Marvel vs. DC: Which Villains have the Greatest Beards?
What is it we love about comic books? Heroic deeds. Epic battles. Bold character designs. Perhaps, it’s not the heroes that hold our attention at all. Perhaps, it’s devilish and dastardly villains. But while most villains are as fresh-faced as the youthful heroes they face, some of the greatest villains of all sport impressive beards. You can’t be a mustache-twirling villain, after all, if you don’t have a mustache to twirl.
But who bears the greatest beard? When conquering the earth, the galaxy, or even the universe, which villains do it in style? That’s what we’re here to find out.
Thanos
Source - insidethemagic.net
Ok! Before all the comic book fans start yelling, we know his chin folds aren’t actually a beard. There’s even some suggestion that Thanos can grow a beard – in the MCU, at least. Nevertheless, the chin folds are going on the list. I mean, aren’t they like a giant, weird, alien goatee. We think so.
We wouldn’t have the Mad Titan any other way.
Ra’s Al Ghul
Source - entertainment.ie
Clearly taking style advice from the Hunger Games’ Seneca Crane, Ghul sports jagged, hooked sideburns. It’s certainly an unusual look. But for an immortal terrorist, it’s yet one more quirk he likely acquired over his centuries of life.
He might be mad from the Lazarus Pits. Yet, at least The Demon’s Head does it in style.
General Zod
Source - moviemorgue.fandom.com
Beards aren’t your first thought when you think of one of Superman’s greatest nemeses. Yet, nearly all incarnations don a full but unusually shaped beard. Think: thin mustache, carefully shaved sides contoured around his chin. Zod spends some serious time in the bathroom in the morning.
Vandal Savage
Source - arrow.fandom.com
For a man who lived longer than record history, Vandal’s beard is surprisingly well-groomed. Sometimes just some unruly mutton chops; others, a full beard – Vandal Savage just wouldn’t look the same without a bit of facial fuzz. Definitely one of the best beards in the DC universe!
Sebastian Shaw
Source - www.marvel.com
Played by Kevin Bacon in 2011’s X-Men: First Class, Shaw actually is bearded in most of his comic book appearances. As seems to be a running theme with comic book villains, the founder of the Hellfire Club is best known for his menacing mutton chops and cravat. While you might expect Shaw to be another immortal like Ghul or Savage, he’s really just a regular mutant. Say what you want, but the man’s not a slave to fashion.
Thunderbolt Ross
Source - gamerant.com
AKA General Thaddeus E. Ross. Being the father-in-law of Dr. Bruce Banner, you may imagine Ross is one of the good guys. Not so. Using the full might of the US army, this mustachioed thunderbolt goes rogue – making it his mission to slay the Hulk.
While the MCU changed many things when bringing their characters to the big screen, one thing they didn’t dare change was Ross’ signature mustache. Isn’t it glorious?
Mandarin
Source - www.ign.com
The Mandarin recently appeared in the MCU movie Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. Before that, the character has a long and illustrious history in print. Blending mysticism and scientific genius, the Mandarin’s beard is similarly one-part Iron Man, one-part Doctor Strange, and a little dash of Ming the Merciless for good measure.
It’s weird and wonderful. What’s not to love?
Dishonorable mention: Omni-Man - The Invincible Universe
Source - www.looper.com
What if Superman had a mustache… and was evil? Enter Nolan Grayson, father of the eponymous Invincible and the world’s greatest protector. Only Omni-Man has a secret. Beneath the sweet mustache, he’s not a lovable father figure but a cold, calculating, genocidal monster.
Recently made popular by Amazon Prime’s adaption of Invincible, Grayson’s mustache is fast becoming iconic. While he might not be Marvel or DC, his mustache definitely deserves a dishonorable mention.
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