James Gunn’s DC villain lineup expands with the introduction of Diarmaid Murtagh as Drom Baxton, a space pirate serving as second-in-command to Krem Of The Yellow Hills in the upcoming Supergirl film. This addition to the DC Universe (DCU) was revealed alongside the announcement of the movie’s release date, June 26, setting the stage for a high-stakes confrontation in the rebooted franchise.
New Dangerous Antagonists Leading the Brigands in Supergirl
Drom Baxton, portrayed by Murtagh, will support Krem, played by Matthias Schoenaerts, as the brutal leaders of the Brigands, a notorious group known for committing atrocities such as human trafficking and genocide. These characters are adapted from the Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow comic series by Tom King and Bilquis Evely, which features the Brigands as the primary villains. The film follows Kara Zor-El, played by Milly Alcock, and Ruthye Marye Knoll, played by Eve Ridley, on a mission to hunt down Krem and seek revenge for Ruthye’s father, who was killed by the Brigands’ leader. The film also stars Jason Momoa as Lobo and David Krumholtz as Zor-El, with Ana Nogueira as the screenwriter and Craig Gillespie directing.
Other Original Villains in the New DC Universe
Drom Baxton joins a growing list of original adversaries within the rebooted DCU, each bringing unique threats and complexity to the stories.
Ilana Rostovic’s Role as a Deceptive Monarch in Creature Commandos
Maria Bakalova voices Ilana Rostovic, the main antagonist in Creature Commandos Season 1, which is the first project of the renewed DCU. Initially presented as the benevolent ruler of Pokolistan, her sinister motives are gradually revealed. Although she lacks superpowers, her intelligence and skills make her a formidable opponent throughout the animated season. Her arc concludes when The Bride kills her in retaliation.
The Hammer of Boravia: A Dark Clone in Superman
The 2025 Superman movie introduces The Hammer of Boravia, a villain who is a cloned version of Superman, outfitted with a gold-and-silver mech suit operated by Lex Luthor. David Corenswet plays Clark Kent and voices this character, who also adopts the name Ultraman. While borrowing elements from established DC characters like the anti-hero Ultraman and the flawed Bizarro clone, this portrayal is unique to the rebooted DCU, blending these inspirations into a distinct entity with a dual identity.
Red St. Wild: Peacemaker’s Ruthless Eagle Hunter
In Peacemaker Season 2, Michael Rooker embodies Red St. Wild, an eagle hunter hired to assassinate Eagly, Peacemaker’s eagle companion. This original villain appears across three episodes before meeting his demise by the very eagles he pursued. Besides his hunting expertise, Red St. Wild harnesses magic to track and capture eagles, making him a persistent threat. James Gunn described the character as “basically Eagly’s Lex Luthor,” a peculiar but fitting comparison reflecting the show’s dark humor.
“basically Eagly’s Lex Luthor, a concept that is both bizarre and fitting for the tone and humor of Peacemaker.” – James Gunn, Director
Why These New Villains Matter in the DC Reboot
The introduction of these fresh antagonists illustrates James Gunn and Peter Safran’s commitment to diversifying the DCU’s villain roster with layered, original characters. By blending classic comic inspirations with new storytelling directions, the reboot aims to deepen the narrative complexity and emotional stakes across its projects. The inclusion of actors known for their dramatic range, such as Diarmaid Murtagh and Maria Bakalova, hints at more nuanced and intense conflicts ahead.
The arrival of Supergirl’s chilling villains, alongside unexpected threats in series like Peacemaker and Creature Commandos, sets up a tense atmosphere for the DCU’s future. Fans can anticipate a darker, more morally complex universe where heroes face multifaceted enemies, adding uncertainty and emotional weight to upcoming stories.
As these characters develop on screen, the evolving DCU promises to challenge traditional hero-villain dynamics and broaden its appeal to audiences craving high-impact narratives and unpredictable twists.
