10 Greatest New Marvel Heroes of the Last 10 Years

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Marvel’s comic book lineup has always changed, with new heroes appearing to add different abilities, represent diverse backgrounds, and prevent the universe from feeling outdated. However, in the past decade, it’s felt like Marvel has been carefully building a connected and evolving world of heroes, rather than just adding characters randomly.

We’re seeing a trend at Marvel where they’re updating classic heroes by building on their stories instead of completely replacing them. This allows them to introduce new characters while still honoring the originals, and it opens up possibilities for different versions of the same hero to coexist in various comics with unique styles. Additionally, Marvel is focusing more on younger heroes and team-ups, not just for popularity, but to create a more dynamic and relatable world within the Marvel Universe.

10. Aero (Lei Ling) — Aero (2019)

Lei Ling is a fresh, modern addition to Marvel’s heroes. Rooted in Shanghai, her powers focus on controlling air in a visually clear and exciting way. Her unique design and how she moves in action feel like she’s a core global hero, not just a temporary visitor to New York.

She has a compelling dual life – as an architect and a superhero – which creates interesting story possibilities. While some of her initial adventures focused more on establishing her world and character, she’s a relatively recent addition to Marvel, bringing a fresh perspective and broadening the universe’s overall style and feel.

9. Sword Master (Lin Lie) — Sword Master (2019)

Lin Lie is a new hero with a compelling origin story: he’s connected to an incredibly powerful and potentially dangerous sword steeped in ancient myths. Unlike many Marvel heroes who gain their powers from science or radiation, Lin Lie’s story draws inspiration from martial arts fantasy and Chinese mythology, making him stand out.

He’s a successful character because Marvel designed him to fit into many different stories. He’s strong enough to carry his own adventures, work well with teams, and his core idea naturally creates interesting personal struggles. However, when larger storylines try to force him into bigger roles, it often detracts from the smaller, more personal moments that originally made him popular.

8. Spider-Boy (Bailey Briggs) — Spider-Man (2023)

Spider-Boy’s introduction was a gamble – a new sidekick suddenly appearing as if he’d always been part of the story. This kind of storytelling trick could easily have failed, but Bailey, the character, remains likable because he’s well-defined, genuinely kind, and really wants to find a place where he belongs.

He’s gained recognition because Marvel quickly made him an appealing character, even for those who doubted him. However, his success hinges on future development; he needs compelling, original villains and overarching storylines that are unique to him, rather than relying on connections to Spider-Man. If Marvel invests in that, he has the potential to become a major character, not just a memorable side note.

7. Kid Kaiju (Kei Kawade) — Monsters Unleashed (2017)

Kei Kawade’s ability is straight out of a comic book: he can bring his drawings to life as enormous monsters, even creating creatures similar to those seen in Marvel comics. This visually striking power lends itself to exciting, dynamic scenes and the kind of large-scale, imaginative moments that make superhero comics so enjoyable.

The character’s very existence creates built-in conflict, which is compelling. A young person with powers based on imagination should be prone to causing trouble, and the story acknowledges that possibility. However, he hasn’t been challenged enough since he first appeared, leaving him feeling like he has more potential than established importance.

6. Captain Britain (Betsy Braddock) — Excalibur (2019)

When Betsy Braddock became Captain Britain during the Krakoan age, it marked a significant shift for Marvel. It placed a character with a complicated past into a role steeped in national legend. The Excalibur series focused on the political intrigue, magic, and identity struggles of Otherworld, and Betsy’s guidance provided a strong central focus for that part of the X-Men universe.

Betsy ranking so highly is well-deserved because her transformation into Captain Britain felt meaningful within the story, creating real challenges and conflict rather than just a superficial change. While the story occasionally got bogged down in complicated details, making Betsy Captain Britain was one of Marvel’s best decisions for a character taking on a new role in recent years.

5. Riri Williams / Ironheart — Invincible Iron Man (2016)

Riri Williams first appeared with a tough task: establishing her own identity after Tony Stark without seeming like a copy. Her most compelling stories focus on her drive, smarts, and strong will, while also acknowledging the unique pressures she faces as a young Black innovator in the public eye.

Riri Williams achieves this high ranking because she’s become a consistent and important part of the Marvel universe, not just a temporary character. While the quality of her stories hasn’t always been consistent, and some writers have focused too much on making her similar to Iron Man, Ironheart truly shines when the focus is on her own unique goals and struggles. Then, she feels like a character who represents the future, instead of simply filling someone else’s shoes.

4. Gwenpool (Gwen Poole) — The Unbelievable GwenPool (2016)

Gwenpool started as a playful, self-aware comic, but quickly became one of Marvel’s most clever characters in recent years. Her stories aren’t just jokes; they explore real stakes like the fear of being cancelled, the struggle to stay popular, and the unsettling idea that stories dictate our lives.

This comic stands out because the character developed quickly and maintains a strong emotional core. It successfully establishes a unique identity, avoiding the trap of simply being a female version of another hero, despite some similar marketing. When the story focuses on Gwen’s inner struggles and cleverness rather than relying on easy jokes, she becomes remarkably relatable – a level of emotional depth rarely seen in superhero comics.

3. Nadia Van Dyne / The Wasp

Nadia filled a crucial role for Marvel: she’s a hopeful, inspiring hero who also has a strong will. Though connected to an existing character through her father, Hank Pym, she quickly became her own person, with a unique voice that was quick-witted, engaging, and focused on important topics like mental health and the value of friendship.

Nadia consistently ranks among the best because she’s redefined what a classic hero can be. Her most compelling stories focus on building things up and helping others, rather than simply defeating villains of the week. While Marvel hasn’t always given her the attention she deserves, her character is remarkably impactful, often exceeding the success of more heavily promoted heroes.

2. Ms. Marvel (Kamala Khan)

While Kamala Khan first appeared slightly more than ten years ago, she truly became Marvel’s most important modern teenage hero over the last decade thanks to consistent and prominent storylines. Her character feels genuine, her family and community play a central role, and she’s a compassionate hero who still stands her ground.

Kamala’s popularity stems from her ability to seamlessly fit into the Marvel Universe – something the studio often strives for with new heroes but doesn’t always achieve. She excels in everything from local, street-level adventures to massive team-ups with the Avengers, and her story beautifully balances action with personal growth. What makes her truly stand out is her compelling personality, which remains central to her character even when plot details become complicated – it’s this genuine quality, not just flashy powers, that keeps fans engaged.

1. Spider-Man (Miles Morales)

Miles Morales first appeared in 2011, but it’s been the last ten years that have really established him as a major hero in the main Marvel Universe. He’s had consistent solo comic series and a well-developed group of supporting characters. The best Miles Morales stories explore the pressures of family, the weight of responsibility, and his need to prove himself. He’s number one because Marvel successfully made a second Spider-Man feel vital and unique, not just a copy. Miles has developed his own distinct style, a strong connection to his community, and powers that set him apart in action sequences while still respecting Peter Parker’s legacy.

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2026-02-13 03:43