Superman is by far the most well-known, easily recognizable and iconic character in comic books. He’s the first comic book superhero first coming into the spotlight in 1938 in the pages of Action Comics.

But with great power comes great responsibility .. and powerful enemies. That’s why I searched through Superman’s history to find twelve of his most powerful enemies, Superman’s Dirty Dozen. Allow me to introduce my picks for Superman’s top villains and tell me how did your favorite villain rank.

12. Toyman

He was first introduced in Action Comics #64 and he’s considered a dangerous foe due to his ability to create toy based weapons and deadly devices. Currently he’s an ally of Superman but you never know when he’ll decide to transform the local Toys R Us into a factory of death.

11. Cyborg Superman

Hank Henshaw also known as Cyborg Superman (or just Cyborg) was created by Dan Jurgens and made its first appearance in Adventures of Superman #465. He is now the Grandmaster of the Manhunters and a core member of the Sinestro Corps.

10. Parasite

Maxwell Jenson was a low level worker at a scientific research center, who though the company was storing money in its large bio hazard containers, opened the only one that contained cosmic waste energy. His skin turned purple and he became a power parasite, draining the life force out of anyone he touched. One time he was able to absorb the identity of Superman through Lois Lane, not only taking the life energy but also the memories. Parasite is even able to drain the energy out of the Man of Steel

9. Mister Mxyzptlk

It’s pronounced “Mix-Yez-Pittle-Ick” and he first appeared in the comic book Superman #30. Mxy is an imp from the 5th Dimension who travels to our dimension to befuddle Superman. The only way to get him back to his home dimension is to get him to say his name backwards.

8. Metallo

Everyone knows that Superman’s greatest weakness is Kryptonite. But what happens when you mix Kryptonite with metal and hate for the Man of Steel? Metallo happens of course. His real name is John Corben and after being mortally injured he volunteers for an experiment where mad scientists bong his body with robotic pieces powered by a heart of Kryptonite. That gives him powers that rivals those of Superman’s.

7. General Zod

Zod is a Kryptonian was criminal who was sent to the Phantom Zone by Superman’s father, Jor-El. He’s considered Superman’s dark reflection and first appeared in Adventure Comics #283.

6. Bizarro

Bizarro is a twisted clone of Superman. Everything about him is the exact opposite of Superman. Bizarro even created his own planet using the same “duplicating ray” that created him. Bizarro World is opposite to Superman’s Earth and even has its own Bizarro Justice League.

5. Mongul

He was a brutal ruler of an alien world until its citizens rebelled and exiled him. After that Mongul conquered Warworld, an artificial planet that he ruled without question, forcing its inhabitants to do battle in gladiatorial combat. He crossed paths and punches with Superman when he tried to turn Earth into another Warworld.

4. Doomsday

Doomsday is the only one that managed to kill Superman. I’m pretty sure that’s all that needs to be said to secure this monster’s place on this list. In The Death and Return of Superman, Doomsday (genetically engineered Kryptonian weapon) cuts a path of destruction across Earth culminating in the ultimate showdown Superman has ever had. Unfortunately Doomsday quite literally beat him to death.

3. Darkseid

Darkseid is truly a god, with nearly unlimited powers and the ruler of the planet Apokolips. He is driven to locate the Anti-Life Equation, with which he will subjugate all will power, making him the ruler of everyone everywhere. He crosses paths with Superman and the Justice League when he finds out that Earth might contain the information he’s looking for. The heroes of Earth have had to band together to stand against him, most recently in ‘Final Crisis’ where he very nearly conquered the entire planet.

2. Brainiac

Developed on the planet Colu, Brainiac is a robot with an unrivaled thirst for knowledge and power. He cannot be destroyed, as long as his “essence” or programming survives a battle, he will return to menace the world. Brainiac is perhaps most notorious for shrinking the Kryptonian city of Kandor, and storing it in a bottle on his ship along with cities from many other worlds.

1. Lex Luthor

Few superheroes have a nemesis like Lex Luthor. He’s not only the archenemy of Superman, he’s one of the greatest enemies of the entire DC Universe. Originally depicted as being an evil scientist,he is now a wealthy business man, crime lord and CEO of Lex corp. Why is he Superman’s biggest enemy? Because no one is as brutally intelligent, as calculatingly cunning, and as devastatingly dashing as Luthor and no matter how he’s reinvented he always hates Superman and wants to see him on his knees.