Marvel is famous for its incredible villains. Names like Doctor Doom, Magneto, Thanos, and Galactus immediately come to mind, and that’s just the beginning – Green Goblin, Sabretooth, and Kingpin are also iconic. While these well-known villains often steal the spotlight, they represent only a small fraction of the compelling characters Marvel has created. Sadly, many potentially great villains have been overlooked and forgotten, which is a real loss.
Marvel comics used to feature many lesser-known villains. When stories were usually self-contained in a single issue, these characters appeared often, and fans could really appreciate them. Nowadays, with longer, more complex storylines, these minor villains are rarely highlighted. You might have forgotten how great these seven Marvel villains are, but they truly deserve attention.
7) Vermin
Edward Whelan appeared to have a normal life, but he suffered abuse at the hands of his father. After running away, he was captured by Baron Zemo and Arnim Zola, who experimented on him, giving him characteristics of a rat and transforming him into the villain known as Vermin. He became a monstrous creature dwelling in the sewers and played a significant part in the acclaimed Spectacular Spider-Man comics by J.M. DeMatteis and Sal Buscema. He even had his own storylines and briefly joined Carnage’s group during the “Maximum Carnage” event. Vermin is a versatile villain who can be used in a variety of narratives, ranging from emotionally complex stories about overcoming abuse to straightforward action tales. It’s unfortunate that this compelling character has been largely overlooked.
6) Shriek
Carnage has evolved over time, and some of the characters connected to him are more consistently remembered by fans and creators than others. Shriek often falls into the latter category. Essentially, she’s a superpowered version of someone fascinated by serial killers. She became Carnage’s girlfriend and has frequently assisted him in his violent crimes. Her abilities are impressive – she can unleash powerful sonic attacks and even control minds with sound. She’s a fairly straightforward character – attracted to killers, enjoys violence, and is mentally unstable – and can be a compelling addition to stories when well-written.
5) Toad
The Brotherhood of Evil Mutants is a strong team, but its members vary in power. Toad is generally considered the weakest – he lacks abilities like energy blasts, mind control, or super strength. His powers are simply enhanced jumping, a long tongue, and acidic spit. Despite this, Toad, also known as Mortimer Tonybee, is a surprisingly engaging character. Often underestimated and the target of jokes by his teammates, he’s actually led his own version of the Brotherhood and fought groups like X-Force and Generation X. When given the chance, this leaping mutant can be a truly dangerous villain. He has a rich history with many characters, and his unique abilities can be very effective when utilized properly.
4) Bloodscream
As a big Wolverine fan, I always feel bad for some of his villains who don’t get enough attention. Bloodscream is a perfect example. His story is actually pretty tragic – centuries ago, he was turned into a vampire and told the only way to break the curse was to drink the blood of an immortal being. Naturally, he went after Wolverine! They’ve been at each other’s throats ever since. Usually, you see him teaming up with Roughhouse, and the two of them are constantly going after Wolverine, either because they have a personal grudge or it’s just part of the job. Honestly, Bloodscream’s a great villain – he’s got a cool look, interesting powers, and a genuinely mysterious backstory. I really hope someone gives him the spotlight he deserves someday.
3) Radioactive Man
While the early Marvel years with Stan Lee and Jack Kirby produced many iconic characters, not every hero and villain from the 1960s was a hit. Some simply didn’t take off, despite having interesting potential. Radioactive Man is a good example – he was a compelling villain, but never reached the same level of popularity as others. Originally Chen Lu, a Chinese nuclear physicist, he gained powers over radioactive energy, super strength, and invulnerability after a radiation accident. Working for the Chinese government, he joined the Masters of Evil and fought heroes like Iron Man and Thor. What makes him particularly interesting is that, as a foreign agent, he operates outside the reach of US law enforcement, adding a unique element to his character. He’s powerful enough to be a real threat to top-tier heroes, capable of causing chaos and escaping without consequences. He’s a smart, formidable villain who deserves a more prominent role in Marvel stories.
2) Speed Demon
Look, I get that DC is famous for its speedsters, but Marvel has some cool ones too, and Speed Demon is seriously underrated! This guy, James Sanders, was basically recruited by the Grandmaster to compete in some crazy cosmic games. He took a potion, got super speed, and even pretended to be another hero, the Whizzer, for a while. He’s gone up against tons of Marvel’s biggest names, especially Spider-Man, and he’s been part of teams like the Sinister Syndicate and the Thunderbolts. Honestly, his powers are awesome, he’s got a really fun personality, and his costume is fantastic. I really think he deserves way more attention from Marvel fans!
1) Boomerang
Boomerang started as a minor villain, briefly gained some attention, and then became largely forgotten. Fred Myers, an Australian baseball player turned mercenary, fought crime with trick boomerangs, but often lost. He had a short stint with the Thunderbolts team and generally remained a background character. However, writer Nick Spencer revitalized the character in Superior Foes of Spider-Man, where he became popular with fans. Spencer continued to use Boomerang, even making him Peter Parker’s roommate in The Amazing Spider-Man. Unfortunately, Marvel seems to have disregarded Spencer’s storylines, and Boomerang has once again become obscure. Hopefully, writers will bring him back as a prominent character soon.
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2025-11-18 23:17