Name These Marvel Characters And We’ll Guess Which Guardian Of The Galaxy Is Your Favorite
- by Ariel_S
- – on
- in Movies and TV
Superfriends, unite. The signal is up and Gotham needs our help! Only the biggest fans will be able to name all of these Marvel characters without hesitation. No matter if we’ve seen one movie or ten, Marvel has a special place in all of our hearts. Whether it was watching Black Panther and seeing afro-futurism on a big blockbuster screen or humming along to the Spider-Man theme as kids, Marvel impacts all of us. We love our superheroes and think that we know everything there is to know about them. But do we really?
Sometimes the smaller superheroes slip through the cracks. The superheroes who appear in the background of Infinity War might even be a struggle to try and place a name to. That’s where we separate the real Black Panthers from the little kittens; the fans who can truly name every face in the Marvel universe, and those that can only name a handful of big heroes. We decided to put it to the test. We’ve compiled a list of 35 Marvel characters (of all varieties) who’ll definitely be known to the true fans. To sweeten the deal we’ll even throw in a bet: we bet we can guess everyone’s favorite Guardian of the Galaxy character as well. Because every Marvel fan has to have a favorite Guardian.
Who's this cat-like creature?
In recent iterations this superhero takes up the role of the once prince, now king, of the fictional nation of Wakanda. A place with an abundance of technologically-fused minerals, that has squandered and hidden away their advanced tools, transportation, and more. This superhero is a title, not a person, as there have been many more before King T’Challa (and there will be generations more beyond him). In modern cinema, this hero has become the star of one of Marvel’s greatest success stories, and was even nominated for best picture at the 2018 Academy Awards.
Who's this arachnid?
Unlike our previous entry, this superhero has historically been the same person (without the mask), until the recent discovery of others like him in different dimensions. Peter Parker, and his superhero alter-ego have been a mainstay in the comic book world since his first appearance in Amazing Fantasy #15 in August of 1962. He’s one of Stan Lee and Steve Ditko’s most cherished creations, mostly because Peter (being a teenager himself) was extremely relatable to their main reader-base, which made his stories very popular among Marvel fans. (Marvel Fandom Wikia)
Who's this witty dude?
He’s known as “the merc with the mouth” and no truer nickname has ever been given to a single fictional character because this superhero (or anti-hero, which is probably a more accurate term) has always been known for the quips and the jokes, both of which are piled high with crudeness. A hitman before an experimental treatment turned him into the “hero” we know today, Wade Wilson was very good with the removal of enemies, and just became more so when he was granted near-invincibility through regeneration and dubbed this superhero.
Who's this sharpshooter?
The modern day Clinton “Clint” Barton is one of those rare superheroes that probably doesn’t get enough hype or love in the media, or even by general fans. He plays a huge role in the most memorable ensemble of The Avengers, and is generally regarded as the glue that keeps said team together. He’s their best scout, is always the player into human emotion, and acts often as the teams’ moral compass (which comes with the territory of working alongside so many gods and mutants) because at the end of the day, Clint Barton is the most human of us all.
Who's this small superhero?
There once was a time before Paul Rudd took over the role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe where this hero was a formidable, sharp, and pretty lethal superhero. While he’s still some of those things, Marvel has done such a good job with some (most, actually) of their casting that it’s hard to think of this character without putting in the wonderful comedy performances of Rudd. With the ability to shrink or enlarge at will, as well as controlling the minds and abilities of insects, this is by far one of the coolest superheroes on Marvel’s roster.
Who's this claw-carrying superhero?
Part of the beloved X-Men (until he wasn’t, and then was again) Logan has been tied to the Marvel roster for decades. Regardless of many excursions on his own, Logan’s superhero alter-ego is unanimously famous for his participation in Professor Xavier’s X-Men squad of mutants, who are tasked with fighting those set out to oppress mutant-kind as well as mutant purests. Probably one of the more personally explored superheroes ever to grace the pages of a trade, this character has seen many stories told.
Who's this normal superhero?
Probably the most interesting of the recent Marvel and Netflix team-up shows, this private investigator fights almost every single trope plaguing female comic book characters. She’s crass, drinks too much, and gets rough with danger rather than falling into the common stereotypes. Brilliantly portrayed on the small screen by Kristen Ritter in the Netflix show, this superhero (or anti-hero) has been a crucial member of Marvel’s super-ensemble The Defenders, and even took a turn as a member of The New Avengers at one point.
Who's this suited superhero?
The first Marvel superhero to receive his own Marvel Cinematic Universe film, Robert Downey Jr. and his portrayal of Tony Stark (and his superhero alter-ego) exploded the modern comic book movie world, and paved the road for what has since been a decade of amazing, tied-in Marvel films. Much like a dark and grumpy cave-dweller from DC Comics, Tony Stark’s only real powers come in the form of his wallet and his intellect, though he did make a flying mechanical suit that is very capable of saving the day.
Who's this powerful woman?
This superhero (also known as Natasha Romanov) has always taken the co-pilot seat in Marvel comics of the past, and has since (thanks to the Marvel Cinematic Universe) been able to step out into her own light. A redhead assassin, Romanov takes up her superhero mantle when graduating from the training program that took her away. Recently she was added to the Avengers line-up in the Marvel films, as a highly-trained spy working for the government organization known as S.H.I.E.L.D.
Who's this new superhero?
First introduced in the early 1960s as an alien military officer tasked with patrolling and protecting Earth, this superhero is much like the Black Panther in that it’s known as a mantle or a title, rather than a reference to a specific person. In recent Marvel history, this hero title has been given to human earth-born Carol Danvers, recently being played by Brie Larson in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, who was tied to the original holder of the mantle back in the original comic book run.
Who's this Asgardian superhero?
Back when Marvel was first starting to ramp up, comic book creators Stan Lee and Steve Ditko took to a lot of varied influences in order to flesh out and pump-up their superhero line-up. There’s no better source for mystical heroes than those that can be found in Norse Mythology. That is precisely where the dynamic Marvel duo grabbed their idea to introduce a few notable Norse Gods into the superhero mix, creating one of the most beloved comic book characters and paying extreme tribute to the source material in the process.
Who's this rocky guy?
Many people have a bad (or awkward) taste in their mouths when it comes to discussing, or influencing conversation in regards to the Fantastic 4. With the wild success of their Marvel Cinematic Universe, the Fantastic 4 have been forced to endure one rough version in modern media after another; mostly thanks to Marvel and Disney not holding priority on the intellectual property. This rock-based mutant is part of the Fantastic 4 squad, and is one of those brilliant scientists from Marvel’s locker room.
Who's this wild superhero?
Born Ororo Munroe to the Princess of Kenya, this amazingly complex Marvel superhero has grown so much over the years. With one of the most deeply visited backstories in comic book history, Munroe learns to control her powers as a pickpocket on the streets of Cairo before becoming one of the mainstay members of Professor Xavier’s X-Men superhero team. Munroe has also played a starring role in that same squad during the fabulous X-Men movie run (where she was played by none other than Halle Berry). (IMDb)
Who's this leading man?
Born on Earth to a human mother, and a God (or Planet) father, Peter Jason Quill took to the stars as a young runaway, living and learning of life through his time as a ravaging space pirate. That was, until he found a higher calling, and took charge as the leader of the Guardians of the Galaxy; one of the most rambunctious and 80s-music-fuelled leaders of the Marvel super squads. In recent years, Quill made his silver-screen debut (played by Chris Pratt) in the Guardians of the Galaxy movies, before the GotG teamed up with the Avengers.
Who's this brooding superhero?
The second portion of the Marvel and Netflix mash-up that we just had to throw on to this list, this New York City barman became the delightful favourite for many Marvel television fans, as he was portrayed by Mike Colter on the internet. The most promising aspect of this superhero is his desire to work an absolutely “normal” life, regardless of his power of steel skin and extreme strength. Eventually he would join up with others (like Jessica Jones) to become a member of the NYC Defenders. (Marvel Fandom Wikia)
Who's this creature?
Before the invention or conception of the Marvel “mutants”, most comic book hero creators felt a strong need to add an “accident” to the lore and birth of a hero's powers. One of the most prolific and infamous examples of this is the gamma ray explosion that turned an exemplary scientist by the name of Bruce Banner, into this superhero. Eventually, Banner would become a foundation member of the Marvel Avengers, and has been portrayed in multiple live action films by a handful of different actors.
Who's this superhero controller?
Whether or not this famous eye-patch wearing member of S.H.I.E.L.D. is actually a superhero has long since been argued. But as the leader in a rough, tough, and responsible-for-bringing-them-all-together sort of way of the infamous Avengers team in Marvel lore, this agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. has been lovingly portrayed by Samuel L. Jackson in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Since his debut in 1963, this member of Marvel’s line-up has grown in volumes and ways that required a whole lot of spin-offs.
Who's this patriotic hero?
In what is inarguably the most triumphant example of zero-to-hero in comic book history, the story of this hero starts with a weak but strong-willed Steve Rogers. After an experimental serum turns the small and fallible Rogers into a hulking strong, fast, and tough superhero type, he takes on the mantle he becomes famous for. His origin story is unique because he was introduced during the second world war, and only lives in modern age due to a freak accident that saw him frozen in the Arctic for decades.
Who's this female superhero?
Through the course of comic book history, not many agents of any league have ever strolled out on their own for very long and the world of Ant-Man (aka Hank Pym) is no stranger to this. As early as 1963, the world was introduced to Janet Van Dyne, as she took up this superhero mantle as Ant-Man’s partner in fighting crime. After being replaced by Black Widow in the 2012 Avengers film, the character makes multiple appearances in the Ant-Man standalone films released much more recently. This superhero is also credited as the originator of the “Avengers” title. (Marvel Fandom Wikia)
Who's this genius?
This amazing member of the Marvel comic book history has absolutely exploded in popularity thanks to last year’s Black Panther movie, where she was portrayed in live-action on the big screen by Latisha Wright. This, one of the smartest characters ever created, and the lead scientific inventor of Wakanda, is King T’Challa’s younger sister. In some timelines she even takes up the mantle of the Black Panther herself (Marvel Fandom Wikia)! She’s a charismatic and hilarious addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Who's this time-bending guy?
Known to the real world as an actual medical superstar, this once surgeon who was turned superhero sought answers and healing after a car crash forced him to hang up his surgical mask. What he found instead was a complete turn of events as he was lead to his destiny as a protector of the time stone here on earth. He would learn to bend reality and become the ultimate hero he needed to, through training and sacrifice, before joining up with the Avengers down the line as a realm defender.
Who's this creature?
Part of the charm (or, maybe it’s all of the charm) of the Guardians of the Galaxy is that they are truly five unique characters with varied backgrounds, abilities, and purposes. One of which does all he can to buck the trends and tropes of anthropomorphic characters in superhero stories and comic books. Rather, this raccoon became a bipedal, machine-toting, and maniacal space pirate thanks to some brutal and unethical experimentation. Taken from his life as a member of the Carnivoran animal family and given a conscience, he joins the Guardians filled with determination to make something of the darkness befallen him.
Who's this superhero?
In what could easily be classified as one of the most unique character creations of all time, this superhero isn’t really a person at all. He’s not a god, or an alien either. Rather, he is the manifestation and mutation of Jarvis (Iron Man’s uniquely designed Artificial Intelligence), and powered by the Mind Stone (one of the six infinity stones). He is formidable, and has a really great character arc in which he attempts to become more human as time goes on, and in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, he falls in love with the Scarlet Witch. (Marvel Fandom Wikia)
Who's this silver creature?
One of the original bad guys (and a startling one at that) in the Fantastic 4 universe, this wild wave rider actually uses his shiny longboard as a device to fly and skip through the universe and space. He has the ability to jump through both time and physical space with his board, and (on Earth) takes up a stead as a very strong being, but eventually teams up with the Fantastic 4, as well as adventures off with his own story and line-up of comic books.
Who's this understated hero?
We’ve mentioned this leader in multiple entries so far on this quiz, and that’s because he has been a mainstay in Marvel’s X-Men lore for a very long time. He is personally responsible for opening up the School for Gifted Youngsters, in which he cares for, teaches, and trains mutants of all kinds to be better people and to fight against those that oppress mutants the world over. He is also responsible for forming and leading the X-Men throughout history.
Who's this flying hero?
Known as Samuel Wilson, this close friend of Captain America (aka Steve Rogers) takes up his superhero mantle as a former member of the States’ army, where he brings his intense combat training to the forefront of the superhero war as a high-flying, tech-utilizing member of the modern Marvel’s Avengers. In the recent live-action film franchise, this superhero is portrayed by beloved actor Anthony Mackie, and takes Captain America’s side in what will always be known as the largest internal scuffle in the Infinity War strife.
Who's this fiery hero?
The third member on this list from the famously battered and beaten up Fantastic 4 superhero squad, Johnny Storm became a wielder and wearer of flame due to the birthing accident of the Fantastic 4. In the earlier live-action film, Johnny Storm and his superhero alter-ego was played by notable Captain America actor Chris Evans, who has been far more successful as the latter. It has yet to be seen if Marvel will take a real crack at the Fantastic 4, cinema-wise, but we hope they do.
Who's this green woman?
As a member of the Zen-Whoberis species of space alien, this cool female member of the Guardians of the Galaxy brings a whole new level of power to the fight when it comes to hand-to-hand combat specialists. She is also the adopted daughter of the galaxy villain known as Thanos, and escapes his grasp to join Peter Quill, Rocket, and the rest of the Guardians of the Galaxy as an adult. In the live-action Marvel Cinematic Universe, this hero is played by Zoe Saldana. (IMDb)
Who's this daring hero?
Known locally as “the Guy of Heck’s Kitchen”, this superhero has a dark past and an even darker future within the Marvel Universe; both in live-action, and in the trade paperbacks. Blinded as a child by an accidental chemical spill, Matt Murdock is tasked with becoming a capable visually impaired human, and along the way finds a purpose in defending the city he loves from the crime that plagues it. Due to intense training, Murdock becomes able to “see” via exemplary hearing, and brings a talent in martial arts to the fight.
Who's this weapons master?
Introduced as part of the Daredevil universe and storyline, this ninja assassin becomes a very popular hero (or anti-hero) in her time within the spotlight since being introduced in the early 1980s (IMDb). Her major conflict lives within the divide between her love for Matt Murdock (aka the Daredevil) and her life as a strong mercenary. There have been a few versions of this backflipping fighter in modern media, and none of them have really worked out all that well in the end.
Who's this mischievous character?
As the little brother of Valhallan god Thor, this galactic trickster was introduced to modern movie-goers as the main antagonist in the original Thor film, as well as the Avengers first team-up cinematic experience. Played on the big screen by beloved actor Tom Hiddleston, he quickly became a fan favourite due to being the main source of laughs and adoration during the Marvel Cinematic Universe experience thus far. He is most known for his ability to shapeshift, and his infamous thirst for power.
Who's this guardian character?
In the original comic books, this character was born out of the necessity to fight Thanos, after a normal human man (Arthur Douglas) sees his family slain by the galactic tyrant, and has his sole placed in the body of a much larger, much stronger alien body. Recently, in the Guardians of the Galaxy films, he has taken up the role as one of the driest and funniest supporting cast members in the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe. Portrayed in live action by ex-wrestler Dave Bautista, he has surprisingly been transformed into a hilarious one-liner, all without losing his notable strength and size.
Who's this Marvel bad guy?
One of the most infamous supervillians in the Spider-Man universe, this experimental doctor and engineer finds a dire need to slay the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man when faced with an ultimatum by a higher power. Sporting mechanical arms, a bitter dislike of the web-slinger, and some sweet goggles, this villain is not to be messed with, and to this day remains the best part of the Sam Raimi made Spider-Man live-action movies of the early ‘00s. It’s unknown yet as to whether or not the notable combatant will face off against the new iteration of Spider-Man in the movies to come.
Who's this mean guy?
The most infamous of all of Marvel’s big bad guys, this galactic tyrant is the sole enemy (and leader of “The Children”) in the most recent Marvel Cinematic Universe blockbuster; Avengers: Infinity War. His brutal crusade to obtain all six of the universe’s infinity stones sees the growth and justification for his actions explained in what would become one of the most relatable, and arguable villainous acts in twenty-first century media. The adopted dad of Gamora is played by the epically talented Josh Brolin in the live-action films. (IMDb)
Who's this guy?
Bucky Barnes was Steve Rogers best friend when they were young, moldable, and eager. But after multiple mind-breaking torture sessions at the hands of the Red Skull, and bad mega-group Hydra, Barnes becomes what would be Captain America’s sidekick for several stories. While many don’t know him well, he’s actually one of the most interesting of the Marvel sidekick characters. Played recently by Sebastian Stan, the character is a good balance between that deep, brooding depth and hero-like qualities. (IMDb)
