DC Comics is home to a wide range of nefarious villains, but the criminal underworld, in particular, contains some of the most dangerous crooks that Earth’s heroes will ever have to face. Unpredictable, hellbent on destruction and joyfully making a profit from the carnage, these Crime Lords have no limits on how they will collect their cash.
Often highly intelligent and with enough muscle to back up their claims to power, these Crime Lords have all the tools needed to maintain a tight grip on their position. Street-level vigilantes like Batman and Green Arrow have attempted to tear down their empires, but these thugs just keep on rising back to the top.
The Joker
The harlequin of hate, The Joker, has certainly amassed a number of titles for himself. Most notably he has become known as the clown prince of crime, because of his tight hold over the underworld of Gotham City.
The erratic nature of Joker has had a huge hand in his rise. Indeed, he kills anyone too close to him, which is a crucial part of avoiding betrayal from his inner circle. This vile foe makes money in spite of himself, taking joy from the manically induced fear he permeates throughout the city and thus profiting from the consequential anarchy. There have also been plenty of stories where The Joker beat Batman in DC Comics, proving just how dangerous he really is.
Black Mask
Black Mask is more of a businessman than most who hide behind a mask. While others lust for metahuman powers or the notion that they may one day best their super nemesis, Black Mask is far more concerned with the wealth lining his pockets, and this is perhaps what makes him so dangerous.
His affairs are well-organized, with his many projects compartmentalized to avoid the complete collapse of everything he has built if one brick was to fall from the wall. The mask itself, which he encourages his own associates to also copy, inspires dread in enemies and allies alike and is a major part of his sphere of influence.
Lex Luthor
Lex Luthor is far from a traditional Crime Lord. While most have to spend their days on the streets, organizing drug dealings and risking their lives for weapon drops, Luthor sits above it all in his tower, representing the type of power those at the bottom of the hierarchy long for.
Luthor is no stranger to associating himself with less than savory individuals, but his criminal enterprises are on a much larger scale. He uses his international image and huge infrastructure as a front for the shadowy work that takes place behind the scenes. He might just be the wealthiest Crime Lord in all of DC, which only serves to make him more of a threat.
Ra’s Al Ghul
Ra’s Al Ghul isn’t a traditional Crime Lord, nor would he likely appreciate being referred to as such. As the head of the League of Assassins, Ra’s surrounds himself with the legacy of his lineage and continues to ponder over ancient knowledge fit only for this cult leader.
But the dealings of the League have continued to evolve, as they play a corrupt part in the very nature of the geopolitical sphere. They may feel as if they are pointing civilization in the correct direction, but often their business interests are no different from that of a regular crook, even if they hold alternative motivations. As a gang goes, the League is perhaps overqualified for such pursuits.
Two-Face
Another Gotham City resident who only has eyes for the Bat, Two-Face and his empire can be toppled in an instant with the right manipulation of the criminal’s trusted coin. Although it might not be the most tactical way to make decisions, the unpredictability of the man has put him on top.
Somehow Two-Face’s ideology inspires people to follow him; although the cash is likely also a big factor in that. The crook doesn’t make for an easy ally, but he has managed to partner himself with powerful people across time, to cleverly protect his favored position and increase his threat levels.
The Penguin
Some play around with the idea of being a Crime Lord, seeing it as a method to harness the corruption and deceit of Gotham while having a bit of fun in the process. These thugs might see it as an art, but the Penguin views turning a profit as a science.
There might be no one more experienced in the field than Penguin, whose rule over Gotham appears to never end. Cold and calculating, there’s hardly a soul left in this twisted monster, who will go to every length to finish a business deal, ironically no matter the cost. It’s all about status for Penguin.
Carmine Falcone
The Falcone family has been interlinked to the mafia and mobster world for as long as anyone in Gotham can remember. Their penchant for leaving behind a red rose has become one of the most feared calling cards in the streets of this rotting city.
Falcone is above the law and rubs shoulders with the rich and powerful. He demands respect and appears to feel that he has rightfully earned his position atop the ladder through hard work. He isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty, but Falcone’s best work is done in the shadows, with the protection of bribed officials surrounding him.
Brick
There are plenty of Green Arrow villains that could be described as lame, but Brick has demonstrated a resolve that few others can match. His resiliency is astounding and although he has impressive powers that make him a physical threat, his mind is the most dangerous aspect of this character.
Brick has nurtured a growing business, which has benefitted from his elite critical thinking. He’s his own muscle which often results in any contract getting signed on his own terms. Yet Brick is also able to defend himself when needed, allowing further protection from closer allies who could stab him in the back. He’s a difficult man to conquer and a highly dangerous one too.
Sal Maroni
If the Falcone family is entrenched in the legacy of Gotham then so too are the Maronis. Sal is the current head of the family and he too has notable connections to both the mobs of the city and some of the most influential people in both the police and government.
Although his methods are grotesque, Maroni always gets the job done. He’s less than likely to be found in the field and enjoys the life of someone with his wealth. But there’s also a level of distrust associated with the conman, who’s happy to let any contract get voided if it benefits him.
Morgan Edge
On the surface, Morgan Edge is a clean-cut businessman, who might not be morally righteous but at the very least isn’t involved in too many criminal proceedings. Yet, those who think that would be sadly mistaken since his history is drenched in blood.
Edge is a man happy with his place of power and willing to keep it no matter the action he needs to take. There’s no business operation too low, although corporate espionage on a massive scale has proven to be effective for him, as has the manipulation of the public. He’s a dangerous Crime Lord that few others can match.
