Marvel villains are almost as influential as their superheroes — for every Spider-Man and Reed Richards, there's a Green Goblin or a Doctor Doom. These antagonists are as important to pop culture as a whole as they are to Marvel Comics and the MCU.
Marvel's villains are some of the most important characters in comics and their actions have an enormous impact on the company's status quo. The biggest villains create as much change as the heroes and, more often than not, Marvel's stories are really about them. They are an integral part of the equation, and it's hard to imagine Marvel without them.
Updated on September 25, 2023, by Ajay Aravind: Marvel's villains have always excelled. Creators were able to create grounded villains that fans could almost sympathize with, while also giving readers world and universe-ending horrors. This balance has created legions of antagonists, with some rising to the top of the order. These villains inspire the rest and make the Marvel Universe a more interesting place in the process.
20 Apocalypse
First Appearance: X-Factor (Vol 1.) #5, by Writer Bob Layton, Penciller Jackson Guice, Inker Josef Rubinstein, Letterer Joe Rosen, and Colorist Petra Scotese
Born En Sabah Nur, this Marvel villain's first appearance in X-Factor was just as a silhouette — his macabre form was only revealed in the next issue. Although Apocalypse regularly refers to himself as the world's first mutant, he is several thousand years too late to claim this title. This doesn't make him any less weak, unfortunately.
Apocalypse, like many other Marvel villains, has been to hell and back, which partly explains his hyperbolic survival paradigms. Apocalypse has since become considerably stronger than his earlier version, especially after he received several upgrades by way of the Celestials. That said, Apocalypse has also played positive roles, like when he becomes a member of Krakoa's Quiet Council.
19 Annihilus
First Appearance: Fantastic Four Annual #6, by Writer Stan Lee, Artist Jack Kirby, Inker Joe Sinnott, and Letterer Sam Rosen
Marvel's cosmic heroes are the best around, so they need villains who are just as formidable. Annihilus first appeared battling the Fantastic Four, attacking the First Family of the Marvel Universe when they ventured into the Negative Zone. Armed with the Cosmic Control Rod, Annihilus created ravenous hordes of followers, destroying everything in their way.
Annihilus spent years riding the B-list until the '00s cosmic Marvel epic Annihilation. Annihilus led the Annihilation Wave as it devoured entire star systems. That story, and its sequels, kick-started cosmic Marvel after years in absentia. Annihilus was the best Marvel villain for the story, leading Marvel into a cosmic renaissance.
18 High Evolutionary
First Appearance: The Mighty Thor (Vol. 1) #134, by Writer Stan Lee, Artist Jack Kirby, Inker Vince Colletta, and Letterers Sam Rosen and Artie Simek
The High Evolutionary was always rather eccentric, but he was also rather important. He was the first in a long line of antagonists who would use genetics like a weapon, experimenting and creating newer, more powerful iterations. Strangely enough, he wasn't an X-Men villain.
Instead, High Evolutionary clashed with many A-list heroes and has long been very important to the history of Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver. One of the best Marvel villains, he's also battled Thor, the Avengers, the Fantastic Four, Adam Warlock, and many others. High Evolutionary's recent appearance in the MCU's Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 has re-energized interest in the villain.
17 Mister Sinister
First Appearance: Uncanny X-Men #221, by Writer Chris Claremont, Artist Marc Silvestri, Inker Dan Green, Colorist Glynis Oliver, and Letterer Tom Orzechowski
Mister Sinister first appeared in the late '80s, bursting onto the scene of Uncanny X-Men during the classic "Mutant Massacre" story arc. The secret commander of the Marauders, Sinister ordered the deaths of the genetic dead-end Morlocks. He was obsessed with Scott Summers' genetics and has often been in the background manipulating events.
The Krakoa Era of the X-Men comics proved to be a character renaissance for Mister Sinister. Plotting since the beginning, his machinations have unfolded and culminated in Sins of Sinister, as he made his move to become a Dominion. While that was a failure, Sinister still proved he had the chops to take his place among the best Marvel villains.
16 The Celestials
First Appearance: Eternals (Vol. 1) #2, by Writer/Artist Jack Kirby, Inker John Verpoorten, Colorist Glynis Wein, and Letterer John Costanza
Marvel's Celestials are powerful cosmic beings who have played in a massive role in seeding life throughout the galaxy. Their machinations first came to the surface with the Eternals and the Deviants, as they created both races. Since then, creators have used the inscrutable cosmic titans in a variety of roles, whether they be powerful manipulators or major Marvel villains.
The Celestials have touched every corner of the Marvel Universe in some way. Like some of the top Marvel villains, the Celestials play in the grey area of evil. They care little for beings of the cosmos, seeing them only as experimental fodder. Their clinical approach gives them a ruthless edge that has helped them stand out.
15 Baron Zemo II
First Appearance: Captain America (Vol. 1) #168, by Writers Roy Thomas and Tony Isabella, Artist Sal Buscema, Inkers John Tartag and George Roussos, Colorist Linda Lessman, and Letterers June Braverman and Charlotte Jetter
Helmut Zemo is the son of Baron Heinrich Zemo, a former Nazi who battled Captain America during WWII. Heinrich later founded the Masters of Evil to battle the Avengers, but ended up losing his life against the heroes. Helmut swore revenge, first bedeviling Captain America as the Phoenix before taking his hereditary title and his father's place in the Marvel villain community.
Baron Zemo II led the Masters of Evil against the Avengers, battled Captain America, worked with Hydra, created the Thunderbolts as a Trojan Horse attack, and so much more. Zemo's confounding schemes have made him one of the best Marvel villains.
14 Sabretooth
First Appearance: Iron Fist (Vol. 1) #14, By Writer Chris Claremont, Penciler John Byrne, Inker Dan Green, Colorist Janice Cohen, And Letterers Gaspar Saladino & Annette Kawecki
One of Wolverine's most powerful villains is the mutant serial killer Victor Creed, better known as Sabretooth. The rivalry between heroes and villains is often fierce, but Wolverine and Sabretooth's never-ending feud has always taken things to the next level. Sabretooth is consistently monstrous, tormenting Wolverine and the X-Men for his own twisted enjoyment.
Sabretooth continues to push the envelope for Marvel's most violent villains, even in the Krakoan age. He has a powerful legacy to uphold as Wolverine's most iconic villain. Sabretooth is more popular than many of Marvel's biggest heroes, which can cast a huge shadow over other less-popular villains.
13 Doctor Octopus
First Appearance: Amazing Spider-Man (Vol. 1) #3, By Writer Stan Lee, Writer/Penciler/Inker Steve Ditko, And Letterer John Duffy
One of Spider-Man's most iconic villains is the brilliant, mechanical-armed menace named Doctor Octopus. Doc Ock has been battling Spider-Man for nearly as long as the hero has existed. He's one of the Wall-Crawler's most well-known enemies. Doctor Octopus created the Sinister Six, Spider-Man's most iconic team of villains, and has even replaced Spider-Man.
Doctor Octopus's stint as the semi-heroic Superior Spider-Man acted as a renaissance for the character. His personal growth in the role saw him jump to the top of the heap among Spider-Man's foes. Doc Ock eventually returned to his villainous roots and continues to threaten the Marvel universe as one of its greatest villains.
12 Dark Phoenix
First Appearance: X-Men (Vol. 1) #134 by Writers John Byrne & Chris Claremont, Penciler John Byrne, Inker Terry Austin, Letterer Tom Orzechowski, and Colorist Bob Sharen
Jean Grey is a seminal Marvel character and an incredibly essential player in the X-Men narrative. While there were no plans to make her villainous in 1963, many around her were wary of the Phoenix Force's potential for corruption. These fears eventually spilled over into reality during the Dark Phoenix Saga, which highlighted just how strong Jean could become (via the cosmic entity residing in her soul).
The Phoenix Force itself practically omnipotent, far stronger than nearly every other character in the Marvel Universe. The villainous Dark Phoenix is the same, except without Jean's emotional guidance. It has appeared many times over the last few decades, even paving the way for two separate X-Men movies featuring the Dark Phoenix.
11 Magneto
First Appearance: X-Men (Vol. 1) #1, By Writer Stan Lee, Penciler Jack Kirby, Inker Paul Reinman, And Letterer Sam Rosen
Magneto may have reformed in the Krakoan age, but he was the X-Men's most iconic villain for years. Like many of the best Marvel villains, he started out as a cackling stereotype, but he has since become something more. Magneto had a tragic backstory as a survivor of the Holocaust, and as an ongoing victim of humanity's speciesism.
Tragedy has molded Magneto into one of the most well-developed Marvel villains of all time. He's also one of the most popular, which is why he's reformed multiple times in the past. Few villains have had the same effect on the Marvel Universe as Magneto, and he's changed the way fans perceive antagonists.
10 Emma Frost
First Appearance: X-Men (Vol. 1) #129, By Writer Chris Claremont, Writer/Penciler John Byrne, Inker Terry Austin, Colorist Bob Sharen, And Letterer Tom Orzechowski
The X-Men's Emma Frost is another character who made a face turn after years as a villain. She first appeared as the White Queen of the Hellfire Club's Inner Circle, an elite organization that manipulated governments and wealthy targets from behind the scenes, back in the Dark Phoenix era.
While Emma seemingly left her villainous ways behind when she joined the X-Men, Frost is never too far from turning on her allies. She's been telepathically manipulating the heroes and villains of the Marvel universe for years, secretly furthering the goals she had when she was the White Queen.
9 Green Goblin
First Appearance: Amazing Spider-Man (Vol. 1) #14, By Writer Stan Lee, Writer/Penciler/Inker Steve Ditko, And Letterer Artie Simek
Green Goblin and Spider-Man have had quite a few hardcore battles over the years. He's responsible for the death of Gwen Stacy, and was also the secret mastermind behind the Clone Saga that tormented Spider-Man for years. He became a much larger threat to the Marvel Universe following the Civil War and Secret Invasion events.
Norman Osborn became the director of the Thunderbolts before he took over as Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. after he killed the Skrull Queen. He even became a powerful villain of the Avengers. Norman Osborn's newest costumed identity as Gold Goblin may be heroic, but fans know he'll always return as one of the best Marvel villains.
8 Ultron
First Appearance: Avengers (Vol. 1) #54, By Writer Roy Thomas, Penciler John Buscema, Inker George Tuska, And Letterer Artie Simek
Hank Pym created Ultron, who quickly became one of the Avengers' most iconic villains. Ultron has played a big role in Avengers' history, both because of his threat to the team and what he represents to the Avengers. Ultron's battles against the team have created several fan-favorite stories over the years.
The Avengers have fought a lot of villains, but none of them have a personal connection to the team like Ultron's. He threatened the entire universe in events like Annihilation: Conquest but he always returns to Earth to continue his ongoing battle with his "father" Hank Pym and his "son," long-time Avenger the Vision.
7 Kang The Conqueror
First Appearance: Avengers (Vol. 1) #8, By Writer Stan Lee, Penciler Jack Kirby, Inker Dick Ayers, Colorist Stan Goldberg, And Letterer Sam Rosen
The time-traveling Kang the Conqueror was one of the strongest and deadliest villains the Avengers faced in their earliest adventures. The high-tech villain arrived from the future, bored with his many successful conquests across multiple eras. Kang set his sights on Earth 616's Heroic Age, which led to his confrontation with the Avengers.
Kang has manipulated heroes and altered timelines to achieve his goals. There have also been quite a few versions of Kang the Conqueror, like Immortus and Rama-Tut. Each version has plagued Marvel's heroes at different points in the timeline, making Kang a deadly and unpredictable villain with advanced knowledge of the future.
6 Galactus
First Appearance: Fantastic Four (Vol. 1) #48, By Writer Stan Lee, Penciler Jack Kirby, Inker Joe Sinnott, And Letterer Artie Simek
Stan Lee and Jack Kirby's Fantastic Four introduced mind-blowing cosmic tales, but "The Coming of Galactus" storyline took it to another level. Galactus was the first villain of his kind, an almost Lovecraftian manifestation of the uncaring universe coming to life and targeting the Earth for destruction.
Galactus paved the way for the ascendancy of Marvel's cosmic heroes and villains. There aren't many cosmic beings more powerful than Galactus, and he has threatened Earth on a number of occasions. The Devourer of Worlds is a very different kind of menace without malice. Instead, Galactus is a necessary force of universal destruction and one of the best Marvel villains out there.
5 Loki
First Appearance: Journey into Mystery (Vol. 1) #85, By Writers Stan Lee & Larry Lieber, Penciler Jack Kirby, Inker Dick Ayers, Colorist Stan Goldberg, And Letterer Artie Simek
Loki has become a hit with fans thanks to the MCU, but before that, he was still one of Marvel's greatest comic book villains. He's battled Thor for millennia and inadvertently helped found more than one powerful roster of the Avengers. The God of Mischief has left his mark on the Marvel Universe and manipulated other villains to achieve his dark goals.
While Loki's been more heroic lately, his history as one of the best Marvel villains means he's always bound to return to his villainous roots. He was the Avengers' first enemy, and he has been a thorn in the sides of every major hero in the Marvel Universe at one point or another.
4 Mephisto
First Appearance: Silver Surfer (Vol. 1) #3, By Writer Stan Lee, Penciler John Buscema, Inker Joe Sinnott, And Letterer Artie Simek
.jpg?q=50&fit=crop&w=750&dpr=1.5)
There are quite a few demonic beings and hellish dimensions in the Marvel universe. The powerful demon named Mephisto is one of the most dangerous because his manipulations extend far back to the first life on Earth. As long as there have been Avengers, Mephisto has been plaguing them.
Like his folkloric namesake, Mephisto loves to make Faustian deals with others. Among his most infamous deals, he erased Spider-Man's marriage to Mary Jane Watson in the One More Day storyline. The Avengers have also discovered Mephisto's plans to spread his evil across the multiverse, proving his continued threat as one of the top Marvel villains.
3 Doctor Doom
First Appearance: Fantastic Four (Vol. 1) #5, By Writer Stan Lee, Penciler Jack Kirby, Inker Joe Sinnott, Colorist Stan Goldberg, And Letterer Artie Simek
Few Marvel villains have Doctor Doom's impressive pedigree. He is a villain who shouldn't work in the modern age of comics. He's as defined by his over-the-top histrionics as he is by his villainous deeds. However, he's stood the test of time, and some of Doctor Doom's best comic appearances have further explored his most intriguing aspects.
Doctor Doom remains capable of the most reprehensible actions, but there's also a profound benevolence to him at times. He's even saved the universe on multiple occasions. Doom is a bundle of contradictions, which is what makes him such a great villain. He can be both vile and sympathetic, making readers love and hate him simultaneously.
2 Red Skull
First Appearance: Captain America Comics (Vol. 1) #7, By Writer/Penciler/Inker Joe Simon And Writer/Penciler Jack Kirby
Captain America is one of Marvel's biggest icons, and his most dangerous enemy is the Red Skull. An unrepentant Nazi and a chief architect of Hydra, Marvel's most unlikable villain has battled the Star-Spangled Avenger, Nick Fury and S.H.I.E.L.D., and even other villains over the years.
Red Skull is the diametric opposite of Captain America, which has fueled their rivalry for decades. Skull's villainy and monstrousness serve as the perfect counterpoint to Cap's goodness. Red Skull's return always comes with drastic consequences, and he's been behind dark Marvel events like Acts of Vengeance and AXIS over the years.
1 Thanos
First Appearance: Iron Man (Vol. 1) #55, By Writer/Penciler Jim Starlin, Writer Mike Friedrich, Inker Mike Esposito, And Letterer John Costanza
Thanos has long been one of the best Marvel villains, and he has an interesting history. Creator Jim Starlin made him into the ultimate cosmic villain before his epic appearance in The Infinity Gauntlet. This storyline would truly put Thanos on the map and inspire his portrayal in the MCU.
Thanos's popularity has always waxed and waned over the years. Similarly, there are also a few different versions of the Mad Titan to appear over the character's history. Starlin's more nuanced take led to the nihilistic destroyer that gained popularity and made Thanos the MCU's best villain.