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Batman has been fighting crime in the pages of DC Comics for over 80 years. During his impressive tenure, he's fought a huge variety of villains. Even though Batman is the star of his comics, many of these villains have become just as popular as him. Batman villains like the Joker may be irredeemable, but there's also a fair share of Batman villains who are good people stuck in bad circumstances.
Over Batman's long history, readers have seen stories where these villains fight for the side of good, if only temporarily. Fans are quick to notice when these characters work better as heroes than villains. It would be great for DC to make the same observation and transform those villains into full-time heroes.
10 Jason Todd Is Dedicated To Bringing Justice
As the Red Hood, Jason Todd oscillated between good and bad since his resurrection. In Grant Morrison's run on Batman and Robin, Red Hood was decidedly villainous. However, in the New 52, Red Hood and The Outlaws depicted Jason trying to better himself and be a hero.
Despite making some terrible decisions as Red Hood, Jason is dedicated to fighting for justice. By keeping his character a hero, DC would be able to address complex questions about what a hero should and shouldn't be allowed to do in pursuit of justice. It would also open the door for more great stories involving his Bat Family members, like Nightwing's 2021 annual issue.
9 Harley Quinn Has Come A Long Way
DC's Infinite Frontier relaunch saw Harley Quinn return to Gotham City as a full-fledged hero. While she still had some bad habits to break, she'd come a long way from her villainous origins and her ties to the Joker. She became a character who connected with many readers.
Harley is an abuse survivor, a proud bisexual, and an independent woman. Allowing this character to backslide into villainy, especially if it brings back her relationship with the Joker, will be a terrible mistake for DC to make. Harley has earned her place as a hero, even if she's a flawed one.
8 Mr. Freeze Wanted To Cure His Wife
When Mr. Freeze first appeared as Mr. Zero in Batman #121 back in the 1950s, he was depicted as an uncomplicated villain. That version of the character endured for a long time until Batman the Animated Series updated Mr. Freeze, revealing he'd turned to crime to cure his terminally ill wife.
In Mister Freeze's most recent appearance, Batman cryogenically froze him following a fight with Freeze's now cured wife Nora, who became a super villain herself. Mr. Freeze put in years of hard work for a good cause, only to have it blow up in his face. It's time he got to apply his good intentions and skills for the betterment of the world.
7 Anarky Had Heroic Motivations Early On
Anarky, like the political philosophy he's named for, is an often misunderstood character. Some stories, like 2018's Red Hood vs. Anarky one-shot, deliver a despicable version of the character. However, when in the correct hands, Anarky presents many opportunities for interesting ideas.
Originally, Anarky's motivations were heroic, even if his methods were questionable. He followed his beliefs as opposed to the law, making him a foil to Batman who often worked with authorities. Keeping this character a complicated anti-hero, instead of turning him into a straw man villain, could allow for more mature discussions about crime-fighting practices.
6 Kite Man Worked With Batman To Take Down The Riddler
Charles Brown has a similar origin to Batman himself. During the "War of Jokes and Riddles" storyline, the Riddler poisons and kills Chuck's son, leading Brown to take up the Kite Man mantle in an effort to avenge his son's death. This story ultimately depicted Kite Man working with Batman to help defeat the Riddler and his followers.
This version of Kite Man seems perfectly suited to be taken under Batman's wing and help fight crime in Gotham. This redemption arc would leave fans shouting Chuck's catchphrase: "Kite Man, hell yeah!"
5 Poison Ivy Fights For The Earth
As time goes on, it gets harder and harder to root against Poison Ivy's fight for the environment. Couple this with her more sympathetic depictions in recent comics like Heroes in Crisis, and it really seems time to just let Pamela be her best self.
Poison Ivy has an interesting power set that could create intriguing storylines. There's a lot of potential in a hero who can brainwash bad guys or beat them down with powerful plants. There's also no shortage of villains she'll have good reasons to stop, and she'd likely have some choice words for Firefly.
4 Clayface Became A Relatable Hero
At the beginning of DC Rebirth, readers probably didn't expect Clayface to be chosen for a redemption arc. Even as it started happening, fans remained skeptical. However, Basil Karlo's turn around from tragic villain to hero working with Batman proved to be a very engaging story.
Clayface initially turned into his monstrous form by using too much of a substance he thought would help his career. While he began acting as a hero with Batman's help, he still had much to atone for and still made mistakes. All these elements made Clayface a more relatable hero, and it would be a shame for him to fully revert to a one-note villain.
3 Man-Bat Had A Desire To Help Others
Kirk Langstrom is one of many Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde-inspired comic book villains, having accidentally turned himself into a bat monster using a serum he created. What makes Man-Bat interesting is that he can actually retain a certain level of control while in his monstrous form if he doesn't stay in it too long.
Kirk was initially a scientist trying to help people, and it only makes sense he would still have those ideals even after becoming Man-Bat. By allowing Man-Bat to be a hero, DC could tell suspenseful stories where the well-intentioned hero would have to manage his stronger impulses, similar to The Hulk.
2 Talon (Calvin Rose) Has Risen Above His Past
Calvin Rose was raised from a young age to be one of the Court of Owls' killer Talons. He ran away from the Court after being asked to kill an innocent woman and her young child. Since then, this version of Talon has been a hero, helping people around Gotham City.
Calvin Rose's Talon is a great example that a person can be better than they were raised to be and can improve on the mistakes of the past. If DC makes Calvin a villain, it will hurt his character and the message he represents.
1 Catwoman
Selina Kyle has been reformed for so long at this point, it almost seems strange she was ever a Batman villain. The last purely villainous depiction of Selina comes in the 1970s during the Silver Age of comics. Since then, she's been either a sympathetic villain, an anti-hero, or a genuine hero.
Catwoman turning back into a villain at this stage in her journey wouldn't really make sense for her character, especially when she has such close connections with Batman and his allies. Maintaining Selina's reputation as a hero or occasional anti-hero seems remains a great way to respect her character's long history.