Bruno Mannheim

A creature of the shadows lurking at the edges of Metropolis's gleaming streets, Bruno Mannheim made his presence felt when Jerry Ordway introduced him in Superman #42 in 1990, planting a distinctly dangerous figure in the heart of the Man of Steel's world. Over roughly two and a half decades, this DC villain carved out a niche in the Superman and Adventures of Superman titles, crossing paths with the Daily Planet's finest — Superman himself, Clark Kent, Lois Lane, and Perry White — which tells you everything about the caliber of company this character commands. He may not rack up the highest appearance count, but when Bruno Mannheim shows up in Metropolis, the stakes feel real.