It’s safe to say Batman has come a long way since his George Clooney, nippled-suite days. Now a more mysterious, troubled, complicated superhero than his latex-ridden counterparts of films past; Batman has become a character that is not only incredible to watch on the silver screen, but also one that audiences the world over can relate to.

And he isn’t the only one who has evolved.

Batman’s enemies have come into their own as well. Instead of an inaudible Arnold Schwarzenegger as Mr. Freeze – turning our souls to ice with awful one liners – and an IQ-lacking, steroid-taking Bane; Batman is facing psychopathic, complex, and oddly infatuating foes. It’s easily argued that Christopher Nolan’s Joker, played by Heath Ledger in The Dark Knight (2008), was more popular than Batman himself. Parallels between Jack Nicholson‘s representation – once said to be unsurpassable – were made before the film was ever released. Countless character break downs were made. Unending analysis were published. Even T-shirts, posters, and costumes were produced by the millions. All for the bad guy.

So here’s an ode to those that walk on the dark side. The menaces to society. Gotham’s nightmares. Because even the bad guys need some love. And, let’s face it, they’re, “just too much fun”.

▪ ”Have you ever danced with the devil in the pale moonlight?” (Joker, Batman, 1989)

▪ “They wouldn’t put me on a pedestal, so I’m layin’ ‘em on a slab!” (Penguin, Batman Returns, 1992)

▪ “Wanna know how I got these scars?” (Joker, The Dark Knight, 2008)

▪ “Why so serious?” (Joker, The Dark Knight, 2008)

▪ “Have you ever had to talk to the person you loved most, tell them it’s gonna be all right, when you know it’s not? Well, you’re about to know what that feels like, Gordon. Then you can look me in the eye and tell me you’re sorry.” (Two Face/Harvey Dent, The Dark Knight, 2008)

▪ “Riddle me this, riddle me that. Who’s afraid of the big bad bat?” (The Riddler/Edward Nygma, Batman Forever, 1995)

▪ “When Gotham is ashes, you have my permission to die.” (Bane, The Dark Knight Rises, 2012)

▪ “I’m only laughing on the outside. My smile is just skin deep. If you could see inside I’m really crying, you might join me for a weep.” (Joker, Batman, 1989)

▪ “You’re punishment must be more severe.” (Bane, The Dark Knight Rises, 2012)