Spider-Man is one of Marvel’s most iconic and beloved characters, known for his heroic deeds and wise-cracking humor.
However, over the years, Marvel has introduced a number of “dark” variants of Spider-Man that offer a more edgy and mature take on the character.
From the monstrous Venom to the noir-inspired Spider-Man Noir, these dark variants have become some of the most popular and memorable characters in the Marvel Universe.
But this good person by his heart and soul also has evil bad Versions in the marvel comic where he knowingly or unknowingly hurts others and has turned evil.
In this post, we’ll take a closer look at the top 10 best dark variants of Spider-Man in Marvel Comics.
And in this list, we are going to list down those evil dark variants of spiderman in the marvel comics.
- Venom
- Carnage
- Scarlet Spider
- Spider Gwen
- Spiderman 2019
- Spider Noir
- Spider man Reign
- Assassin Spiderman
- Blood Spiderman
- Zombie Spiderman
- Spider-Man of Earth-11080
- Ghost Spiderman
- Spiderman (Earth 10011)
- Arachanight
- Pestilence ( Earth 5701 )
Venom
As mentioned earlier, Venom is one of the most iconic and recognizable dark variants of Spider-Man.
Originally introduced as an alien symbiote that bonds with Spider-Man, Venom later becomes a villain in his own right when he bonds with Eddie Brock, a disgraced journalist seeking revenge against Spider-Man.
With his monstrous appearance, anti-hero tendencies, and powerful symbiotic abilities, Venom has become one of the most popular and enduring characters in the Marvel Universe.
And it’s not like Venom has not had the chance to become a hero he has been heroes with his many changing hosts.
Carnage
Created by writer David Michelinie and artist Mark Bagley, Carnage is a more extreme version of Venom.
Bonded with the sociopathic serial killer Cletus Kasady, Carnage is even more violent and unstable than Venom, making him one of Spider-Man’s deadliest foes.
Despite his psychotic tendencies, Carnage has also become a fan-favorite character and has appeared in numerous Marvel Comics storylines and adaptations.
Scarlet Spider
The Scarlet Spider is a clone of Peter Parker created by the villainous Jackal.
Initially created as part of the controversial “Clone Saga” storyline, the Scarlet Spider later becomes a hero in his own right, using his powers and abilities to fight crime and protect innocent lives.
With his conflicted identity and troubled past, the Scarlet Spider is a darker and more complex version of Spider-Man.
Spider-Gwen
In an alternate universe where Gwen Stacy is bitten by the radioactive spider instead of Peter Parker, Spider-Gwen is a darker and edgier version of Spider-Man.
With her black and white costume and her troubled past, Spider-Gwen has become one of the most popular characters in the Marvel Universe.
She has appeared in numerous comics, animated adaptations, and even a live-action movie she was also a members in the newest into the spiderverse movie.
Spider-Man 2099
Set in the future of the Marvel Universe, Spider-Man 2099 is a darker and grittier version of Spider-Man.
With his high-tech costume and his struggles against corrupt corporations and government officials, Spider-Man 2099 offers a unique perspective on the Spider-Man mythos.
He has appeared in his own comics series, as well as various crossovers and adaptations.
Spider-Man Noir
Set in the 1930s during the Great Depression, Spider-Man Noir is a more noir-inspired version of Spider-Man.
With his black and white costume and his battles against organized crime and corruption, Spider-Man Noir offers a unique take on the classic Spider-Man formula.
He has appeared in his own comics series, as well as various video games and animated adaptations.
Spider-Man: Reign
In this dystopian future storyline, Spider-Man has retired and New York City has become a dark and dangerous place.
When a new threat emerges, Spider-Man is forced to don his costume once again and confront his past mistakes.
With its mature themes and its bleak ending, Spider-Man: Reign is one of the darkest and most impactful Spider-Man stories ever told.
Spider-Man: The Clone Saga
While not a specific character, the Clone Saga storyline is one of the darkest and most controversial in Spider-Man history.
In this storyline, it is revealed that Peter Parker may not be the original Spider-Man, but a clone created by the villainous Jackal.
This revelation leads to a series of events that ultimately results in the death of Peter’s love interest, Gwen Stacy, and the introduction of several new characters, including the aforementioned Scarlet Spider.
Superior Spider-Man
In this storyline, Doctor Octopus switches minds with Peter Parker, effectively taking over his body and his role as Spider-Man.
With his superior intellect and ruthless tactics, the Superior Spider-Man becomes a more efficient crimefighter, but also a more morally ambiguous one.
The storyline raises interesting questions about identity, morality, and the true nature of heroism.
Spider-Man: Kraven’s Last Hunt
This classic storyline sees the villainous Kraven the Hunter capturing and seemingly killing Spider-Man, only to take his place and become a more brutal and violent version of the hero.
With its psychological themes and its depiction of a darker, more violent Spider-Man, Kraven’s Last Hunt has become one of the most iconic and memorable Spider-Man stories of all time.
Assassin Spider-Man
In this alternate reality, Peter Parker becomes a ruthless assassin known as the Spider.
He works for the government, taking out targets with deadly precision, and has a strained relationship with his daughter, who becomes the hero known as Spider-Girl.
The Assassin Spider-Man is a fascinating exploration of what could have happened if Peter had taken a darker path.
Blood Spider-Man
This character was originally a clone of Spider-Man created by the villainous Jackal, but he later developed his own distinct identity.
Blood Spider-Man is a more violent and aggressive version of the hero, with enhanced strength and agility, and a suit that pumps him full of adrenaline.
He has clashed with the original Spider-Man on multiple occasions, and has even teamed up with the villain Carnage.
Zombie Spider-Man
In the Marvel Zombies storyline, a virus infects the heroes and villains of the Marvel Universe, turning them into flesh-eating zombies.
Spider-Man is one of the first to succumb to the virus, and he becomes a gruesome, undead version of the hero.
He retains some of his intelligence and morality, but is driven by an insatiable hunger for human flesh.
Spider-Man of Earth-11080
In this alternate reality, Peter Parker becomes a vigilante known as the Spider, fighting against the corrupt government of his dystopian world.
He uses brutal methods to take down his enemies, and eventually becomes a ruthless dictator himself.
This version of Spider-Man is a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked power and vigilantism.
Ghost Spider-Man
This character is actually a version of Gwen Stacy from an alternate reality, who becomes the hero known as Ghost Spider.
She has all of Spider-Man’s powers, but also possesses the ability to become intangible and pass through solid objects.
The Ghost Spider-Man is a darker, more brooding version of the hero, with a tragic backstory and a sense of guilt over the death of her father.
Spider-Man 2099 AD (Earth 10011)
In the Spider-Verse event, hundreds of versions of Spider-Man from different realities are brought together to fight a common threat.
One of these versions is a twisted, cyborg version of Spider-Man known as Spider-Man 2099 AD.
He is a brutal, violent version of the hero, with a penchant for torture and murder.
Arachanight
This character is actually a villain who becomes a twisted, alternate version of Spider-Man after being exposed to a chemical called Goblin Formula.
Arachanight is a darker, more violent version of the hero, with an insatiable thirst for blood and a sadistic streak.
He has clashed with the original Spider-Man on several occasions, and is considered one of his deadliest foes.
Pestilence (Earth 5701)
In the Marvel Apes storyline, a virus infects the heroes and villains of the Marvel Universe, turning them into intelligent apes. Spider-Man becomes a member of the Ape-Vengers, a team of heroic apes who fight against the evil Gibbon.
However, he is eventually infected with the virus himself, and becomes a monstrous, spider-like creature known as Pestilence.
He is a dark, twisted version of the hero, and is one of the most powerful villains in the Marvel Apes universe.
These dark variants of Spider-Man show the incredible range of the character, and the many different interpretations and alternate realities he has appeared in over the years. While some of these versions are more villainous or morally ambiguous, they all offer a unique and fascinating take on one of Marvel’s most iconic heroes.
Overall, the dark variants of Spider-Man offer a unique and compelling take on the character, exploring different facets of his personality and motivations. Whether they are heroic or villainous, these characters have become beloved staples of the Marvel Universe, offering fans a deeper appreciation for the web-slinger’s enduring legacy.
