1) The Joker – Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight
For the sake of originality we would love to place someone else at the top of this list, but the thing is you just can’t argue with the facts. Heath Ledger’s incandescent turn as the Joker is unquestionably the greatest DC movie villain. And we suspect he will remain so for a long time to come.
One of those rare performances that isn’t quite like anything else you’ve seen, Ledger’s much-discussed influences and preparatory practises made his Joker something unique. The script work and costume design are also terrific. On the outside, he’s a washed-out creepy clown from your childhood nightmares, while his acts of thoughtless terrorism and moral dilemmas are enough to chill your adult mind, too. At once, the character is the most disturbing and enticing comic book movie villain ever.