Here's how every Avenger in the MCU compares to their comic book counterparts
- The Marvel Cinematic Universe has been going strong since "Iron Man" in 2008.
- But Marvel heroes have been around since as early as 1941, with Captain America.
- We compared every Avenger (or honorary Avenger) in the MCU to their comic book counterparts.
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." Iron Man/Tony Stark will also be in "What If...?" on Disney+, but not voiced by Downey.
Post-credit cameos: "The Incredible Hulk"
Gwyneth Paltrow played Pepper Potts, Tony's longtime assistant and eventual wife - and 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"
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" and his own upcoming Disney+ series "Armor Wars" (as Cheadle)
Post-credit cameos: "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" (as Norton), "The Avengers," "Avengers: Age of Ultron," "Thor: Ragnarok," "Avengers: Infinity War," "Avengers: Endgame," and the upcoming Disney+ series "What If...?" and "She-Hulk" (as Ruffalo)
Post-credit cameos: "Iron Man 3" and "Captain Marvel"
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."
Scarlett Johansson is 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 over 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"
Post-credit cameos: "Captain Marvel"
Samuel L. Jackson's portrayal of former head of S.H.I.E.L.D. and famed super-spy Nick Fury has been so influential that Marvel has since changed his comics counterpart to look like him - but this is his original design.
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.," and the upcoming Disney+ series "What If...?" and "Secret Invasion"
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," the upcoming film "Thor: Love and Thunder," and the upcoming Disney+ series "What If...?"
Post-credit cameos: "Doctor Strange"
Natalie Portman played Jane Foster in (essentially) two films, and is set to become the Mighty Thor in "Thor: Love and Thunder."
First comics appearance: "Journey Into Mystery No. 84" in September 1962
Main MCU appearances: "Thor," "Thor: The Dark World," "Avengers: Endgame," the upcoming Disney+ series "What If...?" and the upcoming film "Thor: Love and Thunder"
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," and "Avengers: Infinity War"
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," and the upcoming film "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." Steve will also be in "What If...?," though not voiced by Evans.
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.LD., 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," "Avengers: Endgame," and the upcoming Disney+ series "What If...?"
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," and the upcoming Disney+ series "What If...?"
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.
Hawkeye, as played by Jeremy Renner, has one of the least comic book accurate costumes. He's finally getting his own Disney+ series this year - maybe we'll see more purple on Clint Barton.
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," and the two upcoming Disney+ series "Hawkeye" and "What If...?"
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, a time period we expect to see more of in "Hawkeye."
We didn't get a great look at the full Ronin suit in "Endgame," but from what we can tell, it looks like it has similar gold accents to the comics costume.
Clint's version of Ronin made his comics debut in "New Avengers No. 27" in April 2007.
Maria Hill is one of Nick Fury's most loyal allies and a former S.H.I.E.L.D. agent. She's played by Cobie Smulders.
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" and "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D."
Post-credit cameos: "Avengers: Infinity War"
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," and "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier"
... Leading him to be chosen as the new Captain America. He debuted the look, which is way more comics accurate, 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 reportedly a fourth "Captain America" film starring Mackie in the works.
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. and 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," and "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier"
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" (as Taylor-Johnson) and "WandaVision" (as Peters)
Post-credit cameos: "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" (as Taylor-Johnson)
Note: Peters also plays a different version of Quicksilver in the now-defunct 20th Century Fox "X-Men" universe in "X-Men: Days of Future Past," "X-Men: Apocalypse," "Dark Phoenix," and "Deadpool 2."
Wanda Maximoff, played by Elizabeth Olsen, finally got called the Scarlet Witch for the first time and received a new (semi-)comics accurate costume in "WandaVision." She was nominated for an Emmy for her performance in the show.
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," and the upcoming film "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness"
Post-credit cameos: "Captain America: The Winter Soldier"
Paul Bettany made his MCU on-screen debut as Vision in 2015 after years of voicing Jarvis, Tony Stark's AI. He was also nominated for an Emmy for "WandaVision."
First comics appearance: "Avengers Volume #1 No. 57" in August 1968
Main MCU appearances: "Avengers: Age of Ultron," "Captain America: Civil War," "Avengers: Infinity War," and "WandaVision"
Moving on to more cosmic characters - Peter Quill/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," the upcoming films "Thor: Love and Thunder" and "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3," as well as the upcoming Disney+ special "The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special"
Gamora, an assassin-turned-hero and adopted daughter of Thanos, is played by Zoe Saldana.
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 the upcoming film "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3"
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," the upcoming films "Thor: Love and Thunder" and "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3," as well as the upcoming Disney+ special "The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special"
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," the upcoming films "Thor: Love and Thunder" and "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3," as well as the upcoming Disney+ special "The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special"
... 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," the upcoming films "Thor: Love and Thunder" and "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3," as well as the upcoming Disney+ special "The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special" and upcoming Disney+ series of shorts "I Am Groot"
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," and the upcoming Disney+ series "What If...?"
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," the upcoming films "Thor: Love and Thunder" and "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3," as well as the upcoming Disney+ special "The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special," and the upcoming Disney+ series "What If...?"
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," the upcoming Disney+ series "What If...?," and the upcoming film "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," and the upcoming film "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," the upcoming Disney+ series "What If...?," and the upcoming film "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania"
Doctor Strange - or, to be more precise, Dr. Stephen Strange - is the current 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," the upcoming Disney+ series "What If...?," (though not voiced by Cumberbatch) and the upcoming films "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.
First comics appearance: "Strange Tales No. 110" in July 1963
Main MCU appearances: "Doctor Strange," "Avengers: Infinity War," "Avengers: Endgame," and the upcoming films "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings" and "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness"
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 book. 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" and "Avengers: Endgame"
Mantis joins 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," the upcoming films "Thor: Love and Thunder" and "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3," as well as the upcoming Disney+ special "The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special"
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.
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," and the upcoming film "Spider-Man: No Way Home"
Cameos: It was retroactively decided that a young boy in "Iron Man 2" that Tony saved from a drone was actually a young Peter Parker.
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.
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 the upcoming Disney+ series "What If...?"
Note: With Boseman's death, T'Challa's version of Black Panther will no longer appear. It's expected that another character will take up the mantle in 2022's "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever."
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," and the upcoming film "Thor: Love and Thunder"
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," the upcoming Disney+ series "What If...?" and the upcoming film "Thor: Love and Thunder"
Miek was there, too. In the films, he's more of a larva-esque creature rather 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," and the upcoming film "Thor: Love and Thunder"
Okoye, as played by Danai Gurira, is one of T'Challa's 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," the upcoming film "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever," and an untitled "Black Panther" Disney+ series
Shuri, T'Challa's younger sister, might easily become new Black Panther, just like she did in the comics. 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," and the upcoming film "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever"
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 the upcoming film "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever"
The version of Nakia in the MCU is strictly heroic and could even become the next Black Panther - 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 the upcoming "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever"
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.
First comics appearance: "Tales to Astonish No. 44" in June 1963
Main MCU appearances: "Ant-Man," "Ant-Man and the Wasp," "Avengers: Endgame," and the upcoming film "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania"
Captain Marvel, real name Carol Danvers, became the first female superhero with her own move 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," the upcoming film "The Marvels," and the upcoming Disney+ series "What If...?" (not voiced by Larson)
Talos, as played by Ben Mendelsohn, started off as (what we thought) was an antagonist in "Captain Marvel," but it was revealed he's since been working with Nick Fury in "Spider-Man: Far From Home." 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 upcoming film "The Marvels," and the upcoming Disney+ series "Secret Invasion"
Post-credit cameos: "Spider-Man: Far From Home" (though it was really him the whole time in disguise)
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," "WandaVision," and the upcoming film "The Marvels"
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" and the upcoming Disney+ series "Hawkeye"
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"
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"
READ MORE ARTICLES ON
Popular Right Now
Advertisement