Superhero TV villains are some of the most interesting and captivating characters in a show. It is interesting to see how they turn over to the dark side and then unleash their cruelty. However, looking at them from afar is the best as it is deadly if anyone ever crosses paths with them and become their targets. From psychological manipulation to pure destruction, here are 10 superhero TV villains that are deadly and ferocious.
Agatha Harkness, Lex Luthor, and other terrifying superhero TV villains
1. Wilson Fisk/Kingpin – Daredevil

Based on the Marvel comics character, this superhero series is created by Drew Goddard and is set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). The show is about Matt Murdock or the Daredevil, who is a blind lawyer by day and a masked vigilante by night who fights crime. However, one of the most notorious superhero TV villains in the show is Wilson Fisk or the Kingpin, played by Vincent D’Onofrio. Fisk is a businessman and a powerful crime lord who is one of the arch nemeses of Daredevil. The character is not someone you want to cross as he is a force of nature. Not just his physical strength, but also his intellect is sharp and cunning. Further, he does not believe in lashing out blindly, but manipulates the police force and the politicians to rule the city. The worst part is that he believes in the chaos he causes to be his moral duty. Therefore, when he does explode, he causes havoc over the entire city. Shrewd, cold, and calculating, he is one of the most enigmatic and intimidating superhero TV villains.
2. Homelander – The Boys

There is nothing worse than a wolf in a sheep’s clothing and that is exactly what Homelander does. Developed by Eric Kripke and based on the comic book of the same name by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson, this satirical superhero drama turns the superhero genre upside down. The superheroes in the show portray themselves as heroes to the people, but actually work for a powerful company and are more interested in their selfish gains. Played by Antony Starr, Homelander is the leader of these selfish superheroes with no moral compasses. He is like an apex predator who can catch and finish anyone at a moment’s notice and therefore it is better not to cross him. One of the most terrifying superhero TV villains, he has zero empathy and has dangerous powers like laser vision and flying at supersonic speeds. He thinks of himself as a God and worse, he performs sadistic acts with a smile as he loves to punish and needs validation. Emotionally unstable, Homelander is merciless, unstoppable, and can finish anyone who becomes his target and threatens his public image. Therefore, he is one of those superhero TV villains one should be wary of.
3. Kilgrave – Jessica Jones

Based on the Marvel comics character of the same name, this superhero series is created by Melissa Rosenberg and is set in the MCU. The show is about Jessica Jones, who is an ex-superhero, who has turned into a private investigator and opens her own detective agency. However, her past still haunts her. One of the most enigmatic superhero TV villains in the series is the character of Kilgrave, played by David Tennant. He is intimidating because he can control minds through his voice and removes any sense of agency from his victims. He can therefore violate anyone and render them helpless. Psychological torment is his true power and he wants control and devotion, both. The worst part is that he does not see himself as a villain but as someone who is misunderstood, even if he has forced people to kill their families. He is one of the deadliest superhero TV villains as he is obsessed with Jessica Jones and does not have any empathy. Kilgrave is narcissistic and manipulative and therefore no one should cross him.
4. Reverse-Flash/Eobard Thawne – The Flash

One of the deadliest superhero TV villains are those who start off as good people and then turn into villains. Now, there is no stopping them. One such character is Reverse-Flash or Eobard Thawne, played by Matt Letscher. Based on the DC comics character, this superhero series is developed by Greg Berlanti, Andrew Kreisberg, and Geoff Johns. The show is about Barry Allen, who is a crime scene investigator and he gains super-human speed, which he uses to fight criminals as the Flash. One of the arch nemeses in the show is Thawne, who was originally a fan of Flash but became envious and full of vengeance. Thawne is one of the most intimidating superhero TV villains as he has a time-travelling obsession and cunning intellect. As the Reverse-Flash, he not just kills, but erases. He knows how to manipulate timelines and is cruel towards his enemies with a cold and calculating approach. Always a few steps ahead and wearing a ruthless smile on his face, he is not someone you want to cross.
5. Slade Wilson/Deathstroke – Arrow

Based on the DC comics character, this superhero series is developed by Greg Berlanti, Marc Guggenheim, and Andrew Kreisberg. The show is about a billionaire Oliver Queen, who spends five years on a mysterious island after a shipwreck and comes back to Starling City with a host of superpowers. Queen decides to fight crime as a secret vigilante with the help of a bow and arrow and is called Arrow. One of the main villains of Arrow is Slade Wilson’s alter ego, Deathstroke, who is one of the most terrifying superhero TV villains. Even though he was close to Arrow earlier, he becomes a revenge-obsessed assassin after losing the woman he loves. Played by Manu Bennett, Deathstroke gets injected with a serum that gives him superhuman strength and he becomes a deadly fighter. Wilson or Deathstroke does not kill brutally, but slowly and methodically. Obsessed with revenge, he shatters the world around his targets and then weakens them. It is best not to cross him as Deathstroke is not just a villain, but also a warrior and can easily stab someone in the back without any regrets.
6. Lex Luthor – Superman and Lois

Developed by Greg Berlanti and Todd Helbing, this superhero drama series is based on the DC comics characters created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. The movie is about the adventures and ups and downs that Superman and Lois Lane face in their lives. One of the most interesting superhero TV villains however, is Lex Luthor, played by Michael Cudlitz. Luthor is a business mogul who wants revenge from Lois and her family. He is rageful yet has clarity. He truly believes that the world would be better without Superman and even though he has no superpowers, it is his influence and prestige that makes him deadly. His wealth grants him global influence and he can manipulate entire institutions. One of the most unsettling parts about his personality is that his every appearance holds a secret. From psychological tactics to legal troubles, he can bury his victims coldly and swiftly. Therefore, he is one of those superhero TV villains one needs to watch out for.
7. Cameron Mahkent/Icicle – Stargirl

Created by Geoff Johns and based on the DC comics superhero, this superhero show focuses on the adventures of high school student Courtney Whitmore or Stargirl. However, one of the most enigmatic superhero TV villains in the show is Cameron Mahkent or Icicle. Played by Hunter Sansone, Icicle is the embodiment of evil as he is a grieving father and he uses his pain to become a cold-hearted killer. It is better not to cross him as he has immense powers that can instantly freeze anyone or anything. Further, Icicle sees himself as a savior and is convinced that radicalism is the only way to peace. On the outside, he is calm and charming. But on the inside, he is planning his next evil plot and is ready to generate sub-zero blasts at anyone. He is calculated in his cruelty and in the show, he wants to rebuild his image, even if it means killing thousands. Therefore, he is one of the scariest superhero TV villains and no one should mess with him.
8. Agatha Harkness – WandaVision

Based on the Marvel comics characters, this superhero miniseries is created by Jac Schaeffer and is the first TV show in the MCU. The show focuses on Wanda Maximoff and Vision, who live in a suburban town of New Jersey. However, their reality starts to move through different decades of sitcom homages and TV tropes. One of the most interesting superhero TV villains in the series is Agatha Harkness, played by Kathryn Hahn. Knowledge is her most powerful weapon and she does not need brute force. As a witch, she has a wicked sense of humor and can manipulate anyone. She is a vengeful sorceress who feeds on magic and memories. Therefore, she feeds on the power of others and leaves them hollow. Therefore, it is better not to cross her. In the show, she toys with Wanda and brings back her trauma, making her question herself. Further, she believes in psychological manipulation and therefore, her cruelty is subtle. Therefore, she is one of the most dangerous superhero TV villains and crossing her is a sure shot death sentence.
9. Shadow King/Amahl Farouk – Legion

Created by Noah Hawley and based on the Marvel comics character of the same name, this superhero series is about David Haller, who is a mutant with schizophrenia. The series is about Haller trying to control his mutant powers and other evil forces as they try to control Haller’s powers. One of the most unique superhero TV villains is Shadow King or Amahl Farouk as he is less of a villain and more of an invasion. He feeds on fear and infects minds like a parasite. In the show, he takes root in the mind of Haller and begins to manipulate his every thought while hiding himself well. Therefore, he is one of the most insidious superhero TV villains. His true form is grotesque and the worst part is that he steals your sanity and your sense of self. The Shadow King is a haunting figure and he therefore lingers instead of dominating. From altering memories to reshaping realities, he is the most cunning of them all. Crossing him is the worst as one wouldn’t even know when their downfall has begun.
10. Talos the Untamed/Brother Blood – Titans

Based on the DC comics superhero team, Teen Titans, this superhero series is created by Akiva Goldsman, Geoff Johns, and Greg Berlanti. The show is about a group of young superheroes who must join forces and fight against evil and otherworldly threats. One of the superhero TV villains in the show is Sebastian Sanger, who transforms into Brother Blood. His villain arc is unsettling as he is a shy and troubled man who hides a dark prophecy about demonic manipulation and inherited chaos. As the Brother Blood, the character becomes a conduit for the ancient demon Trigon’s power and can cause terrifying, reality-bending spells. Talos is truly the untamed as he quickly transforms from a victim to an executioner. He slaughters, revels in death, and is therefore one of the most haunting and unpredictable superhero TV villains. In order to fulfill the divine plan, he stops at nothing and therefore it is best not to cross him.