8 Underrated Marvel Heroes The World Forgot About

Marvel Comics has the richest cast of superheroic characters around, which means there isn’t room in the spotlight for everyone. In a sea of ​​colorfully caped crusaders and billionaire tech developers, it’s easy for some of Marvel’s underdogs to get lost in the crowd. It’s an unfortunate crime of time, as fans of the obscure and specific watch their favorite characters fade from the spotlight, praying for their heroes to return once again.

Not all of the characters on this list started out as forgettable heroes. In fact, most people’s popularity exploded at one point or another. However, a burst of popular attention is often not enough to make a character a staple name. While some heroes deserve to fade into obscurity (yes, that means you, NFL SuperPro), the characters on this list deserve a second (or third, or fourth) chance. There are a lot of young, hungry comic creators out there, so Marvel should let them try these eight underrated Marvel heroes the world forgot about.

1

Black Falcon

Premiered in Black Hawk #1 (1991) by Tom DeFalco and Mike Manley

When Chris Powell was a teenager, he discovered that his police officer father was in the mafia’s pocket. Chris soon found a magical amulet that transformed him into Darkhawk, as he vowed to use his powers as a “vanguard against crime.” Darkhawk is one of the characters with the most feeling from the 90s to have left the much-maligned decade.

When Chris summons his amulet, his body negotiates with the Darkhawk Android, a Shi’ar superweapon built from sentient machines. As Darkhawk, Chris gets the full spectrum of superhuman power-ups, as well as flight and a customizable body. He’s elegant, chic and sharp, a 1990s icon who has faded into obscurity. Although Marvel attempted a new Darkhawk series in 2021, Chris was replaced and the series fell short. Practically Marvel’s Power RangerDarkhawk, along with some other classics on this list, could easily return in a Sentai series of its own.

2

Stingray

Debuted as Stingray in Submarine #19 (1969) by Roy Thomas and Marie Severin

Walter Newell, aka “Stingray,” is one of Marvel’s most compelling characters for one reason and one reason only: he is a human that Namor deeply respects. Newell is an oceanographer and engineer who oversaw the construction of an underwater city. An underwater villain destroyed the city, but Namor arrived to save the day. Newell designed a deep-sea exploration suit so he could accompany his new ally and explore depths no surface dweller had ever seen before.

With his suit, Stingray’s strength, speed, and agility have increased significantly. His underarm wings allow him to glide easily through water and air for some time. Stingray’s coolest tricks are his sonar scanners and his electrokinetic powers, allowing him project nearly 20,000 volts of electricity. Most impressive is its relationship with Atlantis. Walter’s work has always been honest and moral, earning the respect of everyone from the irascible Namor to the iconic Captain America.

3

Squirrel Girl

Premiered in Marvel Superheroes #8 (1991) by Will Murray and Steve Ditko

While nearly every Marvel fan has heard the name “Squirrel Girl,” Doreen Green has yet to find a true home in comics. Doreen is traditionally a spunky comic character, used to create short, stylistic, positive stories. Squirrel Girl has become close friends with villains including Galactus and Kraven the Hunter, while defeating major foes like Thanos in a joke where Marvel’s A-list villains fall at her feet. Doreen has impeccable charm and such a whimsical theme.

The unbeatable squirrel is probably Marvel’s funniest comic book series. She’s had her fair share of appearances in her own series or with the Great Lakes Avengers, but she’s never crossed those comedic boundaries to truly feel like she’s part of the larger Marvel Universe. Frankly, anyone who doesn’t think Squirrel Girl deserves more recognition is crazy.

4

Nighthawk

Premiered in Avengers #69 (1969) by Roy Thomas and Sal Buscema

Many fans say that Nighthawk is practically Marvel’s Batman, and they are absolutely right. Technically, Nighthawk is a intentional “imitation” of Batman. Kyle Richmond first became a Nighthawk after being chosen by the Grandmaster to compete in one of his multiversal games. Richmond was suddenly inspired by the Grandmaster to create a super serum that would enhance his natural abilities and to spend his vast fortune on gadgets, vehicles and weapons.

Jet-packs, wings, retractable claws and the Hawk-Plane are just a few of his high-tech arsenal. Nighthawk has made frequent minor character appearances throughout most of his comic career, often as a member of the Defenders. However, he was essentially replaced by other versions of Nighthawk from Marvel’s alternate realities, relegating the most interesting version – a reformed glory hound, aware of his place alongside mightier heroes – to Marvel’s past.

5

Deathlock

Premiered in Amazing Tales #25 (1974) by Doug Moench and Rich Buckler

There are a lot of cybernetics-enhanced Marvel characters, but there aren’t many full characters. Robo Cop cyborgs like Deathlok. Your cybernetics harnesses the brain’s thinking ability, transforming your mind into an organic supercomputer. All of his sensory systems have been replaced with fully synthetic enhancements, increasing his perception. Even the parts of him that are still human aren’t technically alive. After his first death, the man who would become the machine was kept on ice for five years before being “revived.” His very name refers to him being locked in a death-like state.

He has had some minor success in comics, most recently appearing in Wild Avengers series by David Pepose and Charlemagne. He also made a surprise appearance as a recurring character on Agents of SHIELD television program. Maybe it’s just because cyborgs are a thing of the past, but if Cable can maintain his popularity, so can Deathlok. His constant battle against the subservient military programming in his head makes him a character with some real issues to explore.

6

Sleepwalker

Premiered in Sleepwalker #1 (1991) by Bob Budiansky and Bret Blevins

Sleepwalkers are mystical and supernatural entities that patrol the dreams of the living, tasked with avoiding supernatural threats who can use dreams as a door to reality. When a Sleepwalker became trapped in Rick Sheridan’s mind, the two became entangled as a singularly powerful entity. During the day, Rick Sheridan remained in control. However, at night, the Sleepwalker emerges, now able to manifest himself in the real world… but only as long as Rick remains asleep.

Once summoned, the Sleepwalker’s previous dream-reality manipulation powers can now be imposed on the real world, distorting reality as he sees fit. The Sleepwalker even has access to the Mindscape, the sacred realm to which mediums are connected, allowing him to enhance the mental powers of other mediums. Likewise, the Sleepwalker can absorb psychic energy, which accelerates his already potent healing factor.

This extradimensional creature, unfortunately, never crossed the lines of obscurity. His original band of villains included creative characters like 8-Ball, who recently explored redemption alongside Moon Knight. With so many cosmic threats in Marvel lore, Sleepwalker should be just as busy as the Avengers, not languishing in obscurity.

7

Demolition Man

Premiered in Thing #28 (1985) by Mike Carlin and Ron Wilson

Dennis “D-Man” Dunphy was a professional whose life changed forever after making a deal with the Power Broker. Dunphy’s biggest superheroic inspiration is Captain America, establishing a strong moral compass for the comic character. Facing frequent threats like Hydra or the Serpent Society, D-Man has always fought alongside the likes of Cap, Nomad and Sam Wilson. His original costume was an amalgamation of Daredevil’s first costume and Wolverine’s mask.

Unfortunately, Demolition Man often finds himself the butt of a joke because of his loud simplicity, with many stories focusing on him as a “bad” hero. In recent years, he has been reinvented more as a hero for the dispossessed and oppressed, but only appearing on the periphery of other heroes’ stories. D-Man is the ultimate fanboy who is given real power and uses it to protect the most vulnerable people – his story should be a triumphant victory, not a joke.

8

Carnaque

Premiered in Fantastic Four #45 (1965) by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby

Marvel’s Inhumans activate their powers by subjecting their children to the Terrigen Mist, but after the radical change in his brother Triton, Karnak’s parents chose to remove him from the process despite his place as part of the Inhuman Royal Family. Without powers, Karnak studied philosophy and martial arts with fervor, developing the “power” to sense and strike the weak point of any target – be it a concrete block or a political argument.

Karnak has a perfect ‘logic puzzle’ superpower with infinite possible applicationsand during the period when Marvel favored the Inhumans over the X-Men, he was clearly being considered as the next Wolverine. Unfortunately, his solo series at that time was plagued by delays and ultimately failed to find any real depth to the character, turning him into a brooding and mysterious cynic. without a heart of gold. Karnak is loaded with potential both as a character and in terms of powers, but his failed shot at success has held him back from other opportunities… at least until now. The massive failure of Marvel’s television adaptation of Inhumans It didn’t help either.

These are the eight underrated Marvel Comics characters that the publisher forgot about – we hope they get their chance to shine soon.