List of Spider-Man enemies


is a fictional superhero in the Marvel Universe debuting in the anthology comic book series issue Amazing Fantasy #15 in the Silver Age of Comics published by Marvel Comics. After his debut he would get his own comic book entitled The Amazing Spider-Man. The comic book series would introduce many of what would become his major supervillain adversaries. Spider-Man would then be popular enough for more Spider-Man comic spinoffs which introduced more recurring enemies of the web-slinger.
As with Spider-Man, the villains' powers originate with scientific accidents or the misuse of scientific technology and also tend to have animal-themed costumes or powers. There also are supervillains with the powers over the elements, some that are horror-themed, some that are crime lords, and some that are masters of trickery and illusion. These villains oftentimes form teams such as the Sinister Six to oppose the superhero.
The rogues gallery of Spider-Man has garnered positive critical acclaim and has been considered as one of the greatest rogues galleries of all time.

Debuting in Spider-Man titles

The majority of supervillains depicted in Spider-Man comics first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man, while some first appeared in spinoff comics such as The Spectacular Spider-Man and Marvel Team-Up and other titles.

''The Amazing Spider-Man'' debuts

Most of the supervillains of Spider-Man would be introduced in The Amazing Spider-Man comic book starting with the Chameleon. The early villains would be introduced in the 1960s during the Silver Age of Comic Books, and created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko. John Romita Sr. replaced Ditko starting with the Rhino. Gerry Conway later replaced Stan Lee and helped create new adversaries for the web-slinger and also helped pave the way for the Bronze Age of Comic Books with the death of Spider-Man's long time romantic interest, Gwen Stacy. Many collaborators would soon take over The Amazing Spider-Man title. One of the more popular examples included Todd McFarlane's Venom in the Modern Age of Comic Books.
Note: Alter ego characters who are the most high profile in the supervillain alias but have shared that alias with others are in bold. Alter egos listed having N/A use their real name as the supervillain name. All the villains are listedin the chronological order of their debut in comics.
NameNotable alter egoFirst appearance issue #CreatorDescriptions
ChameleonDmitri Anatoly Nikolayevich Smerdyakov#1 Stan Lee
Steve Ditko
A master of disguise who can make himself look like anybody.
VultureAdrian Toomes
Blackie Drago
#2 Stan Lee
Steve Ditko
An inventor who created mechanical wings that allow him to fly and grant him superhuman strength.
TinkererPhineas T. Mason#2 Stan Lee
Steve Ditko
A gifted engineer who specializes in creating gadgets from just about anything.
Doctor OctopusDr. Otto Gunther Octavius#3 Stan Lee
Steve Ditko
Originally a brilliant scientist, his greatest invention, a set of metallic limbs, became fused to his body by an accident which caused his insanity. He has telepathic control of these arms, which are strong enough to physically hurt Spider-Man. While Doctor Octopus is regarded as one of Spider-Man's archenemies, he also been portrayed as an antihero, and even starred in his own comic book storyline that saw him becoming a superhero called the Superior Spider-Man after the original Spider-Man's death.
SandmanWilliam Baker / Flint Marko#4 Stan Lee
Steve Ditko
Once a small-time crook, he became a supervillain after his body merged with sand which he can manipulate in many ways, such as shapeshifting, increasing his density and strength to lift up to 85 tons, and creating dust storms from his body.
LizardDr. Curtirs "Curt" Connors#6 Stan Lee
Steve Ditko
A scientist researching genetics, he injected himself with an experimental serum made from reptile DNA which transformed him into a humanoid lizard. As the Lizard, he has regeneration abilities, along with superhuman strength, speed, and agility. He has sometimes been shown as being able to telepathically command all reptiles within a one-mile radius.
Living BrainN/A#8 Stan Lee
Steve Ditko
A living robot that is designed to solve any problem.
ElectroMaxwell Dillon#9 Stan Lee
Steve Ditko
Originally a lineman for an electric company, he turned to a life of crime after being struck by lightning while working on a power line and becoming a living electric capacitor. His powers range from shooting electicity bolts to flight and superhuman strength and speed, which makes him one of Spider-Man's most dangerous enemies.
Big ManFrederick Foswell#10 Stan Lee
Steve Ditko
A notorious crime lord in New York City.
MysterioQuentin Beck#13 Stan Lee
Steve Ditko
A master of illusion who uses special effects, hypnosis, and an extensive knowledge of chemistry and robotics to trick his enemies.
Green GoblinNorman Osborn
Harry Osborn
#14 Stan Lee
Steve Ditko
The first Green Goblin, Norman Osborn, is the CEO of Oscorp and has powers derived from a "Goblin formula" that increases agility, endurance, strength, and reflexes to superhuman levels. The formula has also advances the intelligence while causing insanity as a side effect. He uses an arsenal of weapons created by Oscorp, such as pumpkin bombs and a personal glider. The Norman version of the Green Goblin is usually regarded as Spider-Man's archenemy. The second Goblin, Harry Osborn, is Norman's son and Peter Parker's best friend. He has the same powers as his father.
Kraven the HunterSergei Kravinoff
Alyosha Kravinoff
Ana Kravinoff
#15 Stan Lee
Steve Ditko
Depicted as the world's greatest big-game hunter, Kraven is skilled in hand-to-hand combat, though he also uses a "magic jungle potion" to increase his speed, strength, and tracking skills. He aims to kill Spider-Man, whom he regards as his equal, to prove himself as the world's greates hunter, and is also the half-brother of the Chameleon.
ScorpionMac Gargan#20 Stan Lee
Steve Ditko
A former private investigator who a test that made him more powerful than Spider-Man, at the cost of his sanity. He gained the superhuman strength of a scorpion, and was provided with a scorpion-themed suit and weaponry. Gargan later became the third host of the Venom symbiote.
Spencer Smythe / Spider-Slayers
#25 Stan LeeSteve DitkoA robotic expert who created the Spider-Slayers.
Crime MasterVarious#26 Stan Lee
Steve Ditko
A professional criminal who was the alias of different people.
Molten ManMark Raxton#28 Stan Lee
Steve Ditko
A scientist who was covered in a liquid metallic alloy that not only gives him super-strength, but also enabled him to generate heat and radiation.
LooterNorton G. Fester#36 Stan Lee
Steve Ditko
A poor scientist who gains superpowers from meteor gas.
Robot Master / GauntMendel Stromm#37 Stan Lee
Steve Ditko
A former college teacher and partner of Norman Osborn that became a cyborg after being betrayed by Osborn.
RhinoAleksei Mikhailovich Sytsevich#41 Stan Lee
John Romita Sr.
A Russian thug who was given a rhinoceros modeled armor, which give him superhuman strength and resistance, after undergoing a chemical and radiation treatment. After escaping from his handlers, he used his newfound to become a supervillai. He became best known for being dimwitted.
ShockerHerman Schultz#46 Stan Lee
John Romita Sr.
A former small-time criminal who built himself a battle suit that contains vibro-shock gauntlets.
KingpinWilson Fisk#50 Stan Lee
John Romita Sr.
Depicted as crime lord of New York City. Manipulate henchman to do his bidding. His body consists of mostly muscle that has much strength and agility. Enough to grapple and hammer Spider-Man.
FinisherKarl FiersAnnual #5 Stan Lee
Larry Lieber
Man Mountain MarkoMichael Marko#73 Stan Lee
John Romita Sr.
A mob lieutenant with super-strength
SilvermaneSilvio Manfredi#73 Stan Lee
John Buscema
An aging crime boss.
KangarooFrank Oliver
Brian Hibbs
#81 Stan Lee
John Buscema
Jim Mooney
John Romita, Sr.
A name given to two kangaroo-themed villains.
SchemerRichard Fisk#83 Stan Lee
John Romita Sr.
The son of the Kingpin.
Morbius, the Living VampireMichael Morbius#101 Roy Thomas
Gil Kane
A formerly renowned biochemist who was mutated into a vampire. He has all the powers and weaknesses of a vampire. Later comic book storylines depict him as a tragic antihero.
GogN/A#103 Roy Thomas
Gil Kane
An alien was found by Kraven the Hunter and adopted as a pet. He quickly grew gigantic in size, and possesses superhuman strength and bracelets that allow interdimensional teleportation.
GibbonMartin Blank#110 Stan Lee
John Romita Sr.
A lesser criminal with gibbon-like abilities.
HammerheadJoseph #113 Gerry Conway
John Romita Sr.
A mobster who had most of his skull replaced with an unbendable steel alloy.
Man-WolfJohn Jameson#124.Gerry ConwayWhen exposed to the Godstone, John Jameson transforms into the werewolf-like creature Man-Wolf.
JackalMiles Warren#129 Gerry Conway
Ross Andru
A brilliant professor with the knowledge of cloning, which he uses to torment Spider-Man emotionally. As the Jackal, he possesses superhuman strength, speed, and agility.
TarantulaVarious#134 Gerry Conway
Ross Andru
A name given to different tarantula-themed villains.
MindwormWilliam Turner#138 Gerry Conway
Ross Andru
A superhuman with telepathic powers.
GrizzlyMaxwell Markham#139 Gerry Conway
Ross Andru
An ex-professional wrestler that wears a grizzly bear-themed outfit.
Human FlyRichard DeaconAnnual #10 Len Wein
Bill Mantlo
Gil Kane
A criminal that was imprinted with the genetic code of a housefly.
Will o' the WispJackson Arvad#167 Len Wein
Ross Andru
A former Roxxon employee who can manipulate his molecules.
Big WheelJackson Wheele#182 Marv Wolfman
Ross Andru
Mike Esposito
A criminal that rides the Big Wheel vehicle.
Black CatFelicia Hardy#194 Marv Wolfman
Keith Pollard
A master cat burglar, who inherited her name and skills from her father. She often carries a grappling hook for swinging on rooftops, and sometimes has bad luck powers. She has often been depicted as a love interest and ally of Spider-Man.
CalypsoCalypso Ezili#209 Dennis O'Neil
Alan Weiss
An accomplice of Kraven the Hunter who uses voodoo potions and magic.
Hydro-ManMorris Bench#212 Denny O'Neil
John Romita Jr.
A former crewman who gained aquakinetic abilities following an accident during Spider-Man's fight with Namor.
HobgoblinRoderick Kingsley
Jason Macendale
Phil Urich
#238 Roger Stern
John Romita Sr.
Powers similar to Green Goblin after discovering Norman's lair. Perfecting Green Goblin's strength portion, goblin glider and pumpkin bombs without the insanity that Norman had.
RoseRichard Fisk#253 Tom DeFalcoThe alias of a gentleman-like crime lord with the alias used by different people most notably Kingpin's son Richard Fisk.
Alistair SmytheN/AAnnual #19 Louise Simonson
Mary Wilshire
The son of Spencer Smythe, who is also a robotic expert.
SlydeJalome Beacher#272 Tom DeFalco
Sal Buscema
A chemist whose suit allow him to move at nearly 30 miles per hour. He is almost impossible to grasp and he is incredibly maneuverable
VenomEddie Brock
Mac Gargan
#300 Todd McFarlaneEddie Brock is a former photographer who grew to despise Spider-Man, and became Venom after the symbiote that once merged with Spider-Man. As Venom, he has the same powers as Spider-Man, and aims to ruin his life in any way he can. He is also undetectable to Spider-Man's spider sense. While Venom grew to be regarded as one of Spider-Man's archenemies, later comic book storylines depict him as an antihero, and he even reluctantly teamed up with Spider-Man when the lives of innocent people were at risk. Other character have also been the host of the Venom symbiote, including Mac Gargan, who became the second Venom.
Styx and StoneJacob Eishorn and Gerald Stone#309 David Michelinie
Todd McFarlane
A mad scientist and homeless man duo who fought Spider-Man. Styx has a disintegrating touch. Stone had two-large weapons on his shoulders and was later mutated into a golem-like creature.
CarnageCletus Kasady#361 David Michelinie
Erik Larsen
Mark Bagley
A serial killer who merged with the Carnage symbiote. With Carnage being an offspring of Venom, he his more powerful than him, and has diffrent symbiotic powers, such as shapeshifting and creating weapons from his body. He can also plant ideas in people's heads.
Black TarantulaCarlos LaMuerto#419 Tom DeFalco
Steve Skroce
A tarantula-themed martial artist.
MorlunN/Avol. 2 #30 J. Michael Straczynski
John Romita Jr.
A member of the Inheritors who can drain the life force out of totems.
ShathraN/Avol. 2 #46 J. Michael Straczynski
John Romita Jr.
Scott Hanna
An insectoid creature from the Astral Plane.
Grey GoblinGabriel Stacy
Lily Hollister
#509
  1. 550
J. Michael StraczynskiMike DeodatoA gray-resembling Green Goblin whose alias was used by different people.
Mister NegativeMartin Li#546 Dan Slott
Phil Jimenez
A crime boss and leader of the Inner Demons gang, who can swap his between his normal appearance and his alter ego. His powers include a healing touch, mind control, and the ability to charge regular weapons with his energy.
OverdriveUnknownSwing Shift Dan Slott
Phil Jimenez
A supervillain who can convert any vehicle into a high-powered one.
ScrewballUnknown#559 Dan Slott
Marcos Martín
The world's first "live-streaming super-villain"
MassacreMarcus Lyman#655 Dan Slott
Marcos Martín
A brain-damaged criminal who lacks emotions.
Panda-ManiaUnknownVol. 3 #1Dan Slott
Humberto Ramos
A giant panda-themed supervillain.
RegentAugustus RomanVol. 4 #1Dan Slott
Christos Gage
Paco Diaz
The CEO of Empire Unlimited whose suit enables him to copy the powers of anyone imprisoned in his stasis tubes. A version of the character from Earth-18119 first appeared in as part of the "Secret Wars" storyline.
UnknownVol. 5 #5Nick Spencer
Ryan Ottley
An unidentified human-turned-demon who had an as-yet-unrevealed past with Spider-Man.

''The Spectacular Spider-Man'' debuts

Note: In chronological order.
NameAlter egoFirst appearanceDescription
CarrionVariousThe Spectacular Spider-Man #25 The first Carrion is a clone of Jackal.
IguanaN/A#32
SpotJonathan Ohnn#98 A scientist with the ability to create portals that lead to an alternate dimension and instantly cross short distances
ForeignerKris Keating#115 A master mercenary and assassin.
Sin-EaterStanley Carter#107 Multiple abilities ranging from artificially heightened physicality, to supernatural energy manipulation and self-healing. Was instrumental in the creation of Venom, and is also a reoccurring villain of Ghost Rider.
Lobo BrothersCarlos and Eduardo Lobo#149 Two brothers who become werewolves
DemogoblinN/A#147
Web of Spider-Man #86
A demon from Limbo.

''Marvel Team-Up'' debuts

Note: In chronological order.
NameAlter egoFirst appearanceCreatorDescription
StegronVincent StegronMarvel Team-Up #19 Len Wein
Gil Kane
A scientist who became a humanoid Stegosaurus using the same method that turned Curt Connors into Lizard.
White RabbitDr. Lorina DodsonMarvel Team-Up #131 J. M. DeMatteis
Kerry Gammill
Mike Esposito
A rabbit-themed supervillain, who pilots a giant rabbit mech and has a large arsenal of weapons at her disposal.
Black AbbotN/AMarvel Team-Up #147 Cary Burkett
Greg LaRocque
A former monk of Dakoth-Kuru, a sect that had managed to use their teachings to unlock the full potential of their minds, giving them incredible mental powers. The Black Abbot had more powers, including the ability to control the twelve others and took control of the entire brotherhood.
Incandescent ManN/AMarvel Team-Up #149 Louise Simonson
Bret Blevins
Following an experiment bt Project Pegasus, he gained the ability to draw electrical energy into one's body.

Debuting in other Spider-Man titles

Note: In chronological order.
NameAlter egoFirst appearanceCreatorDescription
TombstoneLonnie Thompson LincolnWeb of Spider-Man #36 Gerry Conway
Alex Saviuk
An albino mob enforcer.
ShriekFrances Louise BarrisonSpider-Man Unlimited #1 Ron Lim
Mark Bagley
Mike W. Barr
Tom DeFalco
Jerry Bingham
Terry Kavanagh
A sound-manipulating supervillain.

Debuting outside Spider-Man titles


As well as endowing van Adder with super strength and agility, the prototypical Goblin Formula gave him claws, talons, fangs, glowing green eyes, and near-impenetrable red skin that is capable of withstanding several close range bullet shots.

Other villains

Coldheart

Coldheart debuted in Spider-Man #49. Not much is known about the history of Kateri Deseronto. She is an expert martial artist and swordsman who wields Cryonic Swords that can freeze anyone in their place.

Delilah

Delilah first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #414 by Tom DeFalco and Mark Bagley. The Rose's confidante as well as his chief enforcer, Delilah helped battle to maintain control of part of the New York crime scene against the threat of the Black Tarantula.
During her career, she had a role in the rebirth of two of Spider-Man's old foes during the Rose's efforts to gain extra muscle: she was the one who threw the switch of the electric chair which gave Electro his powers back, and helped set up the theft of Doctor Octopus's corpse for re-animation from the Hand. She also appears in Loners as an assassin smuggling MGH.

Spidercide

Spidercide was a major antagonist in the "Maximum Clonage" story arc. He first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #222 by Tom DeFalco and Sal Buscema. He is depicted as an evil foil of Spider-Man, Ben Reilly, and Kaine. Introduced as a red herring to suggest the possibility of a third individual that was the original Peter Parker, he is one of the Spider-Man clones created by Jackal, to be Jackal's enforcer and protector. However, Spidercide is actually a clone to Ben Reilly, who is a direct genetic duplicate of Spider-Man.
The Jackal later modified Spidercide's powers, granting him the unique ability to control his physical make-up on a molecular level; he can alter his mass, density, shape and state at will similar to the symbiotes. Despite was create to escort and protect the Jackal, Spidercide betrays him and aligned with the Scrier. He was killed off in Spider-Man: Maximum Clonage: Omega by being thrown off the Daily Bugle.

Reformed supervillains / Anti-heroes

The following is alist of Spider-Man adversaries who have been reformed. Some of them became antiheroes and occasional allies of Spider-Man. Prowler is the first one to have been reformed. The characters are listed in chronological order of their debut in comics, and not necessarily of their rehabilitation.
NameAlter egoFirst appearance
Doctor OctopusOtto Gunther OctaviusThe Amazing Spider-Man #3
LizardCurtis "Curt" ConnorsThe Amazing Spider-Man #6
Molten ManMark RaxtonThe Amazing Spider-Man #28
Green GoblinHarry OsbornThe Amazing Spider-Man # 31
ProwlerHobie BrownThe Amazing Spider-Man #78
Morbius, the Living VampireMichael MorbiusThe Amazing Spider-Man #101
PunisherFrank CastleThe Amazing Spider-Man #129
Rocket RacerRobert FarrellThe Amazing Spider-Man #172
Black CatFelicia HardyThe Amazing Spider-Man #194
PumaThomas FireheartThe Amazing Spider-Man #256
Silver SableSilver SablinovaThe Amazing Spider-Man #265
HumbugBuck MittyWeb of Spider-Man #19
SoloJames BourneWeb of Spider-Man #19
VenomEddie BrockThe Amazing Spider-Man #300
CardiacElias WirthamThe Amazing Spider-Man #344
KaineKaine ParkerWeb of Spider-Man #119

Non-supervillain enemies

The Burglar and Flash Thompson both appeared in the first comic book starring Spider-Man appearing in the anthology series Amazing Fantasy. The certain comic book story inspired a comic book series entitled The Amazing Spider-Man which J. Jonah Jameson would appear in the first issue. All three of the characters listed appeared in the 1960s around the Silver Age of Comics.
NameFirst appearanceDescription
BurglarAmazing Fantasy #15 The man who killed Peter's uncle, which would inspire his to use his powers responsibly and become Spider-Man.
Flash ThompsonAmazing Fantasy #15 Flash Thompson is usually depicted as enemy of Peter Parker, and admirer of Spider-Man. He is Peter's classmate that enjoys bullying him, while ironically being one of Spider-Man's biggest fans. Later on Flash would be become good friends with Peter. In The Amazing Spider-Man #654, Flash came into contact with the Venom symbiote and became the superhero Agent Venom.
J. Jonah JamesonThe Amazing Spider-Man #1 The editor in chief of The Daily Bugle and Peter Parker's boss. He has a strong hatred of Spider-Man and tries his best to turn the city against him by publishing fake news about him, or changing them to make it look like Spider-Man is in cahoots with the villains he is fighting. He was also responsible for the funding of the creation of Scorpion, the Spider-Slayers, and the Human Fly.

Group villains

Note: The common leader of the group is in bold. All groups are listed in chronological order of their debut in comics.
Group nameOriginal membersFirst AppearanceDescription
EnforcersMontana
Ox
Fancy Dan
The Amazing Spider-Man #10 A team of mercenaries usually in the employment of crime bosses. They are generally depicted as having no super powers, but are highly skilled assassins.
Sinister SixDoctor Octopus
Vulture
Electro
Sandman
Mysterio
Kraven the Hunter
The Amazing Spider-Man Annual #1 Brought together by Doctor Octopus, they consist of some of Spider-Man's worst enemies, who joined forces in an attempt to eliminate the web-slinger once and for all. The team had diffrent members in its various iterations over the years, but Doctor Octopus generally remained their leader across all versions.
Sinister SyndicateBeetle
Hydro-Man
Rhino
Boomerang
Speed Demon
The Amazing Spider-Man #280 A team of Spider-Man villains who were inspired by the Sinister Six to band together. Unlike them, however, they are not interested in killing Spider-Man, and work for the highest bidder.
Spider-Man Revenge SquadSpot
Grizzly
Kangaroo II
Gibbon
The Spectacular Spider-Man #246 A team of lesser-known and weaker Spider-Man villains who decided to join forces to stand a better chance against the web-slinger.
InheritorsSolus
Unnamed Matriarch
Daemos
Verna
Karn
Morlun
Brix
Bora
The Superior Spider-Man #33 A clan of totem hunters from Earth-001 who feed from animal, human and deity totems. Their main goal is to hunt down the various versions of Spider-Man across the Marvel Multiverse and feed on their life energy.

Archenemies

Unlike most superheroes, who have a particular villain or villainous group among their adversaries with whom they have come into conflict the most, Spider-Man often regarded as having three archenemies, and it can be debated as to which one is the worst:
  1. Doctor Octopus has been descibed as Spider-Man's greatest enemy, and the man Peter Parker might have become if he hadn't been raised with a sense of responsibility. He is infamous for defeating him the first time in battle and for almost marrying Peter's Aunt May. He is also the core leader of the Sinister Six, and at one point adopted the "Master Planner" alias. Later depictions revealed him in Peter Parker's body where he was the titular character for a while.
  2. The Norman Osborn version of the Green Goblin is most commonly regarded as Spider-Man's archenemy. Unlike Doctor Octopus, who only aims to kill Spider-Man, the Goblin also targeted his loved ones and showed no remorse in killing them as long as it caused pain to Spider-Man, therefore making him not only Spider-Man's worst enemy, but also Peter Parker's. His most infamous feat is killing Spider-Man's girlfriend in what became one of the most famous Spider-Man stories of all time and helped end the Silver Age of Comic Books and begin the Bronze Age of Comic Books. While the Goblin was killed in the same story, he returned in the 1990s to plague Spider-Man once again, committing more heinous heinous acts. He also came into conflict with other heroes, such as the Avengers. Norman is sometimes depicted as an enemy of Spider-Man even when not being the Green Goblin.
  3. The Eddie Brock incarnation of Venom is often regarded as Spider-Man's deadliest foe, and has been described as an evil mirror version of Spider-Man in many ways. He is also among Spider-Man's most popular villains. Venom's main goal is usually to ruin Peter Parker's life and mess with his head in any way he can, Despite this, Venom is not a traditional criminal, as he is only interested in hurting Spider-Man and does not engage in criminal acts, lacking the typical supervillain desires for wealth and power. The character also has a sense of honor and justice, and later starred in his own comic book stories, where he is depicted as an antihero and has a desire to protect innocent people from harm. On several occasions, he and Spider-Man even put their diffrences aside and became allies.

    In other media

Reception

Reaction to Spider-Man's rogues gallery has been overwhelmingly positive with many journalists citing it as one of the greatest comic book rogues galleries of all time, with Batman's rogues gallery being its most rivaled contender. However, editors such as The Hollywood Reporters Graeme McMillan felt that only Flash's rogues gallery can compete with Spider-Man's rogues. Kyle Schmidlin of What Culture! described the superhero's rogues gallery as "one of the most colorful in comics" explaining that Batman could only be debated as having a great number of enemies as good as Spider-Man. IGN staff editors, Joshua Yehl and Jesse Schedeen, described the Spider-Man villains as "one of the most iconic and well-balanced in comics". They opined that the scope of their schemes, how cool their powers are, and how dramatically they have affected Spider-Man's life is what makes the Spider-Man villains so great. Newsarama ranked Spider-Man's rogues gallery as number one out of ten as the greatest rogues gallery of all time.

Themes

George Marston of Newsarama explaining why he felt that Spider-Man rogues gallery was the best was the thematic elements that the villains of Spider-Man manifested. He explained that just like the superhero they have the same concept of science gone wrong. They are "like him, great men with great minds, great power, and great determination." But instead they fail to use their powers responsibly, separating the thin line between being a hero from being a villain. Alex Wyse of Comic Book Resources felt that a good villain is supposed to challenge the ideals of the hero. For Spider-Man that idea was the famous quote "With great power comes great responsibility", where the superhero is pitted against an antithesis of the hero's motto like the concept of using superpowers for their personal gain.

Me and the Boys

A viral internet meme called "Me and the Boys", centering on Spider-Man foes of screenshots from the 1960s Spider-Man animated series that showcases the four supervillains along with other Spider-Man foes in some variations, emerged in 2019. The meme image parodied and represented a group of friends bonding, hanging out, or engaging in various shenanigans. It originated from Reddit and later Twitter. It was placed as number 35 of best memes of 2019 by Thrillist.