Best Recent Spider-Man Villains

Spider-Man’s list of baddies has continued to evolve and expand in recent years.

Great heroes have great villains, and Spider-Man’s rogues gallery is one of the best. Beyond the classic villains like Green Goblin to Doc Oc, Spider-Man’s list of baddies has continued to evolve and expand in recent years, introducing some cool new villains that challenge the web-slinger in unique ways. Here’s a look at some of our favorite, recent Spider-Man villains:

Kindred
We know many fans hate Kindred, or they hate his back-story, but we think this character worked out in the end. For the sake of spoilers, we’re not going to give much detail on who Kindred is, other than to say he emerged as a mysterious and terrifying new villain with a deep connection to Spider-Man’s past. Did they drag out the reveal for too long? Absolutely. Did we wish his identity was someone else? Yes. All that said, he can raise the dead, travel between the living realm and the afterlife and command an army of undead insects. Plus he looks pretty cool. For these simple reasons, Kindred makes our list of recent villains that add new dimensions to Spider-Man’s world.

Bedlam
Call us old skool but we like our symbiotes unhinged. Bedlam embodies everything that made Venom terrifying when he first appeared in Amazing Spider-Man #300; he’s monstrous, vengeful, and utterly chilling. Bedlam showcases just how much Eddie Brock/Venom has evolved as a character in the Marvel universe.

Mr Negative
Made popular by the PlayStation game, Mr. Negative is a complex villain with a dual identity. As Martin Li, he runs a charitable organization, while his alter ego leads a criminal empire. His ability to corrupt others and his personal connection to Peter Parker make him a compelling antagonist. Plus, anyone that can pull off a white suit is pretty damn cool. Klaus Kinski anyone?

The Spot
The Spot emerged as a standout villain in the 2023 Across the Spider-Verse animated film. Voiced by Jason Schwartzman, this interdimensional foe combines humor with genuine menace, not an easy trick to pull off. His ability to create portals makes him a formidable opponent, while his desire for recognition adds depth to his character. The best part about the Spot’s arc is how seemingly minor characters can become major threats.

Don’t get us wrong, we still prefer the classic Spider-Man villains over all the recent entries. You really can’t beat the Lizard, Rhino, Sandman, Kraven and all the Goblins. That said, we do think that old web head has had his share of interesting additions in recent years. Do you have a favorite? Do you disagree with one of our suggestions? Let us know at: aloha@csnpress.com