Every MCU Show on Disney+ Ranked by Comic Book Accuracy

The Marvel Cinematic Universe has produced some excellent streaming series, and many fans actually find their storylines more engaging than those in the movies. One difference is that these shows don’t always stay true to the original comic books and characters, which can be frustrating. Given their longer runtime, you’d expect them to offer a more complete adaptation. However, even when changes are made, the Disney+ shows can still be very enjoyable if they maintain the spirit and core ideas of the source material. And sometimes, the shows get everything right, faithfully recreating the comic book stories.

Here’s a ranking of all the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) series on Disney+, based on how closely they follow the original comic books. This list includes only the full series, and doesn’t include shorter specials like Werewolf by Night or The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special.

17) Secret Invasion

The only part of Secret Invasion that matched the comics was the idea of Skrulls disguised as humans on Earth. The comic book storyline featured a Skrull invasion motivated by revenge against the Illuminati, but the Disney+ series portrayed them simply hiding from the Kree. Though a small group of Skrulls on Earth planned a revolt, it wasn’t connected to the original comic’s plot. Combined with questionable choices like killing off Maria Hill and a weak Super Skrull, this made Secret Invasion the least accurate Marvel Cinematic Universe adaptation on Disney+.

16) Wonder Man

Both Secret Invasion and Wonder Man demonstrate how adapting source material can impact a show, but in different ways. Secret Invasion suffered from a poor adaptation, while Wonder Man actually improved upon its comic book origins. Concerns about changes to the character’s background are irrelevant to the story’s quality. The show deviated from the comics regarding Wonder Man’s powers, his connections to other heroes, and his place in the Marvel Universe. However, by retaining key aspects of his personality – his reluctance to fight and his dream of being a movie star – Wonder Man became one of the strongest MCU series, proving that faithfulness to the source material isn’t always necessary for success.

15) Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man

It’s a bit of an unusual inclusion since this series isn’t directly part of the main Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, Marvel officially considers it MCU canon, and with the existence of the multiverse and some connections to other worlds, it’s one of only two animated shows that qualify for this list. While there are definitely some questionable choices and plot points – like the characters of Tombstone and Nico Minoru – these issues don’t ruin the show. It’s still a fantastic season and a welcome, enjoyable addition to the MCU, even with the changes made.

14) Loki

Loki demonstrates Marvel’s ability to reimagine characters for the screen and create something even more compelling. While the movie version of Loki closely followed the comics, its popularity actually influenced the source material, turning him into an antihero in both mediums. However, the Loki series went a step further, evolving him into a true hero – a path the comics never explored – and the result was excellent. It’s another strong series from Marvel, even if it doesn’t stick closely to the original comics.

13) Agatha All Along

The Disney+ series Agatha All Along cleverly adapts a storyline from the Scarlet Witch comics, but gives it to the character Agatha Harkness instead. In the comics, ‘The Witch’s Road’ led Wanda to her birth mother and resurrected Agatha. The series uses this plot point to allow Agatha to break free from the reality Wanda created for her. It also introduces a new version of Death and provides an origin story for Wiccan, both differing from their comic book counterparts. Like the Loki series, these changes ultimately enhance the story and make Agatha’s narrative even more compelling.

12) Echo

I really appreciated how closely Echo followed the comics in showing her difficult upbringing under Kingpin and her journey to independence – though honestly, a lot of that backstory was actually explored in Hawkeye first. What I found most compelling in the Echo series was her return home and digging into the mystery surrounding her father’s death and his legacy. I’ll admit, giving her superpowers felt a little strange. While it worked within the show’s narrative, it did change things from how she’s usually depicted in the comics. It’s worth noting she did become Phoenix in the comics at one point, so it wasn’t completely out of nowhere, just a different take. But I definitely think the show deserves praise for its authentic and respectful portrayal of Native American culture.

11) Ms. Marvel

The Ms. Marvel series has really focused on Kamala Khan’s story as a mutant, which has become increasingly significant in the comics. Originally, in Marvel Comics, Kamala gained her powers as an Inhuman through something called the Terrigen Mists. However, after Marvel regained the rights to the X-Men, they also established her as a mutant, retaining the energy constructs seen in the show. While it was a bit of a letdown that the series didn’t fully explore her stretching abilities, Iman Vellani is a fantastic addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and she makes anything she’s in enjoyable, even with these story changes.

10) Moon Knight

The Disney+ series Moon Knight is unusual for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. A key reason is that it surprisingly features very little of Moon Knight actually fighting. This feels like a deliberate choice, playing on the protagonist Marc Spector’s Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID). Because the show is largely told through the perspective of Marc’s alter ego, Steven Grant, both he and the audience are kept in the dark about what happens when Steven isn’t in control. However, the show accurately portrays both Marc’s DID and the influence of the Egyptian god Khonsu, as seen in the comics. The main drawback is that viewers expecting a lot of action and fighting might be disappointed.

9) The Falcon and the Winter Soldier

Despite some strong points, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier isn’t one of the most impactful Disney+ Marvel shows. It explores interesting themes, like the fallout from the blip and Sam Wilson’s journey to becoming Captain America, and introduces compelling characters like U.S. Agent. However, the overall story feels disconnected from the larger MCU. While Sharon Carter’s villainous turn and Baron Zemo’s surprisingly comedic role are entertaining, they deviate significantly from their comic book counterparts, and ultimately, the show lacks lasting consequence.

8) Marvel Zombies

The Marvel Zombies series stays true to the core concept of zombies within Marvel Comics. While it features a new storyline – with Zombie Scarlet Witch as the main villain and Ms. Marvel, Ironheart, and Kate Bishop as the heroes – these changes actually make it more faithful to the comics. That’s because the various Marvel Zombies comic series are known for constantly reinventing the origin, details, and even the fates of characters. Overall, the streaming series captures the feel of a classic Marvel Zombies comic book.

7) Eyes of Wakanda

“Eyes of Wakanda” shares similarities with “Marvel Zombies” in its focus on Wakanda’s global significance, a core element of the country’s portrayal in Marvel Comics. While an original story without a direct comic book equivalent, it echoes the 2005 “Who is the Black Panther?” storyline by Reginald Hudlin and John Romita, Jr., which explored Wakanda’s history to demonstrate its importance. Like that storyline, “Eyes of Wakanda” uses historical moments – and introduces original characters – to achieve the same effect.

6) Hawkeye

Despite being overlooked by many Marvel fans, Hawkeye is actually one of the stronger shows Marvel has released on its streaming service. The series drew heavily from the acclaimed comics by Matt Fraction, featuring memorable elements like Lucky the pizza dog and introducing characters like Kate Bishop and the Tracksuit Draculas. It also presented a faithful origin story for Echo, cleverly shifting it from the Daredevil series to Hawkeye. The appearance of Yelena Belova, seeking vengeance for her sister, was another highlight. Essentially, Hawkeye reimagined the Fraction storyline with fresh additions, including the character of Echo and a fantastic cameo by Kingpin. This show truly deserves more recognition.

5) WandaVision

WandaVision was a unique offering from Marvel, and it truly showcased Wanda Maximoff’s character. The series echoed the ‘House of M’ comic storyline, but on a smaller scale – instead of remaking the entire world, Wanda focused on creating a peaceful life in one town. Both stories explore Wanda’s desire for happiness despite facing immense loss. Throughout her journey, Wanda has often been on the verge of causing global destruction when overwhelmed by grief and internal struggles, and WandaVision handled this complex arc brilliantly. Many fans feel this was the Scarlet Witch they had been waiting to see.

4) Ironheart

It’s important to discuss the Ironheart series more. It did a great job of introducing Riri Williams into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, just like in the comics, by showing her secretly building her armor while in college. The show explored her struggle to earn respect and her journey of learning from mistakes. It also presented a compelling version of the Hood, staying true to his most popular comic book storylines where he’s most interesting when torn between choices. Plus, the series introduced Mephisto as a master manipulator who can persuade anyone to make deals with him. Overall, Ironheart was remarkably faithful to the source material.

3) She-Hulk: Attorney at Law

A lot of the criticism surrounding She-Hulk: Attorney at Law seems to ignore the character’s history in the 1980s comics. She-Hulk was known for breaking the fourth wall and using humor long before Deadpool, and the series accurately captured her struggles with dating and fitting in – elements that were central to the original comics. In many ways, the show is the most faithful adaptation of John Byrne’s She-Hulk that fans will likely ever see. Even the changes made to the Abomination character still drew inspiration from her comic books, specifically the idea of She-Hulk’s appearance being a factor in legal cases.

2) What If…?

The What If…? series stands out as a remarkably faithful adaptation of the Marvel Comics source material, successfully capturing the spirit fans loved. Like the comics, the show explores alternate scenarios by changing a single element within established Marvel Cinematic Universe storylines. While the series introduced a continuing narrative involving the Watcher, Peggy Carter, and a villainous Doctor Strange, it still managed to brilliantly translate the beloved comic books to a streaming format, mirroring their unique style.

1) Daredevil: Born Again

It’s not surprising that Daredevil: Born Again feels like the most faithful adaptation of the comics to appear on Disney+. The series captures the essence of the original source material, delivering a Daredevil—Matt Murdock—who embodies the same internal conflicts and Catholic guilt we see in the comics. We also get a Kingpin driven by his desire for control, and the Punisher, whose moral code frequently clashes with Daredevil’s. While characters like Karen Page and Bullseye have some differences from their comic book counterparts, the show overall successfully brings the world of Marvel’s Daredevil to life within the MCU.

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2026-02-24 00:15