There is a couple differences that need to be considered when you compare DC to Marvel. The first is the addition of weekly digital comics, which gives the central DC heroes a huge advantage over everyone else. The second is the number of imprints and Elseworlds stories that DC has, featuring characters that do not qualify as the central heroes of their universe.
The Stats here are based off the first 28 Weeks of Scoring for 2021. Putting these lists together takes a lot of time and effort, so we focus on strong performers and those with guaranteed titles. If there are heroes you are curious about that cannot be found on this list, please reach out on Twitter. If the data exists, we will provide it.
The Predictions/Titles Made are reflective of 2021 (October)
AQUA FAMILY
Black Manta – 3 Points, 2 Appearances (92nd Overall)
Black Manta is probably the most prominent of Aquaman’s villains, but with no book the first half of 2021 has been rough for him. But the back half of the year holds nothing but potential, with his own title and his son becoming Aquaman.
Titles: Aquaman: The Becoming, Black Manta
ALIEN AFFAIRS
Black Adam – 50 Points, 12 Appearances (4th Overall)
Black Adam has one Appearance more than 2020, but 20 Points less. The curse of being a Bendis character. Perhaps he will have a presence in the new Shazam on-going.
Titles: Justice League
Darkseid – 17 Points, 4 Appearances (27th Overall)
Darkseid has had a slow 2021, building up to his presence in Infinite Frontier, where hopefully he’ll make a big impact.
Titles: Infinite Frontier
Lobo – 3 Points, 3 Appearances (93rd Overall)
Lobo has a title, but does nothing in it but appear in the big house. As it builds towards the big jail break, I’m sure Lobo will do more in the back half of 2021.
Titles: Crush & Lobo, Superman vs. Lobo
Sinestro – 34 Points, 5 Appearances (13th Overall)
In 2021, Sinestro has already managed to outscore his 2020 year, and with 9 less Appearances to do so. He’s being teased for a bigger role in Green Lanterns moving into the back half of the year.
Titles: Green Lantern
BAT FAMILY
Azrael (Jean Paul Valley) – 17 Points, 2 Appearances (26th Overall)
Azrael is a super strong performer, about to be put in charge of his own book in an six issue miniseries.
Titles: Arkham City: The Order Of The World, Batman: Urban Legends, Legends Of The Dark Knight
Bane – 13 Points, 3 Appearances (37th Overall)
For a dead man, Bane is performing well. He’ll also be joining Task Force Z in October.
Titles: Legends Of The Dark Knight, Task Force Z
Clayface (Basil Karlo) – 37 Points, 9 Appearances (11th Overall)
Clayface is literally a point off from performing as well as he did in 2020. He is a powerhouse, and he walks the line between Hero and Antagonist. Just like Catwoman is a Hero with villainous connections, Clayface is a Antagonist with heroic connections.
Titles: Legends Of The Dark Knight
Clown Hunter (Bao Pham)- 1 Point, 1 Appearance (102nd Overall)
Clown Hunter is a new character, set for a big 2021. He’s Batman’s latest charity case, but far more homicidal than most seen in the past. He doesn’t seem to be leaving the core title anytime soon.
Titles: Batman, Batman: Secret Files, Fear State
Doctor Phosphorus – 7 Points, 2 Appearances (55th Overall)
A surprisingly strong contender, he’ll be in Arkham City: The Order Of The World, plus assorted places.
Titles: Arkham City: The Order Of The World, Legends Of The Dark Knight
Deathstroke (Slade Wilson) – 17 Points, 5 Appearances (29th Overall)
Despite having no title, Slade’s connections in the DC Universe have kept him around. And now he’ll be leading a new team title in October.
Titles: Deathstroke Inc
Ghost-Maker – 44 Points, 6 Appearances (7th Overall)
Ghost-Maker is another killer draft, putting up huge points when he appears. And he’ll be appearing a lot in 2021 and likely 2022 as well.
Titles: Batman, Detective Comics, Fear State
Killer Croc (Waylon Jones) – 51 Points, 14 Appearances (3rd Overall)
Croc has been killing it this year. He’s the surprise in the Top 5, but I understand how he got it. He’s a great antagonist and a decent antihero.
Titles: Batman: Urban Legends
Madhatter (Jarvis Tetch) – 7 Points, 3 Appearances (61st Overall)
Madhatter is not the worst choice, but far from the best. He’ll have a miniseries for the remainder of 2021 though.
Titles: Arkham City: The Order Of The World, Legends Of The Dark Knight
Mr. Freeze (Victor Fries)- 40 Points, 11 Appearances (9th Overall)
Freeze has been one of Jason Todd’s central antagonists in 2021, which has been working out well for the both of them.
Titles: Batman: Urban Legends, Legends Of The Dark Knight
Peacekeeper 01 (Sean Mahoney) – 18 Points, 3 Appearances (25th Overall)
The central antagonistic force, now the cohort of Simon Saint in the present day. He’s been racking up huge points and has a big role to play in Fear State. Take it from a Shaun, this is a Sean to get.
Titles: Batman, Detective Comics, Batman: Secret Files, Fear State, Future State: Gotham
Poison Ivy (Pamela Ivy)- 55 Points, 12 Appearances (2nd Overall)
Ivy has been getting a lot of screen time in Catwoman, Harley Quinn, and Swamp Thing, which all seems to be leading to a Queen Ivy storyline (likely to be penned by Ram V). Will this happen in 2021 though, given Fear State is taking the charge in October?
Titles: Catwoman, Harley Quinn, Legends Of The Dark Knight, The Swamp Thing,
Professor Pyg – 10 Points, 3 Appearances (43rd Overall)
A surprisingly strong contender, he’ll be in Arkham City: The Order Of The World, plus assorted places.
Titles: Arkham City: The Order Of The World, Batman: Urban Legends, Legends Of The Dark Knight
Punchline (Alexis Kane) – 19 Points, 7 Appearances (24th Overall)
2021 has not been as strong for Punchline as 2020 was, but she’s still holding her own in a crowded Antagonist category.
Title: Future State: Gotham, The Joker
Ra’s Al Ghul – 25 Points, 9 Appearances (18th Overall)
Ra’s has had some good weeks in 2021 and he’ll remain a presence in his grandson’s on-going.
Titles: Legends Of The Dark Knight, Robin
Scare Crow (Jonathan Crane) – 60 Points, 18 Appearances (1st Overall)
Scarecrow managed to dethrone Poison Ivy as the top Antagonist this year, and with Fear State on the horizon, he’s likely to kill it in the back half of the year.
Titles: Batman, Detective Comics, Fear State, Legends Of The Dark Knight
Simon Saint – 14 Points, 5 Appearances (34th Overall)
Simon Saint is arguably the mastermind behind the upcoming Fear State storyline and may survive the fallout of it to be a big threat to Batman for 2021 and beyond.
Titles: Batman, Detective Comics, Fear State
Talia Al Ghul – 38 Points, 11 Appearances (10th Overall)
It’s been a really good year for Talia, and could it end with her taking back Leviathan from Mark Shaw?
Titles: Checkmate, Justice League, Legends Of The Dark Knight
The Joker – 41 Points, 15 Appearances (8th Overall)
The Joker should be doing so much better as the only Antagonist with a solo title.
Title: Batman/Catwoman, Legends Of The Dark Knight, The Joker
The Penguin (Oswald Cobblepot)- 25 Points, 13 Appearances (19th Overall)
The Penguin is a leader, one of Batman’s most picked upon prey, but doesn’t put up much a fight. Still not a bad choice to have in your corner.
Titles: Batman/Catwoman, Catwoman, Legends Of The Dark Knight
The Riddler (Edward Nygma) – 26 Points, 10 Appearances (17th Overall)
The Riddler’s gimmick isn’t one strong suited for the Fantasy Comic League. Still, he is a classic who appears a lot.
Title: Legends Of The Dark Knight
Two-Face (Harvey Dent) – 35 Points, 12 Appearances (12th Overall)
Harvey has had a much stronger 2021 than he did in 2020. He’s never a central focus, but he’s got two faces so he appears a lot.
Titles: Legends Of The Dark Knight
FLASH FAMILY
Captain Boomerang – 16 Points, 4 Appearances (33rd Overall)
The events of Death Nights: Dark Metal changed George into a beast like character who has a role to play in Infinite Frontier.
Titles: Infinite Frontier
Doctor Psycho – 7 Points, 2 Appearances (56th Overall)
Williamson seems to be pulling some of the Rogue’s Gallery into Infinite Frontier. Unsurprising, given his long run on The Flash that concluded in 2020.
Titles: Infinite Frontier
Killer Frost – 9 Points, 2 Appearances (48th Overall)
Killer Frost is on here because she’s the only other Flash villain to put up notable numbers.
Titles:
Vandal Savage – 44 Points, 13 Appearances (6th Overall)
Vandal Savage is another Flash rogue in Infinite Frontier, although he is on the newly formed Totality team alongside Barry these days.
Titles: Infinite Frontier
SUICIDE SQUAD
Amanda Waller – 32 Points, 13 Appearances (15th Overall)
She appears a lot, but outside of Leading Teams, surveillance through Computers, and Tech/Explosive, she doesn’t do a whole lot.
Titles: Suicide Squad, The Swamp Thing
Deadshot – 17 Points, 4 Appearances (28th Overall)
Deadshot met his demise in 2020, but thanks to a Man-Bat series that takes place in the past, he’ll be firing rounds alongside the rest of the squad in 2021. Now that this is concluded, I doubt he’s going to be appearing any time soon.
Title:
Pacemaker – 32 Points, 9 Appearances (14th Overall)
This guy is about to have a big 2021, with a starring role in The Suicide Squad film that is being accompanied by a prequel miniseries starring the character, as played by John Cena. I can’t imagine that has anything to do with him taking charge of the squad in the comics.
Titles: Suicide Squad, The Swamp Thing
King Shark – 2 Points, 1 Appearance (93rd Overall)
He has a miniseries called Suicide Squad: King Shark, that’s why he is here. Hope his 2021 ends strong.
Titles: Suicide Squad: King Shark
Talon – 21 Points, 7 Appearances (20th Overall)
A Solid performer, but not the Suicide Squad member you should be looking at drafting first.
Titles: Suicide Squad, The Swamp Thing
SUPER FAMILY
Cyborg Superman – 17 Points, 3 Appearances (27th Overall)
Hank Henshaw points up serious points when he appears and the Action Comics writer has tied him to the future of his timeline.
Titles: Action Comics, Deathstroke Inc.
Lex Luthor – 46 Points, 11 Appearances (5th Overall)
Lex Luthor is actually do less than I thought he would. He’s a leader, but his weaker 2020 continues into 2021.
Title: Infinite Frontier
Mongul – 21 Points, 7 Appearances (20th Overall)
Mongul’s big storyline, The Warworld Saga, begins in October, meaning he should finish the year out strong.
Title: Action Comics
WONDER FAMILY
Cheetah – 8 Points, 2 Appearances (51st Overall)
It’s been a rough year for Barbara and the rest of Diana’s antagonists. She’s been off in the Afterlife, away from her largely Earth bound Antagonists.
Titles: Wonder Woman’s 80th Anniversary
Circe – 12 Points, 2 Appearances (40th Overall)
One of the strongest representatives of DC’s subparly treated Magic family.
Titles: Wonder Woman’s 80th Anniversary
Giganta – 17 Points, 5 Appearances (29th Overall)
The highest performing of Wonder Woman’s enemies in the first half of 2021.
Titles: Wonder Woman’s 80th Anniversary
Categories: Previews
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