10 Best New Marvel Villains of the Last 10 Years

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The last decade has been a really dynamic period for Marvel Comics. Around 2016, things began to shift as the Avengers’ popularity waned, the X-Men took a backseat to the Inhumans, and fresh faces like Kamala Khan, Miles Morales, and Sam Alexander emerged. Since then, Marvel has delivered numerous big storylines, including the groundbreaking Krakoa era for the X-Men, a memorable run with Jane Foster as Thor, the growing influence of symbiotes, the critically acclaimed Immortal Hulk, and many other exciting developments. These changes helped Marvel maintain its dominance in the comic book market for quite some time. While it’s been a period of significant change for the publisher, it’s certainly been packed with memorable stories and a lot of event comics.

Over the past ten years, Marvel has created many new villains, some of whom have become truly memorable. While facing tough competition from established, popular villains, a few have really stood out. Here are the ten best Marvel villains introduced in the last decade – characters with the potential to become legendary.

10) Sarah Gaunt

The recent return of Uncanny X-Men has been excellent, especially its clear tribute to the classic X-Men stories by Chris Claremont. The first story arc introduced Sarah Gaunt, a woman with a complicated past. She was once a girlfriend of Charles Xavier during their time at Oxford, but they eventually had a falling out. Years later, a hurricane transformed her and her son into something monstrous. She immediately proved her strength by easily defeating two of the X-Men’s strongest members, Rogue and Wolverine. There’s a lot more to Sarah’s story, and fans are eager to discover her secrets.

9) The Twilight Court

Jed MacKay’s run on Avengers has featured a standout villainous group called the Twilight Court. While the Avengers series hasn’t been a huge success for Marvel, the Twilight Court has been a bright spot. Led by the enigmatic Myrddin, the team is on a quest to recover the Missing Moment – an event lost to time. Comprised of characters like Bedivere, Bercilak, Galehaut, Lancelot, Mordred, and Parsifal, this Arthurian-inspired group feels modern and provides a compelling challenge for the Avengers. They’ve been featured in the most exciting issues of the run so far and show a lot of promise for future stories.

8) Krakoa Era Nimrod

The recent Krakoa period was a successful fresh start for the X-Men, especially after a long time when they weren’t very prominent. It also introduced some compelling new villains, and Nimrod was one of the best. Though the original Nimrod appeared decades ago, this version—built on the memories of Erasmus Mendel—felt entirely new. He delighted in trying to wipe out mutants and quickly became a popular character with fans. Even though the Krakoa era had a few villains who were more comical than threatening, Nimrod stood out because of the genuine fear he instilled.

7) Mother Righteous

Mister Sinister is a major villain in the X-Men universe, and the recent Krakoa era dramatically altered his character and backstory. Many villains from this period appear on this list, and one of the most compelling is Mother Righteous. She began as one of four clones created by the Victorian scientist Nathaniel Essex, who was attempting to become an all-powerful being beyond time and space. For years, people believed she was Sinister. Based on his wife, she was the magically gifted member of the group. Often the most sarcastic of the four clones, she stood out even in what many fans consider a disappointing conclusion to a popular storyline.

6) Isca the Unbeaten

The Krakoa Era introduced the Arakkii, a fascinating new group of mutants. They originally lived on Arakko, an island formed when the mutant landmass of Okkara was split apart. After fighting monsters in Otherworld to protect Earth and ultimately surrendering, the Arakkii faced internal struggles. Isca the Unbeaten, a powerful mutant who always wins any competition, was a key figure. Despite being a skilled warrior, she defected to the opposing side when it became clear they would prevail, which was a major setback for her people. She fought alongside her sister Genesis during the ‘X of Swords’ event and later joined the Great Ring, the ruling council of Arakko when it moved to a transformed Mars. However, she betrayed them again in a battle with Uranos, consistently proving to be a compelling villain. Her powers would creatively shift to ensure victory, making her a truly memorable character and a fantastic antagonist.

5) Enigma

Some fans might not consider this a fresh start, as Nathaniel Essex existed beforehand, but Enigma felt like a completely new take on the character. Essex was fixated on achieving Dominion, so he created four clones – Mister Sinister, Mother Righteous, Doctor Stasis, and Orb Stellaris – each unknowingly researching how to become a Dominion through their specific areas of expertise: mutants, magic, humans, and aliens. Eventually, he succeeded in becoming a Dominion and served as the main villain during the final stages of the Krakoa Era. While his villainous impact is debatable, he was a highlight of that period.

4) The Eldest

The recent Incredible Hulk storyline took a terrifying turn, featuring the Hulk battling the offspring of a Lovecraftian monster known as the Mother of Monsters. As the Mother of Monsters attempted to return to Earth, her oldest child, the Eldest, led her forces. But the Hulk had other plans, managing to defeat his mother just as she was about to win – and then took control of her body. Marvel is continuing this story in The Infernal Hulk, where this even stronger creature now threatens the entire world.

4) Genesis

Jonathan Hickman’s run on X-Men, often called the Krakoa Era, had its ups and downs, and the ‘X of Swords’ storyline wasn’t a favorite for many fans. However, it introduced some truly memorable villains, including Genesis. As the wife of Apocalypse from the ancient Okkara civilization, she gave birth to the First Horseman. Together, they led their people, with Genesis being the more ruthless and survival-of-the-fittest leader. She eventually led her followers into a conflict against Amenth, becoming the vessel for Annihilation, a powerful demonic entity that controlled that realm. Genesis clashed with Apocalypse, and both remained in Amenth after ‘X of Swords.’ She returned to Arakko when Annihilation resurfaced, believing Storm was endangering her people. Though she lost the resulting war against Storm and the Arakkii, Genesis was a compelling and formidable villain.

2) Tarn the Uncaring

Tarn the Uncaring was considered the most villainous mutant on Arakko. He was a powerful manipulator, able to control the powers of others, and was notorious for his extreme cruelty. He assembled a team of mutants called the Locus Vile and fought against the Hellions during the ‘X of Swords’ event. When Arakko was relocated to Mars, he joined the Great Ring and continued to be a troublemaker, even challenging Storm for leadership in a gladiatorial fight, which she ultimately won. He killed Vulcan at the request of Abigail Brand, but was immediately confronted by Magneto, who defeated and killed him. However, Tarn later returned in the afterlife during The Resurrection of Magneto. Many fans consider him a highlight of the Krakoa era and would like to see him return to the main storyline.

1) Solem

Solem is a new mutant from Arakko, first appearing in “X of Swords.” He’s a highly skilled fighter with an adamantium-like hide and has quickly become one of Wolverine’s most formidable enemies. Raised as a pirate on Arakko while it was located in Otherworld, he became known as a fierce warrior. He was both captured and released as part of the battle against Krakoa. Solem and Wolverine have a complicated relationship, fighting and teaming up depending on the circumstances. Their personalities often clash – Solem is cheerful and playful, while Wolverine is more serious and focused. Solem is also a skilled manipulator, something Wolverine has learned the hard way. He hasn’t been seen since the events of A.X.E. Judgment Day, but fans are eager to see him return.

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2026-01-28 03:11