The Deadly Foes of Spider-Man
( Who should be the villain of “Spider-Man: Homecoming”?)
by Phil Perich for the True Believers Blog
All true Marvel fans saw the recent announcement of the title of next year’s new Spider-Man movie, Spider-Man: Homecoming. Besides the title it was announced that Michael Keaton was in talks to play the movie’s villain. Although Mr. Keaton has passed on this opportunity, I still thought it would be fun to speculate on what previously unused Spider-Man villain could be in this movie.
- The Vulture—First Appearance: Amazing Spider-Man #2 (May 1963)
Even though Adrian Toomes was one of the first super villains to battle Spider-Man, he has never broken through to the live action movies. Thanks to his brilliantly evil mind, the Vulture can go toe to toe with Spider-Man thanks to his background as a former electrical engineer that gave him the knowledge to create his electromagnetic body harness that allows him to fly and gives him limited augmented strength.
2. Mysterio—First Appearance: Amazing Spider-Man #13 (June 1964)
If you’re looking for a classic Spider-Man villain the general public may not have heard of and would be a different challenge than the other movie villains have been, Mysterio is your man! Former Hollywood special effects expert Quentin Beck decided crime paid better than Hollywood and created the identity of Mysterio. He is an expert at special effects and illusions, also a master hypnotist and magician.
3. The Scorpion—First Appearance: Amazing Spider-Man #19 (December 1964)
Mac Gargan was originally a private investigator hired by Daily Bugle publisher J Jonah Jameson to discover how Peter Parker got all the good photos of Spider-Man. When he failed at this task, Jameson had scientist Farley Stillwell use Gargan as a test subject in a new experiment that turned him into the villainous Scorpion. Although he was created to defeat Spider-Man, The Scorpion has also attempted to kill Jameson as well since he blames the publisher for destroying his life.
4. The Jackal—First Appearance: Amazing Spider-Man #129 (February 1974)
Just like with Mysterio, The Jackal is a classic Spider-Man villain many casual fans may not be familiar with. In his original appearances, the characters real identity wasn't revealed for almost two years. The Jackal was revealed to be Professor Miles Warren, Peter Parker’s college biology teacher. Warren became obsessed with Peter’s then girlfriend Gwen Stacy. When Gwen later dies during a Spider-Man/Green Goblin battle, Warren blames Spider-Man and becomes the Jackal to kill Spider-Man to avenge his “love” Gwen Stacy. Warren also clones Gwen and Peter many times over the years, which would bring the many clones into the movie as well, including my favorite, the Scarlet Spider!
So there are my top picks for the new Spider-Man movie villain. Are there any that YOU want to see on the big screen that I didn't mention? Tell me!
@Nightwingpdp on Twitter
You can hear me discussing all things Marvel every week with my cohost Charlie Esser (@CharlieEsser) on our podcasts All New Marvel Roundup and Superconnectivity, both part of the Nuff Said podcast on Southgate Media Group. I also write another blog, Legends of DC. You can find all my podcasts, blogs, and those of others at www.southgatemediagroup.com or www.philperich.wordpress.com.
Have a an Amazing, Spectacular, Sensational week, until next time…NUFF SAID!!