Arch-enemy

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An archenemy, archfoe, archvillain or archnemesis (sometimes spelled arch-enemy, arch-foe, arch-villain or arch-nemesis) is the principal enemy of a character in a work of fiction, often described as the hero's worst enemy (compare nemesis).^[1][2][3] The reason why the particular villain stands out more than the rest of the protagonist's rogues gallery varies; they may be the hero's strongest enemy (Doctor Doom/The Fantastic Four), have strong connections with the hero's past (the Master/the Doctor), caused the hero a great deal of personal pain (the Joker/Batman), has the most personal grudge against the hero (Lex Luthor/Superman), or may be the most recurring enemy (Bowser/Mario).^[4] In certain cases, it is possible for a hero to possess more than one archenemy, as in the case of Spider-Man and Hulk with the Leader, Abomination, Green Goblin, Doctor Octopus, and Venom where all five villains have established themselves as the most recurring and the most iconic of Spider-Man and Hulk's rogues gallery.

[edit] Etymology

The word archenemy or arch-enemy originated around the mid-16^th century, from the words arch- and enemy.^[3]

[edit] See also

• Supervillain
• Rogues gallery
• List of fictional archenemies

[edit] Notes