Book excerpt: DC Comics has created some of the most twisted and complex villainous characters in the world of comics. The third installment in the popular 100 Greatest Moments of DC Comics series, DC Comics Super-Villains features the pivotal acts that shaped the characters of 74 of these bad guys in over 200 pages of art. Every hero needs a villain. In fighting them, the extreme superiority of our heroes is revealed. The methods and morals of villains are usually the key difference between them and the heroes. Batman, for instance, is a vigilante who cleans up the streets while never stooping so low as to kill the deplorable criminals he battles. What makes him truly good is that he upholds these standards even when he's faced with a villain like the Joker, an entity that would arguably be better off dead. Many bad guys cause mayhem for mayhem's sake, with sometimes no apparent reason other than simply being bad. What makes a villain great, however, is the complexity of their character. The truly terrible villains of DC Comics have depths of cruelty that grow with them, and specific motivations driving them. In these pages, you will see these super-villains at the peak of their achievements; committing heinous acts of death and destruction, all to achieve a specific goal. They challenge the heroes and their ideals, seeing the caped and cowled figures as obstacles to be overcome. Compiled by several groups of hardcore fans, these 100 moments are the greatest (worst?) villainous acts in DC Comic book history. A summary of each super-villain brings new fans up to speed, from their origins to their most dastardly revivals. Classic and modern comic book art are shown throughout. Enjoy the most important parts of your favorite story arcs. It's a great starting point for new readers or a nostalgic look for hardcore fans through the villains old and new. An extension of the DC Comics 100 Greatest Moments series for the most dedicated and curious DC comics fan.