Let's not forget, it's been strongly implied (though never, to my knowledge, actually stated) that he's on a speaking basis with Dream of the Endless. Degaton may be a slimy little redheaded shrimp, but he's a major roller in terms of chronological nefariousness. Did we ever see the payoff of his partnership with Despero and Ultra-Humanite? (I know they showed up in Booster Gold, but I don't know if they ever came to a real conclusion.)