10 Forgotten Marvel Characters Who Deserve a Comeback

Marvel is famous for creating iconic superheroes and villains. The launch of the Marvel Cinematic Universe made these characters even more popular, drawing fans in for decades thanks to its compelling stories and diverse cast. Characters like Spider-Man, Wolverine, Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, and the Hulk have become widely recognized, but they represent just a fraction of the incredible characters within the Marvel Universe.

Many Marvel characters have enjoyed brief popularity before being forgotten, while others quickly gained a following only to be sidelined. Throughout Marvel’s history, this has happened frequently, and these ten overlooked characters deserve another chance in the spotlight.

10. Caliban

I first encountered Caliban as this kind of creepy tracker, a Morlock who could find other mutants. He was a really strange-looking guy, pretty thin, and then Apocalypse got his hands on him and turned him into one of his Horsemen, suddenly giving him incredible strength and making him super durable. After that, he really became known as part of X-Force, and honestly, despite having a kind of childlike mind, he was a surprisingly powerful protector for the team. He wasn’t ever a massively popular character, but I always thought he was interesting. Sadly, he eventually died, which was a shame. I think Caliban is a really fun character when writers get him right, and I’d love to see Marvel bring him back – maybe as the powerhouse on some future X-team!

9. Whirlwind

The Avengers have a lot of overlooked villains, and Whirlwind is one of my favorites. He’s not a major threat – more of a common enemy who joins forces with other villain groups to battle the Avengers. Whirlwind is a mutant with the ability to spin at incredible speeds, and he always sports a cool helmet. He isn’t a complex character, which actually adds to his charm. He’s the type of villain we don’t see much anymore, and I think that’s a shame. I’ve often imagined a storyline where he’s brought back as a hero, with the Avengers helping him find redemption. Whatever happens, I’d love to see him return.

8. Zoe Culloden

The 1990s were a chaotic period for Wolverine, particularly after losing the adamantium bonded to his skeleton. It was during this time that we met Zoe Culloden, an employee of the law firm Landau, Luckman, and Lake. This firm specialized in legal representation for superpowered individuals and possessed advanced technology, including the ability to travel across dimensions. They were very interested in both Wolverine and the X-Men. Zoe appeared sporadically between issues #79 and #100 of *Wolverine* (Vol. 2) but then disappeared from the stories. There were hints of a larger plan involving Wolverine and the firm, but it was never fully developed. Zoe was a consistently composed and capable character, and many fans would welcome her return, along with Landau, Luckman, and Lake.

7. Nomad

Steve Rogers isn’t the only character who’s been Nomad, and I don’t think bringing *him* back is the way to go. I’m talking about Jack Monroe. Back in the 1950s, Monroe was chosen to be the new Bucky for a different Captain America, William Burnside. Both of them received the super-soldier serum, which caused some instability, and they were eventually put on ice. While Burnside became a villain, Monroe didn’t. He later became Nomad in a really good, but overlooked, comic series from the early 90s – Marvel should definitely reprint that! He then reinvented himself as Scourge, a vigilante who targeted villains, and was ultimately killed by the Winter Soldier as part of a larger scheme. Although Nomad has been dead for a while, his complex history makes him a compelling character, and it would be great to see him return – perhaps seeking revenge, or simply to prove that his later struggles don’t define him.

6. Cannonball

The New Mutants often don’t receive enough recognition for the fantastic characters they’ve introduced. Cannonball, one of the most underrated X-Men, is a prime example. Sam Guthrie has the ability to propel himself like a cannonball, protected by an energy field that makes him nearly invulnerable while flying. He can also absorb and redirect energy, even defeating Gladiator, the leader of the Shi’Ar Imperial Guard, with a single blow – a truly memorable comic book fight! Cannonball has been a member of several teams, including the New Mutants, X-Force, the X-Men, and even the Avengers. He’s married to Smasher and currently resides with her and their child in the Shi’Ar Empire. Though he was briefly killed at a recent Hellfire Gala, he’s returned but remains largely in the background. It’s time for him to take center stage again, and reconnect with his close friend, Sunspot.

5. Smasher

Jonathan Hickman’s run on Avengers was truly impressive, and it brought exciting new characters like Smasher into the mix. While fans might recognize the name – Smasher was previously a member of the Shi’Ar Imperial Guard – this version was a unique addition: an Earth-born woman who gained her powers from exo-specs. She sought out the X-Men after Cassandra Nova’s attack on the Shi’Ar Empire. Joining the Avengers, she eventually became a Superguardian for the Imperial Guard and settled in the Shi’Ar capital with her family, including her husband Cannonball and their daughter. I’ve been a fan of Smasher since her debut, and I think it’s time for her to return to Earth. She’s a great character with untapped potential, and a comeback would be fantastic.

4. Hyperion (Earth-13034)

Over the years, there have been many versions of the character Hyperion, but the most compelling one debuted in Jonathan Hickman’s run of *Avengers*. This Hyperion hailed from Earth-13034 and was raised to be a hero by his father. When his world faced destruction from the Incursions, he bravely attempted to save it, but ultimately failed and was brought to Earth-616 by AIM. He later joined the Avengers, forming a strong friendship with Thor. Together, they hunted down the Beyonders – the beings responsible for the Incursions – and even managed to kill some of them. This particular version of Hyperion hasn’t appeared recently, and many fans, including myself, would love to see him return. His dynamic with Thor was fantastic, and he’s simply a really enjoyable character.

3. Dani Moonstar

Dani Moonstar is arguably the most compelling New Mutant. While Magik is currently more popular with fans, Dani always stood out. As Mirage, she fought with the team using weapons created from her psychic powers, and she even briefly became a Valkyrie. She was consistently positioned as a key member of the New Mutants, but surprisingly wasn’t initially part of the team when they transitioned into X-Force-a change some might consider for the best, given those early issues. She later joined X-Force during a fantastic run by John Francis Moore and Adam Pollina (Marvel, please reprint those!). Despite several returns to the Marvel Universe, Dani hasn’t quite received the recognition she deserves as an X-Man. With a deep history spanning decades and a unique connection to Asgardian lore, it’s time for a major resurgence for this rich and complex character.

2. Howard the Duck

Howard the Duck is famously one of Marvel’s most unusual characters. He’s not really a superhero, but a comedic figure used to playfully critique American society. He was most popular in the 1970s and 80s, even briefly running for president, but has largely appeared sporadically since then – popping up for short stories before disappearing again. Howard is a tricky character to get right, which likely explains why he hasn’t remained popular. However, Marvel should find the right creative team – someone like Chip Zdarsky, who previously wrote a good Howard the Duck mini-series – to bring him back into the spotlight.

1. War Machine

War Machine, also known as James Rhodes, has always been a fan favorite, both in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and in the comics. He was one of the first characters to take on a hero’s mantle after another, stepping in for Iron Man in the 1980s as Tony Stark’s pilot and bodyguard. Because readers loved him, he eventually got his own powerful War Machine armor and starred in numerous comic book series. Despite being a well-known and popular Marvel character, War Machine hasn’t appeared in a while, and many fans believe it’s time for him to return to the spotlight.

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2025-09-29 00:12