Worst Villain of 2008
Doom DeLuise says: Infinity-Man!
I’m sure there are stupider villains in the past, but this one should damn near come close to taking the cake for the worst villain of all time.
In DONG #7, it’s revealed that the killer of the New Gods is this guy, Infinity-Man, working on behalf of the Source itself. Eventually, he finishes his work (kind of; he didn’t get to Metron before he died), and the Source bonds with Anti-Life, thus merging New Genesis and Apokolips and creating a new “Fifth World.”
Only, wait. None of that actually happened. The entirety of Death of the New Gods was directly contradicted by Countdown to Final Crisis and, later, Final Crisis itself.
Oh well, what the hell. Infinity-Man was a badguy for a day. And, for some reason that I can’t remember, he initially revealed himself as Himon, suggesting that guy was the Killer of the New Gods. But, that didn’t work, and, eh, whatever.
Remember how complex that whole mystery was? Who would’ve known that the first time we saw a dying New God, his last words (“Infinity…Infinity…”) would’ve been directly telling you who was behind the whole thing.
That’s just good writing.
Jim Doom says: Libra!
I’m going to qualify this by saying I fully expect Libra’s identity to be a huge deal in 2009, likely with a very good payoff. But in 2008, he was just the latest goon to come along and Unite the Villains. I just couldn’t get into thinking he was any kind of formidable force, even after killing Martian Manhunter, largely due to his lame speeches, the whole storyline with the Human Flame and the fact that he uses the stupid Darth Vader head fortress as his hideout. I’m anticipating not even being able to consider him for this honor in 2009.
Here’s who we thought were the Worst Villains in years past:
2007:
Fin Fang Doom: Iron Man
Doom DeLuise: Captain Atom/Monarch
Jim Doom: The Monitors, Bug People, Superboy Prime and every other threat posed in the pages of Countdown2006:
Doom DeLuise: The poo guy from Nightwing
Doominator: The Children
Fin Fang Doom: Grotesk
I can’t think of anything positive to say about Jim Starlin anymore. That whole Death of the New Gods series was just silly, complete with typically terrible Starlin dialogue. Moreover, I blame this series and Countdown for making Final Crisis so incomprehensible. Had DC granted Grant Morrison’s request to freeze any New Gods stories between Seven Soldiers and Final Crisis, I really think Final Crisis would have worked better.
That being said, I do still hold a place in my heart for Cosmic Odyssey. That scene with John Stewart and the the giant yellow bomb was great.
How could you do an entire piece on the WORST VILLAIN of 2008 and not mention “Upskirt” Mary Marvel?
I just threw up in my mouth a little bit typing it…!
Also, the Human Flame, described somewhere on the blogosphere as a cherubic, bipedal cow (his flame vest really does look like udders) is definitely a contender for first-runner-up.
Oh, man, Jeff, I totally forgot about “Upskirt” Mary Marvel.
That was so, so, so, so, so, so horrible. Didn’t she refer to herself at one point as “Mary Frickin’ Marvel?” I’ve been trying to forget all about that, but not even an endless flow of booze will wipe it from my mind.
I would like to imagine that the Human Flame is contained under the umbrella of stupid that is Libra and his gang.
I liked Human Flame, just because the whole point of his character is that he’s SUPPOSED to be a schlub C-lister who needs Libra to save the day. Although, Libra’s definitely been a disappointment. After reading his SECRET ORIGIN in Final Crisis Secret Files, he seemed even lamer.
Mary Marvel’s heel turn has been horrendous. I actually LIKED good guy Mary Marvel, and thought the stuff with her as the super innocent one in the Keith Giffen Super Buddies stories was hilarious, but this is just stupid.
Yeah, my high hopes for Libra were dashed after reading FC:SF. Libra turned out to be as lame as he seemed. I was expecting him to secretly be Barry Allen or some other hero in disguise.