Spider-Man is a classic superhero, but with every good hero must come plenty of villains to oppose them. While people expect the heroes to be idolized, these villains have become fan favorites in their own right, too. In fact, some of Spider-Man’s enemies have even branched out to antagonize other Marvel heroes.
Sometimes, it’s because these characters are portrayed somewhat sympathetically, being turned to villainy through tragic circumstances or being more morally gray than outright evil. Even when they are proper villains, they can sometimes be the element that makes a good story. Other times, fans like these characters because of how delightfully evil and entertaining these characters can be. Sometimes, it’s just a lot of fun reading about a “love to hate” a character.
10/10 Mysterio Is A Jack-Of-All-Trades With Villainous Skills & A Classic Trickster
At first glance, Quentin Beck, or Mysterio, might look like a powerful magical figure, but he doesn’t have any supernatural powers. Mysterio simply uses his skills in special effects and the performing arts to accomplish his criminal goals.
Mysterio would later add techno-wizardry, chemistry, and hypnosis to his growing list of skills, even being able to work with robots. Throughout the years, Mysterio has been a nemesis to both Spider-Man and Daredevil. Mysterio’s fights with Spider-Man also led to him becoming one of the Sinister Six’s founding members.
9/10 The Kingpin Is A Villain Who Can’t Be Kept Down
Wilson Grant Fisk, or the Kingpin, is a recurring Marvel villain and crime lord. Kingpin started as a nemesis to Spider-Man but eventually branched out to antagonize other Marvel heroes. Kingpin is a character who knows the importance or popularity even in the comics, at times using public relations to cast himself as a charitable businessman.
Kingpin also is well-aware of how deceiving appearances can be, as his opponents often don’t realize most of his body is pure muscle. Despite all this, Kingpin does have sympathetic moments, from being bullied in his youth to his various failed attempts to leave his criminal life behind. On the other hand, plenty of fans like Kingpin for being a villain who keeps coming back.
8/10 Morbius The Living Vampire Is Perfect For Fans Of The Dark & Edgy
Comics have often experimented with different reinterpretations of Dracula and Marvel Comics is no exception. Morbius the Living Vampire even came about in doing a story involving Dracula before being rewritten as a different character. Dr. Michael Morbius effectively became a vampire-human hybrid through his own experimentation, trying to treat a blood disease.
Unfortunately, Morbius is consumed with the thirst for blood typical of a vampire, at the risk of his own life. Due to his backstory and situation, Morbius usually comes off as one of Spider-Man’s more sympathetic enemies. Some stories have shown Morbius attempt to become a vigilante, but his desire for blood usually takes control.
7/10 The Sandman Tends To Be One Of Spidey’s More Tragic Adversaries
The Sandman, also known as William Baker and Flint Marko, is a villain who appeared in some of the earliest Spider-Man comic books. At times, Sandman’s also been an enemy to the Fantastic Four. After a hard life pushed him into a life of crime, Sandman developed his powers thanks to nuclear exposure.
Over the years, Sandman tends to be one of the more tragic and morally grey members of Spider-Man’s rogue gallery. In fact, some stories paint Sandman as being an ally to Spider-Man and even an Avenger’s reserve member.
6/10 Black Cat Is A Classic Marvel Femme Fatale
Felicia Hardy, the alter-ego of Black Cat, is a femme fatale and one of Spider-Man’s most well-known female villains. Felicia is the daughter of a cat burglar, Walter Hardy. Keeping the “black cat” theme on point, Black Cat has been portrayed with the power of controlling probability and inflicting bad luck.
Over the years, Black Cat sometimes ranges from an anti-heroine and an anti-villainess, as well as serving as a possible love interest for Spider-Man. One of Black Cat’s most famous incarnations was in the 1990s Spider-Man cartoon. This version portrayed Felicia as Peter Parker’s first love, somewhat conflating her role with Gwen Stacy.
5/10 Doctor Octopus Even Got To Take On The Spider-Man Mantle
Doctor Octopus is best known as the Spider-Man adversary that relies on brains more than anything else. With his scientific skill, Doc Ock transformed himself into a supervillain with his tentacle-like appendages.
A recurring nemesis to Spider-Man, Doc Ock isn’t just a founding member, but a leader, among the original Sinister Six. During their early showdown, Doc Ock was the last villain to be defeated. That said, Doc Ock has had his lighter moments. Doc Ock has become a Spider-Man, the “Superior Spider-Man,” for a time.
4/10 Green Goblin Even Has Followings Inside The Comics
As a testament to how popular the Green Goblin is, plenty of characters have taken on the mantle. However, for man fans, one of the most iconic versions is the original Norman Osborn. For a character considered one of Spider-Man’s scariest villains, the Green Goblin naturally has a Halloween aesthetic, notably using jack-o’-lanterns as weapons.
Generally considered one of Spider-Man most iconic villains, the Green Goblin has occasionally been pretty popular in the comics themselves. Gangs, underground nations, and other groups have popped up devoted to the Green Goblin.
3/10 Carnage Is A Master Of Chaos
Carnage is effectively a dark, more sinister version of Venom, and not just in appearance. Carnage even originated from Venom, being a similar symbiotic being. Similar to Venom, Carnage has had different hosts over the years. Because of its origins, Carnage has been both a villain to Venom and Spider-Man.
In fact, Carnage has been a reason for Venom and Spider-Man forming truces. Carnage is a figure who lives for chaos and seeks to create it above all else. There have been times Carnage has sought to become a god of chaos.
2/10 Venom Only Wanted To Help
Venom technically is an alien symbiote that has used characters as hosts. After attempting to take over Peter Parker, Eddie Brock would go on to become Venom’s more well-known hosts. For many fans, Venom’s greatest appeal is his design, being a dark and visually stronger version of Spider-Man, with the added bonus of manipulating parts of his body in a fluid-like design.
At times, Venom has been reinterpreted as more of an anti-hero, even allying himself with Spider-Man. Of course, it’s important to remember all Venom originally wanted to do was help Spider-Man.
1/10 J. Jonah Jameson Is The Classic Spider-Man Antagonist & Anti-Villain
J. Jonah Jameson isn’t a Spider-Man villain in the traditional sense but is one of the famous web-slinger’s greatest antagonists. Jameson is a prominent media personality behind the Daily Bugle who uses his position to demonize Spider-Man, and occasionally other heroes, to the world at large. Little does Jameson know that Spider-Man is also on his payroll as Peter Parker.
Jameson’s toothbrush mustache and demand for photos of Spider-Man are iconic, even to people who’ve never read the comics. In popular culture, allusions to Jameson appear in media from The Simpsons to Invincible.
