You’ve probably seen the big-budget multiversal chaos of the recent Spider-Man films. You know Green Goblin's cackle and Doc Ock’s metal limbs by heart. But if you look back at the very beginning—literally The Amazing Spider-Man #1 in 1963—you won't find a guy with wings or a lizard tail. You'll find a guy with no face.
Dmitri Smerdyakov, the man known as the Chameleon, is a weird case in the Marvel universe. He’s the first supervillain Peter Parker ever fought. Seriously. Before the Vulture, before Sandman, there was this Russian master of disguise. Honestly, he’s one of the most terrifying villains because he doesn't need to punch through a building to ruin your life. He just needs to look like your best friend. Or your dad. Or you.
The Tragic Origin of Dmitri Smerdyakov
Dmitri wasn’t born with a featureless white face or the ability to shapeshift. That’s a common misconception. He was actually born as the illegitimate son of a Russian servant and a wealthy aristocrat, Nikolai Kravinoff. If that name sounds familiar, it should. That makes Dmitri the half-brother of Sergei Kravinoff, better known as Kraven the Hunter.
Growing up was rough for him. His father hated him. His mother was distant. He spent his childhood trying to impress his brother Sergei by doing impressions and wearing crude masks. Basically, he spent his entire life trying to be anyone except himself because he hated who he was.
That’s the psychological core of the character. Most villains want money or power. Dmitri? He wants an identity. He’s a "chameleon" because he feels like a void. When he moved to the United States, he turned those trauma-honed skills into a career in espionage. He was a spy for the KGB before he ever put on a costume to mess with Spider-Man.
How the Chameleon’s Powers Actually Work
There's a lot of debate among fans about whether the Chameleon is a "powered" individual or just a guy with a theater degree and some latex. The answer is kinda... both. It depends on which era of comics you’re reading.
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The Gadget Phase
Originally, Dmitri was a tech genius. He used "multi-pocketed vests" filled with lifelike masks, wigs, and costumes. He could swap them in seconds. He eventually upgraded to holographic belts and "memory material" clothing that could change shape and color based on nerve impulses.
The Mutagen Phase
Eventually, the tech wasn't enough. In later storylines, Dmitri took a mutagenic serum. This actually changed his physiology. His skin became a malleable, pale, featureless substance. He didn't need the masks anymore; he could literally reshape his face and body through thought alone. His skin is also chemically treated to be extra-absorbent, helping him mimic the scent and texture of other people.
He’s not quite as powerful as a Skrull or Mystique, but he’s more precise. While Mystique can change her shape, the Chameleon spends weeks studying a target. He learns their gait, their speech patterns, and even their writing style. In one 2009 storyline, he almost successfully impersonated Barack Obama to get sworn in as President. He was only caught because Peter Parker asked him a specific question about Peter’s own life that a fake wouldn't know.
The Most Brutal Storylines You Probably Missed
People think of the Chameleon as a "B-list" villain, but he’s done some of the darkest things in Spider-Man history.
Take the "Lifeline" saga. Dmitri worked with Harry Osborn to create life-model decoys (LMDs) of Peter Parker’s dead parents, Richard and Mary. Peter actually thought his parents had returned from the dead. When the truth came out—that they were just robots designed to spy on him—Peter went into such a violent rage that he nearly killed Dmitri. The trauma of that event actually caused the Chameleon to have a massive psychotic breakdown.
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There’s also the Fred Van Lente run on the character. This was probably the most "horror-movie" version of the Chameleon. He would kidnap people, lock them in a specialized room, and torture them just to hear the exact frequency of their screams so he could mimic their voice perfectly. Then he’d dissolve them in acid. It’s a far cry from the goofy guy in a suit from the 60s.
Is He in the Movies?
This is where it gets confusing for casual fans. In the MCU movie Spider-Man: Far From Home, there is a character named Dmitri (played by Numan Acar) who works for Nick Fury (who was actually Talos). Fans immediately jumped on this, assuming he’d be revealed as the Chameleon. But the movie never explicitly confirmed it, leaving it as a weird "maybe" for the future.
Then you have the 2024 Kraven the Hunter movie. In this version, Fred Hechinger plays a younger Dmitri. This film leans heavily into the brotherly dynamic between him and Kraven, though it changes a lot of the comic book lore to fit a "heroic" narrative for Kraven.
The most recent appearance is in the animated series Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man (2025/2026), where he’s shown as a Russian thug working alongside other classic Spidey villains. It seems Marvel is finally realizing that he’s too good of a character to keep in the background.
Chameleon vs. Mystique: Who’s Better?
It’s the classic debate. Honestly, in a straight fight, Mystique wins every time. She’s a trained assassin with a healing factor and the ability to grow extra limbs or wings.
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But if the goal is infiltration, the Chameleon is the king. Mystique often gets caught because she doesn't do the homework. Dmitri is a perfectionist. He doesn't just look like the person; he becomes them. He’s an actor who happens to be a criminal. He’s also been a member of the Sinister Six, the Sinister Twelve, and worked for the KGB and Hydra. He’s a professional.
What to Watch Out For Next
If you’re looking to get into the character, keep an eye on the "Chameleon Conspiracy" trade paperback. It’s a modern look at how he uses global politics and high-tech LMDs to wreak havoc.
What most people get wrong is thinking the Chameleon is just a guy in a mask. He’s actually a tragic figure who represents the ultimate fear for a hero like Spider-Man: how do you fight an enemy that could be anyone, including yourself?
Next Steps for Fans:
- Read: The Amazing Spider-Man #1 for the origin, then jump to Amazing Spider-Man #388 for the "parents" reveal.
- Watch: The 1994 Spider-Man: The Animated Series has some of the best Chameleon episodes, including a great crossover with Daredevil.
- Track: Follow the current "Spider-Man" comic runs in 2026, as rumors suggest Dmitri is being positioned for a major "identity theft" arc involving the Avengers.