THE Marvel Universe is a grand culmination of heroes, villains and anti-heroes from all walks of life with iconic teams like the Avengers and the X-Men that reflect the complexities of the real world and human experiences. As Marvel's cosmos constantly expands, so do its characters and stories, reaching beyond the solar system and into other dimensions.
From Africa to Europe, Marvel has expanded its multinational teams and heroes to better illustrate the diverse global landscape. Superheroes come from a multitude of different places, all over the world, and fans may not know that even the most popular heroes originate from other countries.. This eclectic array of international Marvel characters shows readers that stories of heroism and excitement have no limits.
20
China – Zheng Shang-Chi
Marvel Special Edition #15 (1973) By Steve Englehart and Jim Starlin
Zheng Shang-Chi is an elite martial arts master who was raised to be an assassin under the House of Deadly Hand and his father, Zheng Zu, but broke free from the organization to become a formidable superhero. Hailing from Hunan, China, Shang-Chi is one of the best combative fighters in the Marvel Universe and wields the incredible powers of the Ten Rings.
Shang-Chi is known for his unwavering skills in hand-to-hand combat and has been sought after to train many heroes such as Spider-Man, Captain America, and Wolverine. He has also shown himself to be an incredible teammate and leader, leading the Five Weapons Society and existing as a member of the Protectors.
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings: This film features Simu Liu as Shang-Chi, part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Confronted with his past, he becomes involved with the mysterious organization of the Ten Rings, which challenges his identity and abilities. Released in 2021, the film explores themes of family and legacy.
19
United States - Captain America (Steve Rogers and Sam Wilson)
Captain America comics #1 (1940) by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby
Captain America is one of Marvel's first and most iconic superheroes due to his role in the Avengers and a symbol of patriotism and justice. Created with the Super Soldier Serum, Steve Rogers first appeared in the mantle of Captain America in World War II and has since accomplished great feats in the Marvel Universe, such as fighting Thanos, and proving himself worthy enough to wield the Hammer of Thor, Mjolnir.
Sam Wilson is the second Captain America, formerly known as Falcon, and has a long history with Steve Rogers, sparking a strong alliance and friendship with the star hero. Sam Wilson is truly heroic as he is a strong supporter of equality, values non-violence, and was chosen by Steve Rogers to carry on the mantle of Captain America.
18
India - Spider-Man (Pavitr Prabhakar, Earth-50101)
Spider-Man: India #1 (2004) by Jeevan J. Kang
Pravitr Prabhakar is an alternate version of Spider-Man from Earth-50101 and fights as the web-slinging hero in Mumbai, India. Popularized by Spider-Man: Across the Spider-VersePavitr's personality is a bit different from his film counterpart, as he was originally introduced as a shy high school student. Despite this, he is still the hero that many know and love.
Pavitr's Spider-Man journey began when he was given the magical abilities of a spiderand with his new powers, battles and defeats Nalin Oberoi, his universe's version of the Green Goblin. Pavitr also plays a large role in Spider-Verse alongside Miles Morales and is a prominent member of the Spider-Society.
Miles Morales returns in Spider-Man: On the Other Side of the Spider-Verse, the sequel to Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. With his identity still secure, but “terrified” by his parents, Miles Morales receives a visit from his friend from another dimension, Gwen Stacy. Inviting him on a new adventure, Miles seizes the opportunity but is apparently approached by an unknown assailant on his journey. Miles and Gwen will team up with Spider-Heroes new and old to face a villain of immeasurable power.
17
Pakistan - Ms. Marvel (Kamala Khan)
Captain Marvel #14 (2013) by Sana Amanat, G. Willow Wilson and Adrian Alphona
Marvel is a Pakistani-American teenage superhero with a deep connection to her family, culture, and her duty as a hero. Originally a superfan of Captain Marvel, Kamala Khan discovers that she has mutant-inhuman hybrid abilities that allow her to expand, and with her new powers, she decides to take on a superhero persona, becoming Mrs. Marvel.
Kamala is a quirky and inventive young heroine who accomplished a lot at a young age by unlocking her cosmic powers and eventually becoming a member of the Avengers. As the daughter of immigrants from Karachi, Pakistan, he is also a strong advocate for building his community and has been a huge figure in leading the next generation of young heroes.
16
Nigeria - Temperament (Idie Okonkwo)
The mysterious X-Men #528 (2010) By Matt Fraction, Terry Dodson and Whilce Portacio
Temper, also known as Oya, is a powerful X-Men whose powers of fire and ice manifested when she was very young, leading her to maintain a complicated relationship with her abilities and mutant identity. Born in Delta State, Nigeria, Rogue and the X-Men recruited Temper after she froze and burned down her city. With Wolverine's help, she later learned to accept and embrace her flaws and mutant origins.
Since her recruitment, Idie has traveled with other X-Men to help newly manifested mutants around the world.. Temper also later joined Cyclops' team in Alaska along with Beast, Psylocke, and Juggernaught to take on missions and uncover the mystery of adults manifesting mutant abilities.
15
Brazil - Sunspot (Roberto Da Costa)
Marvel graphic novel #4: The New Mutants (1982) By Chris Claremont and Bob Mcleod
Originally introduced as a suave but hot-headed playboy, Roberto Da Costa is a mutant hailing from a wealthy family in Brazil, who uses his wealth and inherited empire to improve the lives of mutants. Roberto was recruited by Charles Xavier, Karma and Moira MacTaggert as a member of the New Mutants, later joining other teams such as the Avengers and the X-Men.
Sunspot also appeared in X-Men '97 television series as the team's rookie recruitstarting a relationship with Jubilee, a member of the X-Men. During the Krakoa Era, Roberto traveled through outer space with the New Mutants and Starjammers, playing a role in terraforming Mars for the mutants.
X-Men '97 is the direct continuation of the popular 1990s animated series X-Men: The Animated Series. Picking up where season three left off, Marvel's revival brings back famous mutants like Wolverine, Storm, Rogue, Gambit, Cyclops, Beast, Magneto and Nightcrawler, who battle villains like Mr.
14
Russia - Black Widow (Natasha Romanova)
Tales of Suspense #52 (1959) by Stan Lee, Larry Lieber and Don Rico
Black Widow is an integral member of the Avengers and has proven herself to be a talented hero with unparalleled combat capabilities, but was originally introduced as an antagonist to the Soviet Union's Iron Man. Going from villain to hero, Natasha Romanove has an interesting connection to her complicated past and since her origins she strives to be a great heroine with a strong moral compass.
Natasha has become a well-recognized and talented hero and has joined many teams over the years, such as S.H.I.E.L.D., the Avengers, and the Thunderbolts.. Despite her past as an assassin, Black Widow has become a hero who symbolically represents resilience and moral strength.
13
Mexico - Spider-Man 2099 (Miguel O'Hara)
Spider-Man 2099 #1 (1992) By Peter David and Rick Leonardi
Spider-Man 2099 has a unique origin, coming from the distant future and working as a geneticist trying to recreate the powers of the original Spider-Man, Peter Parker. Miguel O'Hara is synonymous with Spider-Verse as he has appeared in several cross-over events such as Spider-Verse and Geddon Spiderusually leading or being part of a team that defends the multiverse.
Miguel O'Hara is a half-Irish and Mexican geneticist who acts as the Spider-Man of the future and strives to change the system of his oppressive society.a strong contrast to his Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse cinematic counterpart. Similar to his cinematic counterpart, Miguel is a brilliant scientist who seeks innovation and protection of the multiverse.
12
Japan - Sunfire (Shiro Yoshida)
X-Men #64 (1970) By Roy Thomas and Don Heck
Originally from the island of Honshu, Japan, Shiro Yoshida was an original member of Cyclops' X-Men team sent to rescue the first X-Men team from the island of Krakoa.. Shiro has fire powers and an explosive temper that often leads him into conflict with other heroes like Wolverine. This eventually leads to Shiro leaving the team to operate on his own, away from the X-Men.
Shiro has faced many trials and tribulations that have shaped his identity as a hero, such as being brainwashed by Apocalypse and becoming one of his knights, but Sunfire always found the strength to persevere. He has been a member of several hero teams such as Big Hero 6 and Avengers Unity Division.
11
Egypt - Apocalypse (En Sabah Nur)
X Factor #5 (1986) By Bob Layton and Butch Guice
Apocalypse is a powerful warrior and one of the oldest immortal mutants in the Marvel Universe, hailing from Ancient Egypt thousands of years ago.. Apocalypse has been a prominent antagonist and ally of the X-Men, playing a large role in the formation of the nation of Krakoa as a member of the Quiet Council alongside Professor Xavier and Magneto.
Apocalypse has incredible shapeshifting abilities and, Throughout his long life, he gained several other powers such as telepathy and the ability to transform people into the Horsemen of the ApocalypseWar, Famine, Death and Pestilence, using celestial technology. Born into a difficult period, En Sabah Nur strongly believes in a strict “survival of the fittest” mentality, as well as mutant supremacy, which most of the time drives his goals.
10
Vietnam - Karma (Xuân Cao Mạnh)
Team Marvel #100 (1980) By Chris Claremont and Frank Miller
Karma was a mutant born in Vietnam and has the unique ability to psychically possess other people's minds, a power she shares with her twin brother. Xuân initially used her power to dominate Spider-Man's mind, believing him to be a villain, but was later convinced by Reed Richards and the Fantastic Four to attend Professor X's mutant school to better understand his powers and identity as a hero. .
Karma would become the leader of the New Mutants, leading other mutants like Sunspot and Mirage. She would later join his team on their adventures through outer space and the Shi'ar Empire during the Krakoa Era.
9
Germany - Nocturne (Kurt Wagner)
Giant-Size X-Men #1 (1975) By Len Wein and Dave Cockrum
Nightcrawler is one of the most iconic and recognizable X-Men with his uniquely blue and furry appearance, teleportation powers, and complex family history. Born in Bavaria, Germany, to Mystique and Destiny, Kurt Wagner was initially considered abandoned and taken in by a traveling circus.
Constantly judged for his demonic appearance, Kurt struggled to be accepted by society, but his life took a turn when Charles Xavier recruited Kurt to join his X-Men and he would later become an important member of the team. Although Kurt sometimes struggles with his appearance, he is a beloved member of the X-Men, known for his charm and kind heart, becoming an important member of the Quiet Council during the Krakoa Era.
8
United Kingdom - Captain Britain (Brian Braddock and Betsy Braddock)
Captain Britain #1 (1976) By Chris Claremont and Herb Trimpe
Brian Braddock was an intelligent physicist before he was in a life-threatening motorcycle accident, and in his dying state he was approached by the wizard Merlyn, who granted him the powers of Captain Britain with flight abilities and super strength. Braddock became a member of the Captain Britain Corps, a group of interdimensional warriors whose powers come from the mystical realm of the Otherworld. and are tasked with protecting different dimensions under the mantle of Captain Britain.
Captain Britain would be part of several superhero teams such as Excalibur and the Avengers, however, during the Krakoan Era, Betsy Braddock, Brian's younger sister and formerly known as Psylocke, would take on the mantle of Captain Brittain from Brian. Betsy Braddock would take over her brother's responsibilities as Captain Britain, while Brian would become Captain Avalon.
7
France - Exodus (Bennet du Paris)
X Factor #92 (1993) By Scott Lobdell and Joe Quesada
Bennet du Paris was a mutant born in France during the 12th century and would become the champion of the Apocalypse and follower once his powers manifested, giving rise to the name Exodus. Exodus eventually betrays Apocalypse when trying to protect his friend, causing Apocalypse to place him in a centuries-long coma, with Exodus eventually being awakened by Magneto and becoming one of his trusted followers.
Exodus straddles the line of ally and enemy of the X-Men, often supporting causes that benefit the well-being of the Mutants or joining the X-Men in times of grave crisis. Exodus is an Omega-level mutant with a wide array of powerful psychic and telekinetic abilities. He also served on Krakoa's Quiet Council and would help mutants terraform Mars.
6
South Korea - Luna Snow (Seol Hee)
War of the Realms: New Agents of Atlas #1 (2019) By Greg Pak and Gang Hyuk Lim
Seol Hee aka Luna Snow is a superhero who started as a K-pop idol in the band 4L1T. Orphaned at a young age, Seol Hee became an idol to help support the rest of her family, and during one of her shows at the Sark Arena, the venue was seized by Joro Spider and AIM agents. This attack led to One of Sark's fusion reactors malfunctioned, subsequently gifting Seol Hee with ice powers and leading to her being born the superhero name Luna Snow.
Luna Snow would become part of the Agents of Atlas team and made several appearances in comics, traveling the world as a hero. Recently, Luna Snow became one of the many playable heroes in the video game Marvel Rivals, as a debut tactician choice.
5
Afghanistan - Dust (Sooraya Quadir)
New X-Men #133 (2002) By Grant Morrison and Ethan van Sciver
Born in western Afghanistan, Sooraya Quadir was saved by Wolverine from an underground criminal gang and would later enroll at the Xavier Institute. At the institute, her fellow mutant Xorn would try to get Sooraya to turn against Professor Xavier, but she refused, as Xorn demanded that she renounce her faith, in turn, she would try to warn Xavier of his betrayal.
Sooraya has the unique ability to turn into dust and weather any storm, which is how she earned her hero title, Dust. Due to its specialized powers, Sooraya was tasked with leading the charge in maintaining Mars' sandstorms so that the Mutants could terraform Mars for the Nation of Krakoa.
4
Greece - Elektra (Elektra Nachios)
Reckless #168 (1981) By Frank Miller
Elektra Nachios was born into an influential political family on an island in Greece and was encouraged to train in martial arts by her father, eventually her abilities would catch the Hand's attention, causing the group to recruit her. Elektra would also go to college with Matt Murdock, aka Daredevil, and develop a flirtatious and teasing relationship with the blind vigilante.
Despite not having inhuman abilities, Elektra's incredible ability allows her to face a wide range of super-powered enemies. Through a long journey of redemption, Elektra would gradually transform from Hand clan assassin to vigilante hero.. During Matt Murdock's disappearance, Elektra would take on the mantle of Daredevil to protect the city, becoming a superhero in her own right.
3
Ireland - Banshee (Sean Cassidy)
X-Men #28 (1967) By Roy Thomas and Werner Roth
Sean Cassidy was originally an Interpol agent from Ireland before being recruited by Charles Xavier and joining the X-Men alongside Nightcrawler, Wolverine and Storm, making him one of the Professor's first X-Men. Cassidy has the interesting mutant ability to produce a sonic scream, as well as heightened, selective hearing that allows her to focus on or block out any sound.
Banshee was part of Cyclops' team to rescue the original band of X-Men from the island of Krakoa, and he later joined his teammates in transforming the island into a thriving nation for mutants.. As a founding member of the X-Men, Cassidy participated in many missions and is Siryn's father who inherited her father's sonic scream, which encouraged him to be a mentor to the next generation of mutants.
2
Canada - Wolverine (Logan Howlett)
The Incredible Hulk #180 (1962) By Len Wein and Herb Trimpe
Wolverine was born in the 19th century in Alberta, Canada as James Howlett and has since become one of the most recognized superheroes and X-Men with his iconic yellow costume and adamantium-lined claws. Logan has a long and complex history as an immortal mutant, being a guinea pig for Weapon X and also becoming a spy for Department H and the Canadian government.
Logan was one of the first X-Men to be recruited by Charles Xavier and has been a prominent participant in every major X-Men story.. Although Wolverine is known for his incredible abilities and long life, he is also known for his furious anger and irritable behavior, often coming into conflict with other teammates, most notably Scott Summers.
1
Kenya - Storm (Ororo Munroe)
Giant-Size X-Men #1 (1975) by Len Wein and Dave Cockrum
Storm is one of the most powerful members of the X-Men as an Omega-level mutant and master of weather manipulation. Ororo Munroe was born to a Kenyan mother and an American father, and would eventually travel to the Serengeti plains of Kenya, where he helped local towns with their harvests using his weather skills. Her actions caused cities to revere her as a goddess.
Storm would eventually be approached by Charles Xavier to join the X-Men, and from there, she became one of the X-Men's staple members. As an X-Men, Storm flourished in her powers and would become a prominent leader of the team. and accomplished feats such as leading the X-Men, becoming queen of Wakanda and joining Krakoa's Quiet Council.