7 Underrated Marvel Vigilantes That Still Need an MCU Appearance

Marvel Studios is intentionally growing its universe to include more realistic, street-level stories, particularly those set in New York City. The positive reception to the first season of *Daredevil: Born Again* showed that audiences want these kinds of down-to-earth tales featuring characters like Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox). Because of this success, Marvel is already planning multiple seasons of *Born Again*-a second is scheduled for March 2026, and a third is in the works. This expansion will also bring back popular characters from the past, with Krysten Ritter confirmed to return as Jessica Jones in season two, and Mike Coulter hinting at a return as Luke Cage.

The success of recent Marvel shows is leading to a renewed focus on grounded, street-level stories. A special presentation starring Jon Bernthal as The Punisher is planned for 2026, giving the character his own dedicated series. The next Spider-Man movie, officially titled *Spider-Man: Brand New Day*, will also shift away from large-scale cosmic events and focus on a more personal adventure, even pairing Peter Parker (Tom Holland) with The Punisher. The introduction of White Tiger (Kamar de los Reyes) in *Born Again* proved audiences are receptive to lesser-known heroes, paving the way for other underrated characters to finally get their moment in the spotlight.

7) Steel Spider

Ollie Osnick was a gifted but troubled teen who originally looked up to Doctor Octopus. He used his talent for engineering to build his own set of mechanical tentacles and tried being a criminal for a short time. After meeting Spider-Man, he decided to change his ways and rebuilt his technology into a powerful armored suit, becoming the hero Steel Spider. The suit features four strong, robotic spider-arms controlled by a cybernetic system, plus gadgets like wrist-mounted launchers and grappling hooks.

Ollie, known as Steel Spider, is a legally registered superhero who has worked with the New Warriors. He stands out from other New York heroes because he’s inspired by a Spider-Man villain and has a strong background in engineering.

6) Ricochet

Johnny Gallo, also known as Ricochet, is a mutant hero who gained recognition as one of the first young heroes to take on a classic Spider-Man alias. He has enhanced agility and reflexes, plus a special sense that alerts him to danger. Ricochet fights using expertly thrown, custom-made discs, and is a skilled fighter who uses acrobatic moves to dodge attacks and defeat his enemies.

Ricochet started as one of the original members of the Slingers, a team of teenage superheroes. He later joined the Loners, a group that helped former young heroes adjust to life after crime-fighting. His story often explores the challenges of being a young hero trying to find his place and prove himself alongside more experienced and powerful figures. He’s a street-level fighter, perfectly adapted to the quick pace of New York City, and embodies the spirit of a classic underdog.

5) The Shroud

Naman Crowl is The Shroud, a crimefighter who relies on secrecy and fear to stop criminals. Driven by the murder of his parents, he became dedicated to fighting crime and joined the Cult of Kali. During a ritual, he received a mystical brand that took his sight but gave him heightened senses and a connection to a powerful dimension known as the Darkforce. This allows him to create and control pure darkness, using it to confuse and disorient enemies while he moves through the shadows unseen.

The Shroud operates using harsh methods, putting him in the same category as heroes like Daredevil and Moon Knight. Though he fights for what’s right, his frightening reputation and brutal approach make him a terrifying presence to criminals. He largely avoids teamwork, preferring to work solo, which reinforces his image as one of Marvel’s most mysterious and isolated agents.

4) Tigra

Tigra’s origin story is quite unique in the Marvel Universe. It began with Greer Grant Nelson, who initially fought crime as a skilled but powerless hero called The Cat. After suffering a life-threatening injury, she was saved by a magical ceremony conducted by the Cat People – a race of magically evolved felines. This ritual merged her spirit with that of a powerful Cat People warrior, transforming her into Tigra, a hybrid of human and tiger. As Tigra, she gained incredible strength, speed, and agility, along with tiger-like claws, fangs, and enhanced senses.

Tigra is a seasoned hero and a long-standing member of the Avengers, known for fighting powerful, universe-threatening enemies. Despite this, her natural skills and aggressive fighting style are especially useful in city environments. A key part of her story is the tension between her human mind and her wild, animal instincts, which creates a fascinating internal conflict as she fights for good.

3) Night Thrasher

Dwayne Taylor, also known as Night Thrasher, created and leads the New Warriors, a team of young heroes who are committed to fighting crime their way. After his parents were killed, he trained relentlessly to become incredibly physically fit and skilled in martial arts. Though he doesn’t have superpowers, Night Thrasher uses his wealth to finance the team’s activities. He protects himself with a high-tech suit of armor and employs various gadgets, including escrima sticks and a specially designed armored skateboard for fast movement.

Okay, let me tell you about Night Thrasher. He’s really the heart and soul of the New Warriors team. He’s incredibly smart when it comes to tactics, but what *drives* him is a really powerful, personal anger – his family suffered a terrible injustice. That makes him a classic vigilante, honestly. He didn’t get his powers, he *made* himself into a hero through rigorous training, his own resources, and sheer willpower. And he’s totally focused on the gritty, everyday crimes happening on the streets, which makes him one of the most committed heroes when it comes to protecting regular people.

2) Prowler

Hobie Brown was the original Prowler, a gifted engineer who created a high-tech suit because he felt stuck in his career. The suit was incredibly advanced, equipped with gauntlets that shot gas and darts, climbing claws, and a gliding cape. After a first encounter with Spider-Man, Hobie decided to give up crime and use his skills to help people instead.

Hobie Brown, as the Prowler, became a dependable friend to Spider-Man, using his knowledge of New York City to help the hero. He’s a great example of someone who changed their life for the better and became a well-respected crime fighter. Unfortunately, it’s unlikely we’ll see this version of the Prowler again, as the *Spider-Verse* movies jumped ahead and reimagined Hobie as Spider-Punk.

1) Black Cat

Felicia Hardy, better known as the Black Cat, is a famous and incredibly stealthy thief in the Marvel universe. She started out as a highly skilled acrobat and martial artist, relying on her physical abilities to pull off daring heists. Later, an experiment gave her the power to subtly control luck, creating misfortune for her opponents. This manifests as things going wrong for them – equipment failing, attacks missing – in ways that shouldn’t happen, making her a very dangerous enemy.

As a movie critic, I’ve always been fascinated by Black Cat. What really makes her tick isn’t just her skills – it’s her incredibly complex relationship with Spider-Man. She’s gone from being a straight-up villain to a valuable, though often unpredictable, teammate. Like Catwoman, she’s a hero who frequently operates outside the law, using questionable methods to achieve good. But it’s her deep ties to Spidey’s world, combined with her unique abilities, that make her absolutely essential to the vibrant, chaotic landscape of New York’s masked heroes.

Who else from Marvel’s comics would you like to see join the MCU? Share your thoughts in the comments and discuss with other fans on the ComicBook Forum!

2025-09-20 01:11