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Marvel Comics have a long-standing notion that their villains need to be human in a way that few action/adventure stories really do. From Doctor Doom to Green Goblin, there's a ton of really sympathetic and interesting characters in Marvel...who are really dangerous and terrible.
So...who are the worst -- or at least the most fascinating -- of the worst?
Below, we'll name what we believe are the five greatest threats known to Marvel's heroes, along with a few graphic novels you can pick up to get a primer on each of them.
Note: Due to a placement error, this story was originally marked as DC Comics villains. Obviously, that's not correct. You can see the ACTUAL DC listing here.
Thanos
There's really no contest for a guy who actually destroyed the universe once...but even without the Infinity Gauntlet, this death-worshiping demigod is a formidable threat.
Red Skull
The polar opposite of Captain America, the Red Skull is the personification of repression, violence and the despicable morals of the regime that gave birth to him...
...but he has the distinction, very much like Doctor Doom, who will appear on this list later, of being a relatively normal human who is constantly finding ways to put all of reality in danger.
Loki
The original Avengers villain may not always have gotten the respect he deserves, but since taking the Marvel Cinematic Universe by storm, Loki is likely the most popular and marketable villain in all of the Marvel Universe.
Like many of DC's biggest threats, Loki is also notable in that he has supported his own title and acted as an antihero in the past, giving writers and opportunity to develop his personality, motivations and the like far more than most villains are likely to get.
(It probably doesn't hurt that his Norse mythological origins provide plenty of built-in storytelling opportunities).
Doctor Doom
The biggest threat ever known to Marvel's First Family is also arguably the greatest threat this side of Galactus.
Whether it's science, magic or reality itself, Doom will find a way to master it. He's currently appearing as the central big bad in a reboot of the classic '80s crossover story Secret Wars.
The Fantastic Four is one of the most interesting parts of the Marvel Universe -- and while they've got a large and diverse rogues gallery, there's really just the one character so completely associated with them that he's appeared in every other-media adaptation. Doom.
Doctor Octopus
The Marvel Universe apparently needs a good deal of medical care, since two of these guys are "doctors."
There's always been some dispute as to just who Spider-Man's "greatest" foe is -- but in recent years, there's been no question. It's absolutely Otto Octavius, who briefly managed to actually kill Peter Parker and replace him as Spider-Man.
Of course, there's plenty of discussion on this point; Venom and Green Goblin are popular choices; The Jackal and Mephisto have had lasting impacts on Spidey's life and characterization. But...it's Doc Ock. C'mon, son.
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