7 Marvel Characters That Need More Variants in the MCU

In the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), they’ve started exploring alternate versions of beloved characters, with Loki and Doctor Strange paving the way, and Doctor Doom adding fuel to the fire. The idea has gained significant traction, and with Robert Downey Jr. joining the mix, fans can’t help but speculate about which other variants they’d like to see in future films or series. From fresh perspectives on Loki and Doctor Strange to witnessing heroes turn villainous from other realities, it’s an exciting time as the multiverse opens up endless possibilities. We’re all eagerly anticipating what’s next!

In the Marvel Comics multiverse, numerous breathtaking and indelible journeys have been made possible. The Spider-Verse series serves as one of the most evident instances, featuring countless Spider-themed superheroes. Additionally, Peter Parker, Doctor Strange, and Loki have all experienced significant attention within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), with their escapades introducing various alternate versions along the way.

In a practical sense, it’s delightful to imagine that each Marvel character might have at least one version appear in the MCU, but this could quickly become too much and confusing. Similarly, fresh heroes from the MCU (like the X-Men) are unlikely to receive variations for some time, to prevent any potential confusion.

1) Reed Richards

Marvel Comics features a multitude of Reed Richards variations. While Earth-616’s Reed Richards is widely recognized as a hero, not all his counterparts share this status. For example, there’s The Maker from Earth-1610, who ventured beyond his original universe. There’s also the infamous zombie Reed Richards and Alpha Reed Richards (one of the three Council of Reeds founders). Notably, fans should pay close attention to The Maker’s storyline, as many anticipate that upcoming Fantastic Four films will feature him in an intriguing way.

No need to fret, not every version of Reed Richards embodies villainy. Given the multiverse context, creators have been granted freedom to delve into diverse themes and character compositions. For instance, Reed Richards from Earth-65 is a gifted child who lacks a superhero team, yet he supports Spider-Gwen when she seeks assistance.

2) Tony Stark

Tony Stark, played by Robert Downey Jr., is undeniably one of the prime candidates for this list, considering the intriguing possibilities presented by his portrayal of Doctor Doom. Until audiences can watch the movies and learn how their backstories intertwine, we’re left in suspense to discover whether Doctor Doom is a version of Tony or vice versa.

As a diehard fan of Tony Stark, I can’t help but notice the vast array of Tony Stark variants in Marvel Comics. Given his popularity, it’s no surprise that whenever we venture into alternate universes like Ultimate or Marvel 2099, you’re bound to find a version of him somewhere in the storyline. What’s more, there are even evil versions of Tony Stark, such as the one from Earth-42777 (Exiles) and the Superior Iron Man introduced during the Axis crossover.

To put it concisely, the possibilities for introducing Tony Stark/Iron Man variants within the MCU are virtually endless. For instance, in Earth-TRN591, he’s the Sorcerer Supreme (Iron), and Earth-5012 introduced the Iron Maniac, ironically the sane one in his universe. There’s also an intriguing variant that merged Tony Stark with Hal Jordan for The Amalgam Universe.

3) Thor

In Marvel Comics, Thor is a highly recognized figure, which means there are numerous interpretations of him. Within the Earth-616 universe alone, we find different versions such as Beta Ray Bill, Jane Foster, and Ragnarok. Furthermore, readers have encountered various incarnations of Thor from alternate timelines and distant eras. The concept of Warp World combined characters from Earth-616 to produce unique spin-offs, like Iron Hammer (a fusion of Tony Stark and Iron Man).

In numerous universes, it’s no surprise that Thor assumes the role as leader and protector for his people. The Ultimate Universe’s Thor (Earth-1610) exhibits extraordinary strength, perhaps even surpassing Hulk, yet a significant portion of this power is derived from his belt. Conversely, Earth-56337’s Thor remains heroic but lacks the worthiness to wield Mjolnir, instead becoming the God of Fists. It’s quite fitting. Variants of Thor include Thor the Destroyer (Earth-15726) and Old King Thor (Earth-14412). What sets these versions apart is that their powers can stem from various sources or not exist at all, with the character itself sometimes being replaced by another, adding even more diversity to the storyline. Lastly, let’s not forget Doctor Doom’s army of Thors – the chaos they bring is now possible thanks to Doom.

4) Steve Rogers

It’s not unexpected that Captain America, much like Thor, boasts numerous versions. Some well-known interpretations can be found within Earth-616, such as other characters assuming the role after Steve Rogers. Additionally, he played a part in Warp World, where Soldier Supreme was essentially a combination of Doctor Strange and Steve Rogers. It’s worth noting that one notable variant has already surfaced in the MCU: Captain Carter. This isn’t exactly the same as the comic book version, but it does offer a glimpse for viewers.

Indeed, Steve Rogers has taken on various exciting incarnations across different realities! For instance, we’ve got Stephen Rogers from Earth-4103, who went by Captain Colonies, then there’s Steve Mouser, alias Captain Americat. Not to forget, the characters that took up the Captain America mantle: Danielle Cage on Earth-15061, Roberta Mendez in 2099, Kiyoshi Morales on Earth-11831, Samantha Wilson on Earth-65, and numerous others. The creative minds have been tirelessly crafting diverse versions of Captain America, and they certainly haven’t disappointed us!

5) Hulk

It’s somewhat unexpected that there haven’t been more versions of the Hulk character in the MCU, given his prominence. Just like other characters in the universe, there are several different interpretations of the Hulk within the Earth-616 comic book continuity, such as Amadeus Cho. Over time, Bruce Banner and the Hulk have undergone numerous transformations – turning red, grey, assuming a professor persona, becoming a gladiator, and even destroying planets.

In the multiverse of Marvel Comics, I’ve embarked on an exploration beyond Earth-616, where the Hulk’s tales are just unfolding. One of the most formidable variants is probably Maestro from Earth-9200, a future Hulk who’s as brutal and relentless as they come. The Hulk on Earth-1610, however, took a darker turn, becoming grey and transforming into a villain with cannibalistic tendencies.

Another powerful incarnation of this iconic hero hails from Earth-6160, where the Hulk was intended to be a pacifist but swiftly gained power, aligning himself with secret societies and concocting elaborate schemes. Yet another variant includes Breaker-Apart from Earth-TRN781, Pappy Banner from Earth-807128, and the zombified Hulk from Earth-2149.

In summary, the Hulk’s journey in alternate realities is as diverse as it gets – from pacifist to ruthless dictator, cannibalistic villain, and even an undead monster. It’s fascinating to see how the Green Goliath adapts to each universe’s unique challenges and circumstances!

6) Wolverine

As a die-hard Marvel fan, I can’t help but appreciate the enigmatic character that is Wolverine. He’s a chaotic yet iconic figure in the Marvel Universe, and his complexity has left fans intrigued for decades. We’ve caught glimpses of various versions of him through stories like Deadpool & Wolverine, and the Fox films have brought Old Man Logan to life. It’s no surprise that there are countless interpretations of this hero scattered across the multiverse. Some of these alternate-universe Wolverines can get quite peculiar, such as Earth-13729’s Jubilee who took up his mantle.

In different realities, we find unique versions of Wolverine. On Earth-9997, Wolverine attempted (but failed) to retire. In Earth-1281, his name wasn’t James but Jane. On Earth-2099, Wolverine transformed into Nova, quite a shocking turn of events. Earth-6160 saw him take on the Winter Soldier role. More recently, in the Ultimate universe, Wolverine was defeated by Magneto in an ultimate (pun intended) attack. Zombie versions of Wolverine exist in places like Earth-2149, while Marvel’s What If? Comics introduced a vampire Wolverine for those who prefer the supernatural.

7) Jessica Jones

It might astonish some devotees to learn that Jessica Jones boasts several unique versions of herself, numerous which were showcased during Gail Simone’s “The Variants”. Known for her extraordinary power, Jessica Jones has abandoned the notion of a superhero alias. She operates as a private investigator with a touch of edginess, although Marvel fans and characters find themselves drawn to her charm. Similar to others, Jessica Jones also has a version from 2099 and even a zombie version (on Earth-11080).

While not all versions of Jessica Jones may appear heroic to others, Jessica (Earth-TRN989) is far from it. Known as Jewel in some realities, this Jessica uses blackmail to manipulate numerous Jessica Jones counterparts for nefarious purposes on Earth-616. Other variants include Captain America (Earth-TRN988), Knightress (Earth-TRN989), and Omega (Earth-TRN987). Some other versions, like Power-Woman, Mourning Blush, Revision, Ultra-Jess, Sigil, and more, have made brief appearances but their origins remain unknown. As Jessica Jones’ story is currently tied to the Netflix series, it seems unlikely we’ll see any of her variants anytime soon unless the Marvel Cinematic Universe decides to introduce them creatively.

https://comicbook.com/comics/news/10-versions-of-doctor-strange-ranked/embed/#

2025-07-14 17:12