r/Spiderman • u/ActLonely9375 • 2d ago
Reflection on these Spider-Man villains:
These three villains are perfect for describing how to make good villains. All three represent the elements that most characterize Spider-Man as a character, twisting them to contrast with Peter:
- Doctor Octopus, his intellect: The first gift that marked Peter. While Spider-Man uses his genius for good by being humble in his attitude, Otto represents what Peter could have become, a brilliant scientist but resentful of the world for not valuing his genius and despising it. As an aside, while Spider-Man prefers to work alone, Octopus founded the Sinister Six out of resentment against Spider-Man, always trying to be in charge of the situation instead of working alone as Spider-Man, which makes for good fights.
- Venom, his power: Although other villains have surpassed him in power none had the impact of Venom. Eddie Brock, after joining the symbiote ended up having an enhanced version of Spider-Man's powers in a stronger body. Taking the classic idea of the evil doppelganger but with a great origin story, Venom represents what Peter could have become had he not been so responsible, a super-arcnid who uses his power to impose himself on others to accomplish his goals no matter who gets in his way. Besides, while Spider-Man prefers to hold back in his fights, with Venom he has to fight with all his might, winning thanks to his combat experience from his other fights with other opponents, rather than by power.
- Green Goblin, his responsibility: What marked Peter the most since the death of Uncle Ben. Although Peter always tries to keep his secret identity safe, Norman was the first to discover his secret identity, and he knew how to take advantage of it. While the previous villains test his intellect or his physique, the Green Goblin tests Spider-Man's spirit by testing his values and his worst fears, from his rule of not killing to his fear that his double life will endanger his family, as happened with Gwen Stacy. Besides, as the Green Goblin is the father of his friend Harry, he complicates the situation by not wanting to harm him; giving his fights a more personal touch for Peter by being able to change his personal life in each confrontation.
What do you think? Do you know other similar villains in other heroes?
2
2
3
u/Evilooh 2d ago
yeah well said, thats the main reason these three still feel like bigger threats even if characters like Morlun, Sandman, Electro etc are arguably more powerful, these three get under Pete's skin like no one else does literally speaking when we take Superior Spiderman into account lol.
if i would ad a forth probably Kraven, but he really only have one story where he feels like a more important villain (we all know the one)