10 Comics Villains Who Had The Best Debuts

10. Ra's Al Ghul

Created by Julius Schwartz, Dennis O'Neil, and Neal Adams, Batman #232 saw the debut of Ra's Al Ghul.

With Robin captured and being held as bait, Bruce Wayne sets out to find him. When he returns to the Bat-Cave, having previously vacated Wayne manor, he is surprised to find Ra's al Ghul waiting for him with a story of how his daughter has been kidnapped as well. Together, the two journey to Calcutta, where they come face to face with the Brotherhood of the Demon.

All is not as it seems, however, and Batman uncovers the truth that it's all an elaborate ruse to see if he is fit enough to take Talia as a wife and lead the League.

Considering how important Ra's al Ghul is to Batman's world, it is fitting that his debut sets his character up perfectly. Cold and calculating, his Machiavellian plot to test the Dark Knight's suitability as an heir and a future son in law lays out the dynamic that the two are still using even to this day.

One of the few members of his rogues' gallery that are his equal both mentally and physically, al Ghul's first trial for Bruce is easily his best.