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10 Must-See Wonder Woman Villains in James Gunn’s DCU

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The third pillar in DC Comics’ Trinity is none other than Wonder Woman, who is also the most productive female superhero out there. Regrettably, she doesn’t always receive the recognition she deserves, and this is true even for her villains. However, the new DC Universe in films offers hope that this pattern can be broken for the betterment of the entire franchise.

The main antagonists of Wonder Woman are ideally suited for the DC Universe, as upcoming films and series have the potential to establish them as formidable adversaries akin to those faced by Superman and Batman. This also implies enhancing the portrayals of villains that were previously depicted in the DC Extended Universe.

First Appearance: Wonder Woman #17 by George Pérez

Circe, who was initially integrated into the DC Universe through the animated series ‘Creature Commandos’, received a rather weak portrayal. She could have effortlessly overpowered this band of lesser-known characters and presented a greater menace, subtly hinting at her superiority compared to Wonder Woman. This opens up possibilities for future projects to significantly revamp her character, potentially contradicting previous depictions if necessary.

To establish Circe as one of Diana’s most formidable adversaries, it’s crucial that her magical prowess outshines others within the DCU. Characters like Doctor Fate and Zatanna should recognize Circe and feel a sense of dread due to her remarkable mastery over magic. This will ensure that Circe’s threat is recognized across the new universe while maintaining strong connections primarily with Wonder Woman.

First Appearance: Wonder Woman #1 by William Moulton Marston and H.G. Peter

In the 2017 DCEU Wonder Woman film, Ares emerged as the primary antagonist. His appearance in this movie was reminiscent of George Pérez’s design from the 1980s. Introducing him as a major villain for Wonder Woman could potentially feel repetitive, but he should still play a significant role as a formidable threat. Initially, Ares might operate covertly and manipulate the sinister aspects of the larger DC Universe.

In the style of George Pérez’s comics, Ares has the ability to control and influence different governments and military forces. This manipulation often leads to conflict, which in turn strengthens him. Depending on who is witnessing him, Ares assumes various forms. After the Crisis on Infinite Earths, his armored appearance might be considered his most powerful form, while other designs like his New 52 depiction (modeled after series author Brian Azzarello) are used when he interacts with mortals.

First Appearance: Wonder Woman #5 by William Moulton Marston and H.G. Peter

Doctor Psycho is one of Wonder Woman’s earliest adversaries, despite his appearance that may deceive you, he is extremely dangerous. He is depicted as a malicious misogynist with immense psychic abilities that can be amplified by ectoplasm. Even when Wonder Woman herself is resistant to his influence and manipulation, ordinary people are not, enabling him to target those she holds dear.

Numerous spectators propose that Peter Dinklage should embody Doctor Psycho, and it seems this part could perfectly suit him. Apart from his physical resemblance to the character, Dinklage would add a sense of weightiness to the role, making Psycho one of DC’s most chilling villains. To achieve this without veering towards caricature – as seen in previous portrayals – is essential.

First Appearance: Wonder Woman #9 by William Moulton Marston, H.G. Peter and Sheldon Mayer

As a devoted comics enthusiast, I’ve been following the adventures of Giganta since the golden age of Wonder Woman’s comic books. However, it wasn’t until the legendary Superfriends cartoon that she acquired her size-shifting abilities. Despite her fame, she has often been portrayed as a secondary or “casual” villain, typically serving as a punching bag for Diana and other heroes. The DC Universe has a golden opportunity to give Giganta more depth, elevating her status and transforming her from a mere adversary into a truly significant character.

Giganta could potentially have unique ties to Wonder Woman’s mythological realm, possibly being linked to the colossal Celtic giants. Furthermore, much like Marvel’s ferocious hero Hulk, as she grows bigger and stronger, her intellect may diminish, making her a formidable adversary even for Wonder Woman when she reaches her full stature.

First Appearance: Wonder Woman Annual #3 by William Messner-Loebs

In contemporary times, Thomas Asquith Randolph is primarily recognized as the White Magician. However, contrary to his appearance, he’s much older than one might guess, thanks to his remarkable magical powers that preserve a semblance of youth across centuries. Eager for further mystical prowess, he delves into ancient, almost unheard-of magic to amplify his existing formidable abilities. This pursuit draws the attention of Wonder Woman, who confronts him much like she does with Circe.

The White Magician can present quite distinctly from Circe, as he is less entangled in ancient mythology and appears more contemporary. In such a scenario, he could encounter Wonder Woman, and his character might even be recognized by another name, serving as an antagonist for both protagonists. A crossover film between Wonder Woman and Zatanna would provide the ideal platform for this character to make his appearance.

First Appearance: Wonder Woman #288 by Roy Thomas and Gene Colan

Initially, Silver Swan was noticeably distinct from her later forms because she possessed a magical tie to Mars, which is known as Ares in Roman mythology. However, Silver Swan’s second and particularly third manifestations were marked by heartbreak, with the third one being a corrupted version of Vanessa Kapatelis, a close friend and essentially a younger sister figure to Diana from Earth. This twist, where a dear friend was transformed, adds a layer of sadness and fits well within the DC Universe.

In James Gunn’s vision for the DC Universe, it would be beneficial to utilize Wonder Woman’s associates and allies more extensively, with Vanessa Kapatelis being one of them. This approach could lead to a future film scenario where she appears deserted by Diana, paving the way for her transformation into Silver Swan. Not only could she pose a formidable physical challenge to the Amazons, but she would also prove to be their most emotionally taxing adversary.

First Appearance: Wonder Woman #6 by William Moulton Marston and H.G. Peter

Cheetah is often considered as Wonder Woman’s chief adversary, despite the fact that she has taken on various forms with significantly different personalities throughout her history. The most notable of these is Barbara Minerva, typically depicted as an archaeologist who transforms into a superhuman feline through mystical means. Unlike Catwoman who wears a suit, Cheetah possesses the speed, strength, and ferocity to pose a significant threat not only to Wonder Woman but also to several other DC Universe heroes.

In a more straightforward manner: The Cheetah character in the DCEU didn’t quite live up to expectations, being portrayed primarily as a tragic figure. A revised portrayal should emphasize her bloodthirsty tendencies and depict her as a formidable villain with numerous victims. This would create an interesting contrast between her relationship with Urtzkartaga and Diana’s bond with her gods.

First Appearance: Wonder Woman #196 by Greg Rucka and Drew Johnson

Veronica Cale is a relatively recent adversary to Wonder Woman, appearing approximately two decades back. As a businesswoman with questionable ethics, her animosity towards Wonder Woman stems primarily from envy over her role as a symbol of feminism. In essence, she shares similarities with the Lex Luthor character introduced by John Byrne, whose dislike for Superman was more rooted in jealousy rather than genuine fear or prejudice against aliens.

In a simplified manner, Veronica Cale could be introduced as a character who speaks out against Wonder Woman, critiquing aspects like her role as a feminist icon or her connections to pagan deities. Furthermore, she might be depicted as having alliances with other DC Universe villains such as Lex Luthor, Doctor Sivana, and potentially even heroes like Bruce Wayne (Batman) and Oliver Queen (Green Arrow). This would give her a widespread influence in the shared universe. If her DC Rebirth version is brought to life, she could also have a backstory that includes elements of tragedy.

First Appearance: Wonder Woman #13 by Brian Azzarello and Cliff Chiang

In a new retelling, Wonder Woman’s lineage was altered to make her the daughter of Zeus instead of being created from clay. Similarly, there emerged another character who was said to be a child of Zeus and Hera, known as The First Born. This First Born was actually the first legitimate son of Zeus and Hera, but due to his potential to harm his father, he was erased from history.

In the DC Universe, the character known as the First Born offers a contemporary twist on Greek mythology, setting it apart from simplified versions like Disney’s Hercules. This is evident in his brutal treatment as an infant and the monstrous hyena-like minions serving him. In fact, his presence tends to transform the narrative into a supernatural horror tale rather than a typical superhero movie series.

First Appearance: Wonder Woman #143 by Eric Luke

In many forms of her existence, Wonder Woman acquires her powers following a blessing at birth from diverse Greek deities. This pattern is echoed in one of her most formidable and powerful adversaries. Unlike the Greek pantheon, Devastation was a violent being born to serve as the envoy of the mythical Titans.

In simpler terms, Devastation is a formidable figure who hails from the realm of Cronus, Zeus’ father. She bears a resemblance to Diana in some ways, but her youthful appearance belies an immense power and ruthlessness. Her personality is marked by anger, hatred, and dark desires. A young actress could bring Devastation to life on screen, providing Wonder Woman from the DC Universe with a battle unlike any she’s faced before.

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2025-05-04 07:00

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