Top Ten Greatest Spider-Man Villains

Spider-Man, who is starring in his own video game on PS4 now, has a massive rogues gallery. As one of Marvel’s most popular characters, it’s only natural that he would have so many villains oppose him. In fact, there are so many that we wonder how the wall-crawler manages to keep track of them all! Today, we’re looking at the ten greatest Spider-Man Villains! We’re considering both their popularity and “coolness,” but if your favorite didn’t make the list, that’s only because there are so many great choices!

Ten Greatest Spider-Man Villains

Featured Image Credit: Villains Wiki

10. Carnage

Photo Credit: Marvel Database

First Appearance: 1992, Amazing Spider Man 361. Real Name: Cletus Cassidy

This edgy and unhinged villain is an offshoot of the symbiote that resulted in another Spidey villain, Venom. Carnage, for his part, is a symbiote bonded to the criminally deranged Cletus Cassidy. With none of Eddie Brock’s underlying morality, Carnage earns his name whenever he strikes, making him one of Spidey’s most unsettling foes.

9. The Lizard

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First Appearance: 1963, Amazing Spider Man 6. Real Name: Kurt Connors

First appearing way back in 1963, Dr. Connors has gone through several redesigns over the years. He is a dark reflection of Peter, a man twisted into an animal-like form due to science gone wrong. The Lizard is fast, super-strong and possesses enhanced healing capabilities, making him as much a physical match for Peter as a mental one.

8. Sandman

Photo Credit: Marvel Database

First Appearance: 1963, Amazing Spider Man 4. Realm Name: William Baker

The shape-shifting criminal known as Sandman is often characterized as a petty thief who happens upon his shape-shifting powers. In some stories, he even fights alongside Peter. What makes him so memorable, though, is the genuine pathos that goes into his often-tragic backstory. It’s hard to hate a guy who just wants to make a mark on the world!

7. The Rhino

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First Appearance: 1966, Amazing Spider Man 41. Real Name: ‎Aleksei Sytsevich

The big, bumbling oaf Aleksei Sytsevich is much more terrifying when he’s in his trademark Rhino armor. The lumbering behemoth is a match for even superheroes like the Hulk and the Thing, making him downright terrifying for Spidey to match up against. However, Peter often triumphs over the Rhino thanks to his quick wits and fast fighting style.

6. Electro

Photo Credit: Spider-Man Wiki

First Appearance: 1964, Amazing Spider Man 9. Real Name: Maxwell Dillon

Maxwell Dillon was once a powerline repair man, but a freak accident resulted in him becoming a human electrical capacitor. His electric powers make him lethal to any normal human, and he uses them to steal and terrorize the people of New York. Thankfully for them, Spider-Man handles villains like Electro whenever they rear their heads! Whenever Peter and Electro cross paths, sparks fly and the fight is awesome!

5. The Vulture

Photo Credit: Marvel Movies Wikia

First Appearance: 1963, Amazing Spider Man 2. Real Name: Adrian Toomes.

Popularized by the excellent Spider-Man: Homecoming, Adrian Toomes is a tragic figure. Toomes uses his wingsuit to pursue personal wealth, but only because of his mistreatment by massive corporations. In the comics he is much less sympathetic than his film counterpart, but his motivations are similar. It certainly helps that the version seen in Homecoming has a significantly cooler suit and design.

4. Kingpin

Photo Credit: Marvel

First Appearance: 1967, Amazing Spider Man 50. Real Name: Wilson Fisk.

While you might be more familiar with him as an enemy of Daredevil, Fisk first made his mark as an enemy of the Web-Slinger! Kingpin is a nigh-unstoppable force, both in the world of business and in a fight. His dual nature makes him a tough customer for any superhero, so it’s no surprise he’s harried Spidey for years!

3. Dr. Octopus

Photo Credit: Marvel Database

First Appearance: 1963, Amazing Spider Man 3. Real Name: Otto Octavius.

Dr. Otto Octavius is on a mission to prove that he’s better than anyone else. After all, he’s a genius and a supervillain! Shouldn’t everyone love him? Otto’s deranged attempts to take down Spider-Man and make a name for himself as one of the greatest minds in the world have come to a head occasionally. Recently, he even spent some time in the body of Peter Parker! He made a mess of things for Spidey, proclaiming himself the “Superior Spider-Man” and ruining Peter’s reputation.

2. Venom

Photo Credit: Alternative Press

First Appearance: 1988, Amazing Spider Man 299. Real Name: Eddie Brock

One of the most iconic Marvel characters, Venom is another direct foil to the Wall-Crawler. Venom started life as a symbiote attached to Peter, but eventually found a more permanent home bonded to Pete’s nemesis Eddie Brock. As Venom, the two entities have forged a path as a villain and occasional anti-hero. They occasionally team up with Peter to fight bigger threats (usually Carnage) but that doesn’t make Venom less of an essential Spidey antagonist.

The Greatest Spider-Man Villain: The Green Goblin

Photo Credit: Villains Wiki

First Appearance: 1964, Amazing Spider Man 14. Real Name: Norman Osborn.

Who else could have possibly snagged the number one spot? Norman Osborn, father of one of Pete’s closest friends and CEO of Oscorp is Pete’s most enduring nemesis. As the man who killed Gwen Stacey and the center of the Clone Conspiracy saga, Norman has had a huge impact on Spidey. The ongoing battle between the two has been the center of Spider-Man comics for half a century, and it’s likely to continue for 50 years more.