Source: dccomics.com

8. Mad Hatter

If I were going to pick one classic Batman villain who’s tailor-made for a dark and gritty re-imagining, it would be Jervis Tetch, the Mad Hatter.

Specifically, this is the version of the Hatter that came about as part of Batman: The Animated Series. The BTAS Hatter was a great reinvention as a Nice Guy who snaps and uses his cleverness to refine mind control technology. He was never used all that much, which is tragic. Angry twenty somethings turning violent after being “friend zoned” (hardest possible air quotes on that one) has never been more common, and a Batvillain based around that idea would be fascinating.

Also, Hatter is smart and cunning, and he could provide an interesting mystery for the Dark Knight to solve. I’ve always liked Tetch, especially in his guest roles in Gotham Central and Secret Six, and having him as a creepy weirdo with an unhealthy obsession is a great take.

Most Batman villains are scary in an uncommon way, but Hatter is scary in an all too real way.