Joker

First Appearance Batman #1 (Spring 1940)
Status Villain
Real Name Unknown
Occupation Anarchist; mass-murdere; professional criminal
Base Gotham City
Height 6ft 5in
Weight 192 lbs
Eyes Green
Hair Green
Special Powers/Abilities
Though not especially strong or skilled in figthing, the Joker is nonetheless a deadly combatant. Previously, he has demonstrated adeptness at chemistry, concocting his own poisonous Joker Venom, a weapon of mass distraction that leaves its victims with death-rictuses resembling his own manical leer. The Joker often wields deadly joke props or gags as an acid-squirting boutonniere or BANG!- Proclaiming flag pistol that doubles as a spear gun. However, he also plays the straight man in his blackly comedic campaigns of terror and will use conventional weapons-anything from a single-shot Derringer tucked in the brim of his hat to an operational nuclear warhead concealed within the trunk of his garish Jokermobile.

Key Storylines

• The Joker #1-9 (May 1975 - Dec 1976): The Joker becomes the first Bat-Villain to star in his own comic book series, lasting nine issues.
• Batman: #426-429 (Dec 1998 - Jan 1989): The Joker murders Jason Todd, the second Robin, leading Batman to pursue the Clown Prince.
• Batman: The Killing Joke (1988): The Joker's origins are explored as he cripples Barbara Gordon to prove a point to the Dark Knight.
• Joker: The Devil's Advocate (1996): The Joker is finally made responsible for his sins and sentenced to Death Row, but for a crime he did not commit!

Lex Luthor

First Appearance Action Comics #23 (Apr 1940)
Status Villain
Real Name Alexander Joseph Luthor
Occupation Mastermind
Base Metropolis; Washington D.C. (while U.S. President)
Height 6ft 2in
Weight 210 lbs
Eyes Green
Hair None
Special Powers/Abilities
Luthor is one of the smartest men on Earth, able to invent technological marvels or manipulate entire nations. He believes in brute force and is an unskilled figther, relying instead on weapons and armor.

Key Storylines

• Superman: President Lex (TPB, 2000): The world looks on aghast as Luthor become U.S. President, followomg the most controversial election of all time.
• Superman: #1-12 (Sep 2003-Sep 2004): Dating back to their childhood in Smallville, Luthor's tortured relationship with Clark Kent/Superman is redfined and explored.
• Superman/Batman #1-6: President Luthor becomes a kryptonite junkie and goes insane.
• Lex Luthor: Man of Steel (TPB, 2004): Luthor's recovery from his downfall.
  

Penguin

First Appearance Detective Comics #58 (Dec 1941)
Status Villain
Real Name Oswald Chesterfield Cobblepot
Occupation Criminal; stock trader; fixer
Base Gotham City
Height 5ft 2in
Weight 175 lbs
Eyes Blue
Hair Black
Special Powers/Abilities
Devious and ruthless, despite his small stature, he is surprisingly agile; usually prefers to flee rather than fight; formerly favored an array of bizarre umbrella weapons; also used his affinity with birds to assist in his crimes.

Key Storylines

• Penguin Triumphant (TPB, 1992) : A spotlight story on the criminal dealings of a rogue who feels he doesn't get enough respect from the world.
• Secret Origins Special (TPB, 1989) : A look at the tragedy that is the Penguin's life.
• Batman Annual #11 (1987) : The Penguin is in love, convincing a parole board he deserves his freedom.
• Batman #25 (Oct-Nov 1944): in "The Knight of Kanvery", the Penguin teams up with the Joker with nearly deadly results for the Dynamic Duo.

Two Faces

First Appearance Detective Comics #66 (Aug 1942)
Status Villain
Real Name Harvey Dent
Occupation Former D.A.; professional criminal
Base Gotham City
Height 6ft
Weight 182 lbs
Eyes Blue
Hair Brown
Special Powers/Abilities
A criminal genius, whose crimes reveal an obsession with duality and the number two. An average combatant, but capable of savage violence.

Key Storylines

• Batman: Faces (TPB, 1995): An examination into the tortured, often violent relationship between Batman, Two-Face, and Commisioner Gordon.
• Batman Annual #14 (1990): A look at how difficult it is for Two-Face to function, whose face never fits in either the normal world or Gotham City's underworld.
• Secret Origins Special (TPB, 1989): How Harvey Dent changed from successful Disctric Attorney to psychopathic madman.

Captain Marvel

First Appearance Whiz Comics #1 (Feb 1940)
Status Hero
Real Name William Joseph "Billy" Batson
Occupation Radio Personality; super hero
Base Fawcett City
Height (as Billy) 5ft 4in; (as Captain Marvel) 6ft 2in
Weigth (as Billy) 110 lbs; (as Captain Marvel) 215 lbs
Eyes Blue
Hair Black
Special Powers/Abilities
Virtually invulnerable and able to fly; possesses the wisdom of Solomon, the strength of Hercules, the stamina of Atlas, the power of Zeus, the courage of Achilles, and the speed of Mercury.

Key Storylines

• The Power of Zhazam (H/B, 1994): The legend of Captain Marverl is retold in this novel as Billy Batson is given great power by uttering one magic word: Shazam!
  

• Underworld Unleashed #1-3 (Nov-Dec 1995): The super-villains bargain with the devil Neron for greater powers, but the ultimate prize in this Mephistophelian epic is Captain Marvel's incorruptible soul.

• The Power of Shazam #38-41 (May-Aug 1998): The big Red Cheese battles the Monster Society of Evil. He learns that the wicked worm, Mr. Mind, was first imprisoned on the planet Venus by Green Lantern Abin Sur.