10 Powerful Marvel Animals Who Deserve To Be Avengers (Including a Dead One)

Rocket Raccoon reappeared in Marvel Comics in 2025 within the Amazing Spider-Man comic series, where he’s working to help Peter Parker return to Earth after being kidnapped. While Rocket is skilled enough to potentially challenge even the Avengers, he isn’t actually the most powerful animal superhero in the Marvel Universe. Marvel has featured animal characters since its beginnings, consistently showing that these creatures are just as significant as the superheroes and villains, often inspiring their powers and personalities.

Whether they’re partners to superheroic humans in Marvel Comics or completely self-sufficient, here’s a rundown of the most powerful animals in the Marvel Universe – some of them could even outmatch the Avengers!

10) Tippy-Toe

Squirrel Girl is known for being unbeatable. But she doesn’t achieve this alone; she’s constantly assisted by a team of squirrels. Leading this squirrel squad is Tippy-Toe. Together with Tippy-Toe, Squirrel Girl has overcome powerful foes like Doctor Doom and Thanos, and she’s even managed to humble Galactus – all through the power of friendship.

Tippy-Toe is an Eastern grey squirrel and the closest friend of Squirrel Girl. She has the typical abilities of a squirrel and loves nuts. Although she may not appear powerful, Tippy-Toe is just as important as Squirrel Girl in achieving many of their wins. She’s a key part of the team!

9) Bats the Ghost Dog

Bats was a heartbroken dog. He was originally just a typical basset hound whose owner passed away from a heart attack, and at 16 years old, he found himself at an animal shelter. After losing his position as Sorcerer Supreme, Stephen Strange became a vet and took Bats in. He then used magic to allow the dog to talk to him. Unfortunately, Loki attacked Doctor Strange, and while trying to intervene, Bats suffered a heart attack and passed away.

Following the fight between Loki and Strange, Loki assisted in bringing Bats back to Strange – but as a spectral canine. Bats’ main ability is a spell for translation, letting him talk to anyone, and he can also take control of other people’s bodies. He’s a very good dog, and everyone adores him, even Wolverine.

8) Jeff the Land Shark

As a critic, I have to say Jeff the Land Shark is a real standout character in the Marvel Universe right now. He’s gone from a relatively obscure creation of MODOK to a fan favorite, boosted by his own comic series and a recent appearance in Marvel Rivals. The really charming thing is, even though MODOK *made* him, Jeff refused to be a villain! Instead, he found a home with Gwenpool when she was hanging with the West Coast Avengers. It’s a surprisingly sweet story, and I’m excited to see where Marvel takes this adorable land shark next.

Jeff quickly became a friend to many, including Kate Bishop, Elsa Bloodstone, and even Emma Frost. While incredibly smart, Jeff’s natural abilities are those of a land shark. He briefly possessed optic blasts after consuming a magical stone, but he lost those powers when he threw it up.

7) Howard the Duck

Howard the Duck is a duck with human-like qualities who comes from a different dimension. Originally, he lived on Duckworld, which is designated as Earth-791021. However, he was forced from his home dimension by Thog the Nether-Spawn, who used his powers to send him to Earth-616. There, he decided to stay and work as a private detective.

Let me tell you about this character – he’s a fascinating figure I’ve been following in the Marvel universe for a while now. He’s tangled with pretty much everyone, from Spider-Man to Rocket Raccoon, and their clashes are *intense* – a real rivalry there. What’s really interesting is how much trouble he’s caused the authorities. They were so fed up with him, around the time of the Civil War event, they basically tried to erase him from existence! As for what he *can do*, he’s incredibly fast – we’re talking super speed and reflexes. But it doesn’t stop there! He’s even studied the mystic arts with Doctor Strange himself. And get this – he’s a master of something called Quack Fu. Seriously, it’s a thing!

6) Lockheed

Lockheed is the place where the animal heroes from Marvel Comics become significantly more powerful. Lockheed is a dragon who was captured by the Brood, but the X-Men rescued him. He came back to Earth with Kitty Pryde and became a very close friend to her. He’s assisted the X-Men numerous times and has consistently been there for Kitty whenever she’s needed help. His abilities are quite powerful and destructive. He’s a truly formidable ally. And a loyal companion.

Besides flying and being incredibly durable, Lockheed can breathe fire – either as focused streams or broad bursts. He’s also immune to the dangers of fire and has even survived being in lava. Furthermore, he can understand any language and feels what others are feeling thanks to his empathic abilities. Despite his small size, Lockheed is surprisingly powerful.

5) Spider-Ham

Spider-Ham possesses spider-like abilities, much like Spider-Man from Earth-616. Peter Porker resides on Earth-8311, a world where animals with human characteristics take the place of Earth-616’s heroes. He originally started as a spider and was bitten by an irradiated pig named May Porker, which transformed him into a pig resembling her.

Spider-Ham shares the same abilities as Spider-Man, making him quite powerful due to his connection to the spider totem. But he also has a unique ability called Spider-Nonsense. Essentially, when facing extreme danger, he becomes even more like a classic cartoon character, meaning he’s virtually invulnerable – nothing seems to be able to hurt him at those times. It’s a funny and effective power!

4) Rocket Raccoon

Rocker Raccoon is a well-known animal hero from Marvel Comics, especially after appearing in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. But there’s a lot more to Rocket than just those films. Although the current version of the Guardians of the Galaxy isn’t always considered one of Marvel’s best teams in the comics, Rocket consistently stands out as one of the most compelling characters, alongside Star-Lord.

Although Star-Lord benefits from Nova’s presence to stay compelling, Rocket consistently shines in any story, proven by his team-ups with Howard the Duck and his upcoming appearance with Spider-Man in 2025. As a genetically enhanced raccoon, he possesses heightened raccoon senses, superior intelligence, strength, stamina, quick reflexes, and other abilities. He’s also highly proficient with all kinds of weapons, an excellent shooter, and a remarkably clever planner and military thinker.

3) Devil Dinosaur

I’m a huge fan of Devil Dinosaur! He’s not your average dino – he actually comes from another Earth, specifically Earth-78411, which is this incredible place called Dinosaur World and the home of Moon-Boy. But what really makes him special is his partnership with Moon-Girl. They share this amazing mental connection, letting them talk to each other without even speaking! It’s incredible. And beyond that, Devil Dinosaur isn’t just a powerful beast; he’s got intelligence on par with humans, combined with the superhuman strength and resilience you’d expect from a dinosaur of his size. He’s truly one of a kind!

He can be a little frightening, sporting a mouthful of sharp, shark-like teeth, but he’s generally a sweet and considerate creature towards those he cares about. His experiences on Earth have made him a skilled strategist. Alongside Moon-Girl, he now attends the new Avengers Academy, and together, they are among the team’s most powerful assets.

2) Lockjaw

Lockjaw is a beloved pet of the Inhumans Royal Family, and he’s also a very old character in Marvel Comics history. He first appeared along with the rest of the Inhumans in Fantastic Four #45 back in 1965. The Inhumans conducted experiments on dogs, and Lockjaw was the only one in his litter to be born with mutated powers. His special ability is teleportation, and he’s formed strong bonds with both Black Bolt, his King, and Crystal, becoming a close friend to her over time.

He has incredibly powerful teleportation abilities, capable of moving himself and others vast distances – up to 240,000 miles, the distance between Earth and the moon. Within the current Imperial storyline, he teleported Black Bolt to the location where the Grandmaster was hosting a game. Furthermore, he can track individuals across dimensions using his heightened sense of smell, essentially allowing him to follow them anywhere.

1) Throg

Throg, originally Simon Walterson, was once an Earth frog who unexpectedly received a portion of Thor’s power after a fragment of Mjolnir touched him. He then dedicated himself to protecting his fellow frogs, fighting off rats in New York City. Though this started as a local conflict, Throg was also taken to Asgard, where he’s fought alongside Thor against much larger dangers. Even though he doesn’t match Thor’s strength, Throg, wielding Frogjolnir, is still more powerful than a lot of heroes – even some of the Avengers.

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2025-10-05 03:42