15 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.

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Updated on November 6, 2025 by Jordan Iacobucci: Spider-Man has one of the best Rogues Galleries of any superhero in comic book history. While some villains are just evil for the sake of being evil, others turn out to be surprisingly well-written characters. This article has been updated to include new entries about characters like Sandman and Carnage.

15 Electro Has Some Terrific Moments in Spider-Man Comics

The Electric Spider-Man Villain Struggles With Imposter Syndrome

Electro isn’t typically thought of as one of Spider-Man’s more complex villains. Max Dillon, a power line worker, was given incredible electric-based powers after being electrocuted. As Electro, Dillon became one of Spider-Man’s first enemies and one of the most frequently recurring enemies in the comics. While the premise of Electro is simple, certain storylines highlight just how complex of a character he can be.

The best Electro comics depict him as a self-loathing loser desperate to make something of himself. Max Dillion had nothing going on in his life to make him feel special, but his newfound powers changed everything—they made him worth something in his own mind. This complex lends itself to some of Electro’s best stories, including “Light the Night,” wherein the character is portrayed more nuanced than ever.

14 Ezekiel Sims Is an Underrated Spider-Man Villain

Ezekiel Opened the Door to the Spider-Verse

Ezekiel Sims is a later edition to the Spider-Man mythos, appearing in the second volume of The Amazing Spider-Man. Sims wasn’t initially depicted as a villain but rather served as a mentor figure to Peter Parker, introducing him to a new, more mystical side of his powers. It was Ezekiel, who shared several of Spider-Man’s powers, who first introduced the concept of Spider-Totems, which would become important in the later Spider-Verse storyline. However, Ezekiel was later revealed to have ulterior motives, forcing Spider-Man to take down his former friend.

Marvel fans’ opinion of Ezekiel Sims will be undoubtedly colored by his disappointing live-action debut in Madame Web. However, the character is far better than the film would suggest. Ezekiel completely shatters the status quo of Spider-Man comics, introducing more myth behind the hero’s powers than had ever been explored. Moreover, his genuinely loving relationship with Peter Parker makes his eventual villainous reveal even more heartbreaking.

13 Carnage Is Every Bit as Terrifying as the Writers Intended

Carnage Is One of Spider-Man’s Deadliest Enemies

Carnage is one of the most terrifying villains in Spider-Man comics. The serial killer Cletus Kasady bonded with a sample of the Venom symbiote while sharing a prison cell with Eddie Brock, turning him into a new supervillain with symbiote powers. As Carnage, Kasady goes on multiple killing sprees after escaping prison, resulting in such storylines as “Maximum Carnage” and “Absolute Carnage.”

Cletus Kasady is a twisted character who, as a result of his tragic and abusive childhood, enjoys inflicting pain on others. While this isn’t necessarily a unique backstory for a fictional villain, it works well to push Carnage toward becoming one of the bloodiest killers in all of Marvel Comics. Carnage loves to kill, and thanks to his powers, he has the strength to wipe out dozens of innocent people at a time, making him one of the most terrifying villains ever committed to the page.

12 Sandman Isn’t Really as Evil as He Seems

Flint Marko Is More Complicated Than Other Spider-Man Villains

Flint Marko became the Sandman after falling into a super collider that fused his DNA with sand molecules. Emerging with the ability to reconstitute his own form, Sandman was one of Spider-Man’s earliest foes and a founding member of the Sinister Six. While Sandman has remained one of Spider-Man’s most recognizable supervillains for decades, later comics revealed that he wasn’t quite as evil as his early appearances suggested.

Later storylines featuring Flint Marko see the villain have a change of heart, renouncing his criminal past and becoming a superhero. He even becomes a reserve member of the Avengers for a time. When he is eventually roped back into a life of villainy, it is against his will, making him all the more tragic in his later appearances. The Sandman’s complex nature was perfectly adapted in Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man 3, where it is revealed that he only steals to provide for his sick daughter.

11 Harry Osborn Is Spider-Man’s Most Tragic Villain

The Goblin Legacy Steals Peter Parker’s Best Friend

Harry Osborn is a fixture of Spider-Man comics, usually depicted as Peter Parker’s best friend. However, their friendship was doomed from the very beginning. After Norman Osborn’s apparent death, Harry became corrupted by the Goblin Serum and eventually took up his father’s mantle as the new Green Goblin. While Harry has become several different supervillains over the years, his time as the Green Goblin is the most iconic.

Although Harry is not the best-known Green Goblin, he is the most tragic. Once Peter’s best friend, Harry pivots hard, vowing to destroy his life. Even after redeeming himself in his final moments, Harry’s legacy is one of villainy and cruelty, as Spider-Man continues to be plagued by his former friend’s posthumous contingency plans. In every universe, Harry Osborn is doomed to a tragic end.

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10 Kingpin Runs Marvel’s Criminal Empires

Wilson Fisk Commands the Criminal Underworld in Marvel Comics

Many fans think Kingpin was always a Daredevil villain, but he 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. However, Kingpin remains an iconic enemy of Spider-Man, often showing up to wreak havoc on the Web-Slinger’s life.

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

Curt Connors Is Torn Between His Human and Animals Sides

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, as the dynamic between the Lizard and Curt Connors remains one of the most fascinating in Marvel Comics.

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 often leans 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

Kaine Was One of Spider-Man’s More Compelling Clones

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

One Comic Title Made Boomerang a Notable Character

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 series. 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 became 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

Felicia Hardy Grew to Become a Fan-Favorite Spider-Man Supporting Character

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 series. Over the years, Felicia Hardy has become a surprise favorite of Spider-Man fans.

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5 Kraven Is The Ultimate Spider-Man Hunter

Kraven the Hunter Grew to Become Surprisingly Complicated

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 Still Perplexes Fans

Hobgoblin Was Central to Many Major Twists in Spider-Man Comics

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, which 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 Is One of Spider-Man’s Most Fearsome Enemies

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 today, books like Symbiote Spider-Man and King in Black retroactively strengthen the lore and development of the symbiote and Venom. Yet, even in his earliest stories, there was a quality to Venom that immediately made him stand out among Spider-Man’s already impressive Rogues Gallery.

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

Norman Osborn Is Spider-Man’s True Archnemesis

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 Is a Superior Spider-Man Villain

Otto Octavius Defeated Spider-Man

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.

Spider-Man

Since his first appearance in 1962, Spider-Man has almost always been Marvel Comics’ most popular character. Known for his sense of humor and bad luck as well as his selflessness and super-strength, Spider-Man has helmed countless titles over the years, Spider-Man’s most prominent comics include The Amazing Spider-Man, Web of Spider-Man, and Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man.

Peter Parker was the original Spider-Man but the Spider-Verse has become an important part of the character’s lore in recent years. Multiversal and future Spider-Men include Miles Morales, Spider-Gwen, Miguel O’Hara and Peter Porker, the Spectacular Spider-Ham. This provided the premise for the popular Spider-Verse film trilogy, which makes Miles its primary hero.

Spider-Man is also the basis of several live-action film franchises and numerous animated television series. He is one of the most recognizable characters in the world. While he’s changed a lot over the decades, Steve Ditko and Stan Lee gave the world an unforgettable hero when they created Spider-Man.