10 Most Popular Marvel Comics Heroes

While the concept of the superhero existed before, Marvel significantly boosted their popularity. Though many attribute Marvel’s success to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the company has been building a strong reputation for decades. The Marvel Universe distinguished itself by creating superheroes who lived in a world mirroring our own, allowing for the development of incredibly popular characters and stories. Marvel heroes stand out; where DC heroes often portray gods attempting to be human, Marvel’s heroes are humans striving for godlike status. This relatability has been key to their enduring popularity, and the MCU’s spotlight only amplified it.

While DC Comics got a bit of a jumpstart, Marvel quickly caught up. Marvel’s heroes are now among the most beloved fictional characters of all time, captivating fans for generations. These ten Marvel heroes are particularly popular, becoming a special part of the lives of millions of people.

10) Black Widow

I’ve seen a lot of debate about which Marvel superheroine is the most popular. Some people think it’s Scarlet Witch, while others argue for Storm or Jean Grey, and a lot will say it’s Captain Marvel. But for me, it’s definitely Black Widow. I mean, she’s really transformed over the years, going from a villainous Soviet spy to the Avengers’ top agent. She’s been incredibly lucky to be played by Scarlet Johansson in the MCU, and even got her own movie! Plus, there have been so many Black Widow comics over the years, and she’s been part of amazing teams like the Champions and the Avengers. To me, she’s not only Marvel’s most popular female character, but also one of the toughest.

9) Black Panther

Black Panther used to be considered a lesser-known Marvel hero. He had a dedicated fanbase among comic book readers, but wasn’t widely recognized before the rise of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). However, things changed dramatically in the 21st century. Black Panther has starred in many comic series, and when his inclusion in the MCU was announced, acclaimed writer Ta-Nehisi Coates was chosen to write the character, bringing even more focus to the King of Wakanda. Since then, Black Panther has become a box office success with a billion-dollar movie and has risen to become one of Marvel’s most beloved characters. Black Panther is now an icon, transcending the typical superhero role to become a significant cultural symbol of Afro-futurism.

8) Thor

Thor has consistently been a well-liked character. He was a key figure in early Marvel comics-the Silver Age-and was considered one of Marvel’s three leading heroes, alongside Captain America and Iron Man. This trio was Marvel’s response to DC’s famous Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman. A foundational member of the Avengers, Thor has also headlined several comic book series. While he’s seen various adaptations over time, his popularity truly soared with the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Thor became a fan favorite within the MCU, and despite the varying opinions on his most recent film, he continues to be widely loved. Currently, the God of Thunder is starring in a new, successful comic series, The Mortal Thor, and remains one of Marvel’s most powerful and popular heroes ever.

7) Miles Morales

Miles Morales is a hugely popular hero in the Marvel Universe, carrying on the legacy of Spider-Man. He first appeared in the Ultimate Fallout series, which followed the death of the Spider-Man in the Ultimate Universe. Miles quickly gained a large fanbase and was later integrated into the main 616 Marvel Universe. His popularity wasn’t forced; being a Spider-Man helped, but he resonated with readers the same way Peter Parker did in the 1960s-a relatable character people could see themselves in. Over time, Miles expanded beyond comics, becoming well-known through adaptations like the Spider-Verse movie and the Playstation Spider-Man games. Miles’s popularity continues to increase, and he’s now more popular than many other Marvel characters.

6) Captain America

While Namor and the Human Torch appeared earlier, Captain America was the first truly major Marvel superhero. He quickly became incredibly popular and a symbol of strength during World War II. His popularity continued through the years, with ups and downs, but really soared when the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) brought him to a wider audience-reaching the same level of recognition he had with comic book fans. Captain America is now seen as the quintessential heroic leader, embodying the best qualities of the United States. He’s the ideal Marvel hero, and his lasting popularity demonstrates that.

5) Iron Man

While Iron Man has always been a significant hero, he wasn’t widely popular for many years. He was well-known for his powerful armor and his roles in groups like the Avengers and the Illuminati, but he truly gained mainstream popularity thanks to Robert Downey Jr.’s portrayal in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Some might say he became the most popular Marvel character, but this popularity is relatively recent, starting around 2008, so labeling him the *most* popular of all time feels inaccurate. Iron Man has become a legend, and even though his comic book sales aren’t as strong as some others, he enjoys considerable popularity.

4) Deadpool

Deadpool first appeared in comics in the early 1990s and quickly became one of the best-selling characters. His popularity grew throughout the decade, especially after his own comic series launched and his personality shifted – he evolved from a comedic villain into more of a comedic anti-hero. Since then, Deadpool’s popularity has skyrocketed. His unique humor – constantly breaking the fourth wall – and penchant for violence turned him into an icon, and he became a staple at stores like Hot Topic across the country. He’s continued to gain fans with adaptations to other media, and the Deadpool movies are now among Marvel’s biggest hits. It’s still surprising to many Marvel fans just how much of a superstar Deadpool has become.

3) Hulk

As a long-time film and comic book fan, I’ve always been fascinated by the Hulk. It’s amazing to think that even though the original The Incredible Hulk comic series only ran for six issues, the character steadily grew in popularity. He eventually got his own comic back and really became one of Marvel’s biggest stars. I remember watching his TV show back in the ’70s and ’80s – it was a classic! And just like his strength when he gets angry, his popularity has just kept growing. He’s been in so many animated series, video games, and of course, movies – and the MCU has definitely helped take him to the next level. Lately, the Hulk comics have been doing some really interesting things with the horror genre, with series like The Immortal Hulk introducing him to a whole new generation who maybe didn’t read the old Peter David run. Honestly, the Hulk is more popular now than ever, and that’s saying something considering just how popular he *used* to be!

2) Wolverine

Wolverine is considered the very best at what he does, and that’s building a huge fanbase. He initially showed up as an unexpected addition to a fight between the Hulk and the Wendigo, but really became well-known as the outspoken, independent member of the X-Men. Ever since then, Wolverine’s popularity has grown incredibly quickly, quickly becoming more popular than almost any other Marvel character – and truthfully, most superheroes in general – ultimately becoming an icon. Wolverine has appeared in pretty much every type of media that features superheroes, and is recognizable even to people who’ve never read a comic book or seen his movies. He’s become a true legend, starring in incredibly successful comics and contributing to the overall popularity of superheroes.

1) Spider-Man

While Marvel’s Silver Age was gaining traction, it wasn’t until Spider-Man appeared that their unique approach to superheroes truly succeeded. Spider-Man was a hero people could really connect with-more like the readers themselves than any other hero at the time-and that connection quickly boosted his popularity. Not only is Spider-Man Marvel’s most popular character-he was the first to headline multiple solo comic series simultaneously-but he’s arguably the most popular superhero of all time, with only Superman and Batman possibly being more well-known. Spider-Man has appeared in every kind of superhero media you can imagine, and remains one of the most cherished superheroes ever.

https://comicbook.com/comics/news/10-greatest-marvel-stories-of-the-2020s/embed/#

2025-10-03 15:16