Comic Villains as Foil to the Heroes

The metropolis comics are primarily pivoted on the battle between good and evil. In the comic

world these two pillars are represented by the heroes and the villains whose tussle brings out

the drama and thrill of the action. Besides, a villain is also instrumental in bringing out the

heroic virtues and deeds of the comic protagonist. Both the protagonists and antagonists

bespeak the tenor of the age. For instance the foes of Superman, the pioneer metro hero

exhibit the belligerent spirit of the times. Their crusade mainly revolves round the motive of

obtaining power and because of the prevailing World War mood the disposition and weapons

of these antagonists are shown as meteoric, volatile and charged with the battery of explosive

arsenals.

The names of these villains are also potent with the symbolism of nuclear war like Atlas who

holds a crystal which can challenge the kryptonite power of Superman. The name Atlas

symbolizes the Globe which falls a prey to the power lust of this blasphemous character.

Atomic Skull is yet another antihero who gains phenomenal power due to a feral exposure to a

gene bomb and who found Superman to be his worthy adversary. Other rivals of Superman

including Bizarro, Conduit, Brainiac and Darkseid also eventually meet their nemesis in

Superman.

Batman’s gallery of enemies is equally divergent and psychologically grotesque beings. It is

noteworthy that neither Batman nor his enemies possess any superpowers in their armory.

Both of these poles engage in a psychological confrontation and fight with the help of their

brain and brawn rather than mystical powers. Joker, Poison Ivy, Cat Woman, Mad Hatter, Two

Face, Scare Crow and the likes spice up the challenge which draws Batman in to this vortex to

bring about an amicable resolution. These characters are presented as the byproducts of

inimical situations, victim of senility or some social evils and therefore the evildoers are not

punished by Batman rather they are deposited at Arkham Asylum for treatment. This

exemplary human approach for establishing poetic justice is a recurring theme in comic book

since its inception.