10 Best-Written Spider-Man Villains, Ranked

Spider-Man‘s rogues gallery has always dominated the rest of Marvel’s villains. The Amazing Spider-Man’s villains are arguably the greatest in comic history. The Green Goblin has tortured Peter Parker since he graduated high school, the Venom symbiote altered the course of the Marvel Universe, and Doctor Octopus has surprisingly beaten Spider-Man many times.

More than just their sinister plots and bids for world domination, Spider-Man’s villains are tragic, often relatable, characters, much like Spider-Man himself. The best-written Spidey villains endure heartbreak, vengeance and redemption, often forced into villainy through circumstance or bad luck.

10 Kingpin Runs Marvel’s Criminal Empires

Many fans think Kingpin was always a Daredevil villain, but he actually debuted in Amazing Spider-Man #50, the famous “Spider-Man No More” story. Kingpin naturally gravitated toward Daredevil’s corner of the Marvel Universe because the Man Without Fear dealt more with New York’s criminal underworld.

Kingpin was originally a strong, imposing crime boss, but creators have added far more depth to his character through the decades. Kingpin had a wife, kids and aspirations. He became the greatest criminal emperor of all time and even mayor of New York. His feud with Daredevil (and Spider-Man, especially in “Back in Black”) is legendary, and he always makes Marvel’s heroes better.

9 The Lizard Is A Tragic Spider-Man Villain

Dr. Curt Connors represents the tragic truth of the Jekyll and Hyde story. Stan Lee loved to use this narrative trope. The Hulk is another example of a man-turned-monster, and the Lizard has grown into one of the best-written Spider-Man villains because of it.

The early Lizard comics revolved around Spider-Man’s struggle to cure Connors. Later Amazing Spider-Man comics like “Shed” were much more sinister. Connors would often lean into his monstrous side, now working to spread his Lizard virus, infect others, or make himself more powerful. When the Lizard appears, readers don’t know if he’s friend or foe to Spidey.

8 Kaine Was Spider-Man’s Evil Clone-Turned Hero

The Clone Saga was a divisive era for Spider-Man comic readers (aren’t they all?). Marvel constantly teased readers with the identity of the “real Peter Parker.” When fans were getting used to Ben Reilly, Kaine Parker arrived, a monstrous, disfigured version of Peter Parker who hunted both Spider-Man and the Scarlet Spider.

Kaine was originally an antagonist of the Clone Saga, a pawn in the Jackal’s schemes. Still, he later played important roles in “Spider-Islanf,” “Spider-Verse,” and the whole Spider-Totem saga. Kaine really stole the spotlight in his solo Scarlet Spider comic, showing shades of Peter’s power and responsibility, and he deserves more “screen time” in Spider-Man comics.

7 Boomerang Peaked In Superior Foes Of Spider-Man

Boomerang (Fred Myers) was a fairly underdeveloped C-list Marvel villain from the Bronze Age. Nick Spencer brought the villain back, pairing him with Beetle, Speed Demon, Shocker and more in the Superior Foes of Spider-Man ongoing. Boomerang led the Sinister Six (which at the time featured only five members––a running gag) as they tried to become Spider-Man’s greatest villains.

The premise was hilarious, and their interactions with famous Marvel characters like Doctor Doom were memorable. Boomerang went on to become an antihero and part-time Spider-Man ally, even splitting rent with Peter Parker before he ultimately sacrificed his life for his newfound friend.

6 Black Cat Is An Amazing Spider-Man Villain & Ally

Black Cat debuted as a Spider-Man villain and, surprisingly, super-fan. She became obsessed with Spider-Man’s strength and, ironically, wanted nothing to do with Peter Parker. During the Peter Parker, theSpectacular Spider-Man series, Black Cat rivaled Mary Jane’s popularity, with many fans calling for her to become Spider-Man’s main love interest.

Black Cat has evolved into so much more than that, even taking over New York’s criminal underworld for a time. In Amazing Spider-Man (Vol. 5), she shared a touching moment with Spider-Man as he re-revealed his identity, and she has since shared some great adventures with Mary Jane in their own series.

5 Kraven Is The Ultimate Spider-Man Hunter

Kraven was one of the earliest Spider-Man villains the Web-Head ever fought. A skilled hunter who travels to New York to hunt the best, biggest game in town––Kraven is the perfect character for the Spider-Man universe. Half of Spidey’s villains use animal motifs or are half-animals due to scientific experiments or accidents.

New York City in the Marvel Universe is like a candy store for Kraven. His greatest hunts have occurred in the concrete jungle. Kraven and his family have all hunted Spider-Man, nearly killing him and themselves in the process. Kraven’s finest moments come at the end of each of his great hunts, either dying or coming back to life to battle Spider-Man further.

4 The Ongoing Mystery Of The Hobgoblin

The Hobgoblin’s comic book history is less of a linear line and more of a tangled web––appropriate for a Spider-Man villain. The Hobgoblin’s greatest appeal when he first debuted was his mysterious identity. Stern and Romita Jr. purposefully hid the Hobgblin’s face and waited for many issues to reveal his identity.

Future writers and artists worked on Amazing Spider-Man and retroactively changed the Hobgoblin’s identity, but this all led to a more fascinating character. Ironically, the editorial hiccups and miscommunications strengthened Hobgoblin’s development and heightened his allure. From Ned Leeds to Roderick Kingsley to Jason Macendale and more, the Hobgoblin remains one of Spider-Man’s most enigmatic and enjoyable villains.

3 Venom Is A Lethal Protector

Venom was one of the most terrifying comic book villains when he first fully appeared in Amazing Spider-Man #300. Venom is the product of sequential storytelling. Creators took the black costume Peter Parker acquired from Secret Wars and turned it into a sentient creature with thoughts and motivations. Michelinie and McFarlane later transformed the symbiote into the hulking Venom.

Future writers turned Venom into an antihero, and now the Lethal Protector has saved the Marvel Universe numerous times. Even to this day, books like Symbiote Spider-Man and King in Black retroactively strengthen the lore and development of the symbiote and Venom.

2 Norman Osborn’s Journey From Green Goblin To Dark Avenger & Beyond

Norman Osborn has taken every opportunity to torture Peter Parker’s life. No one is safe when Norman Osborn is involved. As the Green Goblin, he murdered Gwen Stacy and gave Harry Osborn the worst legacy ever. Years later, Norman led the Dark Avengers and became an enemy of the entire Marvel Universe.

Stories like “Last Remains” and “Sins Past” proved that Norman Osborn is one of the worst human beings in comics––selfish, greedy and willing to do anything to get what he wants. Recent Amazing Spider-Man comics teased a heroic, redeemed Norman Osborn without his sins… but readers knew that’d never last forever.

1 Doctor Octopus, A Superior Spider-Man Villain

Doctor Octopus first appeared in Amazing Spider-Man #3 and appeared more than any other Spider-Man villain in that golden age of comics. More importantly. Doc Ock won many of his earliest battles against the Web-Head. Doctor Octopus was an incredible villain––intelligent, ruthless, cunning.

His heart began to show during the Clone Saga, when he saved Peter Parker’s life. Doctor Octopus’s greatest character development came after his body failed him. He swapped bodies with Peter and became the Superior Spider-Man. Doc Ock has lived and thrived as a hero, and many fans want Doc Ock back as the Superior Spider-Man permanently.