There aren’t many heroes who shine brighter than the stars of theDC Universe, unleashing gods, aliens, warriors, magic-wielders, and more for almost a century. But the villains are just as strong, just as powerful, and based on this collection of heavyweight baddies, just as deadly.
Whether they’re witches, daughters of gods, or alien superwomen, this list is giving every one of them their due asthe most powerful female villains in the DC Universe, ranked.
10Superwoman (AKA Lois Lane)
When she made her debut in DC Comics back in 1964, the villainous Super-Woman was clearly intended to be a dark reflection of Wonder Woman. Along with Ultraman and Owlman of Earth-3, completingan evil version of DC’s iconic trinity. But as Diana grew in power, so did her mirror image.
Originally a corrupted Amazon like Wonder Woman, Diana’s godly upgrades mean the villain has evolved ever greater powers and abilities, too. Her origins, nature, and even alias of “Lois Lane” are all shrouded in mystery. But with Diana’s gifts bolstered by Superman’s heat vision, Superwoman remains a top-tier villainess.
9Livewire (AKA Leslie Willis)
As a regular human being who unlocked a superpower, Livewire is actually a unique entry on our list, proposing a different interpretation of “powerful.” Because what she lacks in godlike or alien physiology, she makes up for in physics-bending abilities and near-limitless potential.
Capable of launching enough electricity to harm the likes of Superman (electricity being a near-universally harmful force), and even converting her body into living energy, Livewire’s true power goes even deeper. Given mastery over the electrons of atoms themselves, she can alter, create, or obliterate matter. Making her an unrivaled threat in her area of expertise.
8Queen Clea
As the brutal ruler of the Atlantean realm of Venturia, the self-title Queen Clea has serious grudges against both Atlantis as a whole, and the world’s above sea level (with special hatred for Themyscira, and it’s rival Queen Hippolyta above water). And in her battles against Wonder Woman, she has made her fury known.
As an Atlantean, Clea is blessed with the same strength, durability, and abilities pertaining to water as Aquaman, instantly making her one of the toughest Earthborn women in the DC Universe. And when wielding the Trident of Poseidon, has proven she deserves as much respect as Arthur Curry or Mera in terms of strength and threat level.
7Knockout
Knockout may not have the same name recognition as Granny Goodness, the Apokoliptian commander who trained her as a Female Fury, or Big Barda, her idol and reason for leaving Apokolips for Earth. But as someone who has proven her skills against both Barda and Superboy, she simply can’t be overlooked.
Truthfully, her nature as a New God means that Knockout’s strength, endurance, durability, and healing factor are far beyond a normal superhuman. With her true name unknown, it’s only right that a soldier of Darkseid known only by her penchant for a “Knockout” be given her dues.
6Faora Hu-Ul
With her Kryptonian physiology equally as affected by Earth’s yellow sun, Faora Hu-Ul is blessed with all the same abilities and strengths of Superman himself. The primary difference being her training as a soldier, wielding those same skills as a far more effective, far deadlier, and far more brutal combatant.
As modern comics have established that Kryptonian maturation meansSupergirl is more powerful than Superman, the same is true for Faora, placing her at the very limits of a Kryptonian’s efficacy under a yellow sun. Add in her leadership skills and shrewd cunning, and this longtime ally or lover of General Zod deserve to be mentioned in the same breath.
5Grail (AKA The Godkiller)
In the very same moments that Queen Hippolyta was giving birth to Diana, destined to become a savior as Wonder Woman, another child was born on Paradise Island. But delivered in secret, the daughter of Darkseid and the Amazon assassin Myrina was given a different fate. Grail was made to be a weapon.
Born with half-Amazon and half-New God genes, it’s not an understatement to say Grail was given the strengths of both. Grail is superpowered, immortal, and unmatched in hand-to hand-combat. Add in killer eyebeams from her father, and Grail might be the most deadly woman in total possession of her gifts, not relying on an external power source.
4Blaze (AKA Lady Blaze)
It would be enough to say that Blaze (or “Lady Blaze”) is the biological daughter of the wizard Shazam, one of DC’s cosmic Lords of Order, and the source of the power bestowed upon the Shazam/Captain Marvel family. But the fact that her mother was a demon drives home both her darker supernatural powers, and her allegiances.
Along with her brother Satanus, Blaze is best understood as a demonic equal toShazam, Black Adam, or any other of her father’s champions. Just as strong, just as powerful in sorcery, but with access to the darker gifts of enslaved souls and magical corruption, and the DC Universe is better off with Blaze simply ruling in Hell.
3Devastation (AKA Deva)
Beginning as a revenge story for Cronus, the defeated father of Zeus, the ageless Titan created his own daughter from Clay. Like Diana, this child was given gifts by Cronus and his other Dark Titan children, making her a perfect, wicked reflection of Wonder Woman. Intended, of course, to be her “Devastation.”
As engineered, Devastation is a god blessed with all the same powers as Wonder Woman at her most godlike levels, plus the sinister ability to change shape, infect dreams, deceive minds, and even sense how to kill anyone or anything, even the seemingly Invincible. Powers so mighty, it could be the reason she is so rarely deployed in the comics.
2Circe (AKA The Weaver)
Based on the character of the same name in Greek mythology, Circe’s origin is adapted from folklore into the DC Universe almost completely. An oppressed woman of the ancient world, Circe fled in search of refuge and power, begging the mighty goddess of witchcraft and sorcery, Hecate, for rescue. Hecate answered, exchanging unrivaled magical powers for Circe’s soul.
In the millennia that followed, the beautiful, powerful, and bitter Circe rose to become the highest-ranking witch on Earth. Effectively reaching godlike powers, Circe’s power over reality is only as limited as a storyteller requires it to be. At other times, replacing Hecate as the deity of magic altogether.
1Enchantress (AKA June Moon)
Given that Circe’s ascension to god-tier sorcery came almost at a cost of her humanity, becoming an immortal force instead, the edge must be given to June Moone. Better known to the world as Enchantress. As not only does June possess nearly limitless magical ability and wisdom while in her Enchantress form, but she possesses the will to use it for more than vengeance or scheming.
As a top-level magical being in the DC Universe, the fact that Enchantress can not be classified as a specific character’s “villain” speaks to the true scope of her power. Convening with The Spectre, Eclipso, and other mystical orders and shapers of reality, Enchantress could cause more damage than anyone else. Thankfully, she just hasn’t decided to. Yet.
