The Top 10 Most Violent Superheroes of All Time (Marvel & DC)
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While nearly all superheroes are violent in one way or another, some push the boundaries of what’s acceptable. These superheroes aren’t afraid to get down and dirty should the need arise. They spend their time fighting, clawing, shooting, and rewriting everything it means to be a superhero. Some of them are obvious and others aren’t. In fact, before reading on I’d be willing to bet that you could name a few of them.
But can you name them all? If you can, congratulations, you’re as big a comic book fan as I am. If you can’t, don’t worry I’ll name them for you. Here are the most violent superheroes in all of comics.
List of the most violent superheroes:
10. Batman
While he doesn’t dare step over, Batman teeters on the edge of too far. He’s broken bones, dropped people from heights, knocked many enemies out cold, and more. For everything he’s done and capable of, however, he’s almost never killed anyone.
And why?
By his own admission, he doesn’t kill for two reasons. First, if he did he’s no better than those whom he locks up. And second, if he did he wouldn’t be able to stop himself from killing another. It’s also these reasons that he doesn’t allow his sidekicks to kill.
I suppose this is why he’s number ten on this most violent superheroes list and not number one.
9. Damian Wayne
Damian Wayne is one of those characters that’s either loved or hated. There is no in between with him.
Damian Wayne is the offspring of Bruce Wayne and Talia al Ghul. I’m sure that you noticed but in case you didn’t, his mother is an al Ghul…as in R’as al Ghul. Because of his lineage, he’s a highly trained assassin who was programmed to do one thing…kill.
So, kill he does.
Aside from assassination, Damian’s list of abilities includes:
- Hacking
- Knowledge of technical equipment
- Skilled with swords and other hand-to-hand weapons
- Highly trained in multiple fighting styles
- Expert detective
- Teenage attitude
Although he joined his father, Damian has had a tough time breaking his bad habits. He’s as violent as they come and won’t stop himself from killing should the need arise. As such, he was a lock to make this most violent superheroes list.
8. Jason Todd
If there was one member of the Batfamily that doesn’t fit in the way that the rest do, it’s Jason Todd.
After being brutally murdered by the Joker and thought forever gone by Batman, Jason Todd managed to return from the dead. The problem was that this wasn’t the Jason Todd that well all knew. No, this was a Jason Todd who was Hellbent on revenge against both the Joker and Batman.
To gain the attention of both, Jason violently murdered and tortured drug lords, pimps, underground weapons distributors, and every other form of scum that Gotham had to offer. Although he reformed a little and joined the Batfamily, Jason doesn’t live by Batman’s “no-kill” code.
Nope.
He lives by his own “any means necessary” code.
7. Spawn
Al Simmons was a high-value member of the U.S. Military. His job was to carry out assassinations. Unfortunately, his time as an assassin caught up to him and he was murdered. Wanting to see his wife one more time before spending his life in Hell, he struck a deal with Malebolgia (the devil) and was sent back to Earth. Once back on Earth, he found that he couldn’t remember anything. This, of course, included who his wife was. While trying to put his memories back together, Spawn began to hunt down pedophiles, rapists, and child murderers.
Spawn is immensely powerful. Over time, his powers grew to include:
- Necromancy
- Teleportation
- Resurrection
- Immortality
- A Healing Factor
- Shapeshifting
In a company filled with violent superheroes (Image Comics), Spawn is easily one of the most violent. It’s for this reason that I have no choice but to place him on my most violent superheroes list.
6. Moon Knight
Ahhh, Moon Knight, Marvel’s Batman that actually kills.
Moon Knight is wealthy beyond imagination, has more toys and weapons at his disposal than the U.S. Military, and like Batman, a thirst for violence. Where he differs from Batman is that he has multiple personalities and has a conscience that follows an Egyptian God.
Moon Knight has maimed, decapitated, curb-stomped, and tortured his enemies to make a point. And when each of them doesn’t work, he beats them to death the old fashioned way…with his fists.
Moon Knight is one of the most interesting characters in Marvel. Thankfully, over the last decade or so readers have begun to see why.
5. The Incredible Hulk
The Hulk is a short-tempered rage machine built for one thing and one thing only…violence. He’s capable of reigning down terror on whomever he chooses and there’s absolutely nothing anyone can do about it. The Hulk is one of a few that all superheroes and supervillains fear.
The remarkable thing about the Hulk is that through his temper, he always overcomes the odds. Remember, he was sent to space by the Illuminati and landed on Sakaar. Once there, he became the leader of the planet. The Hulk is so violent that once back on Earth he unleashed World War Hulk upon it.
If none of this convinces you, think about these two words…
“Hulk Smash”.
4. Wolverine
Violence and Wolverine are like peanut butter and jelly…they just go together.
Wolverine is the most popular of all the X-Men. He’s the reason that the Fox (now Disney) movies did so well. He’s the reason the X-Men franchise found new life in the 1980s. And he’s the reason that Hugh Jackman’s career took off.
Wolverine has one of the coolest natural mutations in that he can heal from practically anything. Because of this, he has a past, a present, and will have a future filled with more violent encounters than an army marching on an enemy. Although he has softened a little over the years, he is the most violent of all the X-Men and has earned a reputation that many only dream of having.
3. Deadpool
No different than Wolverine, Deadpool can heal from practically anything. This means that like Wolverine, he can mouth off (which he does), pick a fight with anyone, and walk away as the victor.
Deadpool has lost arms, legs, been blown up, gutted, and ripped apart. However, for every time this happens, he’s returned the favor tenfold. Deadpool has such a thirst for violence that he has successfully killed the entire Marvel Universe.
But that’s not even the most impressive part.
The most impressive part is that after killing the entire Marvel Universe, he traveled to the real world and killed all the writers and creators that bring him to life. Killing other characters is one thing. Killing those who bring you to life lands you on this list of the most violent superheroes in comics.
2. The Punisher
Just about everybody else on this list looks like a Sunday morning Saint compared to The Punisher. I mean, when your body count reaches 10 every morning before you brush your teeth, it should come as no surprise that you’re on my list of the most violent superheroes.
Frank Castle was an ordinary veteran of war. He made his wife dinner, played with his children, and had poker nights with his friends. That all changed when his family was inadvertently caught in the middle of a mob war. Unfortunately, this led to each of them being gunned down while Frank helplessly watched. Even though he tried to obey the law, Frank grew tired of waiting for justice. As a result, he strapped guns to his chest, renamed himself The Punisher, and catapulted himself close to the top of every most violent superheroes list in existence.
1. The Spectre
If you’ve ever wondered who is at the top of DC’s most violent superheroes list, wonder no more. That title belongs to The Spectre. The Spectre is DC’s judge, jury, and executioner. He is God’s Vengeance. As the Vengeance of God, he has more power than anyone being should.
Throughout his existence, The Spectre has ripped, torn, and mutilated any he sees fit. The Spectre punishes without reason and never has to justify his actions. This means that if someone were to cross the street the wrong way, The Spectre can pass judgment on them.
Everything he’s become makes me wonder if Jerry Siegel and Bernard Baily knew what they’d created back in 1940?
And that’s it. The most violent superheroes of all time. What do you think? Who would make your most violent superheroes list?
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