DCU: Complete List of All 21 Villains In James Gunn’s New Universe

James Gunn is building a fresh, connected DC Universe, and while everyone is talking about the heroes, the villains are just as important. He’s chosen a diverse group of bad guys from DC Comics history to help tell these new stories.

James Gunn has demonstrated a talent for combining well-known characters with surprising, lesser-known ones. By featuring classic villains like Lex Luthor and Amanda Waller alongside more obscure figures like Nosferata and Red St. Wild, he’s creating a DC Universe that feels both broad and full of surprises. This mix of familiar and new reinforces Gunn’s skill for highlighting overlooked characters while still paying tribute to DC’s most famous villains. Now, with Season 2 of *Peacemaker* adding even more villains to the DCU, it’s clear the franchise is building a villain lineup that’s just as compelling as its heroes.

Villains We Have Seen in James Gunn’s DCU So Far

Amanda Waller

Amanda Waller is a powerful and often ruthless character in the DC Universe, representing the darker side of government control. Played by Viola Davis, she leads ARGUS with an uncompromising approach, prepared to make difficult sacrifices – even at the cost of lives and morals – to ensure what she believes is global security.

Amanda Waller debuted in *Suicide Squad*, where she brought together a team of villains for a dangerous assignment. Her impact continues to be felt throughout the series, including *Peacemaker* Season 1 and *Creature Commandos*, and she readily uses ruthless tactics and powerful agents to achieve her goals.

Amanda Waller, a character created in 1986 by John Ostrander, Len Wein, and John Byrne for the comic book series *Legends*, isn’t a superhero herself. She’s a brilliant and determined strategist. In James Gunn’s new DC Universe, Waller is portrayed as a villain because she believes any action is acceptable if it achieves the desired outcome, which frequently puts her at odds with heroes who challenge her methods.

Circe

In the new series *Creature Commandos*, Circe appears as a powerful and terrifying sorceress, bringing ancient magic and mythical creatures to the DC Universe. Actress Anya Chalotra voices this immortal witch, who uses spells to turn people into animals. Driven by a hatred of humans, Circe seeks to control everything around her.

She’s dangerous because she’s forming alliances with extremist groups, blending magical abilities with strong, radical beliefs.

Circe first appeared in Homer’s *Odyssey* and was later reimagined for DC Comics in 1949’s *Wonder Woman* #37 by Robert Kanigher and Harry G. Peter. She’s best known as a Wonder Woman villain with the power to enchant others and her own eternal life.

In *Creature Commandos*, Gunn’s portrayal of the villain is made even stronger by connecting her to current world issues. She’s shown planning attacks on important locations around the globe, challenging the team with both her magical abilities and the strength of her dedicated followers.

Princess Ilana Rostovic

Princess Ilana Rostovic, voiced by Maria Bakalova, is a new character in the DC Universe’s Creature Commandos. She’s a Boravian princess who appears charming, but is actually very ambitious and involved in complex, potentially dangerous plans.

She frequently takes advantage of global conflicts, building a reputation as a powerful manipulator rather than someone who relies on sheer strength.

I have to say, Rostovic is a really compelling addition to the DCU, and clearly one of James Gunn’s own creations. What’s fascinating about her is how Gunn taps into that classic DC trope of fallen aristocracy – we’ve seen variations on this idea before, but Rostovic feels fresh and interesting within that framework.

Clayface

Clayface embodies the darker, more frightening aspects of the DC Universe. His ability to change shape, combined with a sad past, makes him a compelling and adaptable villain. First appearing in *Creature Commandos*, Clayface is slated to star in his own movie soon, and the casting choices have generated a lot of buzz – you can find details about them here. This monster, essentially made of mud, can perfectly imitate anyone, using this power for both trickery and causing damage.

Gunn called the project a “total horror movie,” highlighting the frightening physical transformations of Clayface and the mental anguish he experiences.

Clayface, originally created as actor Basil Karlo by Bill Finger and Bob Kane in 1940’s *Detective Comics* #40, has appeared in many different forms in comic books, frequently as one of Batman’s enemies.

Congorilla

Congorilla brings a raw, animalistic power to the DC Universe’s villains, debuting as a powerful enemy in *Creature Commandos*. Jason Konopisos provides the voice for this golden gorilla, who has incredible strength and intelligence thanks to a human mind being transferred into an ape’s body.

He’s a dangerous and erratic prisoner at places like Belle Reve because he’s driven by both deep-seated bitterness and primal urges.

First appearing in Action Comics #248 in 1959, created by Robert Bernstein and Howard Sherman, Congorilla is generally a hero, though his stories often explore his divided allegiances.

Nosferata

In Creature Commandos, the villain Nosferata, a cunning and power-hungry vampire, introduces a terrifying new threat. This bat-like creature aims to build an army of the undead and take over, leading to dark and dangerous battles with the team.

Nosferata first appeared in the 1990s Superboy comic series, written by Karl Kesel. She’s a vampire who comes from the Wild Lands and wants to control creatures that are a mix of animals and humans.

In *Creature Commandos*, she joins Task Force M and brings a fierce, almost animalistic instinct to Amanda Waller’s team, giving them a supernatural advantage.

Gunn’s take emphasizes her cunning, making her a memorable addition to the growing monster roster.

Rupert Thorne

In Creature Commandos, Rupert Thorne is a classic corrupt figure – a powerful mob boss who also operates as a politician. Actor Benjamin Byron Davis brings Thorne to life as a villain involved in organized crime and shady political dealings. His reach into Gotham City’s criminal world hints at possible connections to the Batman universe.

First appearing in *Detective Comics* #469, created by Steve Englehart and Walt Simonson, Thorne is a well-known Batman villain who frequently tries to take control of Gotham City.

Peacemaker

Peacemaker, played by John Cena in The Suicide Squad, starts as a flawed anti-hero but ultimately becomes the villain. His shocking actions, like killing Rick Flag, aren’t motivated by pure evil, but by a twisted sense of right and wrong, which makes him a surprisingly complicated character.

I’ve been reading about Peacemaker, and it’s fascinating! He actually debuted way back in 1966, in a comic called *Fightin’ 5* #40. The creators, Joe Gill and Pat Boyette, came up with this really interesting character – basically, he’s a diplomat who, when talking doesn’t work, isn’t afraid to use force to achieve peace. It’s a cool concept!

According to James Gunn, Peacemaker’s actions as a villain in *The Suicide Squad* set up his journey toward becoming a better person in the *Peacemaker* series, but those past misdeeds will cause problems for him in the show’s second season.

Judomaster

Nhut Le is back as Judomaster in Peacemaker Season 2, and it’s still unclear whose side he’s on. After acting as a villain in Season 1, he’s a unpredictable element this time around.

Rip Jagger, a DC Comics character, is a small but incredibly skilled martial artist. He uses a combination of judo, karate, and capoeira to fight enemies much bigger than himself, like he did against Peacemaker’s team in Season 1 when he was controlled by alien Butterflies.

Rick Flag Sr.

In Season 2 of Peacemaker, Rick Flag Sr. becomes a determined and imposing enemy, fueled by his desire for revenge against Peacemaker (Christopher Smith) for the death of his son, Rick Flag Jr., which occurred in The Suicide Squad.

Frank Grillo plays Flag Sr., the new director of ARGUS. He previously voiced the character in *Creature Commandos* and will appear in the 2025 *Superman* movie.

Maxwell Lord

Maxwell Lord is a compelling but questionable character appearing in both Superman and Season 2 of Peacemaker. Played by Sean Gunn, he uses his charm and subtly manipulates others to get what he wants. While his first appearance in Superman is short, it leads into his bigger role in Peacemaker, where we see him hilariously fail at interviewing potential members for a new team, the Justice Gang, in a rundown building. This scene suggests he’s motivated by good intentions, but also willing to take advantage of situations.

Lord was created by Keith Giffen, J.M. DeMatteis, and Kevin Maguire and first appeared in Justice League #1 in 1987. He starts as a seemingly helpful businessman who funds the Justice League, but eventually reveals himself to be a villain with powerful telepathic abilities, as shown in comics like Justice League International.

Lex Luthor

In the 2025 film, Lex Luthor, played by Nicholas Hoult, is Superman’s greatest enemy. This brilliant and wealthy man despises Superman and uses his intelligence, technology, and manipulation to create plans that could change the world. He believes Superman is a danger to humanity, hindering our ability to solve our own problems.

Lex Luthor, first appearing in 1940’s *Action Comics* #23 and created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, is the original brilliant villain in the DC universe. The recent portrayal by James Gunn highlights Luthor’s charm and clever planning, pitting him against Superman in large-scale conflicts as he commands a group of followers.

This introduction establishes him as a villain we’ll likely see again in the DC Universe, driving conflict in many future stories with his relentless desire for power.

Ultraman

Ultraman is like a dark version of Superman – a powerful clone with the same abilities but driven by malicious intent. In the 2025 movie, he destroys Metropolis while being controlled by Lex Luthor, demonstrating a level of strength and resilience that matches Superman’s.

Gunn’s adaptation positions him as the most physically threatening foe in Superman.

The Engineer

In *Superman*, Angela Spica, also known as The Engineer, is a technologically advanced villain who uses nanotechnology to transform herself into a powerful, living weapon. Actress María Gabriela de Faría plays the role, and the character fights alongside Lex Luthor, utilizing abilities based on liquid metal.

First appearing in 1999’s *The Authority* #1, created by Warren Ellis and Bryan Hitch, this character is usually portrayed as a hero, but has also been reimagined as a villain, notably in stories featuring Superman.

Within the DC Universe, her actions as a villain are driven by her dedication to Lex Luthor’s goals. Beyond that, she delivers some of the movie’s most exciting action scenes.

Otis

In the movie *Superman*, Otis is Lex Luthor’s clumsy but loyal assistant. Played by Terence Rosemore, he carries out Luthor’s orders, though he frequently messes things up, providing both physical support and comic moments to the villain’s schemes.

I’ll never forget Otis, Ned Beatty’s hilariously clueless character in the original *Superman* film from 1978. He really cemented himself as a memorable part of that movie as Lex Luthor’s bumbling assistant – a truly iconic performance, even with limited screen time.

Sydney Happersen

In the story of Superman, Sydney Happersen, played by Stephen Blackehart, is a scientist who unfortunately uses his skills to create dangerous new technologies for the villains, specializing in bioengineering.

Happersen first appeared in a 1987 Superman comic created by John Byrne. He’s Lex Luthor’s lead scientist. In James Gunn’s new DC Universe, Happersen’s importance is increased – he’s now a major force behind creating villains like Ultraman, operating as a powerful, hidden antagonist.

Vasil Ghurkos

In *Superman*, the ruthless president of Boravia, Vasil Ghurkos (played by Zlatko Burić), creates worldwide unrest with his violent policies and partnership with Lex Luthor. His desire for power causes widespread conflict and draws heroes into international crises.

Ghurkos, a DC Universe character, embodies the flaws of dictators and everything that’s wrong with authoritarian rule.

White Dragon

In the TV series *Peacemaker*, Robert Patrick plays White Dragon, Peacemaker’s father, as a hateful and prejudiced villain. Appearing in both seasons, White Dragon represents a harmful and bigoted past, and he uses advanced technology and armor while constantly fighting with his son.

White Dragon, a villain created by James Gunn for the show and based on hateful characters from the comics, is driven by a history of being abused as a child. He appears in Season 2 with a redesigned look, which you can see here.

Red St. Wild

In Season 2 of *Peacemaker*, Red St. Wild, played by Michael Rooker, will be a dangerous and determined hunter, specifically targeting Eagly as part of a personal grudge. He’s a skilled survivalist and weapons expert, making him a funny but formidable enemy.

Wild is a brand-new villain in the series, and his evil plans center around a disturbing obsession and mistreatment of animals. Viewers got a first glimpse of his character in the trailer for Season 2.

Langston Fleury

In Season 2 of Peacemaker, Tim Meadows joins the cast as Langston Fleury, a witty ARGUS agent whose job is to monitor and control Christopher Smith.

Peacemaker is known for being impulsive and saying whatever’s on his mind, while Fleury represents the strict, rule-following side of government. This difference immediately causes conflict between them. Fleury’s introduction also hints at a character connected to Batman.

James Gunn highlights Steve Agee’s (John Economos/Peacemaker’s handler) natural comedic timing, using the character to both make the show funnier and create more conflict with his superiors at ARGUS.

The Sons of Themyscira

In *Creature Commandos*, the Sons of Themyscira are depicted as a violent extremist group who follow Circe and are driven by a distorted belief in extreme masculinity.

You know, what really gets under my skin in movies isn’t always about fantastical powers. It’s when you see characters so blindly loyal, so wrapped up in a messed-up worldview, that they become genuinely frightening. Often, these characters act out really harmful, exaggerated versions of what society considers ‘traditional’ masculinity, and it’s disturbing to watch. It’s like a dark reflection of something we see all around us.

Though based on comic book ideas, *Creature Commandos* presents its characters as villains meant to be mocked, functioning as disposable pawns in Circe’s schemes and offering a critical look at real-world extremist ideologies. James Gunn incorporates them to provide social commentary, adding depth and meaning to the show’s action and comedy.

2025-09-21 12:45