Created by Garnder Fox in 1960, the Justice League made their comic book debut in The Brave and the Bold #28. The founding members included Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman, Green Lantern, The Flash, Aquaman, and Martian Manhunter – those heroes would remain some of the most prominent members of the team.

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While the heroes who make up the Justice League are some of the greatest characters in fiction, the villains who posed a threat to the entire team became just as iconic. Some of the most powerful DC Comics villains challenged the League, including Vandal Savage, Darkseid, and the Anti-Monitor. They became some of the most memorable villains in comics because the combined efforts of the entire League were required to stop them.

10 Vandal Savage Is An Immortal Villain

DC Comics' Vandal Savage by artist David Finch

Vandal Savage first debuted in Green Lantern #10, but his Silver Age counterpart quickly became the entire Justice League's villain. Savage was originally a caveman who was exposed to a radioactive meteorite that gifted him with immortality. Over the course of humanity's history, Savage has amassed power, wealth, and knowledge, building an empire that he could use to rule the world.

Because of his immortality, Savage is one of the scariest villains in DC Comics. Savage has frequently fought heroes like Hawkman and Hawkgirl, who also possess some form of immortality due to reincarnation, and Doctor Fate, who he battled in Ancient Egypt.

9 Despero Deputed In Justice League of America #1

DC Comics' Despero battles the Justice League

Despero debuted in Justice League of America #1 in 1960 after challenging the Justice League, particularly the Flash, to a series of mental challenges. Despero is incredibly intelligent, using his powers of telekinesis and mind-control to dominate the League.

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After his initial defeat, he's reappeared many times in books like Justice League Europe and Justice League International. In the altered history of the New 52, Despero challenged the Justice League for the first time aboard their Watchtower. Since then, his comic book appearances have been few and far between, but he remains in the public eye thanks to recent appearances on The Flash TV series.

8 Starro Conquers Worlds

Starro on Superman's Face

Starro is actually the first villain the Justice League ever fought. Starro debuted alongside the team in The Brave and the Bold #28 in 1960. Starro the Conquerer is an alien starfish capable of controlling people's minds as long as it latches onto them and uses their bodies as hosts.

Starro comic book stories always play out like Invasion of the Body Snatchers, with armies of heroes and villains succumbing to its control. Starro has appeared in Justice League Europe, JLA/Avengers and played a big role in the famous Batman Beyond episode "The Call," where it controlled a future version of Superman and the League.

7 Eclipso Is The Manifestation Of God's Wrath

Eclipso rages in DC Comics

Eclipso may not sound incredibly threatening based on his name alone, but he is one of the most powerful Justice League villains of all time. Eclipso preceded the Spectre as the Wrath of God and Angel of Vengeance. Eclipso turned evil and was replaced by the more neutral Spectre.

Beyond super strength, speed, flight, and immortality, Eclipso possesses a wide array of magical abilities that basically make him a god. He first appeared in House of Secrets #61 and has since challenged the Justice League and Teen Titans in the "Countdown to Mystery" and "Rise of Eclipso" storylines.

6 The Royal Flush Gang Have Appeared Many Times

The Royal Flush Gang From DC Comics

The Royal Flush Gang is certainly far less imposing or powerful than other Justice League villains like Darkseid or Starro, but they are memorable and have appeared many times in DC Comics. They were one of the earliest villains the JLA had to fight, debuting in Justice League of America #43, created by Gardner Fox and Mike Sekowsky.

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The Royal Flush Gang is the title used by many criminal organizations and the team members are in constant flux. In other media, the team appeared in the DC Animated Universe and the cold-open for the Justice League: Doom animated movie.

5 The Crime Syndicate Is An Evil Justice League From Earth-3

An image of comic art depicting New 52 crime syndicate

The Crime Syndicate, which included Ultraman, Owlman, Superwoman, Power Ring, and Johnny Quick, was an evil version of the Justice League from an alternate universe. In Earth-3, the alignments of popular DC characters were reversed. Superman was the evil tyrant known as Ultraman, while Alexander Luthor Jr. was a hero.

The Crime Syndicate first appeared in Justice League of America #29 in 1964. They were the first "evil doppelgängers" of popular comic book characters, a concept that would be replicated hundreds of times in comics that followed. The Syndicate were the main antagonists of Grant Morrison's JLA: Earth-2 series and Geoff Johns's "Forever Evil" New 52 arc.

4 The Anti-Monitor Threatened The Multiverse

Anti-Monitor-Guardians-Sinestro-Corps

The Anti-Monitor has played large roles in some of DC Comics' biggest events. The Anti-Monitor was the keeper of the Anti-Matter Universe but attempted to take over DC's multiverse in Crisis on Infinite Earths. Through the combined efforts of DC's heroes from past, present, and future, he was defeated.

He later returned in Infinite Crisis, became Guardian of the Yellow Lanterns during "The Sinestro Corps War" Green Lantern event, and fueled the Black Lanterns of Death in Blackest Night. The Anti-Monitor is capable of devouring entire universes and his appearances in these events have made him one of the greatest villains in DC Comics.

3 Lex Luthor Is Much More Than Just A Superman Villain

Lex Luthor running for U.S. president, standing in front of the American flag in DC Comics

Lex Luthor may be more recognizable as a Superman villain, but he's posed a threat to the entire Justice League on many occasions, and he's been involved in some of the most popular DC Comics events. Luthor first premiered in Action Comics #23 and frequently teamed up with the Joker in the Silver Age before establishing his own team of villains called the Injustice Gang in Justice League of America #111.

Luthor is also usually depicted as the leader of the Legion of Doom. Luthor was President of the United States, placing bounties on Superman and Batman's heads, he gained an Orange Lantern ring of Greed in Blackest Night, and he even joined the Justice League after the events of "Forever Evil." Luthor is always trying to use the League to get what he wants, usually enlisting the aid of other supervillains.

2 The Legion Of Doom Is The Anti-Justice League

DC Comics' Legion of Doom by Alex Ross.

The Legion of Doom was originally created for the Challenge of the Superfriends animated series that was part of the Superfriends animation era that ran from 1973 to 1986. Lex Luthor led the team of villains which included Scarecrow, Solomon Grundy, Giganta, and more.

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Superboy Prime led a version of the team in Extreme Justice #16, while Lex Luthor and Joker led a Legion of Doom in Scott Snyder's Justice League ongoing series. While the comic book team of villains was normally referred to as the "Injustice Gang" or "Injustice League," the popularity of the Superfriends cartoons made "Legion of Doom" the more familiar title. DC's greatest villains have joined the Legion and proven that there is strength in numbers.

1 Darkseid Is A Recurring Threat To The Universe

Darkseid on his planet Apokolips

Created by the legendary Jack Kirby, Darkseid made his comic book debut in the final pages of Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #134. Darkseid is the ruler of Apokolips, a planet that engages in war with New Genesis. Both planets are homes to New Gods, beings with unimaginable powers who descended from the original gods of the universe.

Darkseid is one of the most powerful cosmic beings in the DC universe. His strength rivals Superman's and his Omega Beams can disintegrate foes in seconds. Darkseid is one of the most memorable Justice League villains thanks to his many antagonistic appearances in popular events like Final Crisis and "Darkseid War," and series like Superman/Batman and Infinite Frontier.

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