When people think of the X-Men’s greatest villain, the normal response is Magneto. He was the X-Men’s first antagonist and fought them longer than anyone. Erik Lehnsherr (or, as he's now known in the comics, Max Eisenhart) and his war against humans kept him at odds with many of Marvel's Mightiest Mutants over the years. However, he never seemed to go too far.
Magento always had dangerous and deadly plans to put mutants at the top of Earth's hierarchy. One of them was to reverse the magnetic poles, but never went through with it. There were also times when Magento would do something to remind you that he wasn’t truly a villain. For example, when he lashed out at Kitty Pryde and almost killed her (Uncanny X-Men No. 150) he eventually realized what he had done, he was ready to accept his punishment... whatever it may be.
As time went on, Magento joined the X-Men, taught at Xavier’s school, went back to villainy, and joined the team again. The latter has remained for at least a decade. Reasons like that are why he can’t be the X-Men’s greatest enemy. Their toughest opponent? That could be true, but he’s far from their worst nightmare. That is a title that belongs to Mr. Sinister and it’s not even close.
Mr. Sinister is the X-Men 's best villain... because he's the worst
Where do you want to start with Nathaniel Essex being the worst of the worst? How about the beginning? Before En Sabah Nur (Apocalypse) altered his DNA, Essex was a Nazi scientist who performed horrific experiments on unwilling people. Getting powers and the ability to clone himself added longevity to his life. That means he could potentially be awful forever.
As time went on, Mr. Sinister established himself as a villain who wins even when he loses. Sometimes he does it by getting DNA from the people he fought or doing one thing while something else is going on. There are also times when the X-Men have captured or killed Sinister only to realize it was a clone. It’s very much like Doctor Doom. However, instead of a Doombot, it’s a Sinister clone.
During the Krakoan Era, Sinister found a brilliant way to gain control over the mutants' island nation Krakoa, Earth, and later the universe using the Resurrection Protocol. Whenever a mutant was brought back to life, they returned with a piece of Nathaniel Essex inside their DNA. This leads to the Sins of Sinister crossover where the universe was ruled by Sinister versions of members of the Quiet Council. The only Council member who was spared was Storm because she was never resurrected.
There’s no redemption for Nathaniel Essex. He’s a deplorable person who’s more than willing to do terrifying things to get what he wants. He’s even awful in alternate realities. During Aliens vs. Avengers No. 3, Sinister created a gun that shoots Facehuggers out of it. It was a quicker way for the Xenomorphs to get attached to their prey. Only someone as sick as Sinister would think of something like that. Sadly, he’s only going to get worse as time goes on.
As bad as that is for the X-Men, it’s great news for comic book fans. Hopefully, he's just as good in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Stay tuned to Bam Smack Pow to find out if and when that happens.
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