You might find it hard to believe, but not all comic book characters have the happiest beginnings. Most characters’ origin stories tend to be pretty tragic. Although the character in question often finds themselves gifted with impenetrable strengths and power, these unique features typically come at an uncontrollable cost. From Green Arrow to Sandman, here are the comic book characters’ most sad backstories.
Spawn
No other character origin is as dark or emotionally disturbing as Frank Simmons, a highly skilled CIA agent, and a former military contract killer. He becomes the bearer of one of the saddest superhero origin stories.
Simmons’ best friend betrays and double-crosses him when they are working on a deal. He had been increasingly doubting his superiors’ morals in the brief period before this fatal setback. Yet, upon dying, his soul was still consigned to hell. Frank is granted permission to return to earth due to a deal with a demon. Still, he has been transformed into Spawn, a pretty solid but deformed demonic creature. Even worse, he has been absent for five years; his wife remarried to none other than the man who murdered him, and they had a child.
Rocket Raccoon
Rocket Raccoon, also known as “Rocket,” is one of the coolest and furriest characters. Since the release of the first two Guardians of the Galaxy movies, which have risen in popularity with audiences, fans, and even critics, Rocket has gained recognition. However, his birth as a brazen space merc with remarkable powers isn’t as joyful as the movies have us believe.
Rocket was the subject that broke a hundred separate laws against the treatment of animals and the testing of living beings. Whoever abducted him from his home world is still unknown. Still, after implanting him with improved cybernetics and mental consciousness, he developed into a self-aware, ruthless space pirate known only as 89P1. It might not sound like one of the worst character origin stories. To call it inhumane is an understatement.
Rorschach
The question of which Watchmen had the saddest superhero origin story is more difficult to answer than which Watchmen was the worst. The only one with one of the most tragic superhero origin tales is Rorschach. For a man who bears (and wears) a psychiatric experiment as his calling card, you’d think everything would be all fine in the head.
Walter Kovacs was raised in a chaotic environment and was never permitted to perceive the world as anything but evil. Although Walter was a reasonably intelligent boy with high aspirations for religious instruction, his mother was a prostitute, and his father was a drinker who frequently battered Walter into giving up on his schooling. Unfortunately, Walter turned into Rorschach due to his brutal childhood.
Doctor Manhattan
Jon was going to follow in his father’s watchmaking footsteps. When the United States detonates the atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Jon’s father declares his father’s line of work obsolete and forces him to pursue a career in nuclear physics. The occurrence foreshadows Doctor Manhattan’s “external” perspective of time as predetermined and all things within it as thus determined, including Manhattan’s reactions and feelings. It marks the turning point in Jon’s probable future from a watchmaker to a nuclear physicist.
Being vaporized in a lab accident and scientific experiment might seem like the worst catastrophe imaginable, but what Jonathan Osterman ultimately lost wasn’t his body; it was more his humanity and hope for a typical life with the woman he loved. He was condemned to an eternity of loneliness since, despite his best efforts, he could not forget the memories of his loss or, regrettably, focus on and care for the world again.
Harley Quinn
In the example of Harley Quinn, the Joker devastated her life, but once he made her insane, she did not appear to care that much. The presence or impact of others defines some lives.
One of the most complicated and depraved romantic relationships in comic books is that between Quinn and the Joker; just like any other person, the Joker treats Harley with abuse and manipulation. At Arkham Asylum, Dr. Harleen Quinzel worked as a psychiatric intern. She was a diligent gymnast and a model student who excelled in school, earning a scholarship to Gotham City University. Quinn was tortured by him while falling in love with him, which drove her insane. She eventually replaced him in the asylum after helping him escape.
Bane
Bane spent his childhood in the hellish prison of Pena Duro on the corrupt South American island nation of Santa Prisca. He develops super strength through a forced experiment involving the drug Venom.
Prison is the first place that Bane can recall. That is where Batman’s formidable foe grew up, but it wasn’t until he became dependent on a narcotic that gave him tremendous strength. He truly began to transform into the bulky, humanoid beast. The anonymous aspiring villain killed his first person when he was eight. Only a teddy bear toy, which Bane used to conceal his dagger, was humanitarian about his origins, yet even that was violent. Although his need for Venom is a significant drawback, Bane has been among Batman’s most cunning and formidable adversaries.
Martian Manhunter
One of the lesser-known DC characters has one of the darkest superhero origin tales; Martian Manhunter has suffered more than Batman and Superman. The Martian hero, known as J’onn J’onzz and from Mars, underwent some alteration to his entire story, which only grew darker as it progressed.
His story starts with his brother being imprisoned and found guilty of the Martian crime of mental assault. In the end, J’onn’s twin brother escapes and creates a rabid epidemic as revenge, effectively destroying the whole Martian race thanks to their use of telepathy. That causes them to combust suddenly. The Manhunter discovered himself alone on a floating rock, surrounded by his twin brother’s endless victims, after witnessing the creeping extinction of his race. Although the ancient Bat had his Alfred and Superman at least had the Kents, where was the Martian Manhunter? Nobody.
Magneto
Magneto’s origin story and rise to fame were no more accessible than everyone else on this list. Still, he is perhaps one of the most intricate, fascinating, and powerful comic book characters to emerge from the Marvel Comics pantheon. Is Magneto a hero or a villain? This subject comes up frequently.
Max Eisenhardt, a Jew who was born and raised in Poland during the outbreak of World War II, and his family were ultimately taken prisoner and transferred to Auschwitz. Max encounters Magda after being forced to run the Gas Chambers. Max and Magda escape from Auschwitz after his family is put to death, and they later settle down and have a daughter named Anya there. Naturally, as soon as others learn about his mutant talents, they destroy his house by burning it down and killing Anya.
Swamp Thing
Thugs planted bombs in Alec Holland’s house after he conducted a simple test with his scientific wife, Linda. Holland was impacted by the major drug that served as the experiment’s primary component. He sprinted into the marsh. The bio-restorative compound, which had been soaked into his flesh, impacted the swamp’s plant life, giving it Alec’s consciousness and memories.
The newly awakened plant life took on the appearance of a human and emerged from the swamp as the Swamp Thing, the most recent in a long line of Earth elementals fashioned when The Green required defense. As if that were not difficult enough, the evil attackers killed his wife as soon as the action was over.
Victor Zsasz
Victor Zsasz could only survive by becoming insane as Gotham attempted to destroy him. When he was in his mid-20s, a boating accident claimed the lives of his parents. Depression caused Zsasz to turn to gamble, which ultimately destroyed him. Victor was going to commit himself when a man attacked him and, in retaliation, became Zsasz’s first victim. Every counting mark on Victor’s body after that represented a person he had slain. Because of this, Victor regularly resides in Arkham Asylum. He has been a member of the Secret Society of Super-Villains.
Harleen Quinzel was his doctor, but she made no progress with him. Victor began killing anybody who came into contact with him once the Executioners forced him out of his cell, including them. He was eventually captured and returned to custody.
Doctor Octopus
Doctor Octopus is frequently regarded as Spider-Man’s greatest foe. The character’s accurate origin tale is far more depressing than the one depicted in Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man 2 and immortalized by Alfred Molina in that film. Otto Octavius, a prodigal son, born to a violent father, appears in comic books. Even if he succeeds in becoming one of science’s most renowned figures, tragedy ensues when his mother, who is experiencing empty nest syndrome, requests that he break off his engagement and concentrate on his studies.
During an atomic research project, Octavius’ body was fused to four mechanical, tentacle-like arms, causing severe brain damage that turned him into a criminal. His life’s work is then destroyed by another explosion in his lab, forcing him to turn to crime. His mother passed away during a contentious argument, leaving him by himself.
Mr. Freeze
Dr. Victor Fries, a well-known expert in cryogenics, met his true love Nora Fries, who became his wife. Victor had to discover a treatment for Nora’s deadly condition to save her, so he placed her in suspended animation while searching for a way to cure her. But regrettably, a lab mishap significantly reduced his body temperature to below-freezing levels, necessitating the use of a cryogenic suit.
One of the most moving episodes of Batman: The Animated Series features Mr. Freeze and Batman, helping the audience to grasp the villain’s point of view. He uses a variety of freezing weaponry and a protective cryogenic suit to partially get revenge on Batman for his wife’s demise while also bringing his wife back to total health.
Bizarro
Bizarro was never allowed to act normally. A wounded Superman clone, Bizarro has a severely restricted mental capacity, frequently leading to actions spiraling out of his control. The clone is nothing more than an ugly body with heightened abilities. Bizarro, a creature doomed from the moment of its creation, makes the best of what he has, but it is never enough.
Bizarro, who is essentially identical to Superman in every way, has never known why he is viewed as a villain. Bizarro was produced, not born; therefore, he never had the chance to experience affection and warmth. In most forms, Bizarro is typically produced by psychopaths like the Joker or Lex Luthor. He never finds a meaningful calling in life other than to destroy Superman as a result. A lack of violence, fury, and hatred.
Two-Face
Harvey Dent had a difficult upbringing. Growing up with an abusive father, he developed repressed mental diseases, including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. However, his dedication to his work allowed him to advance and, at the age of 26, become Gotham City’s youngest district attorney. Dent was pleasant, attractive, and appeared to be untouchable, earning him the media moniker “Apollo.”
Harvey Dent has always been a troubled person in the comics. Even though he worked hard to establish himself in Gotham, his demons eventually wholly overcame him. Dent lost his mind after a criminal used acid to disfigure his face. He developed into a serial killer who decided whether to beat his victims by tossing a coin, just like his violent father did.
Dex-Starr
What transpires when a domestic cat is abruptly thrust into a life of mistreatment? Dextor was a regular house cat that a generous woman adopted. But the lady’s death by an unidentified assailant during a robbery changed the cat’s life. Soon after being seduced by several youths, Dextor moved onto the streets.
The teenagers threw the poor cat inside a sack down the Brooklyn Bridge to test if it would survive with their sick sense of fun. Dextor was selected by the Red Lantern ring just before he was about to die because it could sense his uncontrollable wrath. Dextor transformed into Dex-Starr after he used the Red Lantern ring, brutally killing his tormentors before setting out to locate his previous owner’s killer.
The Joker
One terrible day is all it takes to send someone over the edge. A struggling comedian who is anxious to make some money to support his pregnant wife is thrown into an acid vat instead. The Joker experienced what was described. Although the Joker’s background has been subject to much debate, Alan Moore’s The Killing Joke has become the Clown Prince of Crime’s official biography.
In addition to permanently altering his appearance, the injury renders him mad and causes him to commit unpardonable crimes. In some cases, his sanity does return, but the atrocities of his history drive him to spiral into madness. The Joker, often regarded as Batman’s arch-enemy, is also accountable for many catastrophes in Batman’s life, including Barbara Gordon’s paralysis and Jason Todd, the second Robin, dying.
Doomsday
Doomsday is a hideous-looking monster made to kill; he previously killed Superman. However, his past is both terrifying and terrible. A mad scientist developed Doomsday in a hostile environment in prehistoric Krypton. When the first humanoid newborn was put on the planet, the negative climate soon killed it. Soon later, another child was created from its cloned remnants.
This technique continued until the infant could endure the difficult circumstances. But because of previous trials that were written into its genome, it despises all living things. The infant was at one point abandoned in space, where it repeatedly perished and came back to life to render it unkillable. The only character to ever kill Superman in the official comics continuity was Doomsday, and he accomplished it by simply beating the Man of Steel to death.
Doctor Doom
Doctor Doom, raised in a witches’ coven, lost his mother when he was a little child and was unfairly pursued by the monarch after his father failed to save the Baron’s terminally sick wife. Doom and his father departed the area shortly after, but Doom’s father passed away in the mountains shortly after that. Doctor Doom studied in the U.S. and became knowledgeable in magic and technology. He attempted to create a time machine there so he could see his mother.
Ben Grimm (The Thing) had secretly tampered with the device, which had terrible effects. Doom despises the Fantastic Four so immensely, it makes sense. Doom held Sue Storm hostage as a prelude to his confrontation with the Fantastic Four. Doom compelled the team’s other members to use his time platform to go back in time and retrieve the ethereal Stones of Merlin.
Galactus
Galactus was once a hero who saved the universe and his home planet by absorbing cosmic energy. However, everyone else perished save for Galactus. Galactus was left stuck in a condition of tremendous hunger that could only be satisfied by consuming worlds as if the tragedy itself wasn’t awful enough.
He was Taaia’s genetically modified offspring and the most superhuman being Taa had ever known. She was a bad mother because of her responsibilities to the world; she gave him minimal human interaction and left him in a technologically enhanced crib to grow up. When his mother brought home his time-traveling future herald, the Silver Surfer, he decided to use the opportunity to teach him compassion, hoping it would encourage him to try harder to resist his hunger.
Thanos
Sui-San, Thanos’ mother, an immortal with the Deviants gene, attempted to suffocate him as a child but was intercepted. The scene of Sui-San trying to kill him haunted the young Thanos in nightmares for years. Thanos, a pacifist in school, experienced bullying because of his disfigured appearance. He is against wars and violence and spends most of his days playing with his brother Eros of Titan and their pets.
This sent the purple-skinned man down a nihilistic path. He first fell in love with the personification of Death itself and later grew fascinated with it. Thanos killed half the universe’s species to get Death to love him because he wanted to experience true love for the first time.
Green Arrow
While Bruce Wayne’s tragic beginnings may be unfortunate, Oliver Queen, better known as the Green Arrow, has it even worse. Oliver’s wealthy business mogul father, Robert Queen, is the unavoidable reason Oliver decided to don the hood in one of the most depressing superhero origin tales.
The two embark on a lavish sailing vacation far into Oliver’s twenties, resulting in their being dumped overboard following a violent storm. Robert shoots himself in a last-ditch effort to keep his kid under the dwindling conditions of their food supply, but not before leaving a list of names for him. When Oliver returns to Star City, where everyone believes he has long since passed away, the Green Arrow is born as he starts to exact revenge on his father’s name. He learned the art of archery during his five years as a castaway on a hidden island.
Wolverine
Next to power, immortality is undoubtedly one of the most potent superpowers, but what’s left to live for when all your loved ones—and even your enemies—start passing away like flies? The Wolverine’s curse of immortality also happens to be one of the darkest superhero origin stories, as is the case for our beloved X-Men member.
Few heroes are as complex and elaborately created as Logan, which began life as a young kid in the 1880s. He was the illegitimate son of Thomas Logan, whose accidental murder at Wolverine’s hands (or, should we say, “claws”) launched the hero’s ongoing struggle with conflict. Jump forward over 150 years, and he has already witnessed many terrible things. The X-Men won’t leave him alone, and when he does join them, Jean Grey’s passing nearly throws him over the brink. It makes sense why he is so angry.
Spider-Man
One of the saddest superhero origin stories. Not only does the enthusiastic and scientifically gifted young boy Peter Parker, Spider-Man, already have to deal with being an orphan. But Uncle Ben’s untimely passing also strips him of the only father figure and extended family he truly valued.
And while Spidey was reared mainly in a working-class area, Spidey wasn’t quite as financially astute as Batman. He may have also been orphaned early (right in front of him, too). Peter Parker was tormented in high school for being a nerd. When you add that his girlfriend, Gwen Stacy, died due to his own attempt to save her, well, you can understand how this Spider had it rough.
Red Skull
His father blamed Red Skull for trying to drown him because his mother died giving birth to him. He grew up in an impoverished village in WWII Germany as if having such a difficult childhood wasn’t bad enough. He then brought Johann to an orphanage, where the youngster lived alone. When he was seven years old, Johann fled the orphanage and spent the rest of his life as a thief and beggar on the streets.
As he grew older, Red Skull worked in various low-paying professions but spent most of his time in jail or prison for offenses ranging from theft to straying. In a life full of suffering and hatred, he finally discovered one person who cared about him: Adolf Hitler. What follows is history.
Apocalypse
Apocalypse, the first mutant, was left behind by his biological parents. A tribe of nomads soon adopted him. Apocalypse and his foster father were forced to seek safety in a cave after the gang was later massacred as a result. There, Apocalypse witnessed the hunger death of his foster father and learned of the prophecy that he would grow up to be a hero who would free millions from tyranny.
He further augmented himself after merging with Celestial technology, gaining a variety of superhuman abilities in the process. He is also among the rare subspecies of mutants that possess the additional gift of immortality. As fate would have it, Apocalypse was never a hero but a despot filled with resentment and wrath for the wrongs committed against him.
Morbius
The Nobel Prize-winning chemist was compelled to discover a treatment for his unusual blood ailment. The scientist’s uncommon sickness was cured due to a botched experiment, but he was transformed into a pseudo-vampire with an insatiable appetite for human blood. His disease negatively impacted his health and badly altered his appearance, leading to bullying from his friends.
He gained flight, increased strength, speed, healing, and usual vampire traits like a dislike of sunlight and a healing factor. These changes also affected his general appearance. He developed fangs, his nose flattened to resemble a bat, and his skin turned incredibly pale. In addition, any who he bit would also become living vampires.
Cheetah
Dr. Barbara Ann Minerva, a renowned archaeologist, discovered an old tribe in Africa that a female guardian guarded with cheetah-like abilities. Dr. Minerva was tricked into consuming a concoction of human blood, berries, and Urzkartaga leaves by a witch doctor to become immortal. The human blood gave her the abilities of a cheetah. However, she was unaware that the host had to be a virgin. As a result, Barbara developed a ferocious bloodlust whenever she transformed into Cheetah and experienced excruciating pain when she was in human form.
With an ulterior aim to steal the Amazon’s Lasso of Truth, Barbara befriended Wonder Woman when she made her debut as a superhero. Their once-close friendship would deteriorate into vehement hate, turning them into arch enemies.
Zeitgeist
A relatively unknown X-Men character named Zeitgeist suddenly gained notoriety in Deadpool 2. Axel Cluney discovered a girl to fall in love with during his teenage years, which was supposed to be the most fun of his life. However, his power was unleashed after a passionate kiss, leaving her face permanently scorched. Zeitgeist can spit acid out of his mouth, which is revolting.
While it seems to be the worst thing that could have occurred to a superhero, having a painful and embarrassing childhood is ultimately something you cannot change. Zeitgeist constantly donned a protective mouthpiece while dressing up. It was demonstrated that his vomit could quickly burn through steel that was 10 centimeters thick. His jaw was constructed of an unusual substance that resembled plastic but was far more durable.
Maggott
Even though Maggott’s real name, Japheth, is uncommon, it is unquestionably superior to his heroic alter ego. His superpower? A particular digestive system with two worms could swallow anything and give the body tons of energy. This system allowed Maggott to execute superhuman feats.
Japheth was a sickly youngster whose condition was so bad that he fled from home, hoping to pass away and relieve his suffering. He had a rare biological condition that caused the illness, but by the time Maggot realized this, he had already left his family. Eany and Meany, Maggott’s slugs, had to dig their way into and out of his stomach each time, which was excruciatingly painful. They also ate up to five times daily, and the physical and mental toll was too much for the young man.
Skin
You can tell a superhero had a painful past when he acquired his superpowers through stress. This is the case with Skin, a mutant with the gross capacity to use various applications to enlarge his six more feet of extra skin.
He was so terrified that night of a drive-by gunshot that he fainted. After that, Angelo Espinosa was pronounced dead, and not a single person in his inner circle was aware that he was still alive or had changed into horror. Angelo was one of the young mutants targeted by the Phalanx. He joined Generation X when it opened and soon showed himself to be fun-loving, despite his resentment toward his powers. Skin was initially somewhat reclusive and didn’t like being told what to do by adults. His attitude improved as he grew more at ease with his abilities and friends.
Daredevil
When Matt was a young boy, he saw a man about to be struck by a truck and moved him out of the way, but the truck crashed and threw its load of hazardous chemicals into his face. He discovered that his other senses were enhanced due to his loss of sight when he awakened in the hospital from the toxins, and he could see by a radar-like feeling using the sounds around him, giving him complete trust in his surroundings. He met Stick, a blind martial artist who taught him martial arts and other talents, including free running, meditation, and shooting.
Daredevil’s father is shot and killed not long after the incident. He eventually exacts revenge on his father’s killers and accepts the unfair repercussions of that one deed of kindness. Matthew then embraces a challenging life that is not without its perks.
U.S. Agent
Jonathan Walker, a wannabe Captain America, had lofty aspirations of greatness, but his path to valor swiftly turned sour. He permitted the public to learn his real name, which caused a terrorist organization to kill his parents. Walker replied by using explosives to almost murdering the individuals who had leaked his personal information, leaving them permanently scarred. When Walker received an appropriate beating from none other than Steve Rogers himself, Walker’s terrible backstory was concluded.
US Agent is a superb soldier, tactician, and fighter. Taskmaster has personally trained him in combat, gymnastics, and acrobatics. His body’s tissues are a little more challenging and injury-resistant than a regular human’s. He’s not impervious, though, and he’s susceptible to harm in many ways as an average person. He can, however, tolerate shocks and injuries that would kill or severely hurt a regular person.
Mr. Immortal
Maybe the only trait that can make anyone feel at ease, no matter his circumstances, is the ability never to die. Craig Hollis, regrettably, only realized his skills after multiple failed attempts to take his own life. He was prone to outbursts of wrath after being brought back to life, and only his teammate and occasional lover Dinah Soar could control them before his untimely demise.
Infected as a youngster, Craig’s mother passed away; as a young lad, Hollis was tricked into starting a fire that killed his father. The girlfriend of Mr. Immortal also passed away; she attempted to take her own life as well, but unlike Craig, she did not have superpowers that could have saved her.
Rachel Summers
The X-Men are one of the most powerful mutants, and the one with the most tragic backstory is Rachel Summers, the daughter of Cyclops and Phoenix. Initially recognized as an official Omega-level mutant, Rachel is the first person to have used the Phoenix Force for years without ever succumbing to darkness. Because she comes from one of the most unsettling timelines of all, she also carries a trauma burden beyond nearly anything seen in comics.
From the “Days of Future Past” timeline is Rachel Summers. After the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants murdered Senator Robert Kelly, a wave of anti-mutant panic swept the country. After witnessing the massacre of her friends and family, Rachel was seized by the US government and subjected to gruesome experiments that turned her into a mutant-hunting Hound.
The Mandarin
The Mandarin was a prodigy who came from a wealthy family and was endowed with great wealth and significant political authority. What possibly could go wrong? Well, pretty much everything after the passing of both parents. Mandarin was reared by an affluent aunt who frivolously spent his sizable inheritance, driving the two of them into homelessness and poverty.
The Mandarin was left wandering as a young beggar with nothing to his name shortly after his aunt passed away. Even though he was a wicked guy, he wanted justice, harmony, and peace for his people. Nevertheless, he was forced into a life of crime despite never having seen those things for himself. He is characterized as a megalomaniac, attempting to conquer the world on several occasions, yet also possessing a strong sense of honor.
The Governor
The characters from the Walking Dead comic book series show that the occasions building up to the new world order are equally significant. One must first comprehend Philip Blake in order to comprehend the Governor as he appears in comic books.
Together, the two brothers engaged the guardsmen in a bloody struggle and discovered that the living were much crueler than the dead. Both Brian’s niece Penny and brother Philip passed away. He was so traumatized by the event that he adopted the persona of his deceased brother because he believed that he was too weak to lead as himself. Even worse, he began referring to his zombie niece as his daughter. From that point on, he took a lot of dubious activities as a result of a dissociative disorder that he created out of necessity and fear.
Zoom
Hunter Zolomon, a serial killer’s son, decided to join the FBI in an effort to distance himself from his homicidal father. Hunter unintentionally killed the father of his fiancée after he made a poor decision while on the scene. Hunter suffered a severe knee injury in the same altercation, which would put an end to his employment in the field.
Hunter Zolomon urged Flash to travel back in time and fix his life after being rendered paraplegic by Gorilla Grodd, but the speedster refused. Hunter took matters into his own hands and stole the Cosmic Treadmill because he was furious with his status in life. Hunter gained the ability to exist between the seconds of time when the Treadmill exploded, transforming him into Zoom, the second Reverse-Flash.
The Lizard
Dr. Curt Conners, a talented surgeon who decided to use his abilities to assist soldiers in the line of duty, lost his arm in an explosion while working as an army doctor. Dr. Conners was persuaded after coming home that the DNA of reptiles held the key to limb regeneration. Dr. Conners developed a serum as a result of his research that was successful in treating animals, so he tested it on himself.
Dr. Conners was successful in growing a new limb, but there was an unintended consequence: the good doctor also transformed into a man-sized lizard. Like a werewolf, Dr. Conners loses control of his senses when he transforms into Spider-adversary Man’s The Lizard. Now, Doctor Conners works to stay in control.
Hydra Captain America
Nobody with a reasonable mind would have ever imagined that Captain America, the face of Marvel, could ever stoop to the point of evilness. With the start of the brief crossover event Secret Empire in 2017, the concept came to pass. Red Skull’s ability to change Steve Rodgers’ memory was the most heinous manner that Captain America might veer toward the bad end of the spectrum. He is the Steve Rogers from an alternate reality in which Rogers was indoctrinated by HYDRA as a child.
At that time, Captain America thought he was a Hydra sleeper agent working hand in hand with Red Skull to overthrow the American government. This fall would make Hydra the dominant superpower in the globe, forcing Captain America to forsake his once-loved namesake.
Lady Deathstrike
Lady Deathstrike, also known as Yuriki Oyama, has lived a horrifying life of vengeance. Deathstrike’s father (Lord Dark Wind) was left with a horrendously damaged visage as a result of a botched suicide bombing attempt. Dark Wind, who lived a life of shame, inflicted scars on the faces of his kids, including Deathstrike, as a dark and twisted form of retaliation.
Deathstrike had to witness her brothers die in the service of her father, as if that weren’t horrifying enough to leave scars on children’s faces. Deathstrike had to deal with her love’s ritual suicide after attempting to rescue Kiro from her father’s captivity. Deathstrike would follow her father’s principles to honor Japan, using any means necessary, in the wake of all this devastation. In the end, this results in the incorporation of cybernetics and adamantium to increase Lady Deathstrike’s lethal potential.
Loki
Loki has had a difficult life since he was a young child, in addition to having to always dwell in the shadow of Thor, the god of thunder and lightning. The fabled Asgardian Frost Giants were fought by Odin, Thor’s father. The son of the Frost Giants’ ruler Laufey was sequestered from the rest of his people. Loki was that son. The king’s guilt about his son’s size led him to conceal Loki.
Loki could never be considered a genuine Frost Giant or an Asgardian, for that matter. Odin reared Loki as his own child, but he kept the fact that he had killed Loki’s real father a secret. Loki earned the moniker “God of Mischief” because of the mischief he made when he was a youngster. After learning that you were reared by Asgardians, whose most dreaded foes were the Frost Giants, this mischief would transform into intensely cruel revenge.
Catwoman
Both in comic books and movies, Catwoman has had her fair share of various origin tales. One of her earlier origins, though, is really ridiculous, so it’s fortunate that it was retconned in the 1980s. In this version, Selina Kyle was a flight attendant who, after the plane crashed, faked amnesia and made the instinctive decision to join the criminal underworld.
And why did she decide to adopt the name Catwoman? She was shocked because her father had a pet shop. The first change to Selina’s origins came just a year later when she revealed during The Brave and The Bold that she never actually had amnesia. In fact, she had faked the whole thing in order to leave her life of crime.
Rainbow Raider
It’s difficult to be taken seriously when a villain has a moniker like Rainbow Raider, and the villain’s backstory doesn’t help matters either. He wanted to be an artist since he was a young child. He was colorblind, which was unfortunate.
His father, an optometrist and genius in optical technology, swore he would find a cure for his son’s disorder. Due to failing health, he was unable to complete his product, but instead created a sophisticated pair of goggles that would allow Roy to create beams of solid rainbow-colored light. Roy, now known as the Rainbow Raider, turned to crime because he felt that no one appreciated his art. Roy said that since he was disabled, no one else could understand the amazing works of art that were shown there.
Reverse-Flash
Not only Catwoman but several well-known DC villains also have less-than-exciting origin stories. The Reverse-Flash, the Flash’s most formidable foe, likewise fits that description. The 25th century saw the life of Eobard Thawne. He was able to amp up the energy of the Flash’s suit after discovering it in a time capsule, giving him the speed of the Flash (even though the speed emanated from the Flash himself, not his suit).
The Post-Crisis extended origin storyline “The Return of Barry Allen” revealed that Thawne, prior to discovering the time capsule containing the Flash’s costume, was once a scientist obsessed with him, even undergoing cosmetic surgery to resemble his hero. After the events of Zero Hour: Crisis in Time!, it is revealed that Malcolm Thawne is Eobard Thawne’s ancestor and Barry’s long-lost twin brother, meaning that Barry is Thawne’s great-uncle.
Ten-Eyed Man
After being medically dismissed from the military due to an injury, Philip Reardon worked as a security guard. Instead of just robbing the establishment in a less conspicuous manner, thieves chose to rob the warehouse where he was working and put a bomb there. Reardon became blinded when the explosion detonated.
To provide Reardon the possibility to see through his fingers, his doctor selected the uncommon course of transferring two of his optic nerves to his fingertips, giving him a complete 360 view and limited periscopic vision. His enhanced vision augments his Special Forces training, making him a superb fighter and marksman. The Ten-Eyed Man appears in Batman: The Brave and the Bold, voiced by Robin Atkin Downes. This version is drawn to have “eyes” on his fingertips.
Red Hood
In relation to the Joker… He was wearing the Red Hood mask when he slipped and fell into the vat, which irrevocably altered him. Therefore, it is only fair that Jason Todd, the youngster who was killed by the Joker when Jason was Batman’s Robin, received the mask later on. Todd’s death continued to haunt Batman afterward, as he considered it his greatest failure. He keeps the second Robin’s uniform on display in the Batcave as a reminder. The Joker, on the other hand, would occasionally remind Batman of this loss to torment him.
Later, Jason returned as the Red Hood, disillusioned, heartbroken, and prepared to exact revenge on the person who had betrayed him by not putting the Joker to death for his crime: the actual Batman.
Crazy Quilt
Rainbow Rider is not the only DC villain on our list who had ties to the realm of art, so let’s be fair to him. Paul Decker, in contrast to Rainbow Rider, was both a well-known painter and a crime boss at the same time. By leaving messages in the paintings, he was able to communicate with his minions all the time. There are certainly a million more efficient methods to communicate, but that wouldn’t be shocking enough.
One of his goons betrays him, and his criminal empire comes to an end. He consents to an experimental surgery after being shot in the eye, which restores his vision, but leaves him only able to see brilliant colors. This is supplemented with a unique helmet that generates bright, colored lights in his second published appearance, allowing him to see most of the time.
Ghost
The main enemy in Ant-Man and the Wasp is Ava Starr, sometimes known as Ghost, but not necessarily because she is a bad person. She merely has a motive that clashes squarely with that of the heroes. She continuously tries to steal Hank Pym’s lab in order to access its Quantum Tunnel since she has the capability to turn herself into intangible matter and to produce enormous amounts of electricity.
It’s not precisely evil intent, though. Ava is searching for a cure for her powers because they cause her endless suffering. And to make matters worse, she was the victim of an incident at Pym’s lab when she was a young child. She might use dishonest tactics to achieve her goals, but she has a compelling rationale because of her past.
Taskmaster
The most surprising part of Black Widow is perhaps when Taskmaster’s true identity and history are finally revealed. In addition to giving depth to an often flat villain in the comics, it further solidifies Draykov’s status as the lowest of mankind.
That’s because Taskmaster is more than just a hired killer. Instead, Draykov’s own daughter, who was severely hurt as a kid in an effort to kill her father, has assumed the position, being controlled in both body and mind by a chip. She didn’t ask to be the daughter of a murderer when she was born, and she most definitely didn’t ask to be converted into one by the person she ought to be able to trust the most.
Sandman
In No Way Home, Sandman made his MCU debut after more than ten years since his film debut. Even though he didn’t get as much screen time as some of his other nefarious co-stars, he nevertheless faces off against the three Spider-Mans in the film’s climactic showdown.
Even still, it’s difficult not to feel sorry for him. Ben Parker was killed by him, but it was an accidental death that tormented him for years. He is unable to see his daughter because of his abilities, which are more like a curse than anything else. He didn’t request them (they came as a result of him falling into a supercollider), therefore he appears to be more of a victim of circumstance than anything else.
Wenwu
It is undeniable that Wenwu does a lot of wrongdoing in Shang-Chi. He has used the Ten Rings to slaughter entire armies over the years. After meeting Jiang Li, his true love, he is content to abandon his life as a villain.
But destiny has other ideas. Wenwu resumes his nasty behavior after his wife is murdered. The fact that he is motivated by suffering, sadness, and loss, however, casts additional light on his behavior. He does not desire world dominance. Whatever it takes, he just wants to see his wife again. Actor Tony Leung who played Wenwu described Wenwu as “a sociopath, a narcissist, a bigot” but refused to call him a villain, explaining that he was “a man with a history, who craves to be loved”.
Green Goblin
The Green Goblin is by far the most hazardous of all the Spider-Man antagonists who make a comeback in No Way Home. He kills for nothing more than cruel amusement, and his only motivation is complete and utter chaos.
He still manages to remain understanding, though. In his moments of clarity, he is just Norman Osborn, the scientist who frantically used his own concoction for a performance booster to try to achieve the stringent deadlines of his failing business. Although he is as appalled as everyone by the dark side of his Dissociative Identity Disorder, he cannot avoid it. Either way, before ingesting the Goblin Formula, he was a cunning and ambitious guy who was also paranoid, troubled, and disturbed.
Helmut Zemo
Zemo’s intelligence is the biggest threat he has, not any superpowers. The criminal mastermind intends to eliminate super troops by dismantling the Avengers, which he successfully does.
This is not a random decision. Zemo, who was born and raised in Sokovia, is one of many people who suffers as a result of the Avengers’ mayhem in Avengers: Age of Ultron. Even though he had assured them that the Avengers would assist, Zemo loses his home and family in the conflict. He may have been mistaken in believing that disbanding the team was the right course of action, but he still speaks up for the countless people whose lives are heedlessly destroyed in order to advance the Avengers’ more important conflicts.
Nebula
Although Nebula has reconciled with her sister, she was formerly very much the bad guy. She either becomes the villain on her own volition or at her father, Thanos,’, command in Guardians of the Galaxy, the majority of the sequel, and Avengers: Endgame.
It’s true that she occasionally does bad things, but it’s difficult to put all the blame on Nebula. She was taken from her true family as a child and spent her youth at Thanos’ whim. She is compelled to train and compete with her adopted sister, is never her father’s favorite despite her best efforts, and is frequently torn apart and rebuilt in order to improve. She is stuck in a never-ending cycle of agony and misery and is desperately trying to break free.
Winter Soldier
When viewers first meet Bucky Barnes, he is the future Captain America’s affable, valiant, and devoted best friend. Steve is devastated when Bucky appears to be killed during World War II while on a mission.
Bucky is brainwashed and has his memories altered for decades after being kidnapped by HYDRA. He is transformed into a killing machine and dragged in and out of cryostasis to execute anyone that HYDRA perceive a threat, as if losing one’s sense of self weren’t enough. Bucky will carry this trauma, remorse, and self-hatred for the rest of his life. Recently, Bucky’s humanity and mind were both recovered. Bucky started putting his life in danger to save the weak and commanded a group known as the Thunderbolts, always using his resolve to uphold the interests of humanity. Additionally, he has a tad of comedy.
Killmonger
Killmonger is not only one of the most appealing villains in the MCU, but also one of the most likable. His intentions to overthrow T’Challa and use vibranium to establish Wakanda as the world’s dominant nation are not malevolent; rather, they are motivated by a desire to put an end to the oppression of Black people everywhere.
He swears to see his objectives through after being made to see his own father’s death and abandonment by his own people for wanting the same thing. Even T’Challa, who plays the title character in Black Panther, realizes how logical it is to want to use Wakanda’s wealth and resources to benefit others. Erik had been revived numerous times over the course of his life using a variety of magical techniques. Routes of which had distilled in him extraordinary augmentations that increased his might even further.
Batman
Not only is Bruce Wayne a beloved DC character, but he’s also arguably the most well-known superhero of all time. Everyone is familiar with Batman’s origin story, in which his parents were brutally murdered in front of him for a pearl necklace.
Although it’s one of the saddest superhero origin stories, it’s by no means the most tragic. It’s undoubtedly an excellent place to start because it influenced many heroes and their ascent into the capes and masks of comic book mythology. It can be seen similarly in the criminally infested streets of Gotham, which are firmly rooted in corruption and a cruel hierarchy of evil. Thus, Batman, an anti-heroic figure who is sardonic and seemingly iconic in and of himself, serves as their only hope.
Eric Draven
It is one of the saddest character origin tales, and the author also remembers his late wife. The latter tragically died in a drunk driving accident. The protagonist of James O’Barr’s comic book series The Crow, Eric Draven, experiences a similar incident to the author. He and his girlfriend, Shelley, witness their car break down in the middle of a getaway.
A violent group appears to carry out the evil of disproportional dimensions while they wait for help. After shooting Eric in the head, the group of thugs forces him to watch as Shelley is raped and killed as Eric is dying slowly but surely a few hours later. Eric hunts the goons and executes them one at a time after being raised from the dead, given immortality among other powers, and led by a supernatural Crow.
Scarecrow
Jonathan Crane was a naturally timid and weak person who got harmed by the ignorance of his family. Crane took bullying seriously in elementary and high school and eventually planned the murders of several of his rivals.
This Professor of psychology turned to crime after losing his job; he had shot a gun into a packed classroom of pupils to make a point on the psychology of terror. The only thing known about his early years is that he enjoyed frightening birds when he was younger. Because of his appearance and reclusiveness, he got mocked by his other professors, so he turned to crime to assimilate into society. His strategy is to intimidate his victims into doing whatever he wants by posing as the Scarecrow. He only had a trench coat, a mask, a torn black hat, and a Tommy gun for a costume.