From bad to worse

Doctor Octopus

The mad scientist (“Spider-Man 2”): He’s Doctor Octopus (Alfred Molina), also Dr. Otto Octavius, or if you’re on intimate terms, Doc Ock. He’s a celebrated “fusion” scientist whose experimentation on a body harness with tentacles goes -- how else? -- horribly wrong.

His nemesis: Spider-Man (Tobey Maguire), also a victim of twisted science -- or twisted nature, really, in the form of a radioactive arachnid bite -- but who goes after criminals instead of whining.

The clothes-up: Sure, big, metallic pincers at the end of slithery protrusions attached to one’s back would frighten anybody, but it’s the drab trench coat (in summer, no less), grimy colors and unforgiving shades that usually signify naughty intentions in the comic book world.

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Riddick

The anti-hero (“Chronicles of Riddick”): He was a fearsome killer turned reluctant savior in “Pitch Black,” and now in this sequel Vin Diesel’s Richard B. Riddick must use his badness to prevent a larger problem -- a despot’s plan for galaxywide slavery -- from encroaching on his space- roaming turf.

His nemesis: The law, since he’s on the run from it, but in this lesser-of-two-evils scenario it’s the infinitely meaner Lord Marshal (Colm Feore) who envisions turning everyone into loyal warriors numb to any pain.

The clothes-up: The bicep-and-pec-friendly tank top is a sweat-glistening ode to Bruce Willis’ good-cop “Die Hard” days, but the all-black scheme -- especially the panther-ish shades that hide emotionless eyes -- suggests a protagonist who’s as at home playing dirty as he is saving the world.

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Laurel Hedare

The ad mogul (“Catwoman”): Head of her own cosmetics company, Laurel Hedare (Sharon Stone) is set to unveil a new product that will change the aging face of beauty products. Something sinister is behind it, though, and it’s likely not as penny-ante cruel as squirting mascara into the eyes of rabbits.

Her nemesis: Patience, moviegoers. Seriously, that’s the name of Halle Berry’s character, a lowly Hedare employee whose knowledge of the company’s nefariousness leads to her murder and subsequent transformation into vengeance-seeking Catwoman. Which leads one to wonder: Is this the second of nine lives or the first?

The clothes-up: Casting Stone, a glamour girl with ice-pick cool, as a villain means your work is half done. The skin-tight lilac-leather top reinforces a kind of ruthlessness, but may cause unseemly squeaking if worn during fights.

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Hilary Faye

The bad good girl (“Saved!”): Ringleader of a “Heathers”-like clique of pious popular girls at a Christian school (would you call them Esthers?), Hilary Faye (Mandy Moore) is a hypocritical Jesus child who doesn’t hesitate to cast the first stone when one of her group breaks off and becomes an outsider.

Her nemesis: Satan, who isn’t technically a character or, in reality, anyone who gets in Hilary’s devout way, be it the nice girl (Jena Malone) who’s knocked up by her gay boyfriend, or the nice Jewish girl who refuses to convert.

The clothes-up: Anytime you put someone in angel’s wings, you’re begging for it to be seen as ironic. (OK, maybe not for Clarence in “It’s a Wonderful Life.”) Hence, Hilary’s feathered attachment -- part of a Halloween costume -- only serves to heighten the hypocrisy of her scheming and underhandedness.

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Sirius Black

The bad from the past (“Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azbakan”): Sirius Black (Gary Oldman), a convicted murderer who has escaped from prison and is headed for Hogwarts to settle an old score, which appears to be finishing off celebrated Hogwarts student Harry Potter. Since author J.K. Rowling is planning a series of seven Potter installments, though, figure the kid to live.

His nemesis: Thirteen-year-old wizard-in-training Harry Potter, who believes Black played a key role in the defining tragedy of his life: his parents’ murder.

The clothes-up: If the fact that Sirius Black is a name only slightly friendlier than Nasty Nasterson or that he’s been jailed for multiple killings or that it’s Gary Oldman doesn’t cement his not-nice vibe, the ratty inmate togs surely do the trick.

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Eleanor Shaw

The puppet master (“The Manchurian Candidate”): The coldly calculating wife of a U.S. senator, Eleanor Shaw (Meryl Streep) has a Gulf War veteran son who may be a brainwashed campaign pawn, but with some spin-tastic Washington moves she intends to see him into the White House anyway. Now that’s parental support.

Her nemesis: Another Gulf War vet (Denzel Washington), whose disturbing war flashbacks lead him to believe the senator’s spouse is playing a hinky version of extreme politics.

The clothes-up: Streep’s severe hair and uptight dress suits remind us of the sly, smiling, string-pulling charms of the Nancy Reagan ‘80s, even though this is a remake of a 1962 Cold War conspiracy classic.