Top 10 Marvel Supervillains
Since the 1930’s Marvel has birthed countless publications that serve as the very basis for modern comic books today. Travelling back in time to the 1930’s, Marvel had a tendency to focus more heavily on characterization that most superhero comics before them. For example, take the protagonist of The Amazing Spider-Man – a young hero who suffered from the same types of mundane problems that affect your average teenager. At that time, what set Marvel apart was it’s non-traditional approach to characterization. Marvel recognized the duplicitous nature of human beings, and instead of drawing a clear line in the sand separating good and evil, they breathed life into characters that are flawed and imperfect. Through the decades, Marvel is distinguished as the pioneer of comic storytelling and unique character creation. Along the way, they have created hundreds of superheroes and supervillains—some more notable than others. Here is our take at the Marvels top 10 supervillains.
Galactus:
Galactus possesses a heightened sense of reality in that he represents a physical, metamorphosis by the cosmos. He maintains his existence by devouring planets that have the possibility of supporting life (explaining why he has wiped out entire worlds and extraterrestrial species). He first appears in Fantastic Four #48 in 1968 and is described as the most powerful living entity. In addition to his heightened sense of perception, Galactus can tap and transform large amounts of cosmic energy for whatever purpose he desires. He is also known to teleport within and between dimensions of his personal power.
Apocalypse:
Apocalypse was the first mutant born over 5,000 years ago. Born in Egypt, he is immortal and was first seen in X-Factor Volume 1 #5 in 1986. It is said that even as an infant, he inspired fear to those around him. As a wretched and deformed child, his tribe abandoned him in the harsh Egyptian desert to die of dehydration. Portrayed as an incredibly powerful mutant, this supervillain possesses telepathic capabilities, is a shape-shifter, and can teleport himself and overs over unknown distances. One of his most unique and captivating characteristics is his ability to alter his form. He can open holes in his body, contort his limbs into different shapes, and change his density. Immune to aging, Apocalypse is extraordinarily intelligent and skilled.
The Abomination:
First appearing in Tales to Astonish #90, The Abomination is an archenemy of the Hulk. Emil Blonsky, a KGB agent and spy, became the Abomination after intentionally exposing himself to a greater amount of gamma rays than Bruce Banner (the Hulk). Banner and Blonsky used a machine to transform them that was initially intended to kill Banner (on his own accord). The Abomination is portrayed as a large, scaly humanoid with double the strength of his counterpart, the Hulk. Both characters are similar in terms of strength, stamina, durability, speed, and regenerability. So, what makes him really special? The Abomination can enter a state of suspended animation, he is equipped with gills to allow underwater breather and he retains his human intellect after transforming. He is featured in a number of Marvel comic’s and he experiences a large shift in character from a savage brute to a repentant villain before being killed in battle.
Magneto:
Magneto is the powerful antagonist and enemy featured in X-Men #1 (1963). Based on his violent childhood, he was raised to know only evil and discrimination. He is a powerful mutant who can control electromagnetic forces. Through his past experiences, Magneto cultivated the belief that mutants and humans could never coexist because “man always fears what he does not understand.” As a result, Magneto terrorized humanity and vowed to eliminate the human race. Eventually, Magneto finds himself at odds against his old friend Xavier and the “X-men.”
Doctor Doom:
Doctor Doom is easily one of the most intelligent and consequently, evil villains in Marvel history. He first appeared in the Fantastic Four #5 in 1962, detailing the story of young man, Victor Von Doom, whose face was disfigured in a blown experiment. Doom blames Reed Richards, a hatred that is one of the deepest ever portrayed by Marvel. He is a master of the dark arts and at one time was considered for Sorcerer Supreme. His intelligence and intense loathing caused him to send Reed’s child to the darkest depths of hell as a punishment for his father’s actions.
Green Goblin:
Norman Virgil Osborn, also known as The Green Goblin, was created in The Amazing Spider-Man #14 in 1964. Norman adopted a Halloween themed appearance after experimenting with a dangerous serum that increased his physical and mental capabilities. Norman became obsessed with defeating Spider Man, and he stopped at nothing. The Green Goblin characterized himself and completely and utterly insane through the evil raping and killing of Spider-Man’s girlfriend. What sets him apart? The Green Goblin was the ONLY marvel supervillain who nearly succeeded in total world domination and the destruction of all around him.
Venom:
Venom’s principal appearance is in The Amazing Spider-Man #252 (1984) where an alien life form chooses Spider Man as it’s host. Venom is one of Spider Man’s greatest enemies because he is always left helpless. Venom corrupted Spider Man from the inside out by enhancing his natural talents. The strength that Peter felt is symbolically represented by black suit that becomes Spider man’s new attire. Jumping from one host to the next, venom landed on the wrong hands (no pun intended) and gave birth one of Marvel’s scariest suppervillains. Leveraged for its power, venom is an evil and intimidating source of corrupt power.
Red Skull:
The Red Skull is first introduced in Captain America #1 (1941) where he serves as supervillain who strongly resembled oppression and totalitarianism. Red Skull served underneath the command of Hitler. As his terror spread across Europe and Hitler gained ground, the United States presented a counter weapon, Captain America. Red Skull had no superhuman abilities, however he was endowed with a body that was in perfect physical condition and he had above-average senses. His trademark was the “Dust of Death”— a red powder that kills victims within seconds of skin contact.
Thanos:
Thanos was born with a deviant gene on the planet of Titan, which resulted in his resemblance of “the deviants”, an external race. The character appears in Iron Man #55 (1973), and he stands for the complete and utter abuse of power. In order to impress and win over Death, he killed half the life in the whole universe. However, Thanos does have some redeeming qualities, at one point he saved the universe from “the Hunger.”
Loki:
Loki, the adopted brother and archenemy of the superhero Thor, first appeared in Marvel’s Venus #6 (1949). Loki is consumed by jealous, arrogance, and a passionate hatred of Thor. He is an expert schemer, manipulator, and his thirst for power has prevented him from realizing his well-laid out plans. Loki has an incredible talent for magic, and he establishes himself as the greatest sorcerer of Asgard.
