10 MCU Characters That Don’t Actually Exist In The Comics

Although every adaptation requires changes to fit the new medium, the comic book is adapted MCU Requires major changes to ensure the translation of movies and TV shows, often introducing new characters. Comics provide a unique method of storytelling Which is both concise in terms of the actual language and wording, but also full of depth thanks to the artist, who can add layers of additional context and meaning. And while this may be tied to television and film more closely than a novel adaptation, it also creates unique challenges.

For Marvel Comics, the stories have a rich history that extends back decades and many of the characters currently featured in the MCU have extensive stories that span hundreds of issues. In order to introduce the characters to the audience, and plot of the comics without the same back catalog of stories, the MCU has cleverly used new characters to condense and explore the original heroes in new and exciting ways. From side characters that drive the plot, to figures that stimulate deep emotion, and the occasional figure that stands in for the audience, the characters of the MCU are actually completely original, despite appearing in comic-book adaptation films.

10

Rio Vidal

Agatha all along

First on the list is one of the latest additions to the MCU, in the form of Aubrey Plaza’s Rio Vidal. Vidal is a pivotal figure in Agatha all alongWhich seems to have an extensive history with Agatha and gets the plot moving in the show. However, the character is also brand new to Marvel, despite Agatha having a long list of allies and enemies in Marvel comics.

Vidal can be seen as an amalgamation of other characters from Agatha’s Coven, who was introduced to expand the character’s legacy and create tension. Due to the fallout of Agatha and Vidal, Vidal sends the Salem Seven, a group that actually comes from the comicsAfter Agatha and her new friends. Vidal is still quite mysterious as Agatha all along Develops, but like Rio Vidal at least, it is a unique and original character not inspired by the comics.

9

Louis

Ant man

Edgar Wright’s script for Ant man was one of the more inventive and unique stories of the MCU back in 2015. At that time, the MCU was still establishing itself, and had proven the quality of the product with The AvengersBut stammered when it came Avengers: Age of Ultron.

With an imperfect but impressive record, It was clear that the MCU had great potential to reinvent the comics and create his own set of stories based on iconic heroes from the comics. With this philosophy, Ant man took the popular character commonly portrayed by Hank Pym, and opted to focus on his successor, Scott Lang.

In addition, the movie has a heist style plot, which at the time was the first real venture outside the MCU’s comfort zone in terms of genre. And in addition to the changes, they brought in brand new characters like Luis, played by Michael Peña. Lewis was a fun addition, and one who had the fateful job of telling Scott and the others about a tip that pointed to a job. Peña did an outstanding job in this role, and his talents were brought back for the sequel, Ant-Man and the Wasp.

8

Hope won yours

Ant man

Another change in the US Ant man Trilogy was the character of Hope Van Dyne. In the comics, Hank Pym has a small handful of children, namely Henry Pym Jr., a child he has with Janet van Dyne, Nadia Pym, a child he has from a previous relationship, and a character known as Beetle Boy . however, There is no Hope van Dyne in the comics. Hope is a new original character created for the MCU and Scott Lang’s love interest.

In the comics, there was a dark character in Marvel Comics called Hope Pymwho is the daughter of Hank and Janet, and the twin of Henry Pym Jr., but the character is clearly distinct from Hope van Dyne in several ways.

For one, she is a villain who resents the Avengers and figures like Cassandra Lang for tarnishing her father’s memory. She believes that she is the true heir, and as such, she sets out to use her money and intelligence to seek revenge against the characters. Hope Pym first appeared in 1999, and has had a handful of appearances since, but she’s a minor figure in Marvel Comics.

7

Darcy Lewis

Thor

Thor is another character who changed his origin story for the MCU, with the hero finding a group of allies on Earth shortly after arriving on the planet’s surface. While people like Jane Foster were part of his story in the comics, the movie added new characters like Darcy Lewis to fill out the cast. As a young, inexperienced intern, Darcy was largely a comic presence early onBut the MCU has expanded the character to reappear in several other stories since her debut.

Over the Thor franchise, Darcy showed up in WandaVisionNow a fully certified physician with a thriving career that took her to WestView. Considering the character was little more than an extra name and body in the original movie, it just goes to show how much the MCU can do with even the minor characters of its stories with payoffs coming years later. It’s unclear where Darcy will appear next, but it’s unlikely that the MCU is done with the character.

6

Sylvie

Loki

Continuing with the Thor related characters, one of the most important figures to come out of the films was Loki. Loki had an incredible arc in the movies that saw him transform from a shifty evil brother, to a full-fledged villain taking on the Avengers, and then to a redeemed hero who stood up for his brother and his people. However, in Avengers: Infinity WarLoki meets a sudden and brutal end when he tries to outwit Thanos in order to spare his brother. however, The character returned as a variant in 2021 for the hit series, Loki.

In the series, there were a number of other variants that were lifted straight out of the comics, including President Loki, Kid Loki, and more. And among the variants, there was one that was an original new character, Sylvie. Although the comics have a female version of ​​the character often referred to as Floki, Sylvie is unique. Her history in the show and her new name make her a character that is distinctly different from the other variants, but she has also become a fan favorite figure in the MCU.

5

Trevor Slattery

Iron Man 3

often, The MCU will include Easter eggs that hint at a storyline or figure introduced along the way. This has been happening since the MCU’s earliest works, with Iron Man With the logo of the ten rings. At this point, the character of the Mandarin, leader of this mysterious organization, was alluded to, but there are no certain plans to show this character in upcoming projects.

Eventually, the Mandarin appeared in the MCU in 2021 Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten RingsBut Iron Man 3 played with the idea of ​​the character much earlier. Iron Man 3 Building a story around a mysterious villain known as the Mandarin, however, the creators are also aware that the comic book character has been steeped in problematic stereotypes for years.

To avoid these potential issues, and still play with the narrative, They cleverly invented a new character, Trevor SlatteryWhich is a washed-up alcoholic actor to play the role of the villain and hide the real villain, Aldrich Killian. Slattery also returned in the 2021 film, where the story with the impostor and the real Mandarin was able to come full circle.

4

Phil Coulson

Iron Man

From the earliest beginnings of the MCU, the idea of ​​a shared universe was already a pipedream that was hinted at in the first film. Nick Fury has a number of cameos in the first movie that Helped to establish a connection between the heroes who would go on to become the Avengers. And, in order to make this initiative work, Fury needs the support of a powerful, but secret, government agency.

So it made sense for the MCU to include SHIELD, but they also needed an agent who could act on Fury’s behalf. For this reason, Phil Coulson is introduced in Iron Man As an agent of the organization, which was assigned to recruit the Avengers.

Coulson also made a handful of other appearances in Phase 1 Marvel movies before he was killed off The Avengers by Loki. This then became a catalyst for the heroes to work together and put aside their differences in order to avenge their fallen friend. Coulson then went on to a long career in Agents of ShieldWhere the agent rose through the ranks and became one of the most important non-powerful heroes.

3

Morgan Stark

Avengers: Endgame

As Hank Pym was one of the first Avengers in the comics, Tony Stark was one of the leaders of the MCU team. And again, like Pym, the character in the comics has a family that isn’t quite the same in the movies. for example, Tony Stark and Pepper Potts’ child, Morgan Stark, is not a comic book figure. In fact, Tony and Pepper do not have any biological children of their own.

There is a Morgan Stark in the comics, but the character is male, and is the cousin, not the child, of Tony Stark. Morgan is a villainous character who blames Tony and his side of the family for stealing the company away from his father, leaving them with no say in Stark Industries. In the MCU, Morgan is A sweet young girl who is presumably the sole heir to the Stark fortuneAnd Morgan Stark may even pick up her father’s mantle as Iron Man one day in the future.

2

Michelle Jones

Spider-Man: Homecoming

As one of the most popular Marvel characters of all time, it’s no surprise that his story has been adapted more than most. In 2002, the original Spider-Man Trilogy introduced the already famous character in live-action on the big screen, alongside his longtime love interest Mary Jane Watson, commonly nicknamed MJ. In the comics, Peter Parker has had a few romances with iconic characters, but the most notable is MJ and Gwen Stacey, who tragically passes away in the comics.

While MJ appeared in the Sam Raimi Spider-Man trilogy, the reboot Amazing Spider-Man Movies introduced Gwen Stacy, who met her tragic fate at the end of the second film. So, when it came time for the MCU to introduce the famous web-slinger, it made sense to bring in a new love interest. For this reason, the US Original character of Michelle Jones, played by the talented Zendayawas introduced. However, the reveal that Michelle is Michelle Jones, and thus, has the nickname “MJ” in common with the famous Mary Jane.

1

Ava Starr

Ant-Man and the Wasp

And finally, back to the US Ant man franchise, the sequel movie Ant-Man and the Wasp Also based loosely on the source material. Namely, when it came to choosing an antagonist for the story. The sequel introduces a trippy villain known as GhostWho phases in and out of reality due to experiments that left her with powers of intangibility that allowed her to harness quantum energy to generate incredible powers.

however, The character’s comic book alter ego is distinctly different to Ava Starr Which is set to appear in thunderbolts*. In the comics, Ghost is a darker villain who is also shrouded in much more mystery. Rather than a child caught in an explosive incident that imbued them with powers, the comic book Ghost is a genius inventor and hacker in their own right.

Their identities are still unknown, despite their eventual work with antihero teams like the Thunderbolts, and they indulge in corporate espionage as a way to harness their powers. Like the rest of the characters listed here, the Ghost in the MCU is unique, and ultimately an original character without a clear comic book counterpart.