50 Greatest Super Villains In Comic Book History

4. Loki

(Write-up by Nick Tylwalk, Bam Smack Pow Editor)

When a super villain goes over his or her list of accomplishments, inspiring the creation of one of the premier super hero teams in existence is not a good look. Fortunately, Loki is above such things as resumes, so he gets a pass on that little matter of inspiring the creation of the Avengers.

Not that other bad guys could do much about it even if they got upset. With all due respect to the sci-fi twist to Asgard presented in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Loki is an actual god, one with both power and cunning in equal amounts.

At the same time, he remains a character with motivations that most people can understand. His unusual parentage makes him a god without a home. It also rankles him that his adopted brother Thor is literally getting the keys to the kingdom one day. As a person with seven brothers and sisters, I can tell you that anyone who says they never felt a sibling is getting preferential treatment is lying.

Where other villains are straightforward about their plans, Loki is harder to read. Everything with him is deception and lies, like smoke and mirrors on a cosmic scale. You’ve stopped him for today, but you’ll never know if his long game is still going strong.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that Loki’s profile got a huge boost from his role as the villain at the center of the first Avengers movie, as comic book appropriate as it was. That Tom Hiddleston guy who plays him is also pretty popular.

In any case, Loki is going to keep on scheming. He’s not on top of this list yet, and you just know that doesn’t sit well with him.

Next: No. 3: Powerful and persuasive?