How every Avenger in the Marvel Cinematic Universe compares to their comic-book counterpart
Gabbi Shaw
- The Marvel Cinematic Universe has been going strong since "Iron Man" in 2008.
- But Marvel heroes have been around since as early as 1941.
Warning: This post contains spoilers from "Thor: Love and Thunder," "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever," "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania," "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3," Secret Invasion," "Echo," and "The Marvels"
Tony Stark, aka Iron Man, was played by Robert Downey Jr. for just over a decade, from 2008 to 2019.
First comics appearance: "Tales of Suspense No. 39" in March 1963
Main MCU appearances: "Iron Man," "Iron Man 2," "The Avengers," "Iron Man 3," "Avengers: Age of Ultron," "Captain America: Civil War," "Spider-Man: Homecoming," "Avengers: Infinity War," and "Avengers: Endgame" as Downey Jr, and voiced by Mick Wingert in "What If...?"
Post-credit cameo: "The Incredible Hulk"
Gwyneth Paltrow played Pepper Potts, Tony's longtime assistant and eventual wife — and a superhero in her own right, Rescue.
First comics appearance: "Tales of Suspense No. 45" in September 1963
Main MCU appearances: "Iron Man," "Iron Man 2," "The Avengers," "Iron Man 3," "Spider-Man: Homecoming," "Avengers: Infinity War," and "Avengers: Endgame," and voiced by Beth Hoyt in "What If...?"
Here's what Rescue looks like in the comics and in "Avengers: Endgame."
Pepper's still around in the MCU, with a name-drop in "Spider-Man: Far from Home," so she could make another appearance as either herself or Rescue in the future, if Paltrow wants.
Rescue made her comics debut in "The Invincible Iron Man No. 10" in May 2009.
Tony's other best friend, James "Rhodey" Rhodes (or War Machine or Iron Patriot), was played by Terrence Howard for the first "Iron Man" and then recast with Don Cheadle. Cheadle was nominated for an Emmy for his performance in "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier."
First comics appearance: "Iron Man No. 118" in January 1979
Main MCU appearances: "Iron Man" (as Howard), "Iron Man 2," "Iron Man 3," "Avengers: Age of Ultron," "Captain America: Civil War," "Avengers: Infinity War," "Avengers: Endgame," "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier," "What If...?" "Secret Invasion," and the upcoming film "Armor Wars" (as played by Cheadle)
Post-credit cameo: "Captain Marvel"
Here's what War Machine looks like on the page and on-screen.
Howard never got to play War Machine. During the first "Iron Man," he longingly looks at a suit and says, "Next time," which was more a nod to his comics canon at the time than a promise of a sequel. By the time "Iron Man 2" rolled around, he had been recast.
War Machine first appeared in "Iron Man No. 281" in June 1992.
Bruce Banner was originally played by Edward Norton but was recast with Mark Ruffalo for all subsequent appearances.
First comics appearance: "The Incredible Hulk No. 1" in May 1962
Main MCU appearances: "The Incredible Hulk" (played by Norton), "The Avengers," "Avengers: Age of Ultron," "Thor: Ragnarok," "Avengers: Infinity War," "Avengers: Endgame," "What If...?" and "She-Hulk: Attorney at Law" (played by Ruffalo)
Post-credit cameos: "Iron Man 3," "Captain Marvel," and "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings"
Here's his extremely famous, extremely green counterpart, the Hulk.
The Hulk hasn't actually been in every movie that Bruce has been in. He doesn't show up in "Iron Man 3" or "Captain Marvel," is barely in "Avengers: Infinity War," and has completely reformed as "Smart Hulk" in "Endgame" — though he was back in his human form in "Shang-Chi" and "She-Hulk," temporarily, to help heal an injury he sustained in "Endgame."
Scarlett Johansson was one of the longest-running Avengers. She made her debut as super-spy Natasha Romanoff, aka Black Widow, back in 2010's "Iron Man 2." She finally got her own film after more than a decade, in 2021's "Black Widow."
First comics appearance: "Tales of Suspense No. 52" in April 1964
Main MCU appearances: "Iron Man 2," "The Avengers," "Captain America: The Winter Soldier," "Avengers: Age of Ultron," "Captain America: Civil War," "Avengers: Infinity War," "Avengers: Endgame," and "Black Widow" as Johansson, and voiced by Lake Bell in "What If...?"
Post-credit cameo: "Captain Marvel"
Florence Pugh made her debut as the new Black Widow, Yelena Belova, in "Black Widow."
First comics appearance: "Inhumans No. 5" in March 1999
Main MCU appearances: "Black Widow," "Hawkeye," the upcoming Disney+ series "Marvel Zombies," and the upcoming film "Thunderbolts"
Red Guardian, the Soviet version of Captain America, also debuted in "Black Widow"
First comics appearance: "Avengers No. 43" in January 1967
Main MCU appearances: "Black Widow," the upcoming Disney+ series "Marvel Zombies" and season three of "What If...?," and the upcoming film "Thunderbolts"
A more heroic version of Melina Vostokova played by Rachel Weisz debuted in "Black Widow." In the comics, she's a villain also known as Iron Maiden.
First comics appearance: "Marvel Fanfare No. 11" in November 1983
Main MCU appearances: "Black Widow" and "What If...?"
Nick Fury, former head of S.H.I.E.L.D. and famed super-spy, has been around for decades and has had many designs throughout the years. This is what he originally looked like — and here's how Samuel L. Jackson portrays him.
First comics appearance: "Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos No. 1" in May 1963
Main MCU appearances: "Iron Man 2," "Captain America: The First Avenger," "The Avengers," "Captain America: The Winter Soldier," "Avengers: Age of Ultron," "Captain Marvel," "Avengers: Endgame, "Spider-Man: Far From Home," "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.," "What If...?," "Secret Invasion," and "The Marvels"
Post-credit cameos: "Iron Man," "Thor," and "Avengers: Infinity War"
The God of Thunder himself, Thor, has been played by Chris Hemsworth for a decade and counting.
First comics appearance: "Journey Into Mystery No. 83" in August 1962
Main MCU Appearances: "Thor," "The Avengers," "Thor: The Dark World," "Avengers: Age of Ultron," "Thor: Ragnarok," "Avengers: Infinity War," "Avengers: Endgame," "What If...?," and "Thor: Love and Thunder"
Post-credit cameo: "Doctor Strange"
Natalie Portman made her debut as Jane Foster in 2011's "Thor" ...
First comics appearance: "Journey Into Mystery No. 84" in September 1962
Main MCU appearances: "Thor," "Thor: The Dark World," "Avengers: Endgame," "What If...?," and "Thor: Love and Thunder"
And 11 years later, Portman became the Mighty Thor in "Thor: Love and Thunder."
Jane made her debut as her version of Thor in "Mighty Thor No. 1" in November 2015.
We're considering the keeper of the Bifrost, Heimdall, an honorary Avenger, as he's the only other Asgardian outside of Thor and Loki to appear in "Avengers" films. He was played by Idris Elba.
First comics appearance: "Journey Into Mystery No. 85" in October 1962
Main MCU appearances: "Thor," Thor: The Dark World," "Avengers: Age of Ultron," "Thor: Ragnarok," "Avengers: Infinity War," and "What If...?"
Post-credit cameos: "Thor: Love and Thunder"
Since Lady Sif is Thor's only surviving Asgardian friend, she's an honorary Avenger, too. She's played by Jaimie Alexander.
First comics appearance: "Journey Into Mystery No. 102" in March 1964
Main MCU appearances: "Thor," Thor: The Dark World," "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.," "Loki," "What If...?" and "Thor: Love and Thunder"
Valkyrie, played by Tessa Thompson, is now the King of Asgard after joining up with Thor as part of the "Revengers."
First comics appearance: "The Avengers No. 83" in December 1970
Main MCU appearances: "Thor: Ragnarok," "Avengers: Endgame," "What If...?," "Thor: Love and Thunder," and "The Marvels"
Korg, who is voiced by Taika Waititi, can be seen fighting in the final battle of "Endgame," making him an Avenger.
First comics appearance: "Incredible Hulk Vol. 2, No. 93" in May 2006 — though he was later retconned to have appeared in 1962's "Journey Into Mystery No. 83"
Main MCU appearances: "Thor: Ragnarok," "Avengers: Endgame," "What If...?," and "Thor: Love and Thunder"
Miek was there, too. In the films, he's more of a larva-like creature than the humanoid roach of the comics.
First comics appearance: "The Incredible Hulk Vol. 2, No. 2" in April 2006
Main MCU appearances: "Thor: Ragnarok," "Avengers: Endgame," "What If...?," and "Thor: Love and Thunder"
Chris Evans embodied the spirit of a true hero as Steve Rogers — better known as Captain America — for eight years, from 2011 to 2019.
First comics appearance: "Captain America Comics No. 1" in March 1941
Main MCU appearances: "Captain America: The First Avenger," "The Avengers," "Captain America: The Winter Soldier," "Avengers: Age of Ultron," "Captain America: Civil War," "Avengers: Infinity War," and "Avengers: Endgame" played by Evans, and in "What If...?" and the upcoming Disney+ series "Marvel Zombies" voiced by Josh Keaton
Post-credit cameos: "Ant-Man" and "Captain Marvel." Evans also pops up in "Thor: The Dark World" for a few seconds and is seen throughout "Spider-Man: Homecoming" in a series of instructional videos as well as a post-credit scene.
Peggy Carter, played by Hayley Atwell, was one of the founders of S.H.I.E.L.D. and the first character to get her own spin-off show due to her popularity. She's also integral to Steve's happy ending.
First comics appearance: "Tales of Suspense No. 75" in March 1966
Main MCU appearances: "Captain America: The First Avenger," "Agent Carter," "Captain America: The Winter Soldier," "Avengers: Age of Ultron," "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.," "Ant-Man," and "Avengers: Endgame"
Atwell has also played an alternate version, or variant, of a powered-up Peggy Carter in "What If...?" and "Multiverse of Madness" called Captain Carter.
First comics appearance: "Exiles Vol. 3 No. 3" in May 2018
Main MCU appearances: "What If...?" and "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness"
Bucky Barnes begins his MCU tenure as Steve's best friend before seemingly dying in "Captain America: The First Avenger." He's played by Sebastian Stan.
First comics appearance: "Captain America Comics No. 1" in March 1941
Main MCU appearances: "Captain America: The First Avenger," "Captain America: The Winter Soldier," "Captain America: Civil War," "Avengers: Infinity War," "Avengers: Endgame," "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier," "What If...?," and the upcoming film "Thunderbolts"
Post-credit cameos: "Ant-Man" and "Black Panther"
But, as many Marvel fans knew, he wasn't actually dead. Instead, he became a mind-controlled assassin known as the Winter Soldier. Over the course of the MCU, he eventually gets his mind back. Here's what he looks like now.
Basically, he cut off his Winter Soldier hair and got a new robotic arm.
In the comics, Bucky has a stint as the new Captain America once he breaks free of the mind control, so we'll see if he gets to wield the shield one day — though that's looking less likely.
Bucky made his comics debut as Captain America in "Captain America No. 34" in January 2008.
Anthony Mackie's character Sam Wilson, or Falcon, has a more toned-down appearance from his comics look. He's also one of Steve's closest friends ...
First comics appearance: "Captain America No. 117" in September 1969
Main MCU appearances: "Captain America: The Winter Soldier," "Avengers: Age of Ultron," "Ant-Man," "Captain America: Civil War," "Avengers: Infinity War," "Avengers: Endgame," "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier," "What If...?," and the upcoming film "Captain America: Brave New World"
... leading him to be chosen as the new Captain America. He debuted the look, which is way more accurate to the comics, in the Disney+ series "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier."
As the title card at the end of the season finale indicated, Sam's the new Cap, and there's a fourth "Captain America" film starring Mackie in the works called "Captain America: Brave New World."
Sam made his comics debut as Captain America in "All-New Captain America No. 1" in January 2015.
Agent 13, aka Sharon Carter, is played by Emily VanCamp and is introduced as an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. She is later revealed to be Peggy Carter's niece. She's since taken more of a villainous turn.
First comics appearance: "Tales of Suspense No. 75" in March 1966
Main MCU appearances: "Captain America: The Winter Soldier," "Captain America: Civil War," "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier," and "What If...?"
We finally got a more comics-accurate purple costume for Jeremy Renner's Hawkeye in the finale of his Disney+ series — at least, more comics-accurate to the Matt Fraction 2012 comics run that the show is based on.
First comics appearance: "Tales of Suspense No. 57" in September 1964
Main MCU appearances: "The Avengers," "Avengers: Age of Ultron," "Captain America: Civil War," "Avengers: Endgame," "What If...?" "Hawkeye," and the upcoming Disney+ series "Marvel Zombies"
Cameos: This isn't technically a "post-credit" cameo, but Renner has an uncredited appearance in "Thor," introducing his character to the universe. His photo was also shown at the end of "Black Widow."
For a brief scene in "Avengers: Endgame," we see Clint take on the mantle of Ronin. We learned more about this time period in "Hawkeye."
We didn't get a great look at the full Ronin suit in "Endgame," but after the better look we got at it in "Hawkeye," it definitely has gold accents, much like the comic costume.
Clint's version of Ronin made his comics debut in "New Avengers No. 27" in April 2007.
Hailee Steinfeld joined the MCU as Kate Bishop, another Hawkeye, in the Disney+ series of the same name.
First comics appearance: "Young Avengers No. 1" in April 2005
Main MCU appearances: "Hawkeye" and the upcoming Disney+ series "Marvel Zombies"
Post-credit cameo: "The Marvels"
Laura Barton was revealed as the former Agent 19 in "Hawkeye" finale — she's probably a reimagining of Clint's wife in the comics, Mockingbird. She's played by Linda Cardellini and was introduced all the way back in "Avengers: Age of Ultron."
First comics appearance: "Astonishing Tales No. 18" in June 1973 as Agent 19, "Ultimates 2 No. 2" in March 2005, as Laura Barton
Main MCU appearances: "Avengers: Age of Ultron," "Avengers: Endgame," and "Hawkeye"
Note: In the comics, Mockingbird's real name is Barbara "Bobbi" Morse. That version of the character was introduced in "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." as played by Adrianne Palicki, but most of "AoS" hasn't been regarded as canon in the MCU at large.
Echo, aka Maya Lopez, might've started off as a villain, but we think she's well on her way to a more heroic destiny. She's played by Alaqua Cox.
First comics appearance: "Daredevil No. 9" in December 1999
MCU appearances: "Hawkeye" and "Echo"
Maria Hill was one of Nick Fury's most loyal allies and a former S.H.I.E.L.D. agent. She was played by Cobie Smulders, until her character's death in "Secret Invasion."
First comics appearance: "The New Avengers No. 4" in March 2005
Main MCU appearances: "The Avengers," "Captain America: The Winter Soldier," "Avengers: Age of Ultron," "Avengers: Endgame," Spider-Man: Far From Home" "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.," "What If...?," and "Secret Invasion"
Post-credit cameo: "Avengers: Infinity War"
Wanda Maximoff, played by Elizabeth Olsen, was finally called the Scarlet Witch in "WandaVision," and inhabited the character flawlessly in "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness," even if she was more villain than Avenger.
First comics appearance: "The X-Men No. 4" in March 1964
Main MCU appearances: "Avengers: Age of Ultron," "Captain America: Civil War," "Avengers: Infinity War," "Avengers: Endgame," "WandaVision," "What If...?" "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness," and the upcoming Disney+ series "Marvel Zombies"
Post-credit cameo: "Captain America: The Winter Soldier"
Paul Bettany made his MCU on-screen debut as Vision in 2015 after years of voicing J.A.R.V.I.S., Tony Stark's artificial intelligence system.
First comics appearance: "Avengers Vol. 1, No. 57" in August 1968
Main MCU appearances: "Avengers: Age of Ultron," "Captain America: Civil War," "Avengers: Infinity War," "WandaVision," "What If...?," and reportedly a Disney+ series called "Vision Quest"
Quicksilver, or Pietro Maximoff, was introduced in "Avengers: Age of Ultron" played by Aaron Taylor-Johnson — and then a fake version of the character was played by Evan Peters in "WandaVision."
First comics appearance: "The X-Men No. 4" in March 1964
Main MCU appearances: "Avengers: Age of Ultron" (played by Taylor-Johnson) and "WandaVision" (played by Peters)
Post-credit cameo: "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" (played by Taylor-Johnson)
Note: Peters also plays a different version of Quicksilver in the 20th Century Fox "X-Men" universe in "X-Men: Days of Future Past," "X-Men: Apocalypse," "Dark Phoenix," and "Deadpool 2."
Moving on to more cosmic characters, Peter Quill (or Star-Lord) of the Guardians of the Galaxy is played by Chris Pratt.
First comics appearance: "Marvel Preview No. 4" in January 1976
Main MCU appearances: "Guardians of the Galaxy," "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2," "Avengers: Infinity War," "Avengers: Endgame," "What If...?" (voiced by Brian T. Delaney), "Thor: Love and Thunder," "The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special," and "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3"
Gamora, an assassin turned hero and adopted daughter of Thanos, is played by Zoe Saldaña.
First comics appearance: "Strange Tales No. 80" in June 1975
Main MCU appearances: "Guardians of the Galaxy," "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2," "Avengers: Infinity War," "Avengers: Endgame," and "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3," played by Saldaña, and "What If...?," voiced by Cynthia McWilliams
Drax the Destroyer, played by Dave Bautista, ditched the cape for his MCU look.
First comics appearance: "The Invincible Iron Man No. 55" in February 1973
Main MCU appearances: "Guardians of the Galaxy," "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2," "Avengers: Infinity War," "Avengers: Endgame," "What If...?" (voiced by Fred Tatasciore), "Thor: Love and Thunder," "The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special" and "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3"
It's easy to forget that Rocket Raccoon is voiced by Bradley Cooper ...
First comics appearance: "Marvel Preview No. 7" in summer 1976
Main MCU appearances: "Guardians of the Galaxy," "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2," "Avengers: Infinity War," "Avengers: Endgame," "What If...?," "Thor: Love and Thunder," "I Am Groot," "The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special" and "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3"
... or that Groot is voiced by none other than Vin Diesel.
First comics appearance: "Tales to Astonish No. 13" in November 1960
Main MCU appearances: "Guardians of the Galaxy," "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2," "Avengers: Infinity War," "Avengers: Endgame," "Thor: Love and Thunder," "I Am Groot," "The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special," and "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3"
Although Yondu started off as an antagonist, he eventually joined the Guardians of the Galaxy — and, by extension, the Avengers. He was played by Michael Rooker.
First comics appearance: "Marvel Super-Heroes No. 18" in January 1969
Main MCU appearances: "Guardians of the Galaxy," "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2," "What If...?," and "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3"
Nebula, played by Karen Gillan, also started out as an antagonist, but, along with her sister Gamora, joined the Guardians and later the Avengers.
First comics appearance: "The Avengers No. 257" in July 1985
Main MCU appearances: "Guardians of the Galaxy," "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2," "Avengers: Infinity War," "Avengers: Endgame," "What If...?," "Thor: Love and Thunder," "The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special," and "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3"
Mantis joined the Guardians in "Vol. 2," and is played by Pom Klementieff.
First comics appearance: "The Avengers No. 112" in June 1973
Main MCU appearances: "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2," "Avengers: Infinity War," "Avengers: Endgame," "What If...?," "Thor: Love and Thunder," "The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special" and "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3"
In "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3," Adam Warlock, as played by Will Poulter, joins the team by the end of the film.
First comics appearance: "Marvel Premiere No. 1" in April 1972
Main MCU appearances: "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3"
Post-credit appearances: "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2" (inside a pod)
So did Kraglin, Yondu's former first-mate. He's played by Sean Gunn.
First comics appearance: "Tales to Astonish No. 46" in August 1963
Main MCU appearances: "Guardians of the Galaxy," "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2," "Avengers: Endgame," "What If...?," "Thor: Love and Thunder," "The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special," and "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3"
Another new member of the team is Cosmo the Space Dog, voiced by Maria Bakalova.
First comics appearance: "Nova Vol. 4 No. 8" in January 2008
Main MCU appearances: "Guardians of the Galaxy," Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2," "What If...?," "The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special," and "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3"
An alternate version of Phlya-Vell also joined the Guardians, played by Kai Zenn.
First comics appearance: "Captain Marvel Vol. 5 No. 16" in January 2004
Main MCU appearances: "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3"
The Scott Lang version of Ant-Man, played by Paul Rudd, is remarkably similar to the comics.
First comics appearance: "The Avengers No. 181" in March 1979
Main MCU appearances: "Ant-Man," "Captain America: Civil War," "Ant-Man and the Wasp," "Avengers: Endgame," "What If...?," and "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania"
In the comics, Hope Pym is the villain known as the Red Queen. In the MCU, Hope van Dyne takes on the superhero mantle of the Wasp from her mother and is played by Evangeline Lilly.
First comics appearance: "A-Next No. 7" in April 1999
Main MCU appearances: "Ant-Man," "Ant-Man and the Wasp," "Avengers: Endgame," "What If...?" and "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania"
Henry "Hank" Pym is the original Ant-Man and is played by Michael Douglas.
First comics appearance: "Tales to Astonish No. 27" in January 1962
Main MCU appearances:"Ant-Man," "Ant-Man and the Wasp," "Avengers: Endgame," "What If...?," and "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania"
In "Ant-Man and the Wasp," we got our first real look at Janet van Dyne's version of the Wasp, as played by Michelle Pfeiffer. We learned more about her time in the Quantum Realm in "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania."
First comics appearance: "Tales to Astonish No. 44" in June 1963
Main MCU appearances: "Ant-Man," "Ant-Man and the Wasp," "Avengers: Endgame," "What If...?" and "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania"
Scott's daughter Cassie, now played by Kathryn Newton, assumed her comics alter ego Stature in "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania."
First comics appearance: "Marvel Premiere No. 47" in April 1979 as Cassie and "Young Avengers No. 6" in May 2006 as Stature
Main MCU appearances: "Ant-Man" and "Ant-Man and the Wasp" played by Abby Ryder Fortson, "Avengers: Endgame" played by Emma Fuhrmann, and "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania" played by Newton
Doctor Strange — or, to be more precise, Dr. Stephen Strange — is the former Sorcerer Supreme. He's played by Benedict Cumberbatch.
First comics appearance: "Strange Tales No. 110" in July 1963
Main MCU appearances: "Doctor Strange," "Thor: Ragnarok," "Avengers: Infinity War," "Avengers: Endgame," "What If...?," "Spider-Man: No Way Home," and "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness"
Wong is a fellow Master of the Mystic Arts, played by Benedict Wong. He's now the Sorcerer Supreme due to a "technicality."
First comics appearance: "Strange Tales No. 110" in July 1963
Main MCU appearances: "Doctor Strange," "Avengers: Infinity War," "Avengers: Endgame," "What If...?," "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings," "Spider-Man: No Way Home," "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness," and "She-Hulk: Attorney at Law"
The Ancient One helped the Avengers in the first film — and then again during the time heist in "Endgame," making her an official Avenger in our books. She was played by Tilda Swinton, a significant departure from the comics character.
First comics appearance: "Strange Tales No. 110" in July 1963
Main MCU appearances: "Doctor Strange," "Avengers: Endgame," and "What If...?"
America Chavez punched her way into the MCU in "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness," played by Xochitl Gomez. She has the power to punch star-shaped holes through the multiverse.
First comics appearance: "Vengeance No. 1" in September 2011
Main MCU appearances: "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness"
Doctor Strange's future love interest, Clea, made a post-credits cameo in "Multiverse of Madness," played by Charlize Theron.
First comics appearance: "Strange Tales No. 146" in July 1966
Post-credits cameos: "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness"
Black Panther, King T'Challa of Wakanda, was introduced in "Captain America: Civil War." He was played by Chadwick Boseman until his death in 2020, with his last performance as T'Challa in "What If...?"
First comics appearance: "Fantastic Four No. 52" in July 1966
Main MCU appearances: "Captain America: Civil War," "Black Panther," "Avengers: Infinity War," "Avengers: Endgame," and "What If...?"
Note: With Boseman's death, T'Challa's version of Black Panther will no longer appear. His on-screen younger sister Shuri, played by Letitia Wright, is now the Black Panther.
Shuri, T'Challa's younger sister, is the new Black Panther. She's played by Letitia Wright.
First comics appearance: "Black Panther Vol. 4, No. 2" in May 2005
Main MCU appearances: "Black Panther," "Avengers: Infinity War," "Avengers: Endgame," "What If...?" (voiced by Ozioma Akagha), and "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever"
Okoye, as played by Danai Gurira, is one of the formidable bodyguards known as the Dora Milaje.
First comics appearance: "Black Panther Vol. 3, No. 1" in November 1998
Main MCU appearances: "Black Panther," "Avengers: Infinity War," "Avengers: Endgame," "What If...?," "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever," the upcoming Disney+ series "Marvel Zombies," and "Eyes of Wakanda"
M'Baku (known as Man-Ape in the comics) started as a foil to T'Challa but later joined his council and became a trusted ally. He is played by Winston Duke.
First comics appearance: "Avengers No. 62" in March 1969
Main MCU appearances: "Black Panther," "Avengers: Infinity War," "Avengers: Endgame," and "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever"
The version of Nakia in the MCU played by Lupita Nyong'o is strictly heroic, but in the comics she's a villain known as Malice.
First comics appearance: "Black Panther Vol. 3, No. 1" in November 1998
Main MCU appearances: "Black Panther" and "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever"
Another member of the Dora Milaje is Ayo, played by Florence Kasumba.
First comics appearance: "Black Panther Vol. 3, No. 1" in November 1998
Main MCU appearances: "Captain America: Civil War," "Black Panther," "Avengers: Infinity War," "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier," and "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever"
Riri Williams, better known as Ironheart, made her debut in "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever," played by Dominique Thorn.
First comics appearance: "Invincible Iron Man No. 7" in May 2016
Main MCU appearances: "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" and the upcoming Disney+ series "Ironheart"
Spider-Man joined the MCU in "Captain America: Civil War," and we can't wait to see what happens to Tom Holland's version of Peter Parker in the future, especially after "No Way Home."
First comics appearance: "Amazing Fantasy No. 15" in August 1962
Main MCU appearances: "Captain America: Civil War," "Spider-Man: Homecoming," "Avengers: Infinity War," "Avengers: Endgame," "Spider-Man: Far From Home," "What If...?" (voiced by Hudson Thames), "Spider-Man: No Way Home," and the upcoming Disney+ series "Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man"
Cameo: It was retroactively decided that a young boy in "Iron Man 2" whom Tony saved from a drone was actually a young Peter Parker.
Andrew Garfield's version of Spider-Man from both "The Amazing Spider-Man" movies made a triumphant return to the big screen in "Spider-Man: No Way Home."
First comics appearance: "Amazing Fantasy No. 15" in August 1962
Main MCU appearances: "Spider-Man: No Way Home"
Note: Garfield was Spider-Man/Peter Parker in 2012's "The Amazing Spider-Man" and its 2014 sequel, which are not part of the MCU.
And our original live-action Spider-Man, Tobey Maguire, also donned the suit again, 14 years after his last appearance in "Spider-Man 3."
First comics appearance: "Amazing Fantasy No. 15" in August 1962
Main MCU appearances: "Spider-Man: No Way Home"
Note: Maguire was Spider-Man/Peter Parker in 2002's "Spider-Man" and its two sequels in 2004 and 2007, which are not part of the MCU.
Captain Marvel, real name Carol Danvers, became the first female Marvel superhero with her own movie in 2019. She's played by Brie Larson.
First comics appearance: "Marvel Super-Heroes No. 13" in March 1968
Main MCU appearances: "Captain Marvel," "Avengers: Endgame," and "The Marvels, played by Larson, and "What If...?" and the upcoming Disney+ series "Marvel Zombies," voiced by Alexandra Daniels
Post-credit appearances: "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings" and "Ms. Marvel"
Talos, as played by Ben Mendelsohn, started off as (we thought) an antagonist in "Captain Marvel," but became a close ally to Nick Fury until his death in "Secret Invasion." He's known as Talos the Untamed in the comics.
First comics appearance: "The Incredible Hulk No. 418" in June 1994
Main MCU appearances: "Captain Marvel," "The Marvels," and "Secret Invasion"
Post-credit cameo: "Spider-Man: Far From Home" (though it was really him the whole time in disguise)
Talos' daughter G'iah, played by Emilia Clarke, is now a Super Skrull, and one of the most powerful beings in the MCU.
First comics appearance: "Meet the Skrulls No. 1" in March 2019
Main MCU appearances: "Captain Marvel" (as played by Auden L. Ophuls and Harriet L. Ophuls) and "Secret Invasion" (played by Clarke)
A young Monica Rambeau played by Akira Akbar was first seen in "Captain Marvel." An older version played by Teyonah Parris was introduced in "WandaVision," setting her on her path to becoming Photon (or Pulsar, or Spectrum).
First comics appearance: "The Amazing Spider-Man Annual No. 16" in October 1982
Main MCU appearances: "Captain Marvel" (played by Akbar), "WandaVision," "The Marvels" (played by Parris), and season three of "What If...?"
Iman Vellani starred as Kamala Khan, aka Ms. Marvel, in the Disney+ series of the same name. She was confirmed as the MCU's first mutant in the season finale.
First comics appearance: "Captain Marvel No. 14" in August 2013
Main MCU appearances: "Ms. Marvel," "The Marvels," and the upcoming Disney+ series "Marvel Zombies"
She's helped out by Kareem, aka Red Dagger, played by Aramis Knight.
First comics appearance: "Ms. Marvel Vol. 4 No. 12" in October 2016
Main MCU appearances: "Ms. Marvel"
Shang-Chi, played by Simu Liu, made his MCU debut in 2021. In the comics, he's the most skilled martial artist in the world.
First comics appearance: "Special Marvel Edition No. 15" in December 1973
Main MCU appearances: "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings," the upcoming Disney+ series "Marvel Zombies," and the upcoming still-untitled sequel
Shang-Chi's sister Xialing, played by Meng'er Zhang, is a combination of a few comics characters, but mainly Shang-Chi's half-sister in the comics, Sister Dagger.
First comics appearance: "Shang-Chi No. 1" in September 2020
Main MCU appearances: "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings"
In "Eternals," an entire team of super-powered beings were introduced to the MCU. First up is Gemma Chan's Sersi, who has the power of atomic manipulation.
First comics appearance: "The Eternals No. 3" in September 1976
Main MCU appearances: "Eternals"
Note: Chan played an entirely separate character, Minn-Erva, in "Captain Marvel"
One of her love interests, Dane Whitman, aka Black Knight, is played by Kit Harington. His eventual superhero status was teased in one of the post-credit scenes.
First comics appearance: "The Avengers No. 47" in December 1967
Main MCU appearances: "Eternals"
A fan-favorite Eternal is Kingo, played by Kumail Nanjiani, who basically creates cosmic finger guns. In the comics, Kingo is Japanese, while the MCU version is a Bollywood movie star.
First comics appearance: "The Eternals No. 11" in May 1977
Main MCU appearances: "Eternals"
The leader of the Eternals is Ajak, who has healing abilities. In the comics, Ajak is a man, while the MCU version is played by Salma Hayek.
First comics appearance: "The Eternals No. 2" in August 1976
Main MCU appearances: "Eternals"
Don Lee plays Gilgamesh, an Eternal with especially enhanced strength. In the comics, he's also known as the Forgotten One.
First comics appearance: "The Eternals No. 13" in July 1977
Main MCU appearances: "Eternals"
In the MCU, the Greek warrior goddess Athena is apparently inspired by Angelina Jolie's Thena, an Eternal who can create cosmic weaponry. Her look is one of the most comics-accurate.
First comics appearance: "The Eternals No. 5" in November 1976
Main MCU appearances: "Eternals"
Lia McHugh plays a gender-swapped Sprite, an eternally young Eternal who can create duplicates of herself and mask her appearance.
First comics appearance: "The Eternals No. 9" in March 1977
Main MCU appearances: "Eternals"
Phastos, an Eternal with considerable engineering and technological skills, is played by Brian Tyree Henry, and is the first canonically LGBTQ superhero in the MCU.
First comics appearance: "The Eternals Vol. 2, No. 1" in October 1985
Main MCU appearances: "Eternals"
Lauren Ridloff's character Makkari, also a man in the comics, is another first for the MCU: Makkari, a speedster, is its first deaf superhero.
First comics appearance: "The Eternals No. 5" in November 1976
Main MCU appearances: "Eternals"
Druig is yet another Eternal — he has mind-control powers. He's played by Barry Keoghan.
First comics appearance: "The Eternals No. 11" in May 1977
Main MCU appearances: "Eternals"
The final Eternal, Ikaris, has more enigmatic motivations than the rest of his fellow Eternals. Played by Richard Madden, he basically has the same power set as Superman.
First comics appearance: "The Eternals No. 1" in July 1976
Main MCU appearances: "Eternals" and the upcoming Disney+ series "Marvel Zombies"
Moon Knight was introduced to the MCU in March 2022, as played by Oscar Isaac in the Disney+ series of the same name. In the comics, Moon Knight (real name Marc Spector) is a vigilante with dissociative identity disorder who moonlights as a servant of the Egyptian moon god Khonshu.
First comics appearance: "Werewolf by Night No. 32" in August 1975
Main MCU appearances: "Moon Knight"
In the comics, one of Marc's personalities is Mr. Knight. In the series, that's the Moon Knight suit of one of Marc's personalities, Steven Grant.
First comics appearance: "Moon Knight Vol. 7, No. 1" in March 2014
Main MCU appearances: "Moon Knight"
Layla El-Faouly, played by May Calamawy, was introduced as the MCU's gender-swapped version of the Scarlet Scarab — that is, according to Marvel's website, since she was never named in the series.
First comics appearance: "The Invaders No. 23" in December 1977
Main MCU appearances: "Moon Knight"
Bruce Banner's cousin Jennifer Walters, better known as She-Hulk, made her debut in the Disney+ series "She-Hulk: Attorney at Law." She's played by Tatiana Maslany.
First comics appearance: "The Savage She-Hulk No. 1" in February 1980
Main MCU appearances: "She-Hulk: Attorney at Law"
Charlie Cox returned to the role of Daredevil/Matt Murdock in "Spider-Man: No Way Home," but we got to know him more in "She-Hulk: Attorney at Law."
First comics appearance: "Daredevil No. 1" in April 1964
Main MCU appearances: "Daredevil," "Spider-Man: No Way Home," "She-Hulk: Attorney at Law," "Echo" and the upcoming Disney+ series "Daredevil: Born Again"
We're not sure yet how Gael García Bernal's Werewolf by Night will fit into the MCU, but we're betting he'll be an Avenger eventually. Here's what he looks like when he transforms.
First comics appearance: "Marvel Spotlight No. 2" in February 1972
Main MCU appearances: "Werewolf by Night"
And here's his human alter ego, aka Jack Russell.
Yes, like the Jack Russell terrier.
And, we assume, so will his new friend and monster hunter Elsa Bloodstone, played by Laura Donnelly.
First comics appearance: "Bloodstone No. 1" in December 2001
Main MCU appearances: "Werewolf by Night"
The definitely misunderstood, possibly gentle giant Man-Thing also debuted in "Werewolf by Night."
First comics appearance: "Savage Tales No. 1" in May 1971
Main MCU appearances: "Werewolf by Night"
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