7 Iconic Comic Characters Who Get Way More Hate Than They Deserve

Published Sep 30, 2026, 12:30 PM EDT

Mark has been a comic book journalist for over 15 years and has interviewed comic book creators like Gail Simone and Caspar Wijngaard. And when he's not writing, he's working on beating his record of 1,200 comics read in a year.

Sign in to your ScreenRant account

Every comic book fan has characters that they love and dislike. You’ll find people who think that Superman is the greatest hero in the world. Meanwhile, others will say he’s too overpowered, and that the way he protects the universe is outdated. Some of this may be true and bring up some valid points, but not everyone gets justified critiques.

On the Marvel Comics side of things, you’ll find people saying ridiculous things about Miles Morales. Not because he’s a bad character. He’s hated because he’s called Spider-Man when Peter Parker is the original. However, despite the comic book creators and Peter giving Miles the blessing to use the name, he still gets unwarranted criticism thrown his way.

Miles Morales is only one of many comic book characters who get more than their fair share of negative criticism. Is he perfect? Of course not. There isn’t a perfect hero or villain in any genre. Nevertheless, there are some that get more unfavorable hate than they should.

7 Beast

There are two versions of Hank McCoy that people know. There’s the Beast that’s always smiling, bouncing around, and making jokes. Then there’s the one who spent a good part of a decade being secretive, damaging the timeline, and purposely putting his friends in harm’s way because he believed it was right. This isn't Dark Beast from Age of Apocalypse. This is Earth-616's own Hank McCoy.

First off, no, this is not a character anyone is supposed to root for. Beast was so disliked that Uatu took the time to tell him, “I am the Watcher. I do not act. And you disgust me, Hank McCoy.” It takes a special kind of dirtbag to make the Watcher call you out, and that’s why he doesn’t deserve the bad criticism.

It does stink when a character you like has a major change. We’ve all been there. However, this was a good thing because it was realistic. People will do unthinkable things when they’re faced with death or in defense of their people and country, and superheroes aren't exempt from that.

Thankfully, the beloved Beast is back, but so is his counterpart, who now goes by the name Chairman. It shows that both characters have a place in Marvel Comics.

6 Wolverine (Laura Kinney)

Laura Kinney took the mantle of Wolverine following Logan's fate in Death of Wolverine. She later went back to using the name X-23 when Logan returned, but went back to it when Krakoa began. In X-Men by Jonathan Hickman, Cyclops said Laura is like Wolverine. Laura responded, “Actually, I’m Wolverine.” Like a proud father, Logan said, “You tell ‘em, kiddo.” Sadly, like Miles Morales, this isn’t enough for some comic book fans.

The good thing about Laura being Wolverine is that she isn’t Logan or a cheap copy. There are obvious similarities, but they’re different people with different goals. For example, Laura is mentoring a group of superpowered kids and her sister/clone, Gabby Kinney, in Jody House’s Generation X-23.

An argument could have been made if Logan and Laura acted the same and fought the same villains, but they don’t. Laura is growing into something different that’s making the Wolverine name bigger and better.

5 Oliver Grayson

If you ask ten Invincible fans what their thoughts on Oliver Grayson are, you’ll likely get ten different and negative responses. Oliver is stubborn, annoying, and arrogant, and all of that gets him beaten and almost killed throughout his life. With that being said, he’s a good character.

The Invincible Universe is full of characters that boost up Mark Grayson (Invincible), Atom Eve, and Omni-Man. Oliver is one of them. For example, his almost being killed was part of the reason Mark was so determined to kill Conquest. It was a death that proved to readers/viewers that Mark had what it took to be the protector of his family and of the galaxy.

Admittedly, Oliver isn’t a likable character, and won’t be until the end of the series. That doesn’t mean he should be harshly chastised for being an obnoxious teenager. It’s part of his charm as a Viltrumite, which makes him believe he’s better than everyone.

4 Venom (Mary Jane Watson)

While Mary Jane Watson is one of the most important people in Spider-Man’s lore, she’s spent a lot of time becoming her own character. She’s worked individually with Iron Man and Black Cat, and is currently Venom. Sadly, becoming her own character is partly why some comic book fans don’t like her.

One of the many bothersome things about the Mary Jane hate is the way people say she cheated on Peter Parker. MJ was stuck in an alternate dimension for almost four years. It took her two of those years to truly believe that Peter wasn’t coming for her because she thought he was dead. Nevertheless, people will blame her for starting a relationship with someone else.

Years after returning to Earth, comic book fans remained upset with MJ when she became Venom. Meanwhile, she’s done things with the symbiote that Eddie, Peter, or Mac Gargan did. Among them is actually having a conversation with the Klyntar. It helped make their relationship and bonding experience work better than anyone else's, and that includes Eddie Brock.

3 Captain Marvel

Carol Danvers has the reputation of being a stick in the mud. She’s a former soldier and S.H.I.E.L.D. agent and has led the Avengers. All of these are why she tends to not look outside the box when it comes to orders. However, the one time she did, it started the momentum of people not liking her.

During Civil War 2, Carol used one of the Inhumans to predict and stop future crime. It led to her arresting people before they could commit an illegal offense. Among the people almost arrested was Miles Morales, who was seen standing over Captain America's dead body. This, on top of other possible errors in the predictions, put her at odds with Tony Stark, which led to Iron Man's temporary death/coma.

Captain Marvel hasn’t recovered from this series, and it’s doubtful she ever will. She could knock out Galactus with one punch after absorbing his cosmic energy, and people would still criticize her. It’s a shame because she’s an amazing character with a few epic comic book series.

2 Aquaman

This was a tricky one, because Arthur Curry toes the line between being loathed and underrated. A lot of this is due to the jokes from shows like Family Guy and Robot Chicken making it seem like he’s useless outside of water. Granted, the jokes are hilarious, but they didn’t help Aquaman’s legacy as a longtime member of the Justice League and King of Atlantis.

Thanks to Jeremy Adams’ run of Aquaman, now Emperor Aquaman, comic book fans are learning that Curry isn’t to be messed with. Even before he had the powers of a god who recently beat Poseidon, Aquaman was a superhumanly strong, genius military strategist who continuously helps protect the universe.

Also, talking to fish is a rudimentary way of looking at what he does. It isn’t just guppies and goldfish. Aquaman communicates with orcas, sharks, and the Kraken. All of which can dismantle his opponents with ease.

1 Paul Rabin

There are a lot of people who are reading this and turning up their nose at Paul being unjustifiably despised. Nevertheless, it’s one thing to not like a character because they add nothing to the story. It’s another to be mad at them because they “ruined” a fictional relationship that you enjoyed. Paul may have dated Mary Jane Watson and caused Peter Parker heartbreak, but that’s not Paul Rabin’s fault. In fact, he should be praised.

Paul helped keep Mary Jane alive in a universe that could have killed her. He was also a friend who didn’t force a relationship with her. He was nothing but respectful before, during, and after they dated, and maybe more understanding than some partners would have been.

Friendly Neighborhood Assessment · MCU Era Tom Holland's
Spider-Man Trivia

🏠Homecoming2017

✈️Far From Home2019

🌌No Way Home2021

😈VillainsSinister…

🤖MCUAvengers

THWIP! LET'S GO →

01

Before getting his own solo film, Tom Holland’s Peter Parker made his Marvel Cinematic Universe debut by being recruited by Tony Stark to help in a massive superhero conflict. In which MCU film did Holland first appear as Spider-Man?

AAvengers: Age of Ultron BCaptain America: Civil War CSpider-Man: Homecoming DAvengers: Infinity War

✓ Correct! Tom Holland first appeared as Spider-Man in Captain America: Civil War (2016), where Tony Stark visits Peter in Queens and recruits him for the airport battle against Team Cap. His quippy, starstruck portrayal instantly won over audiences.

✗ Web miss! The answer is Captain America: Civil War. Holland debuted in the 2016 film before Homecoming (2017). He was recruited by Tony Stark for the iconic airport fight scene, stealing Captain America’s shield with his webs in one of the film’s most memorable moments.

NEXT →

02

In Spider-Man: Homecoming, Peter faces a blue-collar salvage contractor who turned to arms dealing after being shut out of the Chitauri cleanup by Damage Control. Using an alien-tech wingsuit, he becomes one of Spider-Man’s most grounded villains. Who is he?

AThe Vulture (Adrian Toomes) BThe Shocker (Herman Schultz) CThe Scorpion (Mac Gargan) DThe Tinkerer (Phineas Mason)

✓ Correct! Adrian Toomes, played brilliantly by Michael Keaton, is the Vulture — a working-class father who builds a criminal empire selling alien-derived weapons. The twist that he’s the father of Peter’s date Liz is one of the MCU’s best surprises.

✗ Web miss! The answer is The Vulture (Adrian Toomes). The Shocker and Tinkerer are his henchmen in the film, and Scorpion (Mac Gargan) only briefly appears. Toomes is the main antagonist who personally confronts Peter in the unforgettable car ride scene.

NEXT →

03

Tony Stark built Peter a high-tech suit loaded with features Peter didn’t even know about, including an AI assistant that helps him in combat, provides tactical analysis, and even gives dating advice. What name does Peter give this AI?

AFriday BEdith CKaren DJocasta

✓ Correct! Peter names his suit’s AI “Karen,” voiced by Jennifer Connelly. She assists him with web shooter modes, reconnaissance, and even his love life. Friday is Tony Stark’s AI, and E.D.I.T.H. is the Stark satellite system that appears in Far From Home.

✗ Web miss! The answer is Karen. Friday is Tony Stark’s personal AI, E.D.I.T.H. is the Stark defense satellite Peter inherits in Far From Home, and Jocasta is an AI from the comics. Karen, voiced by Jennifer Connelly, is Peter’s suit assistant throughout Homecoming.

NEXT →

04

In Spider-Man: Far From Home, Peter encounters a seemingly heroic figure who claims to be from an alternate Earth, battling elemental creatures across Europe. In reality, he’s a disgruntled former Stark Industries employee using advanced holographic drones. What is his real name?

AWilliam Ginter Riva BAldrich Killian CJustin Hammer DQuentin Beck

✓ Correct! Quentin Beck, played by Jake Gyllenhaal, is Mysterio — a master of illusion who uses Stark Industries’ B.A.R.F. holographic technology and weaponized drones to fabricate the Elementals and pose as a hero. His final act of revenge shapes the entire third film.

✗ Web miss! The answer is Quentin Beck. William Ginter Riva is one of Beck’s team members, Aldrich Killian is the villain of Iron Man 3, and Justin Hammer is from Iron Man 2. Beck is Mysterio, the illusionist who manipulated Peter’s trust across Europe.

NEXT →

05

In one of the MCU’s most shocking mid-credits scenes, J. Jonah Jameson broadcasts doctored footage from Mysterio’s final moments that completely upends Peter Parker’s life. What does this broadcast reveal to the entire world?

AThat Spider-Man killed Mysterio in cold blood BThat Spider-Man is Peter Parker CThat Spider-Man is a Skrull impersonator DThat Spider-Man commanded the drone attack on London

✓ Correct! Mysterio’s doctored footage, broadcast by J. Jonah Jameson (J.K. Simmons reprising his iconic role), exposes Spider-Man’s identity as Peter Parker to the entire world. This revelation drives the entire plot of No Way Home as Peter desperately seeks to undo the damage.

✗ Web miss! The answer is that Spider-Man is Peter Parker. While the footage also frames Spider-Man for the London drone attack, the earth-shattering reveal is Peter’s unmasked identity being broadcast globally by The Daily Bugle’s J. Jonah Jameson.

NEXT →

06

With his identity exposed and his loved ones under threat, Peter seeks help from a powerful sorcerer to cast a spell that would make the world forget he is Spider-Man. Peter’s constant modifications to the spell cause it to fracture the multiverse. Which sorcerer casts this spell?

AWong BWanda Maximoff CDoctor Strange DKarl Mordo

✓ Correct! Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) casts the memory-wiping spell at Peter’s request, but Peter keeps asking for exceptions — for MJ, Ned, May, and Happy to still remember him. These constant changes corrupt the spell and tear open the multiverse, pulling in villains from other Spider-Man universes.

✗ Web miss! The answer is Doctor Strange. While Wong is the Sorcerer Supreme and actually warns Strange against it, it is Stephen Strange who agrees to cast the spell. Wanda’s multiverse interference occurs in Multiverse of Madness, not here.

NEXT →

07

Throughout all three films, Peter’s loyal best friend serves as his “guy in the chair,” helping with tech support and keeping his secret. In No Way Home, this character even discovers he can open magical portals using a Sling Ring. Who is Peter’s best friend?

ANed Leeds BFlash Thompson CHarry Osborn DMiles Morales

✓ Correct! Ned Leeds, played by Jacob Batalon, is Peter’s best friend and self-proclaimed “guy in the chair.” He discovers Peter’s secret identity in Homecoming, supports him across all three films, and in No Way Home he accidentally uses Doctor Strange’s Sling Ring to open portals to other Spider-Men.

✗ Web miss! The answer is Ned Leeds. Flash Thompson is Peter’s rival and bully who ironically idolizes Spider-Man. Harry Osborn is Peter’s friend in the Raimi and Webb films but doesn’t appear in Holland’s trilogy. Miles Morales is only hinted at. Ned is the irreplaceable “guy in the chair.”

NEXT →

08

At the emotional climax of No Way Home, Peter makes an enormous personal sacrifice to save the multiverse. Doctor Strange completes the spell, and when it takes effect, Peter is left completely alone. What does the final spell do?

AIt sends Peter to an alternate universe where no one knows him BIt erases Spider-Man from existence entirely CIt removes Peter’s spider powers permanently DIt makes everyone in every universe forget who Peter Parker is

✓ Correct! The final spell makes every person in every universe forget that Peter Parker exists. MJ, Ned, Happy, the Avengers — everyone. Peter visits MJ at the coffee shop afterward but decides not to re-introduce himself, choosing to protect them. He starts over completely alone, sewing his own suit in a small apartment.

✗ Web miss! The answer is that everyone forgets who Peter Parker is. The spell doesn’t erase Spider-Man — people still know the hero exists — but nobody remembers Peter Parker the person. This devastating sacrifice means MJ, Ned, and even Happy Hogan have no memory of him at all.

REVEAL MY SCORE →

Assessment Complete Your Spider-Sense Rating

/ 8

Are you an Avenger — or just a friendly neighborhood bystander?

↻ SWING AGAIN

When Paul died, the internet comic book community celebrated his death more than Hydra Captain America getting defeated. This is disappointing since the former is a fascist, even if the latter is commonly seen as a bland nice guy at best, and plot device at worst. Nevertheless, now that Paul is dead, we should move on and admit he wasn’t as bad as people may have thought.