The 10 Best Second Generation Marvel Heroes & Villains

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Marvel Comics, with its rich history spanning over six decades, has provided ample time for both heroes and villains to witness their offspring mature. This has resulted in the emergence of numerous second-generation characters within the Marvel universe, some living up to their parents’ legacies while others failed to meet expectations. Recently, a Disney+ series set within the Marvel Cinematic Universe introduced a second-generation villain from the comics who is actually the son of the original MCU villain. Obadiah Stane, portrayed as the antagonist in the first MCU film, Iron Man, has now been succeeded by his son Zeke, who has taken on a villainous role himself in the series Ironheart.

Ezekiel Stane, from Marvel Comics, isn’t as likable or relatable as the Ironheart portrayal of the character. He doesn’t stand among the top-tier second-generation stars, but he left an impact in the Iron Man series, seeking retribution for his father’s destiny.

10) Ezekiel Stane

I’m a devoted Marvel fan, and let me tell you about Ezekiel “Zeke” Stane – the son of Obadiah Stane, who was known as the Iron Monger in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and gave Tony Stark quite a bit of trouble in the comics too. Interestingly enough, Obadiah Stane made his debut in 1982, but his life as an Iron Man adversary was tragically cut short in 1985. Despite their fathers being friends, it was Zeke and Tony who were the second generation here, and Zeke held a grudge against Tony for his father’s downfall.

Zeke first appeared in The Order Vol. 2 #8, eventually becoming a significant Iron Man villain, always trying to outdo Tony. With his dad passing away when he was just a child, Zeke had been plotting his revenge since the age of nine and made numerous modifications to his body to become a formidable adversary.

As CEO of Stane International, Zeke poses multiple threats to Iron Man – not only as a supervillain but also as a competitive rival in business.

9) Red Goblin (Normie Osborn)

In the Marvel Comics universe, Normie Osborn is a more recent character who can be classified as an antihero. He’s the child of Harry Osborn and the grandson of Norman Osborn. Notably, Normie is currently bonded with the symbiote known as Rascal. Although Normie has been featured in comics for some time, his role as a symbiote host is quite recent. His title as the Red Goblin is debatable due to his grandfather previously embodying this villainous role. Despite this controversial association, Normie aims to distance himself from his grandfather’s past and has taken up membership in the Avengers Academy, striving to establish a heroic reputation. In the past, Normie had a brief encounter with the Carnage symbiote, but he currently possesses a more beneficial symbiote, working towards becoming a genuine superhero.

8) Skaar

In a turn of events, Skaar initially appeared as a formidable antagonist on Earth, but his actions were not entirely his fault. Born to the Hulk and Caiera on the planet Sakaar, Skaar was conceived when Caiera was pregnant with Hulk’s child following her tragic death in a bombing. The grief-stricken World Breaker Hulk then traveled to Earth seeking revenge. However, against all odds, the baby miraculously survived and quickly grew into an adult known as Skaar. Believing his father had abandoned him, he sought vengeance. Upon discovering the truth, Skaar transformed into an antihero, although he has also served as a villain at times – like when he worked undercover for Norman Osborn’s Dark Avengers. Later, he proved himself to be a genuine hero, saving the world multiple times as the son of the Hulk.

7) Cable

In a captivating twist, Cable is a compelling antihero hailing from Marvel Comics’ second generation. This is due to his unique origins: he was born to Cyclops (Scott Summers) and Madelyne Pryor, who herself was a clone of Jean Grey. When Scott abandoned his wife and son upon the revelation that Jean was still alive, Mister Sinister orchestrated the abduction of the child and subjected him to experiments, resulting in Nathan being infected with the Techno-Organic Virus. To save his life, he was sent to a future where he could be saved. Upon returning as an adult from an Apocalypse-ruled Earth, Cable vowed to safeguard the timeline at all costs. Over time, he established connections with his father, Cyclops, although their bond didn’t resemble a typical father-son relationship. He has also been associated with and led teams such as the New Mutants and X-Force since his return to the 616 universe.

6) Hulkling

Initially appearing in the first issue of “Young Avengers,” Hulkling seemed like a teenage version of the Hulk. But it quickly became evident that he was much more than that. He was actually a hybrid of Skrull and Kree lineages, an interesting twist given his parentage – Captain Mar-Vell being his father, and a Skrull princess as his mother. His abilities extend beyond shape-shifting; he can morph into immensely powerful forms to aid in combat. However, it’s not just his superhuman powers that make him stand out. He is also the emperor of the Kree-Skrull Alliance, commanding the combined might of both races’ armies. Furthermore, Hulkling holds significant importance in Marvel Comics due to his rich personal life and complex character, as he is married to another influential second-generation cosmic entity, Wiccan.

5) Daken

Daken, Wolverine’s long-lost son, didn’t reveal himself until he attempted to assassinate his father. Born post World War II to Itsu, Akihiro inherited his father’s mutant abilities such as a healing factor, longevity, and retractable claws. Abandoned after being born from his mother’s womb, he was raised by a wealthy Japanese family who were later killed by him. Trained to be a lethal weapon by Wolverine’s nemesis Romulus, Akihiro eventually reconciled with his father when they both resided in Krakoa, joining X-Factor at one point. After being slain by Sabretooth, he was reborn under the influence of the demon Bagra-ghul and now carries a Spirit of Vengeance, known as Hellverine, marking a new chapter in his life.

4) Rachel Summers

Rachel Summers hails from the Summers family lineage, much like Cable, but unlike him, she was born in an alternate timeline known as “Days of Future Past.” Cyclops is her father, and Jean Grey is her mother, granting her the powers of the Phoenix and both parents’ telepathic and telekinetic skills. Rachel Summers was eventually sent back to the past, landing on Earth-616, where she joined the X-Men and became a hero with a unique relationship with Scott and Jean. She has proven to be one of the most powerful X-Men members, and in some timelines, she led a rebellion against the mutant messiah’s rule. Her telepathic abilities might surpass those of Jean Grey.

3) Legion

Legion is undeniably among the most potent second-generation Marvel Comics characters, known for both his immense power and potential danger due to his numerous personalities, each possessing unique abilities. David Haller, son of Professor Charles Xavier, demonstrates powers starkly contrasting from his father’s. With his multiple personas, he can spontaneously manifest mutations and develop new powers as each alter emerges from his mind. At one point, he claimed to have approximately 200 Omega-level split personalities. His actions have been chaotic, including a time-traveling attempt to assassinate Magneto in an effort to thwart potential future threats. However, this action unfortunately led to the demise of his father, which ultimately culminated in the emergence of the Age of Apocalypse timeline.

2) Wiccan

Wiccan is among the strongest second-generation characters in Marvel Comics due to his unique background and magical abilities. Born as one of the twin sons of the Scarlet Witch, or more accurately, her powers were transferred into William Kaplan’s body. Unlike his brother who gained speed, Wiccan inherited a form of Wanda’s chaotic magic that allows him to manipulate reality. Some theories even propose that he could evolve into a being known as the Demiurge, capable of reshaping and altering all existence at will. If these predictions come true, Wiccan would be one of Marvel Comics’ most powerful magic users; however, given his young age, there is still much for him to learn before he can fully harness that power.

1) Franklin Richards

In the Marvel Comics universe, it’s undeniable that Franklin Richards, offspring of Mr. Fantastic and the Invisible Woman, stands out as the most potent second-generation character. His powers stem from the cosmic energy coursing through his parents’ bodies, and they surpass anything they could have ever envisioned. As a child, Franklin crafted pocket universes, even conjuring up entire races that had never been imagined before. When Onslaught demolished the Marvel Universe, Franklin constructed a new pocket universe as a sanctuary for all, and later, he rebuilt the 616 universe once he was certain Onslaught was no more. Following Secret Wars, Franklin was among those who worked to restore the Marvel Universe. It’s debatable if there is anyone in Marvel Comics more powerful than Franklin Richards.

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2025-07-24 19:14