Thursday 6 October 2011

Spider-Man's all-time greatest villain.

Marvel Comics Amazing Fantasy #15, Spider-Man's all-time greatest foe
There're times in a man's life when he must set himself a task so huge it staggers the very senses. Steve Does Comics favourite Brian Blessed did just that when he set out to climb Mount Everest without shouting oxygen. Mount Everest then reciprocated by trying to climb Brian Blessed without oxygen.

Sadly that attempt ended in tragedy for Mount Everest and never again would its hubris know such abandon.

So it is that I'm setting out to discover just who is the greatest super-villain of all time.

But, to do that, I need a poll. And, to get that, I first need candidates.

And where better to start collecting candidates than with Marvel's flagship character Spider-Man? That's why I'm asking you to name your all-time favourite Spider-Man villain. In a couple of days from now, I'll use that list of nominees to create a poll for us to vote in. That done, I can then start collecting criminal candidates for all our other favourite heroes.

Spider-Man of course is remarkable for being blessed with a whole slew of classic villains. In its first couple of years, the strip gave us Dr Octopus, the Lizard, the Green Goblin, the Scorpion, Mysterio, Kraven, the Vulture and many more. The production line of memorable villains slowed after that but the Romita years gave us the likes of the Kingpin, the Shocker, Silvermane and the Rhino, while even later years gave us Morbius, the Jackal, Venom, that bloke who was like Venom, and that bloke who was, erm, made of bees.

So, that trip down Memory Lane completed, who's your all-time favourite Spider-Man villain?

14 comments:

Steve W. said...

I should add that my own nomination goes to the Lizard, the villain who really is a cold-blooded killer. Or would be if he ever succeeded in killing anyone. Has the Lizard ever managed to kill anyone? Off the top of my head I'm struggling to think of anyone.

Dougie said...

I believe he ate his own son in recent years. Hah! Modern comics.

My favourites are the real lesser lights: The Kangaroo, The Gibbon and the Molten Man. But if I have to pick one, it's got to be the first Spidey villain I ever saw,in a Pow comic as a toddler: Sandman.

Boston Bill said...

My brother and I always split on this one: his favorite was Doc Ock, mine was the Green Goblin (although Doc was my 2nd choice). Greenie was the first villain with a continuing story line, satisfyingly concluded when he was revealed to be Norman Osborne. Despite his lack of superpowers, he always caused problems for Spidey. And then to top it all off, he killed Gwen Stacey (a real shock at the time) and then was killed himself (another big moment). Yes, other people have dressed up in the costume, and the Hobgoblin was sort of a tribute, and I hear old Norman's back to life - but the Green Goblin that died in Amazing Spider-Man 122 will alway be Spider-Man's greatest foe.

La Belle Esplanade said...

Himself.

bliss_infinte said...

Green Goblin with Kingpin as a close second.

spiderkev said...

J.J.J.

Ade Salmon said...

I've been a long time fan of the Scorpion. I remember the first time I read his origin in a British Marvel annual back in the 1970's. Ditko designed a simple yet immediately recognizable costume with a big club tail. Genius.

Dougie said...

And we know which Marvel annual that was, don't we?

Anonymous said...

Electro had a truly frightening super-power just shocking! And The Chameleon character allowed for intriguing stories to unfold. Mysterio and the Looter both crackpot fun type villains.

Steve W. said...

I'm starting to think that Fleetway Marvel annual should be on the National Curriculum. So influential to an entire generation does it seem to have been.

dbutler16 said...

I know he's not going to win, but I've always had a soft spot for the Rhino.

Anonymous said...

The first Spider-man story I read (in Pow I think) was the first Chameleon strip but I always enjoyed the him fighting the Vulture, Shocker and my fav the Scorpion - But I do have a soft spot for the Beetle and the Looter a one off character, because I loved the Ditko art in that book -McScotty

Pat said...

Gotta split my vote here: Doc Ock and Gobby. Back in the 1960s it would have been Ock, but the Goblin moved up the list, especially after his son took over the job.

Steve W. said...

Thanks to you all for the input. The poll's now up, so nominations are now closed. :)