The character of Spider-Man has faced some of the most colorful and unique supervillains in his sixty-plus years. Perhaps only rivaled by Batman, Spidey's rogue gallery is made up of common street thugs, powerful drug lords, supernatural beings, and everything in between. Peter Parker's physical strength is occasionally taken to the limit by some of his foes, but matching wits with the web-head is sometimes just as difficult.
Peter is an expert in many educational fields and will often revert to smarts to outthink his opponents. Parker, in addition to Spidey's strength and brains, is a good-hearted person who works hard as a student and as a photographer. Many of his worst enemies have unique backgrounds and could have been so much more than supervillains, had they not wasted their potential.
10 Black Cat - Should Have Learned From Her Father's Mistakes
Black Cat is considered both a villain and an anti-heroine, but she debuted as Felicia Hardy in July of 1979. Her father, Walter Hardy, was a famous cat burglar and Felicia trained herself to be a fighter after she was abused by her boyfriend. Although she switches back and forth from hero to criminal, she has stolen a fortune worth of items and enjoys burgling other criminals.
It seems whenever Black Cat allows herself to get close to Spider-Man and permanently join the good side, she goes in the other direction and reverts back to stealing. Felicia should have learned from her father's mistakes and protected innocent people, guarded valuable goods, and gave back to the city.
9 Rhino - Super Size And Strength Could Have Led To A Career As Pro Athlete
The Rhino is one of Spider-Man's biggest and strongest enemies he ever faced. Aleksei Mikhailovich is given stronger skin and superhuman strength in a scientific experiment, turning him into the Rhino. Usually portrayed as a muscle-bound oaf, Rhino uses his newfound powers to steal and partake in criminal activity. He wanted to get revenge on the scientists that made him into this animalistic creature and does so successfully, by ramming through their laboratory and destroying it.
Rhino could have turned the scientists into the police and used his strength to his advantage. He could have become a professional wrestler or some other combat sport, made loads of money, received fame, and it all would have been legal. Imagine The Undertaker battling The Rhino in the main event of Wrestlemania.
8 Electro (Max Dillon) - Could Have Focused On Power Sourcing And Creating Jobs
Electro may look ridiculous in his classic yellow and green outfit but don't judge a book by its cover. He is an extremely powerful and dangerous villain. Max Dillon was struck by lightning while working on a power line, allowing him the ability to manipulate and harness all forms of electricity. His powers were initially very weak but he started stealing electric equipment from Stark Industries and made himself stronger.
Instead of stealing power, Electro should have been working to help electrical and power companies. He even could have started his own company, gave lots of people jobs, and charged a monthly premium for his electrical service. He didn't need to turn to crime, he could have found another outlet.
7 Green Goblin (Norman Osborne) - Businessman Turn Big Profits Legally And Becomes A Great Dad
Perhaps Spider-Man's greatest enemy is Norman Osborne, aka the Green Goblin. Norman was a brilliant man and owned a multibillion-dollar company. While experimenting on himself, he is over-exposed and the Green Goblin was born. Norman should have sought medical help right away and tried to curb his Goblin persona. Whether that would have helped or not, he could have removed himself as the head of the company and focused on his health.
Norman could have still earned a lot of money, gave opportunities to other employees, and focused on being a better person and father. His genius-level intellect and financial resources could have discovered cures for diseases, add to his bank account, and be a good dad, all within the law.
6 Mysterio (Quentin Beck) - Illusionist Could Have Changed The World Of Entertainment
Once a failed Hollywood special effects artist, Mysterio combats Spider-Man with tricks and illusion. Quentin Beck was once an actor and illusionist but failed to live up to his own expectations. He framed Spider-Man for stealing from a Museum and his criminal activity grew over the years.
Beck should have lowered his expectations and just kept plugging away in Hollywood. He could have even traveled the world as a working magician or with an illusion show. Nearly everyone fails at making it big in movies and television, however, not everyone has magical talents like Mysterio.
5 The Prowler (Aaron Davis) - Helped His Cop Brother And Trained His Superpowered Nephew
The Prowler has been bugging Spidey for years but the costume has been donned by several different people. Aaron Davis has been wearing the costume since November of 2011. Aaron was forbidden by his brother, Jefferson Davis, to ever hang out with his son, Miles.
Aaron loved his nephew but starting getting involved in too much criminal activity and Jefferson, a police officer, did not want Miles exposed to it. Although Aaron has reformed and helped protect Miles on occasion, he acted as the Prowler for too long. He wasted precious time by stealing when he could have been bonding with his brother and training his nephew.
4 Mr. Negative - Focus On F.E.A.S.T. And Help Homeless
Mr. Negative is one of Spider-Man's newer villains but packs quite a wallop. While his powers allow him to be both Martin Li and Mr. Negative, he should have sought medical help and focused on staying in Martin's positive form. Although the man used for the Mr. Negative experiments was a gangster, the drug allowed him power over both Li and Negative.
There could have been a way to separate Mr. Negative from Martin, who was a community leader that created F.E.A.S.T. If Martin Li could exist on his own, he could have stayed away from the Inner Demons gang and continued helping the homeless community.
3 Kingpin - Use Physical Strength And Powerful Influence To Clean Up The Streets
Wilson Fisk, aka Kingpin, is an enemy to both Spider-Man and Daredevil, but his criminal activity started as a young child. Fisk was bullied when he was a young boy but would build his physical strength to combat his tormentors. He then formed a group of other criminals and so began his rise as the Kingpin of crime.
Many kids are bullied every day and it's not right, however, a lot of them work through it by standing up for themselves, talking about their feelings, and working with adults to help stop the problem. Fisk could have chosen a better path and built himself into a community leader, instead of running drugs and criminals.
2 Lizard - Use Skills In Science And Biology To Teach And Cure Disease
Dr. Curt Connors, aka The Lizard, can be a friend to Spider-Man and Peter Parker but can also be a dangerous, volatile enemy. Connors is a hardworking, intellectual scientist that used reptilian DNA to try and grow back his missing limb. Unfortunately, it did not work and he was transformed into a giant lizard.
Spider-Man is usually able to stop the Lizard and protect his friend but eventually, the Lizard resurfaces. Although, even the Lizard has moments when he uses his strength for good but eventually loses control and becomes dangerous. Connors should have stuck with experiments but had his students help, so he could be teaching and protecting them, instead of trying to eat them.
1 Dr. Octopus - Teach Engineering And Use Mechanical Arms In Nuclear Experiments
If Green Goblin isn't Spider-Man's archenemy then Dr. Octopus most certainly is. Dr. Otto Octavius has a long and storied past with the web-head, including even becoming Spider-Man himself for a short period of time. Like many of Spider-Man's villains, Doc Ock has a brilliant mind but uses it for a life of crime after failed experiments and personal losses.
Octavius could have made a brilliant professor and passed on his knowledge in engineering. He's also a nuclear physicist and could use his mechanical arms to help work faster on projects that help humanity, instead of hurting it.