This is my last installment for the movies adapted from comic books and this time I shall be listing the best villains in movies adapted from comic books. It cannot be doubted that the antagonists in comic books are as significant as the heroes themselves as they help define the character of the hero. They also help in forming the image of milieu of the story.

It is very important therefore for the actor to be able to portray these villains properly. Unlike the heroes that have to have the look and the ability to play the hero as well as the hidden identity, the villain has to be able to project a level of insanity rooted on malice and pure evil.

Here is the list not in any particular order. All actors were able to portray the villains in equal excellence; they are just the best amongst the rest.

1.Jack Nicholson (Joker/Batman). Jack Nicholson as we all know is a fantastic actor. When they were promoting Batman during the day, I wasn’t so excited to hear that Michael Keaton was playing Batman but was quite anxious to see Jack Nicholson as Joker. Sure enough he did not disappoint me. He was able to show how Joker was before the accident and distinctly contrast this with the insane malevolent Joker that resulted from the accident. The despair, insanity and evil were perfectly portrayed.

2.Ian Mckellen (Magneto/X-Men). Magneto is not truly a bad man. He just has a superiority complex. A complex brought about by being ostracized. He also believes that might is right. McKellen is able to show this. The audience is able to see that his actions are rooted not because of some inner malevolence but instead is rooted in anger. There are scenes where McKellen is able to shift his facial expression from "evil" (for lack of a better term) into some kindness and compassion which he reserves only for his mutant kind.

3.Terence Stamp (General Zod/Superman II). Terence Stamp played General Zod in Superman II and for those who may not remember, he was the leader of the 3 criminals that was trapped inside that flat sheet looking mirror that served as Krypton prison. This was a perfect portrayal as Stamp played the character like a very intelligently. He was the villain you just can’t seem to hate. He was a very witty villain which at times was really humorous until you see the streak of ruthlessness. It was a perfect balance.

4.William Dafoe (Green Goblin, Norman Osborne/Spiderman I). Like Jack Nicholson, Dafoe was able to show the contrast between Norman Osborne and the Green Goblin. What made the performance extraordinary were those dialogues between Norman’s good self and his alter ego which you could see in the mirror. His ability to change his face from evil to generous father was also quite impressive.

5.Jeff Bridges. (Obadiah Stane/Iron Man). The manner in which Jeff Bridges played Stane was just perfect in the sense that he was able to successfully show that Stane’s motivation was solely greed for money and power. His performance was not over the top and not very comic-like. As a matter of fact, he was able to compliment Robert Downey Jr. natural and true projection of the characters in Iron Man.

6.Elijah Wood (Kevin/Sin City). This is one of the most perfect comic based villain portrayals in the list. The manner in which Elijah Wood was able to play Kevin, the serial killer, was so accurate to the comic book that it was as if the character in the graphic novel jumped right out of the pages and into the cinematic screen. He had the right look and the proper acting for the role. I have to say, it was divine.