10 Marvel Supervillains With the Best Comeback, Ranked

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As a huge Marvel fan, I’ve always thought their characters are some of the best ever created in comics. Over the decades, so many heroes and villains have come and gone in terms of popularity, and some have become more well-known than others at different times. It’s amazing to see how their roles have changed throughout Marvel’s long history!

Marvel’s heroes tend to be mainstays of its stories, but some of its greatest villains have faced a frustrating pattern: they’re often sidelined, killed, or lost to obscurity, only to unexpectedly return in a big way. Many villains have made impressive comebacks, but these ten are the most memorable and impactful in the Marvel Universe.

Doctor Doom Has Been A Constant Thorn in The Side of The Fantastic Four

As a huge Marvel fan, I think Doctor Doom is definitely one of the greatest villains ever created. He first showed up way back in 1962, in an early issue of the Fantastic Four, and he’s been a major problem for them ever since. Honestly, he just keeps getting more powerful and intimidating over time!

Doctor Doom is famous for always returning. After being absent from Fantastic Four for a while, his comeback was announced with the cover of issue #16. He’s made numerous grand returns throughout the years – including in storylines like Mark Waid’s Unthinkable and Jonathan Hickman’s Three – solidifying his place as one of Marvel’s best villains at bouncing back.

Brian Banner’s Return Haunted The Hulk

Bruce Banner, better known as the Hulk, is one of the most complicated characters in the Marvel Universe. While many people think of him as just the strong guy on the Avengers, the Hulk’s stories are frequently about his inner struggles, past trauma, and personal growth.

This became especially clear in The Immortal Hulk, where Bruce Banner’s estranged father, Brian Banner, suddenly reappeared after years of absence. The story delves into Bruce’s history, confronting his deepest fears and traumas, and much of the book’s frightening plot revolves around the return of this very personal enemy.

Red Skull Is Known For His Constant Comebacks

Similar to Captain America, the Red Skull is a character who doesn’t quite fit into the present day. He originally fought Captain America during World War II, so he should have been gone by the time Captain America was thawed out by the Avengers. But surprisingly, he was still alive.

Red Skull is a supervillain notorious for his resilience – he always finds a way to return. Over the years, he’s repeatedly resurfaced to plague Captain America, whether by surviving from World War II to the present, transferring his mind into new bodies, or wielding frightening cosmic abilities. These comebacks have consistently been terrifying.

The Maker Is Set To Make His Ultimate Comeback

The Maker, a villainous version of Reed Richards (leader of the Fantastic Four) from another universe, is considered one of Marvel’s most compelling characters created in the last quarter-century. Originally appearing in the Ultimate Universe, he’s repeatedly returned to cause trouble throughout the main Marvel Universe.

After his universe was destroyed, the Maker confronted his counterpart from the main Marvel universe (Earth-616). He then escaped and created his own new universe, known as the Ultimate Universe. However, he became stuck inside his headquarters, a place called “The City.” Though he hasn’t been seen recently, hints suggest this now-famous hero-turned-villain will be returning soon.

Green Goblin Won’t Stay Dead

Man, Norman Osborn is seriously Spider-Man’s biggest enemy, hands down. He’s caused so much trouble and heartache for Peter Parker over the years, and he’s been a constant threat in The Amazing Spider-Man comics forever. It’s like, whenever Osborn’s around, things are about to go really bad for Spidey.

After a huge fight with Spider-Man, Norman Osborn appeared to die, leading everyone to believe the dangerous Green Goblin was gone for good. But that wasn’t true. The Goblin kept returning in different forms, including Harry Osborn taking on the role, and eventually, even Norman Osborn himself coming back to life.

Kingpin Became An A-List Villain Once He Swapped Heroes

Wilson Fisk, better known as Kingpin, is now considered the most dangerous crime boss in the Marvel Universe, and with good reason. His storylines are consistently compelling, largely because of his ongoing conflict with his greatest foe: Matt Murdock, the hero Daredevil.

Before becoming Daredevil’s main enemy, Kingpin first appeared as a secondary villain in The Amazing Spider-Man. Though popular with readers, Kingpin didn’t truly gain widespread fan appreciation until he returned as a central figure in the Daredevil comic book series.

Thanos Has Returned From Death Countless Times

Thanos, a truly compelling and dangerous villain in the Marvel Universe, views death as a path to winning over Mistress Death. Despite her consistent lack of interest, he relentlessly pursues her.

Stories like Annihilation, The Infinity Gauntlet, Secret Wars, and The Thanos Imperative have repeatedly shown Thanos being defeated or even killed. Yet, he consistently manages to return and once again endanger the heroes of the Marvel Universe.

Ultron Is Known For Coming Back Again And Again

Ultron, one of the Avengers’ scariest enemies, is famous for being incredibly hard to destroy completely. He always seems to have a hidden backup program or another body waiting in the wings. This clever tactic keeps the iconic villain returning, and it’s led to some of the most memorable villainous reappearances in Marvel stories.

Ultron is a great choice to bring back as a villain because his returns always feel earned and logical. This incredibly intelligent robot is always one step ahead, with a plan for every situation. From his first appearance in The Avengers to later storylines like Age of Ultron and even alternate versions like Avengers: Twilight, Ultron consistently finds a way to reappear.

Annihilus Became So Much More Than A C-List Villain

The Fantastic Four actually have a surprisingly strong collection of villains, and while most people remember big names like Galactus and Doctor Doom, lesser-known threats like Annihilus are equally deserving of recognition.

Although Annihilus has reappeared in Fantastic Four comics many times, his most impressive return happened during the Annihilation storyline. This story truly highlighted his power, establishing him as a danger to the entire Marvel Universe. Annihilation is considered one of the greatest science fiction comics ever made, and it’s the perfect way to revitalize a villain who hasn’t always gotten the attention he deserves.

Kraven The Hunter Became An All-Time Great Villain

Before becoming famous for the story Kraven’s Last Hunt, Kraven the Hunter was a largely overlooked villain in Spider-Man’s world. While he was a frequent opponent early in Spider-Man’s adventures, even teaming up with groups like the Sinister Six, he’d become almost forgotten and a bit of a joke in the years that followed.

Everything changed with the release of Kraven’s Last Hunt, a story so compelling it instantly made Kraven a popular and formidable Spider-Man villain. Today, he’s considered one of Marvel’s most fascinating characters, even landing his own movie. While perhaps not as instantly recognizable as villains like Green Goblin or Doctor Octopus, Kraven’s return in Kraven’s Last Hunt undeniably left a huge mark on the Marvel Universe and the world of comics.

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2025-11-03 05:18