When people think of Superman’s enemies, Lex Luthor tends to hog the spotlight with his billionaire brain and bald-headed schemes. However, the Man of Steel has faced far more than just Earthbound egos. From alien warlords to reality-warping imps, Superman’s rogues’ gallery is stacked with world-ending threats and twisted reflections of himself. These are the villains that test his limits—not just physically, but morally and ideologically.

Here are the most formidable foes in Superman’s universe. You’ll notice, not a single one of them wears a power suit from Metropolis.

General Zod

As seen in: Man of Steel (2013), Superman II (1980), and Superman: The Animated Series – “Blasts from the Past” (Parts 1 & 2).

A mirror image of Superman twisted by militarism and authoritarianism, General Dru-Zod is one of Kal-El’s most iconic foes. As a fellow Kryptonian, Zod matches Superman in strength, speed, and invulnerability, making their battles titanic. However, it’s Zod’s ideological opposition that makes him dangerous. He’s not out for wealth or chaos, but to impose his vision of order on Earth; often under the chilling motto: “Kneel before Zod.”

His presence forces Superman to confront not just physical might, but the darker potential of his own heritage.

Brainiac

As seen in: Superman: The Animated Series – “Stolen Memories”, Justice League Unlimited – “Panic in the Sky”, and Superman: Unbound (2013).

Superman’s most dangerous intellectual rival is the cold, calculating alien intelligence known as Brainiac. Typically depicted as an AI or cybernetic entity obsessed with collecting and destroying civilizations, Brainiac has shrunken cities, stolen worlds, and tampered with time itself. His fixation on bottling and studying Krypton’s legacy makes his rivalry with Superman deeply personal. More than just a physical threat, Brainiac represents the terrifying power of unchecked logic and technological detachment.

Doomsday

As seen in: Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016) and The Death of Superman (2018, animated).

Doomsday is less a character and more a force of nature. A creature born to kill and incapable of being stopped by traditional means. Most famously, he’s known for killing the Man of Steel in the landmark “Death of Superman” storyline. Engineered through a cruel process of evolutionary trial-and-error on Krypton, Doomsday is a mindless, near-unkillable juggernaut of destruction. His presence in any story instantly raises the stakes to apocalyptic levels.

Darkseid

As seen in: Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2021), Superman: The Animated Series – “Apokolips… Now!”, and Justice League: War (2014).

Darkseid isn’t just a Superman villain; he’s a cosmic-level threat and arguably DC’s ultimate Big Bad. As ruler of Apokolips and wielder of the deadly Omega Beams, Darkseid seeks the Anti-Life Equation to strip the universe of free will. While technically a Justice League-level adversary, his clashes with Superman are especially intense, as Kal-El is one of the few beings capable of physically challenging him. Darkseid embodies tyranny, making him a metaphysical opposite to Superman’s hope.

Bizarro

As seen in: Superman: The Animated Series – “Identity Crisis” and Bizarro (2005).

Bizarro is a tragic, Frankenstein-like mirror of Superman. Often portrayed as a failed clone who speaks in backwards logic and means well despite wreaking havoc. While sometimes used for comic relief, Bizarro’s stories often carry emotional weight, showcasing themes of identity, rejection, and the corruption of ideals. He’s not inherently evil, but his warped view of the world and immense power make him a recurring threat and a tragic antagonist for Superman.

Mongul

As seen in: Justice League Unlimited – “For the Man Who Has Everything”

A tyrant who rules the mobile war-world known as Warworld, Mongul combines brute strength with a gladiatorial mindset. He’s best remembered for the story “For the Man Who Has Everything,” where he traps Superman in a fantasy dream-state using a parasitic plant to neutralize him. Mongul represents the danger of authoritarianism and conquest, offering Superman brutal tests of both strength and will.

Metallo

As seen in: Superman: The Animated Series – “The Way of All Flesh”, Superman/Batman: Public Enemies and Justice League – “Hereafter” (Part 1).

John Corben, better known as Metallo, is a cyborg powered by Kryptonite; the one substance that can kill Clark. While his humanity is often in flux, his transformation into a heartless machine makes him a physical and symbolic threat. Metallo turns the Kryptonian’s greatest weakness into a weapon, creating a vulnerability that forces Kal-El to be clever and cautious, not just strong.

Parasite

As seen in: Superman: The Animated Series – “Feeding Time” and Justice League Action – “Power Outage”.

Parasite is a living energy leech, able to drain the powers, memories, and life force of anyone he touches, including Superman. Originally a petty crook, Rudy Jones (or Raymond Maxwell Jensen in other versions) transforms into a serious threat by exploiting Superman’s generosity and proximity. Parasite’s menace isn’t just his ability to depower the Man of Steel, but how he weaponizes dependency and desperation.

Mr. Mxyzptlk

As seen in: Superman: The Animated Series – “Mxyzpixilated”, and Superman: The Man of Tomorrow (2020).

A fifth-dimensional imp with near-omnipotent reality-warping powers, Mr. Mxyzptlk is chaos incarnate. He’s not evil in the traditional sense, but his reality-bending pranks often endanger lives and defy logic. The only way to defeat him is to trick him into saying his name backwards; a challenge that turns every encounter into a mind game. Mxyzptlk adds surrealism and satire to Superman’s mythos while showing that raw power isn’t always the solution.

Ultraman

As seen in: Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths (2010).

An evil doppelgänger from an alternate Earth (typically Earth-3), Ultraman is everything the Man of Steel is not: tyrannical, selfish, and brutal. As the leader of the Crime Syndicate, he brings a dark mirror to the ideals Superman represents. Ultraman stories explore the moral weight of power and what happens when those powers are guided by ego and malice rather than virtue.

Superman’s Greatest Foes

While Lex Luthor may be the face of Superman’s opposition, these villains prove that the Man of Steel’s greatest challenges come in many forms: brute strength, godlike tyranny, corrupted clones, and minds sharper than steel. Each of them pushes Superman to his limits in ways that force him to reaffirm his values, test his restraint, and fight not just with power, but with principle. Whether you’re a longtime fan or just discovering the deeper corners of his rogues’ gallery, these enemies remind us that being Superman isn’t just about lifting buildings; it’s about carrying the weight of what’s right in the face of overwhelming opposition.

You can learn more about the Man of Steel at DC.

Who’s your favorite Superman villain (besides Lex)? Did we miss a classic? Let us know in the comments and for all things Superman, keep your cape close to That Hashtag Show.

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