The 10 Best Crime Syndicate Comics, Ranked

The Crime Syndicate is one of the best examples of evil doppelgangers in comics. Each hero has an evil opposite. Iron Man has Iron Monger, Spider-Man has Venom, and the Justice League has the Crime Syndicate. Owlman, Ultraman, Superwoman and all the others are evil counterparts originally from Earth-Three.

Since their first appearance in DC's Silver Age, they have remained among the Justice League's top villains. Subsequent appearances have cemented them as DC's most powerful, cunning, and terrifying villains. From their appearances in DC events such as Convergence AND Forever evil to their comic book series, the Crime Syndicate is home to some truly memorable villains– dark reflections of DC’s greatest heroes.

10 First appearance of the crime syndicate

The Silver Age Justice League of America quickly broke down universe barriers. Barry Allen and Jay Garrick's Flash teamed up in their own solo series, followed by a team-up starring Hal Jordan and Alan Scott's Green Lantern. The entire Justice League soon traveled to Earth-Two to meet with the Golden Age Justice Society.

Then Earth-Three debuted, introducing the Justice League's evil counterparts: The Crime Syndicate. The Crime Syndicate's first appearance is memorable, as they were unlike any villains DC had ever published. The Joker and Lex Luthor were the polar opposites of Batman and Superman. Villains like Owlman and Ultraman they were Batman and Superman, even if they come from another universe.

9 The Return of the Crime Syndicate

Years later, the Justice League once again battles the Silver Age Crime Syndicate. The sequel event, “Crisis on Earth-Prime!”, features multiversal shenanigans, like all the best Crime Syndicate stories. As the Justice League of America prepares to meet the incoming Justice Society, the Crime Syndicate bursts through the interdimensional portal.

This mini-crossover event featured the Justice League, Justice Society, and Crime Syndicate. In an era where multiverse stories were rare, a comic featuring all three of these super-teams was a cosmic blast for the reader.

8 Dead Universes Collide in DC's Convergence

The original Earth-Three Crime Syndicate returns! Convergence was DC Comics' crossover event that resurrected dead or forgotten universes from DC's long publishing history. While some fans were dissatisfied with the direction of the New 52, Convergence gave them glimpses of past DC continuities, including the Silver Age Crime Syndicate.

All these old worlds are trying to survive Convergence event, but few do. The Convergence: Crime Syndicate The miniseries is a fantastic blast from the past, bringing the old Crime Syndicate back to modern DC Comics, honoring what came before and giving fans a direct comparison between the classic Syndicate and those that would appear in Grant Morrison’s comics. JLA and the New 52.

7 Nightwing and the Crime Syndicate Fight for Earth

Amanda Waller's reach exceeds her grasp, literally. Waller extends her Suicide Squad recruitment program into the DC multiverse, sending Bloodsport to Earth-3 to attempt to recruit members of the Crime Syndicate. Unfortunately, Ultraman and the rest of the Crime Syndicate aren't so easily controlled.

War for Earth-3 It's a fantastic crossover event that serves as a sequel to the Crime Syndicate miniseries. War for Earth-3 The film also stars Nightwing, the Flash (Wally West), the Titans, and the Teen Titans as the main heroes, rather than the stereotypical Justice League, and is another multiversal story that features alternate Earths that deserve more prominence.

6 The Crime Syndicate starred in their own miniseries

Decades after their Silver Age debut Justice League of America comics, it was about time the Crime Syndicate took center stage in their own solo comic book series. The six-issue limited series had a tagline: Welcome to Earth-3, where it’s cool to be bad. This statement perfectly encapsulates the Crime Syndicate and the backward nature of Earth-3.

THE Crime Syndicate miniseries devotes quality time to each member of the Syndicate, from Ultraman to Owlman to Superwoman, proving that these villains need more than just six issues. Multiversal stories are some of DC’s best comics, and DC should be banking heavily on the Crime Syndicate’s Earth-3 moving forward.

5 The JLA battles the crime syndicate in a new era

Written by Kurt Busiek, who took over JLA with writing duties by Grant Morrison, “Syndicate Rules” is largely a sequel to Morrison JLA: Earth-2. Parts of this story arc also inspired the Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths animated film in which the Antimatter Crime Syndicate returns to wreak havoc on the Justice League.

The Crime Syndicate has successfully defeated the Justice League and taken over their Earth. The Crime Syndicate even dresses up as the Justice League. “Syndicate Rules” has been an incredible comic book story arc that proves we need more Justice League/Crime Syndicate clashes. Perhaps DC's “Absolute” titles, featuring alternate versions of Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman, will use “Syndicate Rules” as inspiration.

4 Crime Syndicate Targets Trinity of Washington

This storyline takes place years after the Crime Syndicate abandoned the Antimatter Universe.and stole the identities of the Justice League in JLA “The Rules of the Syndicate”. The Crime Syndicate is back, targeting Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman in Trinity comic book series.

Owlman, Ultraman and Superwoman stole the show in this Trinity comic event. While Johnny Quick and Power Ring were interesting antagonists to Flash and Green Lantern, the Crime Syndicate Trinity were always the more interesting and deep villains. Busiek's Trinity the series gave them the visibility they deserved.

3 Justice League Dives Into New 52 Crime Syndicate

When the Justice League disappears, Lex Luthor, Bizarro and Captain Cold recruit a new team of all-supervillains in Forever evilWhile the main one Forever evil The miniseries explores Lex and Batman's hopeless fight against the Crime Syndicate, the Justice League The comic book series served as companion books, transporting readers into the past of the New 52 Crime Syndicate.

Readers learn how Power Ring obtained his ring with the familiar name Volthoom, how Ultraman survived the explosion of his home world with orders to “be the strongest,” how Owlman murdered his parents in his Earth's Crime Alley, and much more.

2 Lex Luthor's Justice League Defends Earth

The seven numbers Forever evil miniseries is where all the action is. What happened to the Justice League? In their absence, Lex Luthor takes it upon himself to assemble his own team of supervillains to defend Earth from the invading Crime Syndicate. This Crime Syndicate is unlike anything readers have ever seen before in the Silver Age or in Grant Morrison's book. JLA.

Geoff Johns' New 52 Crime Syndicate is deranged, diabolical, and scheming, often backstabbing each other to get what they want. They also have dark secrets surrounding the arrival of the Anti-Monitor and the origin of their evil version of Shazam. Forever evil It's without a doubt one of Crime Syndicate's best comics and a breath of fresh air for readers who loved the New 52 era.

1 The Crime Syndicate of the Antimatter Universe

Grant Morrison reinvented the Justice League in JLAinjecting the Justice League comic with modern storytelling and stakes. Similarly, Morrison reinvented the Crime Syndicate. The Justice League's villainous counterparts were no longer simply alternate versions of heroes from another Earth.

Instead, this Crime Syndicate originated in the Antimatter Universe, which has been revealed to contain its own multiverse. The JLA: Earth-2 The event is memorable because it features a modern-day clash between the Justice League and the Crime Syndicate, with more character development and interpersonal drama between Ultraman, Owlman, and Superwoman more than readers have ever seen before.