What is a hero? Some would answer this question by defining a hero by their powers, their motto, or their mantra. But ultimately, a hero can’t exist without a villain. Without villains, we wouldn’t get the epic fights and heart breaking story lines in some of our favorite comic books. It takes the villains standing in the shadows to truly shine the light on the heroes. Here are the top 10 best villains from the Marvel Universe.
10. Bullseye – AKA Lester
Overall, Bullseye is a psychopathic assassin. He is a killer through and through, which is made all the more impressive because he doesn’t have any superpowers. His true power lies in his ability to use almost any object as a lethal projectile, well that, and his unnatural ability to throw any object with spot on accuracy. What makes him such a villain and such an interesting character is that there really isn’t a clear reason as to why he is such a ruthless assassin. I don’t know why he has this vendetta against Matt Murdoch or what drives him to do what he does. But at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter because it’s his high profile kills of Elektra and Karen Page, and his ties to Kingpin that makes Bullseye one badass, successful assassin.
9. Kingpin – AKA Wilson Fisk
When looking at the grand scheme of villains while creating this list, Kingpin doesn’t really meet much of the logical criteria for a villain, let alone a super villain. He doesn’t have any superpowers or skills, he doesn’t really have much global influence like Lex Luthor, and as far as his heroic foes Kingpin is barely on their radar. But what makes Kingpin such a great villain are his humble and poor childhood. Young Wilson Fisk was financially poor and ruthlessly picked on, and yet he was able to become the Kingpin of the criminal underworld ruling New York City with an iron fist. Ultimately, he is a great villain because his character is realistic. As a reader you are often left wondering what could have happened to Wilson Fisk if he faced different and better circumstances as a child.
8. Colonel William “Bill” Stryker, M.D.
Col. William Stryker is a man that wear’s many villainous hats. He is an enemy of the X-Men and he is a Reverend in the Christian fundamentalist televangelist. I don’t think I need to tell anyone that nearly nothing as scarier that someone who whole heartedly believes they are doing God’s work. For this reason alone, Stryker lands himself at number 8 on this villainous list. Stryker uses his influence as a televangelist to turn people against Mutants. Ultimately, Stryker’s hatred for mutants runs so deep in his veins that he kills his own wife and mutant-born son immediately after his birth. On top of that, he even arranges to have Professor X kidnapped, brainwashed, and attached to a machine that would kill all living mutants with Professor X’s brain power. Really, it is Stryker’s undying commitment to his crazy cause that makes him such a vile character.
7. Doctor Octopus – AKA Dr. Otto Gunther Octavius
Doctor Octopus is a highly intelligent mad scientist who, through a terrible accident, got his invented robotic arms fused to his body. What makes Doc Ock a great villain is the fact that he cuts one of the greatest heroes down to size. Prior to Doc Ock, Spiderman hadn’t truly been challenged. Octavius probably had one of the greatest introductions to a hero. He grabbed Spiderman with his mechanical, octopus like limbs and through Spiderman around like he was a rag doll. And, in the greatest affront to any hero, Doc Ock slaps Spiderman across the face. I only have one word for this, AWESOME. He organized the Sinister Six, caused the death of George Stacy, and committed a brutal assault on Black Cat. With his kick ass entrance to the comic book scene and his ongoing evilness, Doc Ock cemented himself in the Spiderman series and cemented himself at number 7 on this list.
6. Venom – Eddie Brock
Venom, or the Venom Symbiote, is an alien life form that requires a host, usually human, to bond with for survival. Of course, this isn’t a one way relationship for the symbiote, Venom gives his host enhanced powers. Venom’s first human host was Spiderman, creating one of comic books greatest themes, alter egos. Spiderman got rid of Venom when he discovered it’s true identity and goal of wanting to completely take over him. However, in doing so Venom bonded with Eddie Brock creating a violent and murderous counterpart to Spiderman. Eddie Brock, as Venom, fights Spiderman numerous times, winning on several different occasions. Plus, his knowledge of Spiderman’s true identity as Peter Parker allows Venom to target our hero in the most conniving and cruel ways.
5. Mystique – AKA Raven Darkholme
Mystique is a mutant, shape shifter who at one point in the comic books says she is over 100 years old. She is a great and refreshing villain because she is simply one of the best, if not the best, at manipulating events to her favor, bending the world to her desires, and ultimately getting away with it. Mystique is the mother of fellow villain Graydon Creed, hero Nightcrawler, and the adoptive mother of Rogue. With being the mother to these various characters, she has set herself up to have a prominent seat in the future of the mutant race. Also, due to the sheer number of years Mystique has been alive, she has played a role in the X-Men, Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, X-Factor, Marauders, and more. At the end of the day, Mystique is one of the greatest female villains that graces the pages of the comic books.
4. Norman Osborn – AKA Green Goblin
Green Goblin is probably one of the most well known Spiderman villains, but I think it is Norman Osborn who is the real villain. Initially, Osborn as his Green Goblin alter ego was merely a foe of Spiderman’s. But now, Osborn has greatly evolved into a much more lethal villain by taking control of many of the U.S.’s resources, including the remnants of SHEILD and the Avenger teams. Making this all the more impressive and villainous is the fact that Osborn didn’t use his Green Goblin alter ego at all in these tasks. In reality, or at least comic book reality, if Osborn gives in to his Green Goblin counterpart, he might not be as villainous as he could be as just Norman Osborn.
3. Loki
Loki is the adoptive brother and all around sworn enemy of Thor. Biologically, he is a member of the race of Frost Giants of Jotnuheim. He has extensive training in magic and can manipulate magical forces for create energy protection, force fields, and increase his powers temporarily. He has become a pivotal character in the comic books and is even the reason for the creation of the Avengers. Currently, Loki is a member of Norman Osborn’s villainous cabal putting Loki in a position of great influence. Loki has proven himself to be a master manipulator in his ability to manipulate a sect of Avengers to keep Osborn under control. His manipulation skills rival those of fellow mastermind Mystique putting Loki at the number 3 spot.
2. Galactus
Galactus was once described as the physical, metamorphosed embodiement of a cosmos. Simply put, Galactus maintains his existence by devouring planets that have the potential for supporting life resulting in the extinction of civilizations on numerous worlds. He has the Power of the Cosmos and can produce nearly any effect he wants. But it isn’t Galactus’ world devouring nature that makes him a great villain, it’s the heroes he comes up against on Earth that really solidifies his spot at number 2 on this list. Galactus is one of the greatest and most serious threats to Earth and our beloved heroes. In fact, most villains are just mere small blips on his radar.
1. Magneto – Erik Lehnsherr
Magneto is the number one villain on this list because he is just the classic villain. His powers are really rather unimpressive in comparison to what Galactus can do, he wears a goofy looking helmet, and lets face it, he is getting a bit old. But just as a villain can define a hero, a hero can define a villain. And it is Charles Xavier that brings Magneto to his great, villainy status. He doesn’t just operate along the stereotypical bad guy lines, he can carry a storyline all on his own. Growing up in Nazi Germany during the height of Hitler’s reign, showed young Magneto how humans can be capable of the worst crimes in the world. What elevates Magneto to a special type of villain is the fact that Magneto witnessed genocide first hand and even endured it himself, he matured into exactly what took his family and childhood away. Essentially, to protect his kind from another Holocaust, Magneto is willing to commit genocide and persecute any kind of human that dare cross his path.
