Marvel didn’t create the superhero, but it made them more popular than ever. While most people would give the Marvel Cinematic Universe credit for Marvel’s popularity, it has been quietly amassing esteem for decades. The Marvel Universe made superheroes in a world that was like the one outside the readers’ windows and this has allowed Marvel to create some of the most popular characters and stories ever. Marvel heroes are a cut above all the rest; while DC heroes are gods trying to be human, Marvel’s heroes are humans trying to be gods. This has made them more relatable, which has helped make them ever more popular, especially when the MCU put them into the spotlight.
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Marvel’s distinguished competition had a head start, but Marvel has more than made up for it. Marvel’s heroes have become some of the most popular fictional characters ever, and have grabbed the imaginations of decades of fans. These ten Marvel heroes are the most popular, becoming a cherished part of the lives of millions.
10) Black Widow
There are some out there that would say that Scarlet Witch is the most popular Marvel superheroine. Others would say it was Storm or Jean Grey and others would make the argument for Captain Marvel. However, Black Widow is the most popular, having evolved from evil Soviet femme fatale into the Avengers’ premiere super spy. Black Widow was lucky enough to be played by Scarlet Johansson in the MCU, and has starred in her own movie. On top of that, there have been multiple Black Widow comics over the years, and she’s been a member of the Champions and the Avengers. She’s Marvel’s most popular lady and also one of its toughest.
9) Black Panther
Black Panther was once the king of the B-list Marvel heroes. He was popular among Marvel fans, back when that meant something besides anyone who heard of the MCU, but wasn’t really known outside of the circle of comic readers. However, the 21st century changed all of that. The Black Panther has had numerous series and once it was announced that he was becoming a part of the MCU, renowned writer Ta-Nehisi Coates was given the character, more attention than ever being put on the King of Wakanda. Since then, Black Panther has helmed a billion dollar movie and became one of the most popular Marvel characters ever. Black Panther is an icon and has become more than just a superhero; he’s become a cultural phenomenon of Afro-futurism.
8) Thor
Thor has always been somewhat popular. He was one of the stars of Silver Age Marvel, and was considered one of the three most important Marvel heroes alongside Captain America and Iron Man, back when they were Marvel’s answer to DC’s Trinity of Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman. He was a cornerstone of the Avengers, and has starred in multiple series. He’s had his adaptations over the years, but what really made him popular was the MCU. Thor became one of the most beloved MCU characters, and even with the mixed reception of his last movie, fans still love him. The God of Thunder is currently starring in yet another blockbuster comic series, The Mortal Thor, and remains among Marvel’s most powerful and popular heroes of all time.
7) Miles Morales
Miles Morales is one of the most popular Marvel legacy heroes ever. He appeared in the first Ultimate Universe in the Ultimate Fallout series, which took place in the aftermath of the death of the Ultimate Spider-Man. Miles became extremely popular, and soon was brought over to the 616 Marvel Universe. Miles’s popularity grew organically; it helped that he was a Spider-Man, but the character scratched the same itch as Peter Parker did in the ’60s — a character who was just like the reader. Eventually, Miles got out of the comics and has been adapted numerous times, most notably in the Spider-Verse movie and the Playstation Spider-Man games. Miles’s popularity has grown and grown, and he’s become more popular than most Marvel characters.
6) Captain America
Captain America is the first major Marvel superhero, but not the first Marvel hero, appearing after Namor and the Human Torch. However, he became much more popular and became a wartime icon during the World War II years His return in the Silver Age made him more popular than ever, and that popularity has ebbed and flowed over the decades. Then, the MCU happened and Captain America took the place in the eyes of the general population that he held in the eyes of comic readers. Captain America is the iconic leader, a paragon of heroic virtue who represents everything good in the people of the United States. Captain America is the perfect Marvel hero, and has the popularity to prove it.
5) Iron Man
Iron Man was always an important hero, but popular isn’t something he was for a very long time. Iron Man was best known for his powerful armor, and had his place in the Avengers and Illuminati, but would become truly popular thanks to Robert Downey Jr.’s MCU portrayal of the character. An argument can be made that he became the most popular Marvel character, but he’s only held that popularity since 2008. so calling him the most popular overall doesn’t feel correct. Iron Man has become something of a legend, and although his comics still don’t sell all that well compared to the rest of the list, he’s very popular.
4) Deadpool
Deadpool was introduced in the early ’90s and starred in some of the bestselling comics in the land. He became more and more popular throughout the ’90s, thanks to his solo series and a personality change, becoming more of a comedic anti-hero than a comedic evil mercenary. Since then, Deadpool has basically had a rocket strapped to him when it came to popularity. His fourth-wall-breaking humor and love of violence made him an icon, and he soon became a star of every Hot Topic in every mall in America. He’s only gotten more popular as he’s been adapted, and the Deadpool movies are some of Marvel’s most popular. Deadpool is a superstar, something that is still surprising for a lot of Marvel fans.
3) Hulk
The Hulk has been popular for ages. While the original Hulk series, The Incredible Hulk, only lasted for six issues, the character would gain popularity slowly but surely. He eventually got his book back and soon became one of Marvel’s most beloved characters. He had a major network TV show in the ’70s and ’80s, and his popularity has increased like his ever-increasing strength while angry. The Hulk has also starred in animated series, video games, and movies, with the MCU helping balloon his popularity. Recent years have seen Hulk comics embrace horror, with series like The Immortal Hulk exploring the character for a new generation who missed the old Peter David series. The Hulk is more popular than ever, which is saying something when put into the context of his former sky-high popularity.
2) Wolverine
Wolverine is the best there is at what he does, and what he does is amass fans. Wolverine first appeared as a third wheel in a battle between the Hulk and the Wendigo, and would get his big break as the mouthy loner of the X-Men. Since then, Wolverine’s popularity has increased exponentially, overshadowing basically every Marvel hero — honestly, almost every other superhero — to become an icon. Wolverine has graced basically every form of media that has superhero stories and is known by people who never read a comic or even watched one of his movies. Wolverine has become a legend, starring in bestselling comics and helping make superheroes more popular than ever.
1) Spider-Man
Marvel in the Silver Age was getting more popular, but it wouldn’t be until Spider-Man’s debut that the Marvel way of making superheroes really took off. Spider-Man was the ultimate relatable hero, more like the readers than any hero out there, and that paid popularity dividends. Spider-Man isn’t just the most popular Marvel character, becoming the publisher’s first character to star in multiple solo series at the same time, but is possibly the most popular superhero ever, with only names like Superman and Batman being perhaps more popular than he is. Spider-Man has starred in every type of superhero media imaginable and is one of the most beloved superheroes ever.
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