DC is filled with characters who prefer to be loners. Namely, one of their most popular heroes, Batman, sets the tone for DC heroes and villains who want to work alone. This is a common theme leading many to turn down help and guidance from those who know and love them, often to their detriment.
However, it's nigh impossible for DC characters not to develop at least one close relationship in their lifetime. While villains often work alone in their evil schemes, sometimes all they really need is a friend. That friend may not lead them toward the path of good, but at least they have a partner to plan destroying the world with.
Updated by Sage Ashford on June 25th 2023: The most effective villains know how dangerous it can be to work alone. Some of the best develop partnerships and friendships to help them get over on the heroes. We've updated this list to add a few more DC villains with great friendships.
15 Amanda Waller & Rick Flag
Rick Flag might consider himself a decent person, but he works under Amanda Waller without questioning it. As much as he dislikes working with supervillains, Rick believes too much in the necessity of his work to walk away. More often than not, Flag is both the leader and the man on the inside on Waller's Suicide Squad team.
In the original New Earth timeline, Amanda Waller employed Flag because she needed someone she could trust. Over time, Flag proved her correct. He was so loyal he willingly fought the Justice League to help the Squad and Waller. While the two occasionally find themselves at odds, Rick and Waller will eventually end up working together again.
14 Knockout & Scandal Savage
Love between villains might look a little different, but it's still unmistakable. Knockout and Scandal Savage met during their time in the Secret Six. The two of them have made their mistakes, but eventually came back to one another.
Scandal cared so much for Knockout she was even willing to risk the Secret Six's safety against the supervillain community after Knockout was killed. Scandal went on a mission to recover a “Get Out Of Hell” free card for Waller, but successfully outsmarted everyone to keep the card. Afterward, she resurrected her lover, allowing the two of them to continue working with the rest of the Six.
13 Bane & Scandal Savage
Bane and Scandal Savage’s relationship within the Secret Six was one of the most compelling in the entire run. Bane, a so-called heartless criminal, formed a sweet bond with Scandal, a woman whose own father was an absolute monster. Over repeated missions together, they developed an almost father-daughter relationship.
Bane could see the hurt in Scandal, offering her a safe haven when she needed it most. Likewise, Scandal came to Bane’s aid when he briefly started using venom again to save Scandal’s life. Knowing Bane wanted to be free of his reliance on venom, Scandal helped him destroy the remainder of his supply.
12 Captain Cold & Heat Wave
Captain Cold and Heat Wave’s friendship is similar to rivalries found in anime series. The two characters originally didn’t get along that well because they had opposite mindsets, and even competed for the love of the same woman.
Later, Captain Cold brought Heat Wave into the Rogues. Whenever the team formed, Rory was always one of the first Snart asked to join. Their competing mindsets complement each other, making them one of the most dangerous pairings in comics.
11 Penguin & Riddler
This isn’t just a friendship born from Gotham. Even in the comics, Penguin and Riddler have formed a close friendship, thanks mostly to the two of them being the most normal super-villains in Gotham.
The Penguin and Riddler don’t work together often, but they have come to one another’s aid in the past. When Penguin believed his life was at risk, he even gave his most prized possession to Riddler: the Iceberg Lounge. Penguin believed the Riddler was the only person who could run the club to his standards.
10 The Brain & Monsieur Mallah
The Brain and Monsieur Mallah are a unique pairing, in that Mallah is a scientifically enhanced gorilla and the Brain is literally just a brain. Since their inception, however, they have been great companions.
Monsieur Mallah originally saved the Brain's life after another scientist attempted to kill him. They later created evil, villainous groups together. They have died together, and they've fallen in love. While the Brain's ambition to increase his mental abilities unfortunately came between them in DC's Rebirth, their care for each other can't be denied.
9 Solomon Grundy & Bizarro
An undead swamp zombie and a strange, clone version of Superboy wouldn't seem to have much in common. However, Solomon Grundy and Bizarro — both being outcasts, villains, and occasionally anti-heroes — developed a fun friendship.
Unsurprisingly, their friendship began with them both trying to kill each other. This fight occurred after Bizarro believed Solomon Grundy to be a friend and hugged him, which Grundy took offense to. They fought, but a silly comment from Bizarro led to laughter, hot dogs, and a nice evening that ended when Solomon Grundy turns back into his human form.
8 Deadshot & Catman
Deadshot and Catman's friendship was off to a rocky start from the very beginning, considering Deadshot killed Catman's lions to manipulate him into joining the Secret Six. However, Deadshot kindly apologized, and although Catman was very angry, he forgave him.
This set in motion a reluctant, but nice friendship between Deadshot and Catman. It was tense, as it almost always is between two villains. However, readers were treated to some funny bonding moments like the two making omelets and engaging in hilarious banter. Fans can only hope for more from this dynamic duo.
7 Deathstroke & Wintergreen
Slade Wilson and William Randolph Wintergreen have a long friendship history in DC Comics, beginning when they met in the army. During their time serving the military, they saved each other from suicide missions, and Wintergreen later became the best man in Slade's wedding.
Even after Slade became Deathstroke, the two remained close friends. Wintergreen assisted Deathstroke, becoming his mentor and medic. They were so close that Slade even left the care of his daughter with Wintergreen, and Wintergreen graciously honored Slade's need for space, which is ultimately the sign of a good friend.
6 Bane & Osito
Bane is a very popular DC villain, most notably becoming the Man Who Broke the Bat. Unfortunately, Bane has quite a tragic backstory, having been born in the prison Pena Duro, otherwise known as the Pit.
As a child fighting to survive in the prison, Bane often spent time with his teddy bear, Osito. Osito was Bane's only companion and friend while trapped in Pena Duro. Bane concealed a knife in Osito's head in order to defend himself, highlighting the important and tragic nature of their friendship.
5 The Joker & The Riddler
The Joker and the Riddler seem to be two sides of the same coin, one enjoying riddles and the other jokes. Additionally they share an equal love for the macabre. The only difference really is that the Joker is far more chaotic, and the Riddler is more meticulous. However, the two have a mutual understanding and respect for each other.
The Joker and the Riddler have teamed up on multiple occasions in comics, and while they butt heads over who'll eventually kill Batman, they also enjoy how fun it is to keep him alive. The Joker has even saved the Riddler's life, and although fans may never see them become best friends, they have a love-hate relationship.
4 Black Adam & Sinestro
Black Adam and Sinestro are two very powerful villains in DC Comics with similar ideologies, so at the very least they have something in common to spark their friendship. They both see themselves as heroes despite their actions often showing otherwise. While they may not be great influences on each other, they make great friends.
Sinestro has stated that Black Adam is a man of honor who can be trusted. Sinestro also says that they have an understanding, appreciate each other, and that Black Adam is a friend. Their appearances together have depicted them laughing and flying off together. Jokingly, Sinestro even made himself a throne beside Black Adam's.
3 Catwoman & Holly Robinson
Selina Kyle and Holly Robinson met when Holly was just 13 years old, and Selina saved her from assault. Since then, they have been close friends and kept in touch even while Selina became Catwoman and started her life of crime.
Holly eventually began working with Catwoman and trained a group of people to become spies for Selina. Holly also took on the mantle of Catwoman while Selina had her daughter. Their lives have been intertwined since they were both young, and their friendship has lasted decades.
2 The Joker & Lex Luthor
The Joker and Lex Luthor are arguably two of the most popular villains for their respective adversaries, Batman and Superman. The Clown Prince of Crime and the self-proclaimed "smartest man in the world" seem to come from two entirely different worlds, yet often team up.
While Lex Luthor and the Joker struggle to make actual friends, this alliance is potentially the closest they'll ever get — considering the Joker tends to kill or hurt anyone who gets close to him. While they often fight and betray each other, Luthor always involves the Joker in his villain team-ups, and they seem to have mutual respect.
1 Harley Quinn & Poison Ivy
Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy are without a doubt DC's most popular villain friendship, and have been fan-favorites since they first appeared together. Poison Ivy was always a good friend to Harley. She supporting Harley through her toxic relationship with the Joker and encouraged her to leave him.
Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy are best friends. They respect and trust each other and stick by each other through anything. Recently, they became romantically involved, which is no surprise considering how close their bond is, as well as how flirty and seductive they both are. Although their relationship may not have lasted long as a result of Ivy's focus on the environment, these two were simply meant to be partners in crime.