20 Marvel Villains Who Became Heroes Over Time

For over 80 years, Marvel Comics has been creating a vast world full of iconic characters. These characters have become synonymous with a generation. And within this universe, even the greatest and most fearsome villains have found a path towards redemption.

Time and again, we have seen that beneath the surface of violence and villainy lies the potential for change. Nowhere is this potential more profound and visible than in Marvel baddies. So many supervillains have discovered a capacity for good, left their life of crime behind and become revered heroes. This transition is both genuine and exciting.

In this list, we take a look at 20 Marvel characters who experienced a change of heart. From vengeful adversaries like Namor and Magneto to reluctant villains like Quicksilver and Hawkeye, the reformed histories of these characters are testament to the power of free will and compassion beyond natural instinct.

20 Mimic

The First Non-Mutant X-Man

First appearing in X-Men #19, Calvin Rankin was an ordinary individual who was exposed to one of his father’s dangerous lab experiments, following which he gained the powers of duplicating the abilities of nearby superheroes. As Mimic, he could not only copy superpowers but also a human’s personality, their skills and intelligence. While initially using his gifts for criminal intentions, Mimic soon found himself joining the original X-Men as the first X-Man who was not a mutant.

Mimic’s hero turn was in X-Men #27, which was written by Roy Thomas. Through cooperative missions with the X-Men, he began developing a sense of purpose. He proved instrumental in defeating the Puppet Master, who was trying to control and manipulate him. But the team’s fateful run-in with Super-Adaptoid left Mimic depowered almost two issues later.

19 Doctor Octopus

One of the Coolest Spider-Man Runs

One of the most surprising villain-turned-hero, one that nobody saw coming, Otto Octavious debuted in Amazing Spider-Man #3 back in 1963. As a twisted scientific creation of Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, he was Spider-Man’s greatest nemesis, wreaking havoc to fuel his own attempts of global domination and causing Spider-Man to go out of his way to protect the people he loved.

Which is why, in an epic showdown with Spider-Man that left both powerless, he sought the one option in sight – to swap brains with his nemesis.

Because of Peter’s residual memories, Doctor Octopus began to understand the responsibilities of a hero and gained a new perspective. He became the self-labeled hero, the Superior Spider-Man. Using his talents to aid rather than imperil, the doc’s stunning redemption in Amazing Spider-Man (Vol. 4) #25 was considered pretty iconic.

18 The Punisher

A Cold-Blooded Killer

Introduced in Amazing Spider-Man #129 in 1974 by Gerry Conway, Ross Andru, and John Romita Sr., Frank Castle was not always a hero. His creators had a different arc in mind, and for a while, the former soldier was driven to unbelievable extremes and organized crime. He used excessive lethal force when it was unnecessary, and even tried to kill Spider-Man and had a showdown with Daredevil at one point.

However, after facing defeat, The Punisher began to rethink his murderous crusade. He partnered up with the X-Man Nightcrawler to bring down Jigsaw and realized he could accomplish more if he cooperated with others. Castle joined secret wars, confronted Kingpin, helped the Power Pack defeat villains before eventually getting back with Spider-Man to defeat Hartmann, a neo-Nazi fanatic. Overall, The Punisher is one of the most complex antiheroes in the Marvel Universe.

Related: 21 Strongest Marvel Comic Villains Who Haven’t Shown Up in the MCU (Yet)

17 Mystique

Always a Flip-Flopper

A complete shape-shifter who calls herself “unchained and unleashed,” Mystique is one of Marvel’s longest standing villains. She first slithered like a shadow into Ms. Marvel #16 as Raven Darkhölme, a mutant terrorist/consultant detective hired by Irene Adler. Created by Chris Claremont and Jim Mooney, Mystique was a hundred percent manipulative and cunning, no matter who she served.

She even formed the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants and enlisted her adopted daughter Rogue into the team, eventually fighting Carol Danvers, better known as the super heroine named Ms. Marvel. But after a massive breakdown and witnessing the full cost of violence, Mystique joined a government-sponsored team, X-Factor, and even the X-Men. While her true motives are never straightforward, Mystique redefined herself as a committed and redeemed hero.

16 Sabretooth

Wolverine’s Nemesis

Created by writer Chris Claremont and artist John Byrne, Sabretooth made his first appearance in Iron Fist #14. Even as a child, Victor Creed had shown violent tendencies, and it did not help that he had the same inflicted upon him by his very own father. Growing up to be the ultimate Wolverine antagonist, Creed was a feral and ferocious fighter willing to murder and main anyone without showing the slightest bit of mercy.

However, after decades of seeing him at war with X-Force, fans were blessed with a new version of Sabretooth in alternate timelines. In the “Age of Apocalypse” storyline, he was showcased as a brave and devoted member of the X-Men.

In another storyline titled “AXIS,” Sabretooth was recruited by Magneto to help fight alongside him and Steve Rogers when Doctor Doom and Scarlet Witch cast an “inversion” spell that turned Marvel heroes into villains and vice versa. Following that, he turned himself in and became part of the Wolverines team.

15 Venom

A Member of the Guardians of the Galaxy

Venom was the Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man’s ultimate enemy. A not-so-friendly, dark, and destructive symbiote in black, he first took form in 1987’s Amazing Spider-Man #299. The symbiote’s history is unclear because of his modified memories, but fans know him as a broodier, menacing Eddie Brock.

Quickly becoming a fan-favorite Marvel character, Venom showcases value beyond destruction. So not only did he evolve from a bloodthirsty villain into an influential hero in the comics, but Venom also worked alongside the Avengers to face off against the oncoming onslaught of Knull, the King in Black, and teamed up with Peter’s former bully Flash Thompson and transformed into Agent Venom. Basically, Venom proves that there is hope in second chances.

14 Red Hulk

General Ross Gets a Chance at Being the Hulk

A superhuman monster known to Marvel fans as a deadlier, more fearsome version of the original Hulk, Red Hulk rumbled with all his strength onto the screen in Hulk (Vol. 2) #1. It was later revealed that Red Hulk was actually General “Thunderbolt” Ross (first appearing in the comics 1962’s Incredible Hulk #1). He was fused with gamma radiation, which gave him his volcanic rage.

Underneath the scarlet skin, Red Hulk possessed Ross’ soul – one where he had fought in the war and had a family. Like so many other characters, he also answered to missions alongside the Avengers, proving his wrath could help protect people as well. He formed bonds with Steve Rogers and Deadpool in their fight for justice.

13 Swordsman

A Laughable Thunderbolt

This villain first surfaced in Avengers #19 in 1964. Highly skilled in combat and a superb athlete, Swordsman was a mentor to young Clint Barton (and eventually Hawkeye). Throughout his arc in Marvel Comics, he oscillated between good and evil, while still committing various crimes across the world and causing the Avengers much trouble.

He faked a message from Iron Man asking the Avengers to let Swordsman join the team, with a hidden agenda to infiltrate the gang and destroy it from within. However, when Swordsman was a part of the mighty heroes’ group, he developed close bonds with them and seemed to fit in so well that he felt guilty about placing bombs in the Avengers Mansion. In trying to diffuse them, he was caught by Captain America.

Related: 15 R-Rated Marvel Comics That the MCU Should Adapt

12 Silver Surfer

A Cosmic Presence

His motto was to “to fight to preserve that same opportunity — to love, to dream, to soar among the stars.” He was written by Stan Lee and created by Jack Kirby, heralding in Fantastic Four #48. Call him Norrin Redd, Galactus’ Herald, or Silver Surfer, he was a favorite character among fans for a really long time. And his most stunning adventures were in Lee and Kirby’s “Galactus Trilogy.”

Serving an all-consuming master, Silver Surfer’s mission was to destroy worlds – including Earth. Yet when he arrived at the planet, Alicia Masters and The Fantastic Four convinced him that the Earth was a good place and the people on it were worth saving. He betrayed Galactus, became an outcast searching for redemption, and known across the universe as a powerful and devoted defender.

11 Magneto

Magneto Was Right

This mutant icon first came into existence in X-Men #1 in 1963. A Holocaust survivor, Magneto was solely driven by his passion for survival of his kind, and he would go down darker paths and fight humans to protect the mutants. Across the decades shaping the X-verse, as Max Eisenhardt witnessed hate breeding more hate, he turned to carrying out more heroic acts.

He envisioned a future built on cooperation rather than conflict. So Magneto often teamed up with the X-Men to fight ruthless villains. He was also a significant part of the popular Marvel storyline where Professor X “supposedly” dies, and he honors Xavier’s memory by taking over the school as headmaster.

10 Emma Frost

The Hellfire Club

A self-proclaimed queen bee, Emma Frost was introduced in Marvel Comics as the White Queen of the sinister Hellfire Club. Despite having a clear vision on what she wanted out of those around her, she used the most cunning methods to exploit others. A mutant herself, Frost led a team of teenage mutants called Hellions.

She may have started off as a supervillain in Uncanny X-Men #129, but Emma had a change of heart after the tragic death of her Hellions and she went on to join Xavier’s School as co-headmistress. She helped train another team of teen mutants, Generation X, and eventually became one of the X-Men’s most valued (albeit unlikeable) members.

9 Deadpool

X-Force or Bust

Less of a hero, more of an anti-hero, Deadpool transformed into one on popular demand. Debuting in New Mutants #98 as a ruthless assassin who would gleefully murder people. He had brief stints working for the powerful criminal Hammerhead and was employed by Kingpin. He clashed with Wolverine and antagonized the members of Cable’s mutant superhero teams on several occasions.

While his deeds were in no way acceptable, fans came to enjoy his particular brand of humor, the baddie attitude, and his appearance. After a while, he slowly began shifting toward heroics. He even joined another version of X-Force and became a member of the Avengers Unity Division to help promote their cause. Unhinged yet righteous, Deadpool sure amused audiences.

8 Quicksilver

One of the X-Men’s Original Villains

Pietro Maximoff was first introduced in X-Men #4 along with his sister Wanda Maximoff as reluctant members of Magneto’s Brotherhood of Evil Mutants. A high-speed runner with remarkably enhanced reflexes, Quicksilver soon begins to see past Magneto’s ruthless approach towards protecting the mutants and leaves.

He gained new perspective and turned into a hero in The Avengers #16. Quicksilver was a part of a bunch of superhero teams following that, like Inhumans and X-Factor, and he even joined the Avengers Academy as staff. But he remained loyal to the Avengers and has never looked back since.

Related: 10 Villains the MCU Killed Off Way Too Soon

7 Wonder Man

An Infiltrating Avenger

Born as a human named Simon Willaims, Wonder Man debuted in Avengers #9 back in 1964. He was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby and had a short-lived career in comics. Williams was manipulated into villainy by Baron Zemo. Much like Swordsman, he infiltrated the Avengers team to destroy it from the inside.

Once in, Wonder Man changed his tune and turned on the Nazi by taking the Avengers’ side. The iconic superhero showcased great powers and protected those he could. Although he died in the same issue, he joined the team, Wonder Man returned a couple of times. His latest turn saw him as a full-fledged Avenger.

6 Loki

The God of Mischief

The Asgardian Trickster, also known as the God of Mischief, has conjured chaos ever since he first showed up in Journey Into Mystery #85 in Marvel Comics. With centuries worth of scheming, Loki has had the most divisive and mischievous alliances. After learning of his origin, he grew jealous of Thor and became his greatest nemesis, worked for galactic tyrants, took innocent lives and tried to conquer Earth.

But he is well-liked by the comics fans regardless, and like the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s current arc (including the Disney+ series which depicts Loki as a tragic and sympathetic anti-hero), the comics have also leaned towards portraying him as a hero. Only recently, Loki was reborn in the comics as Kid Loki, where he teams up with the Young Avengers and fights on behalf of Asgard and Earth.

5 Black Widow

The Widow’s Bite

Back in the ’60s, when the world was suffering the consequences of the Cold War, the media was capitalizing on the same by churning out novel spy properties. Marvel Comics introduced a bold and calculative spy in the form of Natasha Romanova. Trained as part of the Black Widow Ops Program, she was a Russian KGB spy who fought Iron Man.

After years of being undercover, she chose to see light where it still lived and decided to defect. Black Widow’s crusade for justice first began with an opportunity to break free in The Avengers #30. Since then, she has been integral to all the operations at S.H.I.E.L.D. and she became one of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes.

4 Winter Soldier

From Villain to Captain America

Bucky Barnes first debuted in Captain America Comics #1 and the character was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. A hero-turned-villain-turned-hero, Barnes was an American soldier brainwashed and resurrected as a Hydra assassin with a robotic arm. His Soviet programming led him to commit serious crimes and made him a target for the Avengers.

However, remnants of his friendship with Steve Rogers disrupted the mind control and Bucky reclaimed his will and quit killing mindlessly. With the help of Black Widow and Captain America, the Winter Soldier uses his talents to prevent global threats. After Steve Rogers was seemingly murdered, he even honored his legacy by picking up the shield and becoming Captain America.

3 Hawkeye

A Reformed Assassin

A skilled marksman and former circus performer, Hawkeye armed himself in Tales of Suspense #57 in 1964. Before he teamed up with the Avengers in The Avengers #16 to be taken more seriously as a hero with remarkable skills, he was an unwitting hero. He often got entangled in small crimes and in one instance, when Black Widow was still conducting operations for the KGB, she seduced him to fight Iron Man with her.

After overcoming his fluid morals, when Barton approached the Avengers and told them he wanted to reform, they gave the sharpshooter a chance to protect the innocent. Despite often staying to himself, he came to be on good terms with Cap, Iron Man, and Bruce Banner. Now a major part of the MCU as well, Hawkeye is considered legendary.

Related: Best MCU Movie Villains, Ranked by Strength

2 Namor

The King of the Seas

Throughout his appearance in the Marvel Comics, Namor has been both a foe and an ally to land dwellers. However, when the mutant monarch was first seen in Motion Picture Funnies Weekly #1, he was the ruler of Atlantis who saw surface humans as interlopers, and he unleashed his oceanic wrath against them, killing a lot of people along the way.

It wasn’t until World War II that creator Bill Everett chose to use Namor’s influence as a means to sway public opinions. In Marvel Mystery Comics #4, Namor was seen interacting with Captain America and Invaders. He accompanied them in battle and saved countless citizens from Nazis. He also formed allegiance with Earth’s defenders and learned that survival can be achieved between lands and seas through the common good.

1 Scarlet Witch

A Deserter of the Brotherhood of Mutants

Also created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, Scarlet Witch debuted alongside Quicksilver in X-Men #4. She possessed the ability to warp reality and practice chaos magic, which made her a threat to every opponent. Like her brother, Wanda did not stay with the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants for too long because she craved purpose.

She found family amongst the Avengers and used hexes to shield others instead of harming them. In Marvel Comics, Scarlet Witch was a key Avenger for much of the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s, during which time she fell in love with Vision. She suffered tragic losses and became unstable enough to mind control an entire town into living a dreamlike life. Still, Wanda is one of those supervillains-turned-superheroes who had the longest run as the latter.