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UPDATE: We’ve taken your comments into consideration and updated the field with 10 new contenders! We”ll be finalizing the list over the weekend, so if you haven’t made your voice heard… now is the time! Check out the additions at the bottom. And if this is your first time seeing this, keep reading and get in on it!
We’re getting down to the end of college basketball season in America. And that must mean one of our most popular events here at the store makes its triumphant return. Yes, it’s coming… COSMIC MADNESS 2012!
Not unlike the NCAA Basketball Tournament, there are 64 contenders in Cosmic Madness. In our first year, through your votes on the website, we determined that Batman was the greatest superhero ever. Yes EVER. Last year, we determined that the Justice League of America was the greatest superhero team ever.
With last year’s tourney, we also gave you the opportunity to fill out your own bracket with who you thought the winners would be. In the end, victory went to Cosmic Comix Conversation panelist Andy K! And we’ll definitely be doing that again this year.
But first things first! We’ve done best superhero, we’ve done best superhero team… What could we possibly be wondering this year? Well, in the year 2012 we want to know the following: Who is the greatest villain ever??
Once again, the contenders will have to face off against each other over a series of "games" with the winner of each game being determined by your votes on the website! As for the players themselves? We’ve got a pretty good list going, with many of the biggest bads to ever hit the four-color medium lining up to face off against each other. Joker, Magneto, Galactus, Kingpin. Sure, those are all gimmes, and we’ve got 44 of them. And now we’re giving you the chance to help pick the remaining 20! Check out who we’ve got so far (in alphabetical order):
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NEW ADDITIONS:
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* Yes, we did ultimately decide to include Gepetto, Cobra Commander and Megatron, even though they didn’t originate in comics. The simple fact is, each character has had a significant impact on their respective series and on comics as a whole.
But that’s still only 54.. and we need 64! Who’s missing? Post your thoughts in the comments below! And get ready for COSMIC MADNESS 2012!!
How about Shredder?
Shredder is a good call and he definitely counts as an original comic book villain! He also illustrates how tough it is to come up with quality non-Marvel, non-DC villains. He’s one of the proud few!
The first few that come to mind are Vandal Savage, Kang/Immortus, Baron Zemo, and Ultron.
Dark Phoenix…..no explanation needed.
We did consider Dark Phoenix, but ultimately rejected the idea because of its status as an “entity.” Much like Parallax. So if you think Dark Phoenix should be included… speak now or forever hold your peace!
I almost feel like you have to seperate Norman Osborn from Green Goblin. Norman has been such a force just as himself these last few years he kind of reinvented himself as a seperate villain. I’m hoping for a Marvel win this year since the winners came from DC the last two years.
We talked about splitting Norman Osborn and Green Goblin, but we thought that if you split them they’d probably lose. Listed together they’re a bit more formidable. Any other opinions on the Norman Osborn/Green Goblin Conundrum?
I think you need a bracket where Batman’s villains face-off against Spider-man’s, since there are so many of each. Also, what about The Four from Planetary? Rasputin from Hellboy? Generic Lovecraftian monsters from everything from BPRD to the recent Secret Avengers?
And most importantly, Nazis! How can you have a villain list without everyone’s go to bad guys?
Is there any question that Joker wins this? I’m not saying he should, but given the last two years he’s certainly the prohibitive favorite.
How about Kang the conqueror or Carnage?
Nazis have definitely been a force in comics over the years… BUT one of our rules is that the character(s) must have originated in the comic book medium.
Shouldnt that rule disqualify Harley Quinn?
Well played! But we will actually be enacting the Harley Quinn Exception. =]
Cobra Commander (GI Joe!!!) and the Plutonian (Irredeemable). My vote is Dr. Doom all the way!
Sadly, we have to reject Cobra Commander on the Not Originally a Comic Book Character qualification. Though Plutonian’s an interesting pick!
How about Lizard, Onslaught, Violator, Scarecrow or The Sentinals?
Some excellent suggestions so far, including a couple different voices in the Kang choir. He might just find his way into the tournament. Keep ‘em coming!
I know he’s not a classic villain, but what about The Governor from Walking Dead? He was pretty despicable. Also, Grendel?
The Jackal perhaps? Dr. Warren has been quite vexing over the years.
Personally I would love to see villains like cobra commander or megatron get their shot.
Also as a sidenote, where are the non mainstream villains? Perhaps Gepetto of fables lore?
I think you need a bracket for non-comics comic book villains. That way Gepetto, Cobra Commander, and Nazis all get their due.
Deadshot, Catman, Ragdoll, King Shark, we need the rest of the Secret Six to be represented!
Joker wins.
Yes, yes he does.
Joker wins? Maybe! He will of course be a very high seed but your votes will determine the winner! And you don’t have to vote for the Joker if you don’t want to. Plus, you will have the opportunity to fill out your very own brackets for the chance to win valuable prizes and ever lasting glory! So if you think the Joker is going to win I suggest you make sure to write his name down whenever possible. – Rusty
Red Mist (Kick Ass,) Lono (100 Bullets,) Ozymandias (Watchmen) and Veranke aka The Skrull Queen (Secret Invasion) should all be considered. Red Mist because anyone that creates a supervillain army, kills his archnemesis’ father and blows up every comic book store in New York is an evil dude (just don’t call him by his current name haha.) Lono because he is the only character in that series that I believe is a true villain, as he was willing to backstab and kill anyone to satisfy his goals and desires. Some of the stuff he did in that book is ridiculous. Ozymandias because of not only how he calucuated and formed his plan, but also talked those that were trying to stop him into it (except for Rorschach) after betraying them and using them as pawns. And finally Veranke because anyone that infiltrates the Avengers and plans a massive, full scale Invasion of earth that almost works is on par with some great villains. Just some thoughts.
I second the vote for Baron Zemo. I’d also suggest the following villains:
1. The Leader
2. Doctor Bong
3. Abomination
4. Super Skrull
5. Annihilus
6. Hobgoblin
7. Taskmaster
8. Justin Hammer
9. Absorbing Man
10. Baron Karza*
11. Big Wheel
12. Dracula*
13. Parallax
I also don’t think Galactus is really a villain…
What about Herr Starr from Preacher? Or Mystique? Max Lord? And I second including the rest of the Secret Six, especially Catman.
How about either Hugo Strange or Mr. Zratz? I know that the list is sort of heavy on Batman’s rogue’s gallery, but it is one of the best in the business. That, and these guys got some good mainstream run in the ARKHAM CITY game.
Oh, and also could include Thragg, the leader of the Viltrumites. Even though he ended the war, you know he will be planning something in the future.
Here’s some:
Killer Frost
Circe
Brother Blood
Amazo
Felix Faust
Queen Bee
Kanjar Ro
T.O. Morrow
The Key
Professor Ivo
Ultron
King Pin
Dr. Octopus
Enchantress
Mister Sinister
Shadow King
Loki, Death, lucifer, Darth Vader, Thoth-Amon,
Opps Loki already in….and i guess Lucifer is Mephisto
Bastion http://marvel.wikia.com/Bastion_(Earth-616)
Selene http://marvel.wikia.com/Selene_Gallio_(Earth-616)
D’Ken Neramani http://marvel.wikia.com/D%27Ken_Neramani_(Earth-616)
The Zombified Sentry http://marvel.wikia.com/Robert_Reynolds_(Earth-91126)
He infected a few superheroes on Earth 2149, which led to the entire Earth being eaten/zombified.
Astro City has some good villains as does top 10
The leader from the incredible hulk, m.o.d.o.k.,
The phalanx
Stryfe, cyborg superman, krono? The blue guy from the green lantern corps
Kid Miracleman for sure.
Baron Zemo II
The Saint of Killers
M.O.D.O.K.
Dark Phoenix
Lucifer (Vertigo)
Rasputin (Hellboy)
How could I forget? How can you make a list like this and not immediately add Matt Wagner’s Grendel. For shame.