7 Marvel Spy Characters That Still Need an MCU Appearance

While some iconic spy characters—such as Natasha Romanoff and Nick Fury—have already made their mark on the Marvel Cinematic Universe, many others from the comics have yet to make their debut on the big screen. Marvel Comics has a vast and intricate spy-thriller foundation, rooted in organizations like SHIELD, SWORD, and countless covert operations. It’s the perfect source to draw from to introduce new master manipulators, double agents, and tactical geniuses and reinvigorate the spy side of the MCU in a way that Captain America: The Winter Soldier captured. These comic characters have intricate backstories and complex morals that would add new layers of intrigue and suspense leading up to the events of Avengers: Secret War in 2027, exploring themes of loyalty, deception, and even making characters (and audiences) question if the person you see on screen is really who they claim to be.

Here are seven super spies who are still waiting for their time to shine in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. 

7. Mockingbird

The Disney+ series Hawkeye dropped a major clue about Laura Barton’s past, revealing that she was once “Agent 19.” In the comics, this is the codename for Barbara “Bobbi” Morse, also known as Mockingbird. This subtle nod was an exciting possibility for comic fans, but as the MCU’s Agent 19 is Laura and not Bobbi, the character of Mockingbird herself has yet to officially appear in the main cinematic universe—only in the ABC non-canon series Agents of SHIELD (played by Adrianne Palicki).

The MCU’s decision to use the Agent 19 codename for a different character leaves the door open for the proper introduction of Mockingbird as quite literally anyone. Whether she is one of Hawkeye’s partners (romantically and/or as SHIELD agents) or a brand new agent, her inclusion would bring one of Marvel’s most important spy characters to the forefront and give her the limelight she deserves. She is a master of martial arts and espionage, and the MCU could explore her unique skill set and a fresh origin story.

6. Bobbi Morse

Should the MCU decide that Laura Barton is actually codename Mockingbird, that still leaves the original comic agent—Bobbi Morse—out of the equation. Considered the quintessential Mockingbird, Bobbi Morse is one of Marvel’s most important agents. She is a highly skilled SHIELD operative (hence her very high rank as Agent 19), a biochemist, and a master of hand-to-hand combat, often wielding a pair of specialized batons similar to Black Widow.

Bobbi’s connection to Clint Barton/Hawkeye is a key part of both of their comic book histories, as the two were married, worked as partners even after their divorce, and co-founded the West Coast Avengers. Bringing a new, fully integrated and independently defined version of Bobbi Morse to the big screen would not only re-establish her as a main character like in the comics, but also allow for a richer exploration of Hawkeye’s past and his relationships within the spy world.

5. Jessica Drew

Jessica Drew is one of the most enigmatic figures in Marvel’s spy world. After being trained as an agent of HYDRA and brainwashed, she was eventually rescued and rehabilitated by SHIELD. She is a fierce fighter with powers that include flight (with her winged costume), superhuman strength, and the ability to project bio-electric blasts.

Her dual identity as both a super spy and a superhero makes her a character along the lines of Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow. With Natasha written out of the MCU after Avengers: Endgame, Jessica Drew would be the perfect character to bring back a similar dyanmic that was lost with Natasha. Jessica has also worked with multiple organizations, from SHIELD to SWORD, and has even been a member of the Avengers. With such a storied and complicated history, Jessica Drew would be the perfect addition to the MCU.

4. G. W. Bridge

A high-ranking SHIELD agent, G. W. Bridge is a tough, no-nonsense veteran who brings a grounded, military perspective to the world of espionage in a similar way Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross did. He is an expert in strategy, firearms, and hand-to-hand combat, despite having no superhuman abilities. He has often served as a key liaison between SHIELD and various superhero teams, including the X-Force.

With the X-Men poised to enter the MCU in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday, G.W. Bridge is the perfect character to help bridge the gap between the mutant world and the established spy organizations. It has been long rumored that Giancarlo Esposito is poised to play Bridge, it is still just that— an unconfirmed rumor without merit.

3. Clay Quartermain

Clay Quartermain is another classic SHIELD agent who has been a staple of Marvel Comics since the 1960s. He is known for his loyalty, determination, and experience working alongside main heroes like Nick Fury and the Hulk. He has a history of leading specialized task forces, including the Hulkbusters— a unit designed to take down the Green Goliath.

His reputation as a reliable, by-the-book operative would be a great contrast to some of the MCU’s more fly-by-the-seat-of-their-pants characters. Clay’s inclusion would also establish a direct link to the classic SHIELD era that was briefly hinted at in Avengers: Endgame when Steve Rogers and Tony Stark travelled back to the 1970s. Clay would be a familiar face for longtime comic fans while also introducing new audiences to a seasoned and trustworthy classic agent.

2. Abigail Brand

Abigail Brand is the brilliant, half-alien, half-human commander of SWORD— the Sentient World Observation and Response Department. Unlike SHIELD, which deals with terrestrial threats, SWORD is dedicated to protecting Earth from extraterrestrial dangers. The MCU has only just scraped the tip of the iceberg when it comes to SWORD storylines, and Abigail would be a perfect way to dig deeper. Her fiery personality and strategic mind make her a force to be reckoned with. She is abrasive and outwardly dislikes both Nick Fury and his second-in-command, Maria Hill, and she isn’t afraid to show it.

While SWORD was a significant part of WandaVision, and a different version of its director—Tyler Hayward—was featured, Abigail Brand has yet to appear. With the MCU’s growing focus on cosmic and multiversal threats, she is an essential character to tie all the threads together. Her knowledge of alien species and her role in monitoring galactic events make her Earth’s first line of defense.

1. Nick Fury Jr.

Nicholas Joseph “Nick” Fury Jr. is the son of the original Nick Fury and his successor in the world of espionage. His backstory in the comics was a retcon to align the character with Nick Fury’s on-screen counterpart, Samuel L. Jackson, creating a bridge between the classic and modern versions of the character. He is a skilled combatant and tactician, trained in the same vein as his father.

Bringing Nick Fury Jr. to the MCU would be the perfect way to continue the legacy of the original spy mastermind without having to constantly rely on Samuel L. Jackson’s aging character or digitally de-aging him like in Captain Marvel. Fury Jr. could serve as a new leader for a revitalized SHIELD or another covert organization, paving the way for a new generation of spies and agents.

Which Marvel Comics spy do you want to see in the MCU? Leave a comment below and join the conversation now in the ComicBook Forum!