Have you ever thought about what would occur if Thanos, the Mad Titan himself, wandered into the DC Universe? Yes, he’s the baddest of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but in the DC universe, he’d be merely another cosmic speed bump. Let’s see who the most overpowered DC characters are who would destroy Thanos—Infinity Gauntlet or otherwise.
17. Imperiex
Imperiex is more than a bad guy—he’s a destructive force in the cosmos. This pure energy being, contained within armor, has devastated and rebuilt universes more times than Thanos snapped his fingers. Imperiex’s mission, as revealed by CBR, is to destroy galaxies and worlds until perfection is achieved, and he’s done it time and again. Thanos would be outmatched even before the battle could begin.
16. Despero
Despero’s psychic power and regenerative abilities make him a force for any foe. He can expand to gigantic size, read minds through his third eye, and even own his foes. Thanos may be a grand strategist, but Despero would be aware of his every action before he took it, and could simply continue coming at him for more.
15. Brainiac
Brainiac doesn’t have to throw a punch to emerge victorious. With the total of all knowledge in the universe at his disposal, he can anticipate and counter everything Thanos attempts. His telekinesis, force fields, and energy blasts would repel Thanos, and his super strength would allow him to trade blows with Superman—so the Mad Titan is just another statistical variation.
14. Emperor Joker
What does the Joker do when he acquires reality-warping powers? Anarchy. Emperor Joker, after beating Mr. Mxyzptlk into a pulp and stealing almost all his powers, once consumed China and knocked Superman out. Thanos would be lucky to last five minutes with this Clown Prince of Crime.
13. Parallax
Parallax is fear personified, a force of the universe that lives on and feeds on terror. He can occupy his foes and annihilate universes at will. If Thanos experienced even a minor pang of fear, Parallax would be in his head—and that’s it, he’s finished.
12. Mr. Mxyzptlk
This fifth-dimensional imp has no rules of reality to play by. He can warp space and time at a whim, making Thanos into a tennis ball or redefining the rules of physics for fun. As CBR says, Mr. Mxyzptlk could “roll Thanos into a puffy little ball and play racquetball with him”.
11. Spectre
Spectre is the incarnation of divine wrath, holding God’s fury. Reality is at his command, and he has fought toe-to-toe against the Anti-Monitor at his full level. As per CBR, “The Spectre is easily the most powerful hero on Earth and perhaps in the entire DC Multiverse”. Thanos would not even get an opportunity to strike.
10. Superman (Injustice Superman & Earth-23 Calvin Ellis)
Superman is already a behemoth, but remove his moral compass (hi, Injustice Superman) or grant him Calvin Ellis’ brains and leadership from Earth-23, and Thanos doesn’t stand a chance. Those other Supermen have no hesitation about unleashing their full might, and that is more than sufficient to destroy the Mad Titan.
9. Black Adam
Black Adam is brute force with a nasty temper. With the strength of gods from ages past, he’s faster, stronger, and more resilient than Thanos. According to CBR, “Black Adam is so much more powerful than Thanos, it isn’t funny”.
8. Doctor Fate
With the Helmet of Fate, Khalid Nassour taps into the abilities of Nabu, a Lord of Order. Doctor Fate’s magical weaponry is enormous and disastrous, and his expertise in the mystic arts would leave Thanos completely confused.
7. Zatanna
Zatanna isn’t playing games. As one of the strongest sorcerers in the DC Universe, she could just talk Thanos out of existence—literally. She has battled atrocities beyond Thanos’s wildest imagination and always prevails.
6. Orion
Orion, the Dog of War, possesses the Astroforce and has defeated Darkseid himself. His all-out ferocity and sheer strength would crush Thanos, who’s never encountered a New God like this.
5. Wally West (The Flash)
Wally West is the quickest Flash, and his control of the Speed Force is the stuff of legend. He might be able to punch Thanos with an infinite mass blow at light speed—a feat that nobody has ever survived. Thanos can’t defend against what he can’t catch up to.
4. Etrigan the Demon
Etrigan is an angel-powered demon bound to immortal Jason Blood. He’s been around since the beginning of time and would rip Thanos in two with hellfire and brute force.
3. Swamp Thing
Swamp Thing has dominion over all vegetation on the planet and off. He’s best known for defeating Superman and metaphysical entities, and can take on bodies wherever there is flora. Thanos would be buried beneath roots, vines, and sheer natural power.
2. Doomsday
Doomsday is the creature that murdered Superman. He can’t be killed permanently—each time he’s killed, he returns stronger and resistant to whatever caused him to die previously. Thanos would get pulverized into cosmic dust, and Doomsday would simply keep on coming.
1. Dr. Manhattan
Dr. Manhattan is not merely powerful—he’s virtually a deity. He can control matter, time, and reality itself, create worlds, and reassemble himself in an instant. As CBR points out, “With or without the Infinity Gauntlet, Thanos doesn’t stand a chance.”
So the next time someone says Thanos is the greatest villain ever, tell them: in the DC Universe, he’d be lucky to survive the first round.