Marvel Comics rose during the Silver Age. During that time, it grounded many of its villains in science. So many villains are scientists and engineers. The prevalence of superpowered heroes in large cities like New York has forced various street-level criminals to invest in gadgetry to have a chance at success.
This inevitably makes for challenges for Marvel’s line-up of superheroes. A great villain can make gadgets incredibly effective. A clumsy, careless, or overconfident criminal will fail no matter how good their tech is. Crooks might want to recognize that before they buy their latest super-weapon, hypnotizing helmet, or flying harness.
10/10 The Porcupine’s Gadgets Proved That Crime Does Not Pay
Alexander Gentry was a weapons designer for the U.S. Army who developed his Porcupine suit in his overtime. He was convinced he could make a fortune using the quilled armor for committing crimes instead of giving it to the Army for just his salary. He was incredibly proud of his suit and its variety of gadgets.
Aside from the quills, which could be fired at opponents, the suit could shoot lasers, gas, and electricity. He also included belt jets to fly, showing his skill as an engineer. Gentry never had much success and died impaling himself on one of his quills.
9/10 The Jester Bought His Gadgets To Commit Robberies
Jonathan Powers was a failed actor who focused more on training for skills to earn him roles. His arrogance wasn’t on par with his ability. Deciding to turn his other skills towards crime, he bought a variety of gadgets from the Tinkerer, who built equipment for criminals.
His gadgets were joke-themed, keeping with his chosen Jester identity. He used a weighted yo-yo, exploding popcorn, and gas-emitting discs. No matter what he added to his arsenal, the Jester would never be successful. Eventually, he was shot in prison.
8/10 The Trapster’s Gadgets All Used Adhesives
The Trapster originally went by the identity of Paste-Pot Pete, a name that stuck with him even after he changed it. His tactics always involved using powerful adhesives to bind opponents or gum up machinery. He primarily used a pistol to deliver the glue and pastes and found new ways to use it.
He could use a stream of paste to act as a swing line. He would use boots with adhesive soles to climb walls. He used his brilliant chemical knowledge to develop different types of adhesives and solvents.
7/10 The Wizard Came Up With Gadgets For Himself And The Fearsome Four
The Wizard was jealous of the attention superheroes took away from exceptional people like himself. While he relied on his antigravity disks for his criminal activities, he invented a lot of other gadgets. One of his first accomplishments was impersonating the Human Torch.
His home once confounded the Avengers with several devices, including a dimension matrix that kept She-Hulk walking back and forth without realizing it. His gloves contained several devices, increasing his strength and shooting various types of energy. He’s best known for mastering antigravity, giving him the nickname of the Wingless Wizard.
6/10 Mysterio Specializes In Illusion
Spider-Man’s foe Mysterio was a special effects master that turned to crime. All of his gadgets reinforce his illusions. His boots emit a steady stream of smoke that camouflages his movements. He occasionally mixes other gases for effects: hallucinogens, hypnogens, and neutralizing specific superpowers.
Mysterio’s boots also allow him to cling to walls and make powerful leaps. Mysterio’s fishbowl-like helmet is one-way glass and contains an air supply and radar to navigate through his smoke screen. He’s also made use of holographic projectors to complete realistic illusions.
5/10 The Tinkerer Sells Almost All Of His Gadgets
The Tinkerer serves a purpose in the criminal underworld. He provides equipment to criminals trying to thwart the interference of superheroes. Occasionally, he would get directly involved, as when he took over the Spider-Mobile. He quickly learned his lesson and kept working for other villains rather than confronting superheroes himself.
He’s provided equipment for villains like Rocket Racer, Whirlwind, Hammerhead, Big Wheel, and the Beetle. This practice has not kept him safe, and vigilantes like the Punisher have tracked him down. Nick Fury also discovered that much of his funding came from Doctor Doom.
4/10 The Fixer Became Invaluable To Baron Zemo
The Fixer was a brilliant scientist squandering his talent in odd jobs. He turned to crime and often worked with the mutant mentalist Mentallo for HYDRA. His fortunes changed when the second Baron Zemo recruited the Fixer for his incarnation of the Masters of Evil.
The Fixer was instrumental in the takeover of Avengers Mansion. When Zemo masqueraded his Masters of Evil as the heroic Thunderbolts, the Fixer operated as Techno. He remained loyal to Zemo and freed him from brainwashing in SHIELD’s detention town of Pleasant Hill, triggering the chain of events that resulted in the HYDRA-controlled Captain America.
3/10 Kang the Conqueror Uses Gadgets From Future Eras He Has Conquered
Kang the Conqueror has incorporated weapons and technology from future eras into his armor. He’s not been averse to using other items throughout his various efforts to conquer the 20th and 21st centuries. He’s made use of antigravity devices and force fields, but it’s the more unique devices that deserve noticing.
Kang has been known to employ an android that starts at the size of an action figure. Called the Growing Man, it would grow every time it was struck, quickly becoming the size of buildings. Of all the weaponry Kang has purloined, he’s used these androids many times.
2/10 Doctor Doom Built Many Devices Used In His Quest For Power And Vengeance
Doctor Doom may be the most brilliant mind on the planet. He created the first modern time platform and an army of robots, many in his image. He’s even built weapons capable of harming Galactus.
Doom has never been afraid to push the bounds of science. He created a device capable of traversing the afterlife. One of his earliest inventions was a weapon that siphoned off the Power Cosmic from the Silver Surfer, transferring it to Doom. Of course, these inventions sometimes don’t work as well as hoped.
1/10 The Green Goblin Uses Gadgets Fitting His Identity
Norman Osborn has employed various themed gadgets and weapons in his Green Goblin identity. While Osborn has embraced his more devious personality, the Goblin identity has proven just as dangerous. The Goblin has used Osborn’s genius to create a unique arsenal.
His most iconic weapon is his pumpkin bombs, which act like grenades, delivering gas or explosives. He’s also used razor-sharp bats, electricity-blasting gloves, and plastic ghosts that could asphyxiate opponents. His most deadly weapon doubles as his transportation. His Goblin Glider nearly ended Osborn’s life when its bent chassis impaled him.
