10 Oldest Marvel Heroes Ever, Ranked

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As a lifelong Marvel fan, it’s amazing to think about how deeply built-out their universe has become over the years! It’s not just about superheroes on Earth; it’s a whole web of gods, aliens, and different realities. Sure, Earth often faces huge threats trying to wipe everything out, but there are equally powerful beings dedicated to protecting all those worlds and everyone in them. Some of my favorite heroes are actually ancient gods, who’ve been around for millions, even billions of years, always fighting to keep the innocent safe. They’ve seen everything – the rise of humanity, the evolution of the universe… it’s incredible to imagine!

Whether they’re otherworldly beings from outer space or powerful, mysterious gods, these are some of the oldest and most legendary heroes in the Marvel universe.

10) Thor

Thor, the God of Thunder, is incredibly old – over a million years! He’s the oldest of the original Avengers. Born to Odin and the Earth goddess Gaea, his birth was even attended by Firehair, an early human with powerful abilities. He earned his magical hammer, Mjolnir, when he was just eight years old and has spent millennia exploring the Nine Realms with his brother, Loki. Throughout history, Thor became a god to the Vikings, known for his strength and control over storms. But it wasn’t until he was banished from Asgard by Odin that he truly learned the value of humility. With countless years of fighting experience, Thor is now one of the Avengers’ most powerful and skilled warriors.

9) Eternals

About a million years ago, a powerful alien race called the Celestials came to Earth and conducted experiments on humans. These experiments created two groups: 100 monstrous and ruthless Deviants, and 100 beautiful and heroic Eternals. The Eternals, who are immortal and have superpowers, quickly developed advanced technology and built the secret city of Olympia. Since then, they’ve been secretly protecting humans from the dangerous Deviants. Many famous figures from mythology – like Ikaris, Thena, Sersi, Gilgamesh, and Makkari – were actually inspired by these Eternals. While they generally prefer to stay hidden now, the Eternals will step in and help if the world faces a major crisis.

8) Valkyrie

Brunnhilde, the powerful leader of Asgard’s all-female warriors known as the Valkyries, is a legendary soldier. Born a princess of Wrlstead Arms long ago – even before Thor – she experienced great loss when her love, Sigmund, was killed during Odin’s conquest of her city. To honor Sigmund’s bravery, Odin granted him a place in paradise and chose Brunnhilde to become the first Valkyrie. As a Valkyrie, her sacred duty was to guide the souls of fallen warriors to Valhalla. Grateful for Odin’s kindness towards Sigmund and given this important role, Brunnhilde faithfully served Asgard for millennia.

7) Odin

Odin, the oldest and wisest of the Asgardian gods, has guarded the Nine Realms for millions of years. While his origins are a mystery, it’s known that he and his brothers, Vili and Ve, killed the Frost Giant Ymir and built the Nine Realms from his remains. He also conquered the God Tempest, a dangerous cosmic storm, and imprisoned it within Uru metal. Later, this Uru would be used to create the powerful hammer Mjolnir. Interestingly, the forging of Mjolnir unintentionally caused the extinction event that wiped out the dinosaurs 65 million years ago. As the founder and long-time ruler of Asgard, Odin is one of the most powerful gods in the Marvel Universe.

6) Gaea

Gaea, a powerful and conscious spirit representing the Earth itself, is as ancient as the planet – over four billion years old. When her siblings fell to the influence of a primal evil, she birthed the sun-god Atem to battle corrupted ancient gods. As the last of those ancient beings remaining on Earth, Gaea merged her life force with the planet and guided the development of all living things. Over countless millennia, she became the mother of nearly all the world’s gods, with Thor being one of her most famous children. Gaea fiercely protects all her creations, from powerful deities to the smallest plants, shielding them from cosmic threats like Dormammu and the Celestials.

5) The Watcher

The Watchers are an ancient, immortal race from the planet Lumina, and they’ve been observing the universe for billions of years without taking sides. Uatu is their most well-known member, tasked with monitoring Earth from a base on the Moon – and also keeping an eye on different versions of Earth across the multiverse. While the Watchers are meant to remain neutral, Uatu grew fond of humanity and repeatedly broke their rules to assist Earth’s heroes, particularly the Fantastic Four, when facing world-ending threats like Galactus, the Over-Mind, and the Beyonder.

4) Silver Surfer

It’s incredible to think about the Silver Surfer’s history. When he first showed up in comics back in ’65, he was ‘young’ – only a century old! But things changed drastically in 2017. He somehow became older than the entire universe! He was trying to travel back in time, but messed up and ended up in a previous multiverse, one that existed before everything we know. He actually saw the destruction and recreation of that multiverse, billions of years ago! But he couldn’t get back to our present. So, he did the only thing he could: he waited. He made himself invisible and untouchable and just… waited. For over thirteen billion years! He silently observed everything, including the Watchers as they evolved and even the very first moments of Galactus’s existence, until finally, he arrived back in the present day. It’s a truly mind-blowing story!

3) Lifebringer One

Within the Marvel Comics universe, the multiverse is constantly being destroyed and recreated, with the current main storyline unfolding in what’s called the Seventh Cosmos. Long ago, during the Third Cosmos, there existed a supremely powerful being named Lifebringer One. He represented light, life, creation, and order, and wasn’t limited by the normal laws of science or magic. Considered the very first hero, Lifebringer One fought against the destructive force known as the Anti-All, using a powerful sword. Their conflict lasted through many versions of the multiverse, until Lifebringer One, with the help of the Defenders, finally defeated the Anti-All during the Seventh Cosmos.

2) Living Tribunal

The Living Tribunal is one of the oldest and most powerful beings in existence, representing balance across the entire multiverse. Acting as the ultimate judge and a direct extension of the creator god, the One Below All, the Tribunal steps in only when the whole of reality is at risk of collapsing into chaos. Having witnessed the creation and destruction of countless universes with his nearly limitless power, the Living Tribunal was surprisingly defeated and killed by the incredibly powerful Beyonders during an event known as the Seventh Cosmos. Afterwards, the One Below All appointed the hero Adam Warlock to take on the Tribunal’s cosmic duties.

1) One Above All

The One Above All is the most powerful being in the Marvel Universe, existing even before time began. It created everything, starting with the empty realm of Oblivion, and then brought forth time, space, and the entire multiverse. While capable of anything and knowing everything, the One Above All generally allows free will, preferring that both mortals and gods shape their own destinies. It safeguards its creation from powerful, ancient evils like the One Below All and the Mother of Horrors, and will always ensure new life emerges, even if the multiverse is destroyed and reborn.

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2026-01-12 20:16