Need help creating a rogues gallery for my Superman-type hero
Hello,
first time posting here, but I am creating my own comic universe (slowly but surely) with one of my friends. I have probably over 100+ character ideas drawn with more to come.
I think I’ve written myself into a corner with my Superman-inspired hero. I’m having trouble coming up with villain ideas that actually pose a threat to someone so powerful. Here is the background:
Superman-inspired hero - Aurum: an ancient being created by the universe before the big bang, he is the universe’s guiding principle of life gathered into a physical body. His name is Aurum, and he was sent to Earth to protect it from another universal threat, a cosmic corrupter that feeds on civilizations at their peak. They’ve battled for ages, their first battle actually created the big bang. During their never ending clashes, Aurum was essentially put into a dormant slumber for thousands of years. He wakes up in Times Square in 2026 and begins catching up on everything he has missed. He has flight, strength, durability, and is imbued with the Principle, a golden aura that inspires others around him and can be extracted to grant other people powers (only one such recorded occasion). The Principle is the guiding universal energy that creates life, concentrated into a superpower. His only main weakness is his mortal enemy, the cosmic corrupter villain I mentioned earlier who is the antithesis of life and growth/represents corruption.
here are his current rogues:
- cosmic corrupter type: overarching cosmic threat for the main universe, mortal enemy to Aurum. Was dispersed across the universe in the fight that sent Aurum into his slumber. Slowly rebuilding. Can grant powers via Korruption Fragments that can grant immense power but also risks burning all life energy and essentially leaving behind a stone husk.
- an alien warlord who corrupted himself with one of these fragments and sacrificed his people in order to achieve this power. basically used to bring together my main hero team and is now a stone husk after the fragment burned up.
- Crave: once a weakling criminal who gained biological powers that amplify him based on how many fights and how much punishment he absorbs. Think Parasite mixed with Absolute Bane. Absorbing a bit from someone like Aurum could amplify him to unspeakable levels
- Zeus: more of a one time antagonist. Aurum inspired what history came to know as the Greek Gods. Before he went dormant, Aurum and Zeus formed a brotherly bond. Zeus felt betrayed and abandoned when Aurum went into his slumber and attacked Aurum after he awoke in today’s world. Settled their differences and are now allies again.
- Marquee Man: a New York superhero who adores fame and popularity, and is jealous that Aurum is in his territory. This character is like what if homelander met booster gold, but isn’t necessarily evil, he’s just so vain and self obsessed. Teetering between a fallen hero and redemption arc, they have a one way rivalry (only Marquee Man thinks it’s a rivalry)
I am looking to come up with two new (ideally earthbound villains) for Aurum that aren’t super cosmic or universal/team threats, I don’t use multiverses either so no parallel versions. I feel stuck because if it’s a fist fight, then they have to be able to take a punch. If it’s an intellectual debate, then how do you argue against the universe itself?
any help is appreciated!