The MCU's Most Sympathetic Villains

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Many of the most iconic comic book supervillains, from Joker and Darkseid to Green Goblin and Red Skull, are known for being vicious, irredeemable forces of pure evil, whose vile deeds are as terrifying as they are thrilling. However, when written well, a more nuanced antagonist can be just as compelling.

For evidence of this, look no further than the Marvel Cinematic Universe. While many early MCU films struggled to create engaging villains, later movies received acclaim for their humanized and tragic antagonists. Here are just a few of the greatest Marvel villains who prove that some of the coolest bad guys aren’t always as bad as they seem.

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Generally considered to be the first great MCU villain, Loki set the standard for bad guys to come. Ever since the original 2011 Thor, Tom Hiddleston imbued Loki with a blend of wicked mischief and sorrowful vulnerability that captured the hearts of audiences. Despite his ambitions of conquest and destruction, Loki is ultimately driven by a desperate need for approval, which manifests as a narcissistic hunger for glory and worship. He’s committed no shortage of evil deeds, but under the surface, this trickster is just a sad, lonely kid who wants to be loved for who he is.

Introduced in Captain America: Civil War, Baron Helmut Zemo is one of the most beloved villains in the MCU despite ostensibly being a normal human. Originally a Sokovian nobleman and former soldier, Zemo lived a happy life with his wife and son until they were killed during the battle between Ultron and the Avengers. Since then, Zemo has held a grudge against the Avengers and superhumans in general, seeing them as irresponsible, dangerous, and undeserving