10 Creepy X-Men Villains Who Are More Powerful Than They Seem

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It’s safe to say that X-Men has been around long enough to create some seriously dangerous (and memorable) villains. Unfortunately, they’ve also been around long enough to accumulate more than a few creepy villains, ranging from characters that will make readers’ skin crawl to villains with gross abilities and everything in between. One thing is certain: some villains will always make a hero’s day feel that much darker.

One could argue that being scary is the entire purpose of a villain, but some do it better than others. The creepier villains of Marvel Comics have always found new ways to go above and beyond, providing readers with some of the most terrifying tales and high-stakes battles. In other words, they’ve found unique ways to cement themselves in Marvel’s history.

10

D’Spayre Is a Member of the Fear Lords

This Creepy X-Men Villain Has Also Faced Off Against Spider-Man

AKA Desmond, Gramps

Related to Dweller-In-Darkness, Spite, D’Sprytes, Nightmare, etc.

Any villain who enjoys playing with fear is truly creepy, no matter how fear is defined. D’Spayre is a demon who can project illusions and induce fear through physical touch, so it’s safe to say most people aren’t thrilled to encounter this villain. D’Spayre has a long history in X-Men comics, though his origin is intentionally shrouded in mystery, and he has many other enemies, including Spider-Man, Man-Thing, the X-Men, and Brunnhilde.

D’Spayre can read the minds of chosen victims to understand (and perhaps appreciate) their deepest fears, then bring those fears to life. What’s really chilling about D’Spayre is that he doesn’t just terrify people for amusement; he likely feeds on these negative emotions. As a demon, he doesn’t age and possesses inhuman strength.

9

The Reavers Are a Military Force Turned Criminal Organization

The Reavers Brought Body Horror to X-Men Comics

Lead by Donald Pierce, Previously Lady Deathstrike

Members include Angelo Macon, Bonebreaker, Murray Reese, Pretty Boy, Wade Cole

Previously funded by the Hellfire Club

The Reavers were originally part of the Hellfire Knights, and as such, they used to work for the Hellfire Club. However, these cybernetically enhanced villains have only become more chilling over the years. After The Reavers were defeated by the X-Men, the survivors reformed under the leadership of Donald Pierce, and the new version of the group appeared to be particularly bloodthirsty.

In one horrifying scene, The Reavers tortured and crucified Wolverine, who was only saved thanks to the intervention of Jubilee.They’ve also been known to bring others into their ranks, turning gravely injured villains into cyborg warriors. The combination of cyborg elements and a brutal, ruthless nature makes them creepy and terrifying in equal measure.

8

Soul Skinner Is a Dangerous Psionic Mutant

This Deadly Mutant Has Experienced Death Firsthand

Soul Skinner tried to use his powers to ease the pain of those he loved

He targeted Psylocke and others

Soul Skinner is another villain with a complicated and dark backstory. As a mutant, Soul Skinner possessed powerful psionic abilities but resisted the temptation to use them for years. Everything changed when his daughter was dying. In a desperate attempt to ease her pain, he used his powers on her, only to experience her death firsthand.

This was only the beginning for Soul Skinner, who later killed his wife after discovering her betrayal. He eventually used his psionic abilities on the X-Men, forcing heroes to relive the worst moments of their lives or face their fears in a visceral way. This makes him a terrifying and horrible villain, unafraid to exploit personal traumas for his own gain.

7

Cameron Hodge Is Creepy Down to His Core

This Former Human Made a Deal With a Demon to Get Back at the X-Men

Formerly a human who hated Angel

Transformed into a Techno-Organic/Human Hybrid

Marvel does a great job of reminding readers that creeps and villains come in all forms, even, and especially, humans. Enter Cameron Hodge, a man so twisted by his obsession and hatred of Warren Worthington III, aka Angel, that he becomes something truly horrible. First, he became a lawyer, and then he created an organization called the Right, which was determined to destroy mutants.

Later, Hodge took up the title of Commander and used X-Factor as a way to attack the X-Men from the inside. Hodge personally arranged for Angel’s wings to be amputated in X-Factor #14 and even tried to manipulate his way into Angel’s will. Every action he took was truly insidious, always made to seem as if it came from a place of caring.

6

The Shadow King Is Master of the Games

Shadow King Played a Memorable Role in the X-Men Animated Series

A Multiversal manifestation of human consciousness (the bad side)

Crossed Storm when she was young

The Shadow King has been seen in many forms, taking over the minds of mutants and humans alike. Not only is he creepy, but he’s also cruel and dangerous. He has been targeting the X-Men for years, determined to become the ruler of the astral plane (and possibly beyond). The Shadow King has terrorized the X-Men in the comics and in the animated series, going after Storm’s godson in the episode titled “Whatever It Takes.”

There are a few theories about the Shadow King. Many believe he is a manifestation of people’s nightmares, born from the darkest parts of humanity. One of the Shadow King’s most famous forms is Amahl Farouk, a mutant who willingly accepted a deal with the villain. As a result, the two are bonded, which has created major trouble for the X-Men.

5

Sugar Man Is Incredibly Intelligent…and Kinda Gross

This X-Men Villain Is Even Creepier Than He Looks

Genius when it comes to genetics

Sugar King can control his own mass, growing or shrinking

Sugar Man is another X-Men villain who is difficult to take seriously, at least at a glance. This villain looks somewhat similar to M.O.D.O.K., but his habits and methods differ greatly. Sugar Man is actually quite intelligent, but that intelligence has always been used for evil. For example, he has collected humans to perfect his genetic studies.

While Sugar Man can survive most attacks thanks to his enhanced metabolism, he has other features that make readers uncomfortable. For example, he can change size at will and has an infamously strong and long tongue, which he has used as a weapon more than once. Combined with his willingness to torture others, Sugar Man is not a welcome sight for the X-Men or anyone else in the Marvel Universe.

4

Emplate Is an X-Men Villain Who Dabbles in the Dark Arts

This Villain Formerly Known As M-Plate Is a Major Threat to the X-Men

Brother of Monet St. Croix

Emplate can absorb powers

Marius St. Croix is better known by his other name, Emplate, though before that, he went by M-Plate. He is a mutant with dangerous abilities, as his family would be quick to say. When Marius first developed his mutant powers, he killed his mother and later forced his sister into her Penance form, effectively enslaving her for a time.

These days, Marius no longer has control over his sisters. However, that has not stopped him from remaining a creepy villain. To gain more power and control, Emplate threw himself headfirst into the dark arts. Over the years, he has targeted many X-Men in hopes of using their powers, successfully capturing Synch, Lady Gayle Edgerton, and others.

3

Mojo Proves TV Can Be Scary in the Marvel Universe

This Villain Hails from Mojoworld

Mojo is part of a race called the Spineless Ones

Created by Ann Nocenti and Art Adams

Any villain based on the themes of reality TV is bound to be up to no good. Enter Mojo, a villain who is every bit as creepy as he looks. Mojo took control of his universe through his access to the television industry (yes, really) and now uses it as a means of gaining power and maintaining control. Essentially, he becomes more powerful the more viewers he has.

This is only the beginning when it comes to Mojo, as he can capture mutants and turn them into his puppets to gain more viewers. Mojo once used Kang as a puppet, and more recently, he captured a mutant named Local, giving him a whole new ability set to exploit. It could have spelled doom if not for the intervention of nearby heroes.

2

The Brood Is an Alien Race Who Should Never Be Underestimated

The X-Men Have Struggled Against The Brood

An ancient insectoid alien race that travels to find new hosts

First appeared in The Uncanny X-Men #155

At a glance, it may be tempting to write off the Brood. However, that would be a fatal mistake. The Brood is an alien race, and much like the creatures from the famous Alien franchise, they require hosts to continue their existence. Arguably, the Brood version is even more haunting, so it is probably best not to look too closely at the details.

The Brood has long been a problem for the X-Men, a situation made worse by the Brood’s alliance with Deathbird. As part of the deal, Deathbird handed over several heroes to The Brood, including members of the X-Men, to serve as hosts and help create more queens. Recently, the Brood returned and created even more problems for the X-Men, which was an impressive feat given the resurrection protocols that were in effect at the time.

1

Mister Sinister Went From Cloned Human to Superhuman Villain

Mister Sinister Is One of the Scariest X-Men Villains of All Time

Ties to Apocalypse

Designed by Marc Silvestri

When it comes to intelligent villains, Mister Sinister ranks near the top of any list. He’s creepy, brilliant, and highly dangerous. Mister Sinister is one of three clones of Nathaniel Essex, setting him on a destructive path in Marvel Comics. Like many villains, Mister Sinister has a long history in the comics, including a deep connection to Apocalypse.

Mister Sinister lives up to his name and is fully willing to experiment on others for his own gain. These experiments provide him with insight into his own genetic material, enabling him to incorporate new bits of code and acquire new abilities over time. This makes Mister Sinister an especially dangerous enemy for the X-Men, as he has been known to select targets based on specific mutations.

“}]] There are many villains in the X-Men roster, but it’s safe to say that some win the award for being the creepiest villains in all of Marvel Comics.  Read More