Here's how every villain in the Marvel Cinematic Universe compares to their comic-book counterpart
Gabbi Shaw
- Over the course of 24 movies and (at least) five TV shows, the Avengers have fought countless villains.
- Fans might've met the newest villain for this phase of the MCU in "Loki": Jonathan Majors' Kang.
- We've compared every villain our heroes have fought in the MCU to their comic-book versions.
Jeff Bridges played the very first big bad of the MCU, Obadiah Stane - or as he's known in the comics, Iron Monger - in "Iron Man."
First comics appearance: "Iron Man No. 163" in October 1982 (as Stane) and "Iron Man No. 200" in November 1985 (as Iron Monger)
MCU appearances: "Iron Man"
Tim Roth took on the role of the Abomination (real name Emil Blonsky) for "The Incredible Hulk."
First comics appearance: "Tales to Astonish No. 90" in April 1967
MCU appearances: "The Incredible Hulk," the upcoming film "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings," and the upcoming Disney+ series "She-Hulk"
William Hurt is, at least until "Shang-Chi," the only actor from "The Incredible Hulk" to remain in the MCU. He plays Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross, a perennial thorn in the side of the Avengers ... and eventual Red Hulk?
First comics appearance: "The Incredible Hulk No. 1" in May 1962
MCU appearances: "The Incredible Hulk," "Captain America: Civil War," "Avengers: Infinity War," "Avengers: Endgame," and "Black Widow"
The Leader (real name Dr. Samuel Sterns) was briefly hinted at in "The Incredible Hulk," as played by Tim Blake Nelson.
First comics appearance: "Tales to Astonish No. 62" in December 1964
MCU appearances: "The Incredible Hulk"
Sam Rockwell played a significantly younger version of Iron Man nemesis Justin Hammer in "Iron Man 2."
First comics appearance: "Iron Man No. 120" in March 1979
MCU appearances: "Iron Man 2"
Mickey Rourke played the other antagonist of the film, Ivan Vanko, aka Whiplash. In the comics, there have been many characters to go by the name Whiplash, the first being Mark Scarlotti.
First comics appearance: "Tales of Suspense No. 97" in January 1968
MCU appearances: "Iron Man 2"
As it currently stands in the MCU, Loki, played by Tom Hiddleston, is more of an anti-hero than an outright villain, but his journey started in "Thor" as an antagonist.
First comics appearance: "Journey Into Mystery No. 85" in October 1962
MCU appearances: "Thor," "The Avengers," "Thor: The Dark World," "Thor: Ragnarok," "Avengers: Infinity War," "Avengers: Endgame," "Loki," and the upcoming Disney+ series "What If...?"
Loki uses the Destroyer, an enchanted suit of Asgardian armor, to try and kill his brother Thor to no avail. The Destroyer has been around in comics for decades.
First comics appearance: "Journey Into Mystery No. 118" in July 1965
MCU appearances: "Thor"
Laufey, the king of the Frost Giants and Loki's birth father, was played by Colm Feore. In the movies, he just looks like a blue White Walker from "Game of Thrones."
First comics appearance: "Journey Into Mystery No. 112" in January 1965
MCU appearances: "Thor"
Captain America's biggest nemesis, the Red Skull (real name Johann Shmidt), was first played by Hugo Weaving. He reappeared in "Infinity War" and "Endgame" played by Ross Marquand.
First comics appearance: "Captain America Comics No. 7" in October 1941 (as Johann Shmidt)
MCU appearances: "Captain America: The First Avenger" (Weaving) and "Avengers: Infinity War" and "Avengers: Endgame" (Marquand)
Arnim Zola, played by Toby Jones, has a more subdued look in both of the "Captain America" films he's in, compared to his comics design.
First comics appearance: "Captain America No. 208" in April 1977
MCU appearances: "Captain America: The First Avenger," "Captain America: The Winter Soldier," "Agent Carter," and the upcoming Disney+ series "What If...?"
Guy Pearce played Aldrich Killian, creator of Extremis and criminal mastermind, in "Iron Man 3."
First comics appearance: "Iron Man vol. 4 No. 1" in January 2005
MCU appearances: "Iron Man 3"
Rebecca Hall played scientist Maya Hansen, who worked with Killian to create Extremis before having a change of heart, in "Iron Man 3."
First comics appearance: "Iron Man vol. 4 No. 1" in January 2005
MCU appearances: "Iron Man 3"
Stéphanie Szostak played Ellen Brandt, a veteran injected with Extremis. In the comics, she's involved with Man-Thing.
First comics appearance: "Savage Tales No. 1" in May 1971
MCU appearances: "Iron Man 3"
James Badge Dale played another veteran injected with Extremis named Eric Savin. In the comics, he's a cyborg known as Coldblood.
First comics appearance: "Marvel Comics Presents No. 26" in August 1989
MCU appearances: "Iron Man 3"
Christopher Eccleston played Malekith, king of the Dark Elves, in "Thor: The Dark World."
First comics appearance: "Thor No. 344" in June 1984
MCU appearances: "Thor: The Dark World"
His sidekick, Kurse, was played by Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje.
First comics appearance: "Thor No. 347" in September 1984
MCU appearances: "Thor: The Dark World"
Instead of dying at the end of the first "Captain America," Bucky Barnes was turned into the Winter Soldier - an assassin for Hydra - for 90 years, before getting control of his mind back. He's played by Sebastian Stan.
First comics appearance: "Captain America No. 1" in January 2005 (as the Winter Soldier)
MCU appearances (as the Winter Soldier): "Captain America: The Winter Soldier," "Captain America: Civil War," "Avengers: Infinity War," "Avengers: Endgame," "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier," and the upcoming Disney+ series "What If...?"
Post-credit cameos: "Ant-Man" and "Black Panther"
Note: Stan also appears in "Captain America: The First Avenger," but only as Bucky Barnes, pre-mind control.
In the MCU, Brock Rumlow was a secret Hydra agent inside S.H.I.E.L.D. before getting turned into his more recognizable persona, Crossbones, due to a building collapsing on him. He's played by Frank Grillo.
First comics appearance: "Captain America No. 360" in November 1989
MCU appearances: "Captain America: The Winter Soldier," "Captain America: Civil War," "Avengers: Endgame," and the upcoming Disney+ series "What If...?"
The legendary Robert Redford played the head of Hydra, Alexander Pierce, in "Captain America: The Winter Soldier." In the comics, he's just a run-of-the-mill secret agent (and sometimes Hydra spy).
First comics appearance: "Nick Fury vs. S.H.I.E.L.D. No. 3" in August 1988
MCU appearances: "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" and "Avengers: Endgame"
In the comics, Jasper Sitwell is a heroic S.H.I.E.L.D. agent. In the MCU, as played by Maximiliano Hernández, he's revealed to be a secret Hydra agent.
First comics appearance: "Strange Tales No. 144" in May 1966
MCU appearances: "Thor," "The Avengers," "Captain America: The Winter Soldier," "Avengers: Endgame," and "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D."
Batroc the Leaper, played by Georges St-Pierre in the MCU, wears a muted purple and yellow outfit as a nod to his flamboyant comics costume.
First comics appearance: "Tales of Suspense No. 75" in March 1966
MCU appearances: "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" and "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier"
Lee Pace played Ronan the Accuser, a radicalized Kree soldier, for the first time in "Guardians of the Galaxy."
First comics appearance: "Fantastic Four No. 65" in August 1967
MCU appearances: "Guardians of the Galaxy" and "Captain Marvel"
His enforcer, Korath the Pursuer, was played by Djimon Hounsou.
First comics appearance: "Quasar No. 32" in March 1992
MCU appearances: "Guardians of the Galaxy," "Captain Marvel," and the upcoming Disney+ series "What If...?"
The Collector isn't strictly a villain, but he's also definitely not a hero. He's played by Benicio del Toro.
First comics appearance: "The Avengers No. 28" in May 1966
MCU appearances: "Guardians of the Galaxy," "Avengers: Infinity War," and the upcoming Disney+ series "What If...?" (though not voiced by del Toro)
Post-credit cameos: "Thor: The Dark World"
The version of Thanos we all know and love today, as played by Josh Brolin, made his debut in "Guardians of the Galaxy." He was briefly played by Damion Poitier for a post-credits stinger in "The Avengers."
First comics appearance: "The Invincible Iron Man No. 55" in February 1973
MCU appearances: "Guardians of the Galaxy," "Avengers: Infinity War," "Avengers: Endgame," and the upcoming Disney+ series "What If...?" (Brolin)
Post-credit cameos: "The Avengers" (Poitier) and "Avengers: Age of Ultron" (Brolin)
The titular baddie of "Avengers: Age of Ultron," Ultron, was voiced by James Spader.
First comics appearance: "The Avengers No. 55" in August 1968
MCU appearances: "Avengers: Age of Ultron"
Another side villain, Ulysses Klaue, made his debut in "Age of Ultron," though he'd return later. Klaue was played by Andy Serkis. In the comics, he's called Klaw, and he has a more in-your-face arm weapon.
First comics appearance: "Fantastic Four No. 53" in August 1966
MCU appearances: "Avengers: Age of Ultron" and "Black Panther"
In the MCU, Baron Strucker is responsible for creating the Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver as part of Hydra. He was played by Thomas Kretschmann in "Age of Ultron." A young version of him was also in "Agents of SH.I.E.L.D." played by Joey Defore.
First comics appearance: "Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos No. 5" in January 1964
MCU appearances: "Avengers: Age of Ultron" (Kretschmann) and "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." (Defore)
Post-credit cameos: "Captain America: The Winter Soldier"
The main villain of "Ant-Man" was Corey Stoll as Darren Cross, who, in the comics, was just a rival of Scott Lang. After the film, Cross' turn as Yellowjacket was integrated into the comics.
First comics appearance: "Marvel Premiere No. 47" in April 1979 (as Cross), "The Astonishing Ant-Man No. 12" in September 2016 (as Yellowjacket)
MCU appearances: "Ant-Man" and (reportedly) the upcoming film "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania"
Daniel Brühl's Helmut Zemo (aka Baron Zemo) first appeared in "Captain America: Civil War," but he got to don his famous mask from the comics in "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier."
First comics appearance: "Captain America No. 168" in December 1973 (as Phoenix), "Captain America No. 276" in December 1982 (as Baron Zemo)
MCU appearances: "Captain America: Civil War" and "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier"
Although Chiwetel Ejiofor's Karl Mordo spent most of "Doctor Strange" as an ally, comic fans knew his heel turn was coming by the end. His name in the comics is Baron Mordo.
First comics appearance: "Strange Tales No. 111" in August 1963
MCU appearances: "Doctor Strange" and the upcoming film "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness"
Kaecilius, played by Mads Mikkelsen, was dragged into the Dark Dimension by the film's end, meaning we could see him again.
First comics appearance: "Strange Tales No. 130" in March 1965
MCU appearances: "Doctor Strange"
But the film's true big bad was the all-powerful ruler of the Dark Dimension, Dormammu. He was voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch - we never see his whole body in the film, just a floating head.
First comics appearance: "Strange Tales No. 126" in November 1964
MCU appearances: "Doctor Strange"
When the Guardians of the Galaxy returned for "Vol. 2," they faced off against Ego the Living Planet, played by Kurt Russell.
First comics appearance: "The Mighty Thor No. 133" in October 1966
MCU appearances: "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2" and (reportedly) the upcoming Disney+ series "What If...?"
One of the film's silliest elements was Taserface - a real comics character - played by Chris Sullivan.
First comics appearance: "Guardians of the Galaxy No. 1" in June 1990
MCU appearances: "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2" and the upcoming Disney+ series "What If...?"
Elizabeth Debicki's character Ayesha set up the origin of one of Marvel's most iconic characters, Adam Warlock. In the comics, she's also known as Paragon, Kismet, and Her.
First comics appearance: "The Incredible Hulk Annual No. 6" in 1977 (as Paragon), "Fantastic Four vol. 3 No. 11" in 1998 (as Ayesha)
MCU appearances: "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2" and the upcoming film "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3"
Moving back to Earth ... Michael Keaton played Adrian Toomes, aka Vulture, in "Spider-Man: Homecoming." His costume was a far cry from his traditional comics look.
First comics appearance: "The Amazing Spider-Man No. 2" in May 1963
MCU appearances: "Spider-Man: Homecoming"
Note: Keaton was also shown in the trailer for Sony's upcoming film "Morbius," as what looks like Adrian. With the events of "Loki" ... maybe it really is him.
In more of an Easter egg than anything else, Michael Mando played Mac Gargan who, in the comics, goes on to become the Scorpion. In "Homecoming," the character had a scorpion tattoo on his neck, in a nod to his comics origin.
First comics appearance: "The Amazing Spider-Man No. 19" in December 1964 (as Gargan), "The Amazing Spider-Man No. 20" in January 1965 (as Scorpion)
MCU appearances: "Spider-Man: Homecoming"
Another comics nod was Donald Glover's small role as Aaron Davis, who's known as the Prowler in Spider-Man lore. He also mentions his nephew during a scene, who any comics reader knows is Miles Morales, an alternate universe version of Spider-Man.
First comics appearance: "Ultimate Comics: Spider-Man No. 1" in November 2011 (as Davis)
MCU appearances: "Spider-Man: Homecoming"
Michael Chernus played one of Adrian's henchmen, Phineas, who's called the Tinkerer in the comics. He's much younger in the MCU.
First comics appearance: "The Amazing Spider-Man No. 2" in May 1963
MCU appearances: "Spider-Man: Homecoming"
Logan Marshall-Green briefly played a character named Jackson Brice in "Homecoming." In the comics, he's known as Montana, but in the film, he was the first Shocker.
First comics appearance: "The Amazing Spider-Man No. 10" in March 1964
MCU appearances: "Spider-Man: Homecoming"
Bokeem Woodbine played another minor villain in "Homecoming," known as the Shocker (real name Herman Schultz). He was the second Shocker in the film.
First comics appearance: "The Amazing Spider-Man No. 46" in March 1967
MCU appearances: "Spider-Man: Homecoming"
Hela, the Goddess of Death, is played by Cate Blanchett in "Thor: Ragnarok."
First comics appearance: "Journey Into Mystery No. 102" in March 1964
MCU appearances: "Thor: Ragnarok"
She enlists Skurge, an Asgardian with an affinity for machine guns, played by Karl Urban, to help her. He's also known as the Executioner in the comics, a title Hela bestows upon him in the film.
First comics appearance: "Journey Into Mystery No. 103" in April 1964
MCU appearances: "Thor: Ragnarok"
However, she's eventually defeated by the demon lord Surtur, voiced by Clancy Brown (and motion captured by director Taika Waititi).
First comics appearance: "Journey Into Mystery No. 99" in December 1963
MCU appearances: "Thor: Ragnarok"
Jeff Goldblum also pops in to play the dictatorial leader of Sakaar, the Grandmaster.
First comics appearance: "The Avengers No. 69" in October 1969
MCU appearances: "Thor: Ragnarok," the upcoming film "Thor: Love and Thunder," and the upcoming Disney+ series "What If...?"
Post-credit cameos: Technically not post-credits, but Goldblum can be seen during the credits of "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2."
Michael B. Jordan played Erik "Killmonger" Stevens - the son of a cast-out Wakandan prince - in "Black Panther.
First comics appearance: "Jungle Action No. 6" in September 1973
MCU appearances: "Black Panther" and the upcoming Disney+ series "What If...?"
Four members of the Black Order, aliens who work for Thanos, are introduced in "Infinity War." First up, Proxima Midnight, played by Carrie Coon.
First comics appearance: "Infinity No. 1" in October 2013
MCU appearances: "Avengers: Infinity War" and "Avengers: Endgame"
Then there's Ebony Maw, played by Tom Vaughan-Lawlor.
First comics appearance: "Infinity No. 1" in October 2013
MCU appearances: "Avengers: Infinity War" and "Avengers: Endgame"
Corvus Glaive was played by Michael James Shaw.
First comics appearance: "Infinity: Free Comic Book Day" in May 2013
MCU appearances: "Avengers: Infinity War" and "Avengers: Endgame"
And finally, Cull Obsidian, who's based on the comics character Black Dwarf, played Terry Notary.
First comics appearance: "Infinity No. 1" in October 2013
MCU appearances: "Avengers: Infinity War" and "Avengers: Endgame"
"Ant-Man and the Wasp" doesn't really have a super-villain. Ghost (real name Ava Starr), played by Hannah John-Kamen, is the closest thing - and she's markedly different than her male comics counterpart.
First comics appearance: "Iron Man No. 219" in June 1987
MCU appearances: "Ant-Man and the Wasp"
She's working with Bill Foster, aka Goliath - also not a villain, more of a foil - played by Laurence Fishburne. In the comics, Goliath is actually an Avenger.
First comics appearance: "The Avengers No. 32" in September 1966
MCU appearances: "Ant-Man and the Wasp"
Sonny Burch, played by Walton Goggins, is easily the most evil character in the film.
First comics appearance: "Iron Man vol. 3 No. 73" in December 2003
MCU appearances: "Ant-Man and the Wasp"
The true villain of "Captain Marvel" is revealed to be Yon-Rogg, played by Jude Law.
First comics appearance: "Marvel Super-Heroes No. 12" in December 1967
MCU appearances: "Captain Marvel"
Att-Lass, played by Algenis Perez Soto, is based on Captain Atlas.
First comics appearance: "Quasar No. 9" in April 1990
MCU appearances: "Captain Marvel"
Bron-Char was played by Rune Temte.
First comics appearance: "Avengers vol. 1 No. 364" in July 1993
MCU appearances: "Captain Marvel"
Gemma Chan's first character in the MCU was Minn-Erva, based on Doctor Minerva. However, Chan will be in the MCU again as a different character, Sersi, in "Eternals."
First comics appearance: "Captain Marvel No. 50" in May 1977
MCU appearances: "Captain Marvel"
Annette Bening played a version of the Supreme Intelligence, the AI that rules the Kree Empire in both the film and the comics.
First comics appearance: "Fantastic Four No. 65" in August 1967
MCU appearances: "Captain Marvel"
Jake Gyllenhaal entered the MCU in "Spider-Man: Far From Home" when he played Quentin Beck, aka Mysterio.
First comics appearance: "The Amazing Spider-Man No. 13" in June 1964
MCU appearances: "Spider-Man: Far From Home"
While the real obstacle in "WandaVision" was grief, Kathryn Hahn's Agatha Harkness was also a formidable foe. In the comics, she's much older and more of an ally to Wanda. Hahn was nominated for an Emmy for her performance.
First comics appearance: "Fantastic Four No. 94" in January 1970
MCU appearances: "WandaVision"
White Vision, played by Paul Bettany, battled the original Vision before flying away to parts unknown.
First comics appearance: "The West Coast Avengers vol. 2 No. 45" in June 1989
MCU appearances: "WandaVision"
In the comics Flag Smasher is one person, named Karl Morgenthau. In "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier," it's a terrorist group led by Karli Morgenthau, played by Erin Kellyman.
First comics appearance: "Captain America No. 312" in December 1985
MCU appearances: "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier"
Karli was given her powers by the Power Broker. In the comics, there have been two Power Brokers, the first being Curtiss Jackson and the second an unknown figure. Emily VanCamp's Sharon Carter seems more influenced by the second in "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier."
First comics appearance: "Avengers: The Initiative Annual No. 1" in January 2008
MCU appearances: "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier"
Julia Louis-Dreyfus made an instant splash playing Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine.
First comics appearance: "Strange Tales No. 159" in August 1967
MCU appearances: "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier"
Post-credit cameos: "Black Widow"
John Walker, or US Agent, was played by Wyatt Russell.
First comics appearance: "Captain America No. 323" in November 1986 (as Super-Patriot), "Captain America No. 354" in June 1989 (as US Agent)
MCU appearances: "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier"
Ravonna Renslayer, played by Gugu Mbatha-Raw, was a judge desperate for control inside the Time Variance Authority (TVA) in "Loki."
First comics appearance: "Avengers No. 23" in December 1965
MCU appearances: "Loki"
Sylvie, or Lady Loki, isn't a true villain, but she's not exactly a hero either. She shares qualities with both Lady Loki and Enchantress from the comics, and she is played by Sophia DiMartino.
First comics appearance: "Thor vol. 3 No. 5" in January 2008 (Lady Loki) and "Dark Reign: Young Avengers No. 1" in July 2009 (Sylvie/Enchantress)
MCU appearances: "Loki"
Kid Loki was another famous Loki variant introduced in "Loki," and played by Jack Veal.
First comics appearance: "Thor No. 617" in November 2010
MCU appearances: "Loki"
We also see a version of Loki from "Vote Loki" - called President Loki in the show - played by Tom Hiddleston.
First comics appearance: "Vote Loki No. 1" in June 2016
MCU appearances: "Loki"
In the "Loki" finale, the mastermind behind the TVA was revealed as He Who Remains, played by Jonathan Majors. A variant of the character known as Kang the Conqueror will appear in future MCU installments. In the comics, the two are unrelated.
First comics appearance: "Thor No. 245" in March 1976 (He Who Remains) and "The Avengers No. 8" in September 1964 (Kang)
MCU appearances: "Loki" (as He Who Remains) and the upcoming film "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania" (as Kang)
He Who Remains was protected by the smoke monster known as Alioth in "Loki." The entity is also called Alioth the Usurper in the comics.
First comics appearance: "Avengers: The Terminatrix Objective No. 1" in September 1993
MCU appearances: "Loki"
Natasha and her family battle a gender-swapped Taskmaster in "Black Widow," played by Olga Kurylenko. In the comics, his name is Tony Masters.
First comics appearance: "The Avengers No. 195" in May 1980
MCU appearances: "Black Widow"
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