The Top 10 Superheroes Who Kill (Marvel & DC)
Stereotypically, superheroes are beings who only do what’s right. They fight for those who can’t fight, never waiver in their beliefs in what’s right and wrong, and rarely cause more harm than what’s absolutely needed. What I’m saying is that superheroes are a representation of what we should all strive to be. That is, most superheroes are a representation of what we should all strive to be.
There are some superheroes who don’t adhere to the unwritten code of right and wrong. There are some superheroes who don’t adhere to the unwritten code of how to be a superhero. And there are some superheroes who don’t adhere to the unwritten code of handling tough situations. These superheroes follow their own path, morals, and guidelines. They swear, hurt others, aren’t afraid to push the boundaries of acceptability, and even kill their opponents. If you’re wondering who they are, wonder no more. Here are the top 10 superheroes who kill.
List of top 10 Marvel and DC superheroes that kill:
10. Damian Wayne
Damian Wayne is one of those characters in comic books that are either loved or hated. There is no in between, on the fence, or undecided on how to feel about him.
Damian Wayne is the offspring of Bruce Wayne and Talia al Ghul. As the offspring of an al Ghul, Damian spent his youth under the tutelage of Ra’s al Ghul and the League of Assassins. Growing up under both turned Damian into one of the foremost assassins in DC Comics. As one of the foremost assassins, he’s programmed to do one thing…kill.
So, kill he does.
Although he has turned to the good side and joined his father, Damian has had a tough time breaking his bad habits. He’s as violent as they come and won’t stop himself from killing should the need arise. As such, he was a lock to make this superheroes who kill list.
9. Black Widow
Loki famously told Black Widow, “Barton told me everything. Your ledger is dripping, it’s gushing red, and you think saving a man no more virtuous than yourself will change anything?”
This very sentence affirms what we’ve known for so long. Bock Widow is a trained killer. She was a mercenary for the KGB who spent her time erasing people from existence. As a graduate from the Red Room, Black Widow is highly trained in martial arts and many other forms of fighting. In addition, she one of the world’s best spies, is capable of getting in and out of places without being seen, can use any firearm in existence, and can stand toe-to-toe with the most formidable of opponents.
If that doesn’t convince you of her place here, understand this.
Black Widow belongs on this list of superheroes who kill because she’s killed more people than you actually know.
8. Moon Knight
Moon Knight famously said, “I don’t wear white to hide myself, I wear it so they’ll see me coming. So they know who it is, ’cause when they see white it doesn’t matter how good a target I am. Their hands shake so bad, they couldn’t hit the moon.”
Moon Knight is just one of many names that Marc Spector goes by. In addition to Moon Knight, he has also been known as Jake Lockley, Steven Grant, and Mr. Knight. Which persona he uses is dependent on the situation that he’s in.
Moon Knight has a thirst for violence and the financial backing to quench it. He is Marvel’s answer to Batman. However, unlike Batman, Moon Knight doesn’t live his life by a no-kill code of ethics. Instead, he kills his enemies at a rate that’s impossible to count. Because of this, Moon Knight easily makes these superheroes who kill list.
7. Winter Soldier
The once sidekick of Captain America, Bucky Barnes was thought to be dead after being caught in an explosion. But dead he wasn’t. Instead, he was taken in by Russian Operatives, experimented on, and transformed into the Winter Soldier.
As the Winter Solider, Bucky became a perfect killing machine. He was sent out on many high-profile missions. Most of these missions were assassinations of high-level government officials.
As with many heroes turned villains, Bucky found himself and returned to a life of heroism. This, however, doesn’t mean that he stopped killing. Instead, it means that he kills only if required and not because he’s ordered to, enjoys it, and/or feels the need to.
6. Ghost Rider
When you’re a being capable of killing any mortal simply by looking at them, you’re bound to make this list of superheroes who kill.
Although many have become Ghost Rider over the years, the most synonymous with the moniker is Johnny Blaze. After learning of his “father’s” cancer, Johnny Blaze took to the occult as a way to learn a spell that could save his life. While practicing, Johnny inadvertently summoned Mephisto. Willing to do whatever it took to save his “fathers”, Blaze made a deal with the devil. Sadly, even though he was cured of cancer, his “father” died in a stunt accident. Blaze confronted Mephisto to which Mephisto calmly explained that the deal they struck was that cancer would be cured. He then reminded Johnny that his soul now belonged to him.
Although Johnny was saved by a girl named Roxanne, he was still destined to live a life of pain. What he didn’t know was that Mephisto had bonded him to the demon Zarathos. Once bonded with Zarathos, Johnny was turned into the Ghost Rider and forced to carry out the will of Mephisto whenever it was required.
5. Red Hood
Jason Todd is a little different than the other members of the Batfamily. While the others adhere to Batman’s no-kill code of ethics, Jason chooses not to.
After being brutally murdered by the Joker and thought forever gone by Batman, Jason Todd (with the help of the al Ghul’s) returned from the dead. This Jason Todd, however, was not the same Jason Todd that once served as Batman’s sidekick, Robin. This Jason Todd was more interested in revenge. More specifically, this Jason Todd was interested in revenge on those who did him wrong…Batman and the Joker. To gain the attention of both, Jason began violently murdering and torturing drug lords, pimps, underground weapons distributors, and all other low-level scum that Gotham had to offer.
Even though he eventually joins the Batfamily, Jason refuses to live by the no-kill code.
And why?
The very words ‘no-kill’ violate his very beliefs.
4. Thor
If you find it funny that Thor is on a list that includes the likes of Red Hood, Wolverine, and the Winter Soldier, remember this. Thor is an Asgardian God. As an Asgardian God, he has entered into countless battles and destroyed more beings across the galaxy than perhaps any in existence.
Thor is a founding member of the Avengers. As a founding member, he’s responsible for creating one of the Earth’s greatest superhero teams. As a God, he possesses God-like abilities. These include, but aren’t limited to flight, weather manipulation, superhuman strength, durability, speed, stamina, reflexes, endurance, and near-immortality.
To say that Thor is a one-man wrecking crew isn’t enough. Thor can and does obliterate entire armies without ever breaking a sweat.
3. Wolverine
There are very few superheroes who have killed as many enemies as Wolverine. Wolverine has lived a life filled with blood, violence, and dismemberment. Unlike many of his X-Men counterparts, Wolverine believes that not all creatures are worth saving. He also believes that some aren’t worth the skin that wraps around their bodies. His list of kills is lengthy and includes Omega Red, Jean Grey, Daken, and Sabretooth.
Whether or not the decision of who lives and who dies is for him to make is inconsequential. Wolverine has done, and will always do what he feels is right no matter the consequences. And you know what? Comics are better for it.
2. The Spectre
The very purpose of the Spectre is death. He is the judge, jury, and executioner of the DC Universe. He is God’s Vengeance. As God’s Vengeance, he has been given more power than anyone being should. As a quick but incomplete synopsis of his power, he possesses immortality, can warp reality, is able to manipulate both space and time, has limitless control over matter, can see into the future, is near-omnipotent, possesses cosmic awareness, is able to manipulate cosmic energy, and is omniscient.
The Spectre has made a career of ripping, tearing, and mutilating his enemies. He punishes without reason and never has to justify his actions. The Spectre has the power to pass judgment on any…and he does. What this means is that The Spectre is able to punish to the full extent of his law any wrongdoing. As for being one of my superheroes who kill, the choice was an easy one to make.
1. The Punisher
The very name of The Punisher speaks volumes bout what he does. The Punisher came to be after a disillusioned Frank Castle returned home from war only to be let down by the country he served.
Let me explain.
Frank Castle was a war veteran who tried to return to civilian life. He probably could’ve done this had his family not been innocently killed in the middle of a mob war. Although he sought justice, the judicial system failed him and he never received it. Unwilling to simply stand by and do nothing, he transformed himself into a vigilante and began taking the law into his own hands. This meant that he now decided which criminals lived and which ones died.
Of all the superheroes on this list of superheroes who kill, The Punisher could very well have the largest victim count.
And that’s it. The top 10 superheroes who kill. What do you think? Who would make your superheroes who kill list?
