Marvel’s First 10 Superheroes, Ranked by Importance

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I’ve always been fascinated by superheroes, and it’s amazing to think about how long they’ve been around! While Superman really kicked things off in 1939, there were heroes in stories even before him. Once Superman became popular, everyone wanted one! Marvel, back then known as Timely Comics, quickly jumped on the bandwagon and started creating their own heroes. We’ve already explored the first ten from DC, and now I’m excited to look at Timely Comics’ original ten heroes and try to rank them based on how important they were.

Just to clarify, we’re only including characters who first appeared as superheroes, and we’re judging their importance based on how much of an influence they had during their time and on Marvel’s overall history. While it’s easy to argue about what exactly makes a superhero, for this list, we’re looking for characters who actively fought crime and had some kind of recognizable costume or appearance. Having a secret identity isn’t necessary, but it’s a plus. Now that we’ve covered that, let’s go back to the beginning with Timely Comics.

10) Phantom Bullet

Debut in Daring Mystery Comics #2, December 1939.

Allan Lewis, a reporter for the Daily Bulletin, was tasked with covering a scientist who created a unique gun – it fired bullets made of ice that left no trace once they melted. When the scientist was murdered, Allan took up the weapon and became Phantom Bullet, seeking revenge. Despite debuting almost ninety years ago, Phantom Bullet quickly faded into obscurity, appearing only twice. He’s mainly remembered as the first hero to die while wearing a costume, as shown in The Marvels Project #2, but he didn’t have a lasting effect on the Marvel Universe.

9) Mister E

Debut in Daring Mystery Comics #2, December 1939.

Victor J. Goldstein, a rich athlete and businessman, adopted the name Mister E to conceal his Jewish background during a time of widespread antisemitism. Feeling unfulfilled by his luxurious life, he turned to crimefighting, where he faced a dangerous foe known as the Vampire, who used a deadly gas that caused hearts to burst. Similar to Phantom Bullet, Mister E only appeared in one comic book issue before fading into obscurity. However, he later became a prominent character in Twelve, a series where twelve Golden Age heroes were frozen during World War II and revived in the present day, much like Captain America.

8) Laughing Mask

Debut in Daring Mystery Comics #2, December 1939.

I first heard about Dennis Burton, or rather, the Laughing Mask, and I was immediately captivated. He was a frustrated assistant district attorney, constantly hitting roadblocks trying to convict the city’s gangs. So, he decided to become the justice he couldn’t find in court. It was such a striking image – a smiling Venetian mask meant to terrify the criminals he faced, and he wasn’t afraid to use his two .45s to deliver his own brand of justice. Though he only appeared briefly in Daring Mystery Comics – just three issues, believe it or not – he later became one of the twelve original Golden Age heroes featured in Twelve. What’s fascinating is that, despite being one of Marvel’s earliest vigilantes to really embrace a darker, more violent approach, he didn’t have a huge impact on the overall Marvel universe after that initial burst. Still, that initial image… it really stuck with me.

7) Dynamic Man

Debut in Mystic Comics #1, January 1940.

As a comic book fan, I always found Dynamic Man fascinating. He was this incredibly powerful android created by Professor Simon Goettler, who sadly passed away right after bringing him to life. Dynamic Man was designed to be a hero – he had super strength, could fly, and possessed enhanced senses – and he did appear in a few stories protecting humanity. But he’s probably best known as the main villain in the Twelve storyline. That’s where they revealed a really dark side to his origin – his creator was deeply prejudiced, and that actually shaped Dynamic Man’s future goal of essentially ‘cleansing’ the world of what he considered sin. Looking back, he’s clearly Marvel’s first take on a Superman-type character, even though he ended up becoming a villain. It’s a really interesting early example of a powerful android with a complicated backstory.

6) Electro

Debut in Marvel Mystery Comics #4, December 1939.

Electro wasn’t a supervillain like Spider-Man’s foes; he was a powerful robot created by the ingenious Professor Philo Zog to fight injustice globally. Dubbed the ‘Marvel of the Age,’ Electro was intended to combat crime, particularly during World War II. Like many heroes, he was frozen in time before the events of The Twelve. Though his impact beyond that period and a few adventures is limited, Electro holds a significant place in Marvel history as their second robotic hero. His design and abilities were more clearly robotic than those of the original Human Torch, potentially paving the way for future robotic characters. So far, he’s also appeared in more stories than anyone else on this list.

5) Firey Mask

Debut in Daring Mystery Comics #1, October 1939.

Dr. Jack Castle often assisted the police, and unexpectedly developed superpowers – the ability to control fire and enhanced strength – transforming him into a superhero. He publicly claimed these powers came from an accident involving a weapon created by the Zombie Master, but the truth is a dying criminal gave them to him, and Jack deliberately let him die to obtain them. Fire Mask is also part of the Twelve, a group of heroes who often appear in stories set during World War II. He doesn’t usually have a huge impact on events, but his absence would noticeably change certain storylines.

4) Phantom Reporter

Debut in Daring Mystery Comics #3, February 1940.

Dick Jones was a journalist frustrated by criminals getting away with their actions. He created the persona of the Phantom Reporter to personally bring them to justice. Though he didn’t appear in many stories before vanishing, he’s now become the main symbol of Darin Mystery Comics. He also starred in The Twelve, where he best represented the true spirit of heroism and inherited the powers of Firey Mask after his friend passed away. Even through difficult times, he remained dedicated to doing good, and is still actively fighting for justice today.

3) Angel

Debut in Marvel Comics #1, August 1939.

Thomas Halloway, a major figure from Marvel’s Golden Age, shouldn’t be mistaken for a character with the same name. He had a unique upbringing, being born and raised in prison after his mother passed away during childbirth. He became a doctor, but secretly fought crime as the hero known as the Angel. Unlike many heroes, he didn’t have superpowers – he relied on his intelligence and impressive skills. Halloway is a defining character of the era and even appeared in the Marvels Project comic, which showed the very start of superhero history. In fact, the Angel is officially recognized as the first hero to wear a costume, making him incredibly important to the entire Marvel Universe.

2) Human Torch

Debut in Marvel Comics #1, August 1939.

Forget the Johnny Storm you might know – the original Human Torch is Jim Hammond, and he’s a big deal. He was Marvel’s second superhero ever created and quickly became a key character. As the first android superhero, he uniquely blended human and machine, paving the way for Marvel to explore similar concepts later on. He fought throughout World War II, famously taking out Hitler, and even when he wasn’t in the spotlight, his influence remained strong. In fact, the Vision’s body was based on a copy of his! Though he’s not as well-known today, Jim Hammond is a foundational figure, and Marvel wouldn’t be what it is without him.

1) Namor

Debut in Motion Picture Funnies Weekly #1, April 1939.

Namor the Sub-Mariner holds a special place in Marvel history as the very first superhero the company published. He broke new ground as the first character to fly under his own power and the first Atlantean to appear in comics, playing a key role in shaping Marvel’s early years. Unlike many heroes who fade in popularity, Namor remained relevant throughout his publication, even though he often switched between being a hero and a villain. He’s become a complex and sometimes difficult character, but his influence is undeniable. He paved the way for many of Marvel’s most beloved heroes, and his impact can be felt throughout the entire Marvel Universe. Whether you like him or not, it’s clear that Marvel wouldn’t be what it is today without Namor.

Who’s your favorite Golden Age superhero? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-02-01 00:18