As a devoted admirer, I can’t help but express my undying love for the Avengers – a team whose legendary status in the comic book world is second to none. While some might argue vehemently that they are the unparalleled champions of comics, I’ve always found myself gravitating towards Earth’s Mightiest Heroes.
The Avengers hark back to an era of classic superheroes – a dynamic ensemble of Marvel’s finest, squaring off against adversaries as formidable as the imagination can conjure. Through their thrilling escapades, comic book enthusiasts have been captivated by some of the most electrifying battles ever chronicled in the world of comics.
From titans to sorcerers, from super soldiers to peak humans – the Avengers’ roster boasts a diverse array of heroes. Yet, they’ve faced adversaries so powerful that even a team containing gods, sorcerers, super soldiers, and more, have been challenged to their very limits. These villains have elevated the Avengers to heights no other team has scaled.
Some exceptional villains from the Avengers universe truly shine, being among Marvel Comics’ finest creations. While characters such as Doctor Doom, Loki, Kang, and Ultron often hog the limelight, they merely scrape the surface of the remarkable antagonists the Avengers have encountered throughout their six-decade journey. Unfortunately, many of these formidable foes don’t receive the recognition they deserve. Herein lies a list of seven underappreciated Avengers villains that merit more attention.
7) The Apocalypse Twins
In the 2010s, the Avengers experienced a golden era, welcoming two formidable villains, often referred to as the Apocalypse Twins, into the comic book landscape. These twins had their origins in the series “Uncanny X-Force,” where Angel transformed into Apocalypse and impregnated Pestilence. Their offspring were taken from her and raised by Kang in a future mutant detention camp to harden them. As adults, Kang released them into the world, but they had their own sinister agenda. The Avengers Unity Squad engaged them in a battle spanning issues #7-23 of “Uncanny Avengers” (Vol. 1). The twins acquired the Celestial killing ax Jarnbjorn and used it to bring a Celestial to Earth, causing destruction on a cosmic scale, creating Planet X as a sanctuary for mutants, and saving numerous lives in the process. However, after defeating the Avengers Unity Squad, they were taken away by their Horsemen of Death, leaving no trace since then.
6) Scarlet Centurion
In essence, Scarlet Centurion is essentially another manifestation of the character Kang, who is frequently discussed among Avengers antagonists. Originally, Kang was known as Rama-Tut before taking on this new identity. However, it’s important to note that Scarlet Centurion isn’t the only version of Kang. There existed a Scarlet Centurion on Earth of the Squadron Supreme who engaged in battles with them. In the classic Avengers saga “The Kang Dynasty”, a new character named Marcus Kang, son of the Conqueror, was introduced. This Scarlet Centurion joined forces with his father against the Avengers, but when his timeline disintegrated, so did he. Given that various Kangs traverse across different dimensions and can appear unexpectedly, there’s always a possibility for a new Scarlet Centurion to arise and challenge the Avengers once more.
5) Michael Korvac
It’s surprising that Michael Korvac, who once defeated the Avengers, isn’t discussed more frequently. Originating as a human slave of the Badoon in the 30th century, Korvac eventually gained access to immense cosmic power. In need of aid against him, the Guardians of the Galaxy from the same era sought help from the Avengers, but were unsuccessful. However, the teams managed to defeat Korvac later on. Since then, he’s made multiple appearances, including an annual crossover between Avengers and Avengers West Coast featuring battles against their strongest adversaries. More recently, Korvac was a villain in the Iron Man series written by Christopher Cantwell and CAFU. Despite his impactful history with the Avengers, Korvac is often overlooked, which is unjust for such an intriguing character.
4) Enchantress
Typically viewed as a foe of Thor, given her Asgardian origins and recent appearances in “Immortal Thor” for over a year, Enchantress is more prominently known for her role as an adversary to the Avengers. She made her mark by joining the initial Masters of Evil, adding magical prowess and physical strength to their ranks. The Enchantress and Executioner frequently clashed with the Avengers in numerous encounters. Although she may not have reached Loki’s status among Avengers villains or even Marvel villains as a whole, her magical abilities and cunning nature make her a formidable adversary that poses a greater threat than one might initially expect. After a prolonged absence from battles against the Avengers, it would be exciting to see her return and engage in combat with Earth’s Mightiest Heroes once more.
3) Whirlwind
The Whirlwind was not a primary antagonist for the Avengers, often serving as expendable opposition for groups like the Masters of Evil. However, in Avengers (Vol. 3) #4, written by Busiek and Perez, he managed to overcome an overwhelming team of Avengers due to their sheer numbers; it’s a standout comic. The Whirlwind, a mutant capable of summoning and controlling tornadoes, was always visually impressive. Despite the rise of mutants during the Krakoa Era, even among villains, Whirlwind has waned in significance. Yet, there’s always potential for the return of the reigning champion of Avengers filler characters.
2) Count Nefaria
In a past era, Marvel introduced a formidable criminal organization known as the Maggia, akin to a mafia with superhuman might. Members of this group frequently clashed with heroes such as Spider-Man and the Avengers. Among the Maggia’s key figures was Count Nefaria, who initially began his villainous career as an ordinary human but later gained enhanced powers from the Living Laser, Power Man, and Whirlwind.
Nefaria demonstrated his power by defeating the Avengers in issue #156 of their first volume, and has since engaged in numerous confrontations with the team. He even played a part in the death of Thunderbird in X-Men (Vol. 1) #94. However, Count Nefaria’s influence waned in the late ’70s. His ability to singlehandedly challenge the Avengers makes him an ideal candidate for a resurgence.
1) The Masters of Evil
Originally, the Masters of Evil served as the sinister counterparts to the heroic Avengers. The initial Mastermind, Baron Zemo, initially assembled the first Masters of Evil squad specifically to confront the Avengers. Since then, their lineup has undergone several changes. Lately, they made an appearance in “One World Under Doom“, but it’s been years since they held significant importance; they only featured in about two issues before fading away again.
The Masters of Evil is one of those timeless villainous groups that Marvel tends to overlook (alongside the Brotherhood of Mutants), which seems unfair given their rich history. They managed to defeat the Avengers and almost seized control of the world as the Thunderbolts. The Masters of Evil are a formidable force that deserves more recognition than they currently receive.
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2025-09-12 19:05