10 Marvel Characters That Were Almost Never Created

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It’s unlikely that a specific recipe exists for how writers and editors at Marvel Comics create new characters, but it seems plausible that once an overall story concept is formed, there’s a thoughtful approach to deciding which characters will be included or highlighted. Essentially, characters don’t usually pop up in a series by chance; instead, there’s typically a well-considered strategy explaining why they fit the story and what function they serve. However, there are some iconic Marvel characters whose presence was more serendipitous. In fact, due to a stroke of luck or a creative idiosyncrasy in the Marvel universe, some of these characters might never have made it onto the page.

In the world of storytelling, a “quirk” denotes characters that emerged spontaneously during the creative process rather than being initially envisioned. These characters might have appeared as late additions, replacements, alterations to predetermined characters, or sudden editorial innovations in the final stages. Essentially, these characters were not part of the original blueprint for the story or the creators’ initial plan but managed to find their place within the narrative due to an unforeseen creative twist or fortunate coincidence. Here is a list of some notable Marvel characters who almost didn’t come to be.

1) Apocalypse

It’s fair to conclude that Apocalypse played a groundbreaking role in the Marvel Comics universe, shaking things up significantly. Unlike many other superheroes, he doesn’t portray mutants as a recent development but rather as an ancient presence. Furthermore, he offers a convincing middle ground between Professor X’s philosophy of coexistence and Magneto’s view of perpetual struggle. Additionally, the “Age of Apocalypse” storyline served to revitalize Marvel’s mutant storylines, introducing influential characters such as Blink, X-Man, and Dark Beast, all of whom have left an indelible mark on the franchise.

It’s quite unusual that a character who has such an impressive stature in the Marvel Comics universe is described as “whimsical.” Originally, X-Factor #5 was intended to showcase the Owl, an old nemesis of Daredevil, as the primary antagonist. However, when Bob Layton, the series creator, was replaced by Louise Simonson, she chose to bring her unique touch to the series. Since she was new to the series, Simonson decided to introduce a new villain spontaneously, teaming up with artist Walter Simonson. The editor, Bob Harras, agreed to this change, and since then, Apocalypse has become an integral part of X-Men history.

2) Ultron

As a cinephile, I can confidently say that among the countless foes the Avengers have battled in their comic book adventures, none have loomed as large and menacing as Ultron. This cunning villain has a knack for reappearing at the most unexpected moments, when we least expect it, making us question our sense of safety. What sets Ultron apart is his intricate connections with Vision and Wonder Man, two of the Avengers’ most revered and formidable members. In fact, Ultron is one of the rare villains who has come close to defeating the mighty Avengers on numerous occasions, almost single-handedly.

If Roy Thomas had gotten his preferred outcome, the wicked villain Ultron might never have been brought into existence. Initially, Thomas proposed to Editor-in-Chief Stan Lee the resurrection of the old hero known as The Vision. However, Lee dismissed this idea and suggested that Thomas rethink it by imagining the character as an artificial being instead. Since androids don’t come into existence naturally or build themselves initially, Thomas needed to determine who would be responsible for The Vision’s creation. In the end, he created Ultron: a robot built by Hank Pym, who later made his “son,” The Vision, using the body of the old android Human Torch and stolen brainwave patterns from the former hero, Wonder Man.

3) Phil Coulson

Without a shadow of a doubt, Nick Fury stands at the core of the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division (S.H.I.E.L.D.). His bold, action-first approach, which is only triggered when circumstances align perfectly, permeates the entire organization. This unique ethos and outlook have catapulted S.H.I.E.L.D. to one of the world’s most influential powerhouses, all achieved without any supernatural abilities. However, it’s crucial to remember that S.H.I.E.L.D.’s strength lies in its field agents, and no one epitomizes the loyalty, sacrifice, and intelligence required to be a genuine agent more than Phil Coulson. In fact, Coulson’s unwavering commitment to his duties, particularly as his roles expanded, may arguably be just as instrumental as Fury’s in molding S.H.I.E.L.D. into the powerhouse it is today.

As a movie critic, I must say that while the Marvel Comics Universe serves as the backbone for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), it’s fascinating to witness instances where the influence reverses its flow. A compelling instance of this phenomenon is Agent Coulson, arguably the second most iconic S.H.I.E.L.D. agent following Nick Fury himself in the public eye. Contrary to popular belief, Agent Coulson was a creation born from the MCU and never intended for the comic book realm. However, his unprecedented popularity across both the silver screen and small screen compelled Marvel to reconsider their stance. In an ingenious twist of storytelling, they seamlessly integrated him into the Marvel Comics lore through some clever retconning, transforming him into a bona fide action hero in his own right within the comic book universe.

4) Venom

One significant advancement during the Bronze Age was the appearance of Spider-Man’s stylish black suit, which initially seemed impressive to fans. However, it was later revealed that this suit was actually a malevolent alien symbiote intent on controlling Peter Parker. Once he managed to free himself from its control, few anticipated that it would eventually develop into Venom, a villain who has since earned a reputation as one of Spider-Man’s most notorious adversaries and one of Marvel’s most recognizable characters.

It’s fascinating to consider that the iconic character Venom, who has significantly influenced pop culture, came into being purely by chance. The tale of his origin starts in 1982 with Randy Schueller, an ardent Marvel fan. Schueller proposed a concept for a black-suited Spider-Man as part of a Marvel program that invited fans to suggest ideas for inclusion in the comic universe. At the time, Marvel wasn’t planning on altering Spider-Man’s costume, but Schueller’s submission managed to reach Jim Shooter, then Editor-in-Chief. Impressed by the idea, Shooter bought it from Schueller for a modest $220. Although Marvel initially intended for the suit to be a variant of the Fantastic Four’s vibrant costumes, they were captivated by the bold black design instead. This lucky transaction eventually morphed into the beloved character we now call Venom.

5) Storm

Among the new X-Men introduced in Giant-Size X-Men #1 (1975), few are as cherished as Storm. Since her initial appearance, Storm has held great importance for both the X-Men and the wider mutant community. This significance grew even more when she took charge of the team during Professor X’s break to journey with the Starjammers. Notably, Storm wasn’t just a natural choice due to seniority; she was selected over others because of her prior accomplishments, commitment, and influence within the team.

In an alternate scenario, as planned by Storm’s original creators Len Wein and Dave Cockrum, the Storm we recognize might never have materialized. Originally, they conceived the character to be part of DC Comics’ Legion of Super-Heroes, but that didn’t work out. Instead, they pitched the idea to Marvel, who agreed. At first, Marvel approved the character using the name Black Cat, but since Marvel had multiple feline-themed female characters such as Hellcat and Tigra, Wein and Cockrum chose to rename her Storm and gave her the distinctive white hair and captivating, bright eyes we recognize today.

6) Jessica Jones

Jessica Jones isn’t like your typical Marvel superhero; instead of embracing her powers, she was trying to get away from them when she first appeared in the Marvel Comics world. This wasn’t just about running from her superpowers, but also dealing with deeply personal problems that were more important to her than fighting for good. In this way, Jones became a new kind of hero – a superpowered individual who struggles and resonates with readers because they can relate to her everyday issues. Her realistic, sometimes chaotic life has added depth to the Marvel universe’s roster of contemporary heroes.

Initially, the depth and richness we now associate with Jessica Jones in Marvel wasn’t originally planned for Jessica Drew (Spider-Woman). Her creator, Brian Michael Bendis, found it challenging to develop a story for Spider-Woman due to her existing history. In an interview with Decider, he revealed this struggle and explained that his fresh ideas for the character were difficult to implement within the confines of Spider-Woman’s established past. When he shared his creative predicament with his editors, they suggested a crucial solution: rather than forcing his ideas into an existing character, he should create a completely new one instead. This new character would provide him with unrestricted creative freedom to mold her as he desired. And thus, Jessica Jones was created.

7) Gwenpool

In a nod to characters known for their self-awareness such as Howard the Duck, She-Hulk, and Deadpool, we have Gwenpool – arguably the most ingeniously aware hero to shatter the boundaries of the fourth wall. What sets Gwenpool apart is her immense potential: armed with an extensive understanding of the Marvel Universe, she’s exceptionally well-suited to twist comic book rules themselves. Whether reshaping reality, evading defeat, or bending the guidelines to her benefit, she doesn’t merely comprehend the Marvel Universe – she uses her fandom as a weapon. In essence, there’s no other character quite like her due to her unique abilities and self-awareness.

Among fascinating characters who nearly didn’t exist, one stands out: Gwenpool. Initially created as a humorous one-off character, she made her debut as a variant cover for Deadpool’s Secret Secret Wars #2, reflecting the surge in popularity of Gwen Stacy following her return to Marvel Comics in Edge of Spider-Verse. Artist Chris Bachalo, who authored the Deadpool series, playfully merged traits from Deadpool and Gwen Stacy into a single character for his variant cover as a joke. The response was overwhelmingly positive, prompting Marvel to develop this concept further, giving birth to the fully-fledged character we recognize today.

8) Nightcrawler

Among the X-Men, Nightcrawler might not be as well-known as Wolverine or Storm, but he stands out as one of the most intriguing characters due to his unique circumstances. Unlike other team members who could blend in if they chose not to use their mutant abilities, Nightcrawler’s powers made it challenging for him to hide among regular people. This distinctive experience has shaped his view on being a mutant, which sets him apart from the others. Over time, he has become an exceptional mentor to younger mutants who, like him, struggle to conceal their mutant lineage. In fact, his personal journey has made him a guiding light for the team, providing wisdom and rationality.

Originally conceived by the duo behind Storm (Len Wein and Dave Cockrum), Nightcrawler was initially proposed to DC Comics as a character for their Outsiders group, intended for the Legion of Super-Heroes series. However, this idea was turned down. In response, Marvel decided to incorporate Nightcrawler into their revamped X-Men team. Wein and Cockrum envisioned him as an escapee from hell who had chosen exile on Earth to evade punishment for a failed mission.

9) Silver Surfer

The Silver Surfer is among the most fascinating, though less flashy, characters in the Marvel Comics universe. He boasts immense power and intricate complexity, reflecting the free-flowing, wide-ranging essence of surf culture that influenced Jack Kirby during his character creation. Throughout his cosmic voyages, the Silver Surfer has consistently straddled the boundary between symbolizing unrestrained exploration and delving into the profound realms of solitude and detachment.

In an unexpected move that’s become legendary in Marvel lore, Jack Kirby, who was collaborating with Stan Lee on the Fantastic Four comic series, spontaneously incorporated Silver Surfer into the “Coming of Galactus” narrative. Instead of portraying Galactus as a world-hunter himself, Kirby envisioned that a being of such power would delegate such tasks to a subordinate. At first, Lee was hesitant about a cosmic surfer character, but he was captivated by Kirby’s sketches of the Silver Surfer and his rationale for integrating him, eventually embracing his inclusion in the storyline and developing an engaging backstory for him.

10) Captain Marvel

In my viewpoint, Carol Danvers truly embodies the grandeur of Marvel’s royal lineage. As one of the pioneering female superheroes gracing the limelight, she not only showcased immense power within the Marvel Comics universe but also portrayed a remarkable character as a thriving career woman in her civilian identity. With such an impressive backstory, it seemed her role as a cornerstone of Marvel’s ongoing narrative was unshakable. However, despite her robust foundations, Danvers’ growth as a heroine sometimes took a backseat, primarily due to inconsistent character development. It felt like she was destined to forever remain in supporting roles — until she assumed the mantle of Captain Marvel.

The journey of Captain Marvel in Danvers’ universe is a lengthy and meandering one for a character who initially seemed destined not to appear. Although the strategic debut of Miss Marvel, as a secondary character to the original Captain Marvel, was deliberate, the character faced years of struggle to establish a clear identity or fanbase. Numerous creative teams reinvented her on various occasions, even renaming her Binary and later Warbird, mirroring Marvel’s persistent attempts to utilize her effectively. However, it wasn’t until 2012 – 44 years after Danvers’ first appearance – when writer Kelly Sue DeConnick was given the Ms. Marvel script, that everything transformed. It was under her supervision that the concept of rebranding Carol Danvers as Captain Marvel emerged, eventually blossoming into the strong, iconic character we recognize today.

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2025-07-24 17:15