When Villains Took Center Stage: The Joker, Man-Bat, and DC’s 1970s Experiment
In superhero comics, villains usually play second fiddle. They scheme, they clash with heroes, and they get locked up again by the final page. But in the mid-1970s, DC Comics tried something bold: giving some of their most popular villains the spotlight in their own ongoing titles. It was an experiment that produced some fascinating — if short-lived — results, with The Joker and Man-Bat leading the charge.
By the 1970s, the Joker had transformed from a goofy prankster of the Silver Age back into a menacing, unpredictable criminal thanks to writers like Denny O’Neil and artist Neal Adams. His popularity was undeniable, so in 1975 DC launched The Joker #1, making him the first major supervillain to headline his own ongoing series.
Each issue put the Clown Prince of Crime in wild, over-the-top confrontations with different heroes — not just Batman, but also Green Arrow, Hawkman, and even Lex Luthor. The series tried to balance his maniacal violence with dark humor, but the Comics Code at the time made it tricky to let a villain be truly villainous.
The result was a fascinating but uneven title. The Joker only lasted nine issues before being canceled in 1976.
Around the same time, another Batman rogue got his own brief moment in the spotlight. Kirk Langstrom, better known as Man-Bat, had been introduced in Detective Comics #400 (1970) as a scientist who transforms into a monstrous bat creature. Unlike the Joker, Man-Bat wasn’t pure villain — he was a tragic figure, torn between his humanity and his monstrous side.
In 1975, DC launched Man-Bat, with Gerry Conway and Steve Ditko among the creative team. The series leaned into the monster-horror angle, making it feel very different from standard superhero fare. But like The Joker, it was short-lived, lasting only two issues.
Though both series were canceled quickly, they represent DC experimenting with the formula. For decades, villains had been supporting players, but these books hinted at the idea that rogues could be just as compelling as the heroes they fought.
It’s not a stretch to say these short-lived villain spotlights paved the way for the later success of villain- or antihero-led comics, from DC’s Lobo in the ’90s to Marvel’s Venom and Thanos series. They proved fans were curious about what made villains tick, even if the market wasn’t quite ready to sustain them yet.
For collectors, The Joker #1 remains the crown jewel of this experiment. Its striking cover and historical significance make it a Bronze Age key. The short Man-Bat run, though not nearly as valuable, is beloved by fans of the character and showcases some strong Bronze Age art.
Today, the idea of villain-led titles feels natural. But in the 1970s, it was a daring experiment. DC may have pulled the plug too soon, but these comics left a legacy that still echoes in the way we tell stories about villains and antiheroes today.
