhaps a modern update can at least upgrade him to Quarter Catcher.

9/10 Doodlebug’s deadly art finds no audience

First Appearance: Arkham Asylum: Living Hell #1 (2003) by Dan Slott, Ryan Sook & Leigh Loughridge

Daedalus Boch, also known as Doodlebug, is more of a meandering nuisance than a real threat. Boch is gifted, or perhaps cursed, with a connection to arcane arts, which become his muse and fill his head with prophetic visions.

Doodlebug is compelled to bring these prophecies to life on any canvas he can find, even if it’s a person. It feels like it was this gritty human screen concept that led to Doodlebug’s creation. It’s not enough, however, and Boch doesn’t have enough character to achieve all of this.

8/10 Amygdala’s lack of brain matter makes him a macho menace

First Appearance: Batman: Shadow Of The Bat #3 (1992) directed by Alan Grant, Norm Breyfogle & Adrienne Roy

Amygdala is a dangerous Batman villain whose name indicates that he lacks this emotional part of his brain. Accordingly, the amygdala can feel severe pain and is prone to aggressive and strong outbursts. It’s an odd idea that doesn’t have many places to go.

Amygdala has returned in small roles over the years, whether as a member of the Secret Society of Super Villains or as a friend of Nightwing, but he never achieved a lasting legacy. His condition and powers are better represented by more memorable villains.

7/10 Paul Dekker’s Crazy Quilt has a dangerous rage that transcends his style

First Appearance: Blackhawk #180 (1963) by Dick Dillin & Chuck Cuidera

Crazy Quilt’s Paul Dekker is actually quite a tragic story. A blinded criminal volunteers for an experimental technology that restores his sight but expresses the world through vivid colors that slowly unravel Dekker’s mind. Dekker has a frightening rage that almost takes Jason Todd’s life, leaving fans who remember Crazy Quilt infuriated at the character.

A female version of Crazy Quilt has recently appeared and uses the same mind control technology as its predecessor. Crazy Quilt II isn’t a huge improvement, but it’s a little more memorable and has also managed to help the Secret Society of Super Villains, but also the Suicide Squad.

6/10 Eraser removes evidence from crime scenes for a bounty cut

First Appearance: Batman #188 (1966) by John Broome, Sheldon Moldoff & Joe Giella

The Eraser doesn’t have a long history of terrorizing Gotham and his signature looks Batman #188 is widely regarded as one of the superhero’s worst episodes. The Eraser feels more like some sort of government tax write-off than a villain in its own right.

Disguised as a large pencil, the Eraser promises to erase all clues at a crime scene for a 20% reduction in his loot. Funnily enough, the Eraser’s real name, Lenny Fiasco, is way cooler than his villainous alter ego. Fiasco’s evil intentions stem from Bruce Wayne getting in the way of his college romance.

5/10 Bookworm uses classic literature to inspire his evil

First Appearance: Batman TV Series (1966)

Some of Batman’s worst villains get at least points for originality, but the bookworm preaches the opposite ideal. He is a failed novelist who decides to turn to a life of crime, where his crimes are inspired by famous works of literature rather than coming up with ideas of his own. It’s the sort of motif that feels more appropriate for a clunky 2000s serial killer movie.

The bookworm has made its way into several Batman comics, but its origins actually lie in Adam West’s 1960s live-action TV show. It should perhaps come as no surprise that the character is more combative than criminal.

4/10 The whole identity of the watch is based on a shoddy idea

First Appearance: Detective Comics #265 (1959) by Bill Finger, Sheldon Moldoff & Charles Paris

“Slugsy” Kyle actually serves the distinction of being the first criminal Batman catches and sends to prison. Kyle doesn’t turn a new leaf during his incarceration, instead developing an obsession with watches as a tongue-in-cheek revenge on Batman for making him “do time”.

Kyle becomes The Clock, who decides to bomb a clock dedicated to Batman and steal clock screws, all of which are low-level villains. Even if the watch somehow became a formidable foe in Batman’s rogue’s gallery, he would still pale in comparison to the watch king. The Caped Crusader really doesn’t need two clock-based villains.

3/10 Doctor Double X proves that two heads aren’t always better than one

First Appearance: Detective Comics #261 (1958) by Dave Wood, Sheldon Moldoff & Charles Paris

Doctor Simon Ecks develops a principle that allows him to separate his aura into a separate entity imbued with superpowers. Ecks creates this duplicate, Doctor Double X, and the two work together to commit crimes.

That could be powerful technology in the wrong hands, but Ecks and his double keep blowing their chances and losing track of each other in the process. Audiences shouldn’t expect Doctor Double X to appear any time soon, but the supervillain has also accepted his own mediocrity and being viewed as a bygone.

2/10 Colonel Blimp plays like a proud parody

First Appearance: Batman #352 (1982) directed by Paul Kupperberg, Gerry Conway, Don Newton, John Calnan & Carl Gafford

Colonel Blimp is an outlier on the Batman timeline that acts as an inside joke for die-hard fans. Horatio Blimp is a wildly cartoonish character who operates with delusions of selfish grandeur and an impractical fleet of airships as his primary means of attack.

Colonel Blimp never gets very far in his efforts against Batman, and his performances mostly poke fun at his stormy bravery. The whole character is meant to be a heightened update to Carl Kruger and the Scarlet Horde Detective Comics #33.

1/10 The calculator’s outdated ideas and clothing make him a laughing stock

First Appearance: Detective Comics #463 (1976) by Bob Rosakis, Mike Grell & Terry Austin

Calculator is an obscure Batman villain who has built his entire routine around a legal loophole where he can’t be caught twice by the same superhero. He’s been knocked out by Batman, but also by other DC do-gooders like Green Arrow, Black Canary, and Hawkman.

Calculator doesn’t have any special powers to speak of, but his calculator costume definitely makes a statement. Calculator managed to open a new leaf Postcrisis as one of the biggest informants for Gotham’s criminal underworld, but most importantly, he’s also ditched the kitschy costume.