Sinister Six Explained: Inside Ultimate Spider-Man’s Foes

The Ultimate Sinister Six are about to be unleashed on the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man. Marvel’s new Ultimate Universe has introduced some intriguing changes to Spider-Man, notably that Peter Parker did not become the wallcrawler until after marrying Mary Jane Watson and having two kids. The series “Ultimate Spider-Man” follows Peter’s journey into heroism, with his toughest challenge yet emerging against Wilson Fisk, also known as Kingpin. After the brutal defeat of Spider-Man and the Green Goblin by Fisk, the ruthless crime lord decides to set his agents on the vigilantes. These villains are collectively known as the Sinister Six.

The creative team behind “Ultimate Spider-Man” #8 includes Jonathan Hickman, Marco Checchetto, Matthew Wilson, and VC’s Cory Petit. This issue is somewhat reserved, focusing on Spider-Man’s recent encounter with Tony Stark (Iron Lad), a birthday party for Peter’s kids, and an unusual chat with his sentient picotech Spidey suit. However, the conclusion shifts the spotlight to Kingpin and his cadre of villains. Each member hails from New York’s five boroughs, with Kingpin presiding over Manhattan and allotting territories to his lieutenants as they convene to strategize on dealing with Spider-Man.

Spider-Man enthusiasts will recognize the remaining five Sinister Six members. Some have even been a part of previous iterations of the nefarious group in the Marvel Prime Universe.

First up is Martin Li, also known as Mr. Negative. He is the CEO of the F.E.A.S.T. Foundation, a charitable organization helping New York’s needy with food and shelter. While he maintains this benevolent public persona, Mr. Negative secretly engages in criminal activities with his gang, the Demons. One of his hidden abilities is mind control, kept under wraps largely due to the Daily Bugle, which is also owned by the Kingpin, denying all rumors.

The Ultimate Universe’s Black Cat is none other than Walter Hardy. Once the world’s greatest thief, he has since retired to manage the Bronx and raise his family. There’s a touching glimpse at his past, showing a picture of his late wife and a young Felicia Hardy, who is destined to don the Black Cat mantle, as teased on the cover of “Ultimate Spider-Man” #11.

Sergei Kravinoff, a.k.a. Kraven the Hunter, patrols Staten Island. Kraven’s Ultimate counterpart closely mirrors his Earth-616 version, with his unique hunting ritual: killing one prey and saving another, preserving both as trophies—one mounted in his lair and the other kept in his private zoo. Kraven the Hunter is also set to star in his own Spider-Man spinoff movie, featuring Aaron Taylor-Johnson, due out later this year.

Mysterio makes a dramatic entrance, showcasing his mastery of illusions. Though details about him remain scarce, it’s established that Mysterio controls Brooklyn. Finally, we are introduced to the last lieutenant of the Sinister Six—Mole Man.

While the Earth-616 Mole Man is a known antagonist of the Fantastic Four, his counterpart in the Ultimate Universe will clash with Spider-Man as part of the Sinister Six. Mole Man is depicted as Wilson Fisk’s oldest and most loyal ally. Unlike the others, he isn’t assigned a borough, instead residing underground, true to his classic theme.

With the assembly of this formidable team, Spider-Man is poised to face one of his greatest challenges yet as he grapples with these infamous adversaries in the Ultimate Universe.

Source: Marvel Comics