1. The Joker
FIRST APPEARANCE: BATMAN #1 (1940) Here at What Culture we love The Joker. What self-respecting comic book fan doesn't? Really? Anybody? Single-handedly responsible for almost all of the bad things that have ever befallen Bruce Wayne - including the death of the second Robin, Jason Todd and paralysing Barbara Gordon - The Joker first appeared way back in 1940 and was created by Bob Kane, Bill Finger and Jerry Robinson. His origins have never been all that clear, but he is most commonly believed to have been a petty criminal by the name of The Red Hood who was left hideously disfigured after an impromptu swim in a bath vat of toxic waste. Over the years The Joker has been depicted most successfully as a homicidal maniac, who despite the ridiculous body count he has amassed over the years (over 2000 men, women and children) has avoided having his own life ended by the system he opposes due to his apparent"insanity". But Arkham Asylum isn't strong enough to hold a villain like The Joker as seen by his countless escapes, and it isn't long before the streets of Gotham run red with blood and laughter. He has no super powers and yet he remains one of, if not the most dangerous and dastardly foe of The Dark Knight - his polar opposite. Where villains like Magneto or Lex Luthor fall flat in comparison is The Joker's ability to get the upper hand over Batman time after time with his personality alone. His unpredictable and homicidal nature makes him one of the most feared super villains in the entire DC Universe as well as the whole of comics. Simply put, The Joker is just plain terrifying and we love him for it.