Characters You Love To Hate
Comic book storytelling thrives on bold choices, but not every character wins fans over. Some are celebrated, others spark outrage, and a few remain forever polarizing. Whether it’s a controversial storyline, an unexpected transformation, or just a character that never quite clicked, these 20 figures have fueled debates, divided fanbases, and left a lasting impact on the comic book world.
The Conmunity - Pop Culture Geek from Los Angeles, CA, USA on Wikimedia
1. Carol Danvers (Captain Marvel)
Once a fan favorite as Ms. Marvel, Carol's upgrade to Captain Marvel came with a side of "Wait, what?" During “Civil War II,” she busted people for crimes they hadn’t even committed. It gave off major "minority report meets school principal" vibes. Fans weren’t exactly cheering for her, especially when her moral compass lost it.
2. Azrael
When Batman needed a replacement, nobody expected the superhero world to get a total nightmare. Azrael wasn't just another sidekick—he was a walking disaster that took vigilante justice to terrifying extremes. His brutal methods made Batman look like a boy scout and proved that not all heroes are created equal.
3. Hal Jordan (Green Lantern)
Comic book fans know the sting of watching a beloved hero go dark, and Hal Jordan's fall from grace was nothing short of epic. From intergalactic protector to villain, his transformation into Parallax shattered many fans. Thankfully, Hal's redemption arc has been well-received by plenty of people today, so he seems to be back in the hero spotlight.
4. Malekith
The Malekith from the comics surely has a niche appeal, but the on-screen version has led many fans down. Some villains are forgettable, but Malekith redefined the art of being completely underwhelming. Malekith lurked in Thor's mythological world, promising epic Norse-inspired chaos but delivering pure narrative boredom.
Thor: The Dark World clip - Malekith Wakes Up OFFICIAL UK Marvel | HD by Marvel UK
5. Scarlet Witch
Her character has been through some of the most polarizing moments in Marvel history, but nothing hit harder than "No More Mutants." Wanda reduced the mutant population by 90%, which didn't sit well with anyone. What made this even worse was her inability to deal with the aftermath. She's been on a redemption arc ever since, but people still can't forgive what she did.
The Scenes Scarlet Witch (Marvel´s What If...?) #2 by Heróis & Viloes
6. Sentry
Sentry was introduced as Marvel's ultimate powerhouse. However, readers quickly grew frustrated with how overpowered he was. Add in his erratic, often confusing backstory (one minute, he's a hero; the next, he's a villain), and fans just couldn't connect with him. There was so much attention directed at his nonsensical storylines that other beloved characters got sidelined.
SENTRY vs. SUPERMAN - Fan Animation (pt.1) by Foltest Animations
7. Egg Fu
This giant egg with a mustache was supposed to be a villain but ended up as a walking (or rolling?) embarrassment. Between the broken English and blatant racial stereotyping, he was more cringe than comic-worthy. Even after multiple reboots, Egg Fu remains a reminder of why some ideas should never hatch.
LEGO DC Super Villains Chang Tzu aka Egg Fu Unlock + Free Roam Gameplay by JayShockblast
8. H.E.R.B.I.E.
Instead of an exciting new addition, H.E.R.B.I.E was seen as a forced, unnecessary character in the "Fantastic Four" comics. As a robotic sidekick, H.E.R.B.I.E. couldn't keep up with the other famous robots like R2-D2. In fact, his purpose was so unclear that fans felt that he only existed to fill the robot sidekick quota, which wasn't even a requirement.
"H.E.R.B.I.E" Evolution in Cartoons, Movies, and Video Games (Marvel Comics) by NTG Nick
9. Ben Reilly (Scarlet Spider)
The Clone Saga was supposed to shake things up. Instead, it left fans wondering, “Why?” When Marvel revealed that Peter Parker might be the clone and Ben Reilly the "real" Spider-Man, it wasn’t the big twist they’d hoped for—it was a convoluted mess. Ben could’ve been great, but he’ll forever be the poster child for editorial chaos.
NEW Scarlet Spider SUIT From Across The Spider-Verse in Marvel's Spider-Man PC by iVoltex
10. Adam Warlock
While some may appreciate his deep cosmic storylines, many fans found themselves scratching their heads. Constant resurrections only made it worse. Just when people thought they understood him, he'd come back in a completely different form. What really irked some was the constant focus on Warlock's existential crisis.
11. Tyler Hayward
Hayward's actions were driven more by lazy tropes than by a genuine, well-developed motivation. The fact that he seemed to only exist as a frustrating antagonist for Wanda's storyline was the height of being unimpressive. If you look at other villains, Hayward didn't stand a chance.
WandaVision Director Hayward and his team have been taking Vision to pieces (S01E08) by Recall 2
12. Gwenpool
Gwenpool is one of those characters who's either loved or hated. Her meta-commentary and constant breaking of the fourth wall has won her a loyal fanbase, but critics and some fans call her a “Deadpool Ripoff.” Fans feel it makes the more serious comic book narratives and characters look small.
13. Superman (New 52)
The New 52 Superman came in like a bull in a china shop, and not in a good way. He was made to look arrogant, which was not at all relatable and didn't sit well with longtime fans of the character. The real, humble, boy-next-door Superman was the only version that people loved. And this one just hurt the core of his appeal.
14. Aquaman (Pre-Rebirth)
Before "Rebirth," Aquaman was basically a joke of the DC Universe as people mocked his fish-talking powers. The "King of the Seas" didn't even have a strong enough narrative to keep readers interested. He came off as weak and somewhat useless, and it wasn't until the later reboots that fans finally got an Aquaman they could actually care about.
DC Icons Justice League 7-Pack 6" Rebirth Aquaman Figure Review by Jay C
15. The Punisher (Post-Ennis)
Garth Ennis set the bar high for "The Punisher." He gave Frank Castle a depth and complexity that was hard to beat. But after Ennis left, things went downhill. The Punisher started feeling like a flat caricature, with stories just full of mindless violence. It wasn’t until after the recent series starring Jason Aaaron that the Punisher got back on track.
Punisher: The End (of the World)! Ennis and Corben Go Post-Apocalyptic! By Cartoonist Kayfabe
16. Damian Wayne (Robin)
He has matured a bit now, but some people still don’t buy it. Damian Wayne showed up with all the skills of a trained assassin but paired them with the personality of a bratty kid who knows he’s better than you. People couldn’t stand his arrogance and “my dad’s Batman” energy, particularly when he treated Alfred like he was beneath him.
The Evolution of Damian Wayne Robin (2010 - 2022) by Renash30
17. Batroc the Leaper
This one was never exactly a terrifying villain. His whole "leaping" fighting style was more funny than anything else. His goofy crime-fighting tactics made it hard for anyone to take him seriously as a threat, and in the end, he just became one of those villains people forget about. What was supposed to make him a memorable Captain America foe ended up turning him into a joke.
18. Captain Atom
Captain Atom's portrayal is a rollercoaster. One minute, he's this god-like hero, and the next, he's completely lost with no clear direction. His powers, while cool, don't seem to have any real limits, which just leaves fans confused about what he can or can't do. Plus, his role in the story changes so often that readers are left wondering what his place really is in the DC Universe.
Captain Atom (DCAU) Powers and Fight Scenes - Justice League Unlimited by Rafael Ridolph
19. Terra (DC)
If there’s one name “Teen Titans” fans haven’t forgiven, it’s Terra. Her betrayal during “The Judas Contract” hit like a sucker punch, especially because she made everyone believe she was family. Yes, Deathstroke manipulated her, but Terra’s villain vibes and cold turn on her friends made her resentful. Many people are finding her redemption hard to accept.
Terra - All Powers & Fight Scenes (Teen Titans Judas Contract) by Mr. Anybody
20. Psylocke (Pre-Rebirth)
Psylocke was often criticized for being more about her looks than her story. She was treated as the team's "eye candy" or a bodyguard with no genuine development. Many were frustrated because they knew she could be more than that. It wasn't until later versions of her character that Psylocke got the depth she deserved.
Psylocke Reveal Trailer - (Gameplay, Abilities, and more!) by Marvel Rivals Guides
