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For over 75 years, since its early days as Timely Comics, Marvel has created an extensive roster of heroes, villains, sidekicks, and supporting characters, each contributing to the countless stories published by this now-iconic brand. With Marvel Studios operating at full capacity, the responsibility of selecting which characters deserve a live-action adaptation in high-budget films falls to a dedicated team. However, given the typical two-hour runtime of feature films, some characters crucial to the comics are often relegated to minor roles, making them nearly unrecognizable to their most devoted fans. With that in mind, you might be surprised to learn that these 11 Marvel characters have already appeared on the big screen.
*Note: We’ve chosen to slightly bend the rules by including Marvel films outside the Cinematic Universe, as they feature hidden characters too intriguing to overlook.
20. Lorelei
Lorelei (Elena Satine) made her debut in the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. episodes “T.A.H.I.T.I.” and “Yes Men,” where she used her powers of seduction to manipulate Agents Ward and Fitz. While she appeared as a villain-of-the-week on AoS, her role in the comics is far more substantial, as she even manages to ensnare the God of Thunder himself.
Lorelai first appeared in Thor #337 as the younger sister of the Enchantress, a well-known antagonist in Thor and Avengers storylines. Like her sister, Lorelai harbors a fascination with Thor. Through a combination of sorcery and love potions, she manages to enthrall the God of Thunder, forcing his allies to intervene and rescue him.
http://agentsofshield.wikia.com/wiki/Lorelei Source: Agents of Shield
19. Angar The Screamer
A lesser-known Daredevil foe, Angar the Screamer, showed up in a Season 2 episode of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. In the episode, Skye’s father (who we’ll discuss later) enlists a group of enhanced individuals to exact revenge on Agent Coulson and S.H.I.E.L.D. Among them is David Angar (Jeff Daniel Phillips), a psychiatric patient forced to wear a mask to shield others from his amplified vocal abilities. This precaution proves necessary, as his sonic scream wreaks havoc on the S.H.I.E.L.D. team.
Angar the Screamer debuted in Daredevil #100. Originally a radical activist, he gained his sonic scream abilities after participating in an experiment. He quickly turned to crime, using his powers to manipulate others, even causing Daredevil and Black Widow to hallucinate and battle each other. Later, he partnered with Screaming Mimi, but his criminal career ended abruptly when he was shot during a bank heist.
Photo: ABC
18. Absorbing Man
Crusher Creel debuted in the second season of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. as a Hydra-controlled antagonist, though he later aligns with S.H.I.E.L.D. in Season 3. In the comics, Creel is a criminal who gains superhuman abilities from a mystical potion provided by Loki, transforming him into “The Absorbing Man.” His signature power allows him to replicate the properties of any material he touches, such as wood, steel, or even adamantium. This ability makes him a formidable opponent, capable of standing toe-to-toe with heavyweights like Thor and the Hulk.
The TV adaptation of Creel portrays him as more intelligent compared to his comic counterpart, who is often depicted as a somewhat simple-minded fighter. However, his powers and physical portrayal remain true to the source material.
Photo: ABC
17. Dr. Faustus
In the first season of Agent Carter, Peggy and the Howling Commandos (a team we dearly miss!) rescued a psychologist named Dr. Ivchenko from an Eastern European prison. Little did they know, Ivchenko was actually a HYDRA operative with a far darker plan. His true identity was later revealed to be Dr. Johann Fennhoff, a name shared with the comic book character Dr. Faustus.
Primarily a foe of Captain America, Dr. Faustus employed various psychological tactics and drugs to manipulate Cap’s mind, though the hero ultimately overcame his schemes. While not as famous as villains like Red Skull or Winter Soldier, Dr. Faustus holds a significant place in Captain America’s rogues' gallery. He even played a key role in Cap’s death, hypnotizing Sharon Carter into aiding Crossbones in assassinating Steve Rogers.
http://marvelcinematicuniverse.wikia.com/wiki/Johann_Fennhoff Source: MCU Wiki
16. Madame Masque
Despite its cancellation due to low ratings, many Marvel fans might have missed that the primary antagonist in the second season of Agent Carter was Madame Masque. In the series, she goes by Whitney Frost (Wynn Everett), a Hollywood star who acquires the ability to harness and manipulate Darkforce energy. Frost leverages her newfound powers to seize control of her husband’s criminal empire, the Council of Nine, establishing herself as one of the most powerful female villains in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
While the comic version of Madame Masque differs significantly from her TV counterpart, Season 2 of Agent Carter is filled with subtle nods to the character. The most notable references are found in the titles of the films Frost stars in: *The Nefarious Daughter* alludes to her father, Count Nefaria, a classic Avengers foe, while *The Woman in the Golden Mask* directly mirrors her iconic comic book persona.
As her name suggests, Madame Masque is known for wearing a golden mask to conceal her disfigured face. Though she lacks superhuman abilities, she is a cunning and resourceful socialite who rises to lead the Maggia, a notorious criminal syndicate. Primarily an adversary of Iron Man (and briefly romantically involved with Tony Stark), one of her most memorable storylines involves her interactions with Kate Bishop, also known as Hawkeye, in Matt Fraction’s acclaimed Hawkeye series.
Photo: ABC
15. Blackwing
Another villain from Agent Carter with comic book origins is Joseph Manfredi, portrayed by Ken Marino. In the series, Manfredi serves as Whitney Frost’s primary ally (due to their romantic history) and acts as the muscle for her criminal operations. His comic book counterpart, however, shares little resemblance beyond the name, making his origins less obvious to viewers.
In the comics, Joseph Manfredi is the son of Silvermane, a well-known Spider-Man antagonist. After gaining the ability to control bats, he joins the Ringmaster’s Circus of Crime, adopting the alias “Blackwing.” Typically a henchman, Blackwing has worked for various organizations, including HYDRA, the Skeleton Crew, and Justin Hammer, and has clashed with heroes like Daredevil, the Thunderbolts, and Captain America.
http://www.newsarama.com/26642-agent-carter-adds-ken-marino.html Source: Newsarama
14. Mr. Hyde
One of the central mysteries in the early seasons of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. revolved around the identity of Skye’s parents. This was resolved in Season 2 with the introduction of her father, Cal (Kyle MacLachlan), a mentally unstable scientist and killer. The pivotal moment comes when Cal reveals Skye’s true name, Daisy Johnson, hinting at her superhero identity as Quake and his own as the supervillain Mr. Hyde.
Mr. Hyde, a scientist who develops a formula granting him superhuman strength and a volatile mental state, has been a part of the Marvel Universe since 1963. Inspired by Robert Louis Stevenson’s literary character of the same name, he is primarily associated with the Thunderbolts but has also been a member of the Masters of Evil and the Lethal Legion.
http://villains.wikia.com/wiki/Mr._Hyde_(Marvel) Source: Villains Wiki
13. Whiplash
While Anton Vanko is the version of Whiplash featured in Iron Man 2, he isn’t the original. That title belongs to Mark Scarlotti, who debuted in Tales of Suspense #97 in 1968. An inventor and assassin for the Maggia, Scarlotti created a high-tech whip capable of cutting through Iron Man’s armor, making him a formidable foe.
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. brought Scarlotti into the spotlight in the Season 2 episode “A Fractured House.” Introduced as a deadly mercenary who once nearly killed Hawkeye, Scarlotti wields a chain-like whip with a blade at its tip. His showdown with Agent May resulted in one of the series’ most memorable fight sequences.
http://agentsofshield.wikia.com/wiki/File:Fractured_House_273.png Source: Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Wiki
12. Graviton
In the comics, Graviton, also known as Dr. Franklin Hall, is a formidable Avengers antagonist with the ability to manipulate gravitational fields. His most notable feat includes ripping a portion of the Earth and transforming it into a floating island. The Avengers eventually thwarted him, but his actions led to the island’s destruction after he mistakenly believed his loved one had taken her own life. Since then, Graviton has reappeared as a nearly unstoppable force.
On Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Graviton was reduced to a villain-of-the-week role and ultimately absorbed by Gravitonium, the element he discovered. While Dr. Hall remains alive within the Gravitonium, he has yet to resurface. Fans hope his next appearance will be more impactful than his initial introduction.
Photo: ABC
11. Mastermind (X-Men 2)
With so many Marvel characters appearing in the mutant-centric X-Men films, it’s easy to miss some. One such character is the sinister telepath known as Mastermind, who subtly influenced the events of X-Men 2 without many viewers realizing his significance.
In the film, General Stryker exploits his lobotomized mutant son, Jason, to manipulate Professor X into eradicating all mutants. Based on his name and telepathic abilities, it’s clear this character is a loose adaptation of Jason Wyngarde, aka Mastermind. While the comics depict Wyngarde as a servant of organizations like the Brotherhood or the Hellfire Club, the movie’s version is so different that his comic origins are easily overlooked.
https://comicicons.wordpress.com/category/x-men/ Source: comicicons.com
10. Henry Gyrich (X-Men)
Another notable X-Men character who made a subtle appearance in the films is Henry Gyrich. In X-Men, Senator Kelly is abducted after Mystique impersonates Gyrich, his assistant. A news report later reveals that the real Gyrich was allegedly “mauled by a bear,” though it’s implied Sabretooth was the actual attacker.
Given Gyrich’s significant role in various comic book arcs, his brief cameo in the movie left many expecting a more substantial storyline. As a government official, Gyrich has been a persistent adversary to both the X-Men and the Avengers. His abrupt demise in the first X-Men film was a missed opportunity, as he could have been a compelling character in later installments.
9. Doc Samson (The Incredible Hulk)
While The Incredible Hulk addressed many issues from the 2003 Ang Lee adaptation, it still underused several key characters. Many viewers likely missed the presence of a major comic book figure in the film.
In the movie, Dr. Leonard Samson plays a minor role as Betty Ross’s psychiatrist and romantic interest, overshadowed by Bruce Banner. However, in the comics, Samson gains super strength and green hair after exposure to gamma radiation. Fans hope for a more developed portrayal of his character if Marvel revisits the Hulk in future MCU projects.
http://moviepilot.com/posts/1399347 Source: moviepilot.com
8. The Leader (The Incredible Hulk)
Although he doesn’t sport his iconic oversized, gamma-mutated head, the foundation for the Hulk’s classic foe, the Leader, is established in The Incredible Hulk.
In the film, Samuel Sterns is portrayed as a scientist collaborating with Emil Blonsky to uncover the secrets behind the Hulk’s abilities. Near the movie’s conclusion, an accident causes Bruce Banner’s blood to enter Sterns’ system through a head wound. The final shot shows his head swelling and a sinister smile forming, hinting at his potential return in the MCU.
http://moviepilot.com/posts/1491815 Source: moviepilot.com
7. Amadeus Cho (The Incredible Hulk)
Another comic book character subtly included in The Incredible Hulk is the tech-savvy individual Bruce bribes with pizza to access a lab. While his name isn’t mentioned in the film, the movie’s novelization reveals this character to be Amadeus Cho, a significant figure in Hulk comics.
https://comicicons.wordpress.com/2015/08/06/amadeus-cho-martin-starr/ Source: comicicons.com
6. Fin Fang Foom (Iron Man)
The MCU excels at adapting fantastical comic book characters into realistic live-action portrayals. One such example is Fin Fang Foom, the alien-dragon supervillain. In Iron Man, during Tony Stark’s test flight of the Mark II armor, a brief glimpse of Fin Fang Foom’s face can be spotted on a billboard. This image, created by artist Adi Granov, draws inspiration from Fin Fang Foom’s appearance in the Viva Las Vegas comic storyline.
Given Fin Fang Foom’s reputation as one of Marvel’s more absurd villains, this brief cameo is likely the closest we’ll ever get to seeing him in the MCU.
http://www.cisforcomics.gr/marvel-movies-easter-eggs/ Source: cisforcomics.gr
5. Raza Longknife (Iron Man)
In the first Iron Man film, Tony Stark is captured by terrorists who demand he build weapons for them, leading to the creation of his iconic armor. Observant viewers might recognize that the terrorists identify as the Ten Rings, a nod to the Mandarin’s magical rings in the comics. Interestingly, one of their members is inspired by a Marvel character who started as a rogue space pirate.
The Ten Rings’ leader in the movie is named Raza. During Tony’s dramatic escape, Raza suffers severe facial disfigurement, a key detail hinting at his identity as Raza Longknife, a member of the Starjammers, a group of spacefaring rebels.
The key difference between Raza’s movie portrayal and his comic version is the side of his face that gets injured, as well as the absence of a cybernetic faceplate. This was likely a deliberate choice by director Jon Favreau to signal a fresh interpretation of the character.
http://moviepilot.com/posts/2658087 Source: moviepilot.com
4. The Gentleman (The Amazing Spider-Man)
Spider-Man fans spent years speculating about the identity of the mysterious figure who interacts with villains at the end of The Amazing Spider-Man and its sequel. With the reboot’s cancellation, the character’s true identity remains unresolved, though theories abound. Some believed his sudden appearance in Dr. Connors’ cell hinted at Mysterio, while others suggested the Chameleon, Doc Ock, Morbius, Kaine, or even Peter’s father, Richard Parker, who appears in a deleted scene from The Amazing Spider-Man 2. However, one overlooked possibility is Gustav Fiers, aka the Gentleman, a lesser-known villain from Spider-Man novels.
Though lacking superpowers, the Gentleman is a wealthy and well-connected figure with ties to major criminal organizations. Described as an elegant, grey-haired man who remains physically and mentally sharp despite his age, he closely matches the mysterious figure in the films. The novels reveal Fiers as the mastermind behind a revamped Sinister Six and someone with a close yet complicated history with Richard and Mary Parker. After his brother’s death, he vowed revenge on their son, Peter, once he grew older.
http://cdn1.thr.com/sites/default/files/2013/12/the_amazing_spider_man_2_trailer.jpg Source: THR
3. The Original Human Torch (Captain America: The First Avenger)
Marvel’s cinematic universe is packed with subtle nods and Easter eggs for eagle-eyed fans, and one such reference that many missed is the appearance of the original Human Torch in Captain America: The First Avenger.
This isn’t the Human Torch portrayed by Chris Evans in the Fantastic Four films; instead, it’s the original Human Torch, who debuted in Timely Publication’s Marvel Comics #1 in 1939.
The original Human Torch remains one of Marvel’s most unique characters. Created as an android by Dr. Phineas T. Horton, he was kept in a glass case, as seen briefly in Captain America. When exposed to oxygen, he burst into flames and gained sentience, a hallmark of 1930s storytelling. Initially, his fiery powers caused chaos, including setting parts of New York ablaze and killing a mobster. Over time, he mastered his abilities, becoming a hero who could fly and hurl fireballs without causing widespread destruction.
http://birthmoviesdeath.com/2011/07/27/did-you-see-the-human-torch-in-captain-america-the-first-avenger Source: birthmoviesdeath.com
2. Cosmo the Space Dog (Guardians of the Galaxy)
Marvel fans know to stay until the very end of the credits for surprise appearances, and Guardians of the Galaxy is no exception. While Howard the Duck’s cameo grabbed attention, many likely missed the appearance of another quirky Marvel character: Cosmo the Space Dog.
In a post-credits scene, the Collector (Benicio Del Toro) sits amidst the wreckage of his museum when a dog in a space suit approaches and comforts him with a lick. This dog, briefly seen earlier as an exhibit, is Cosmo the Space Dog, who in the comics serves as the head of security in Knowhere and an ally to the Guardians.
Cosmo’s backstory reveals he was once a test subject in the Soviet Space Program. After a failed experiment left him drifting in space, he ended up in Knowhere, where he underwent mutations and eventually became the region’s chief of security.
https://comicicons.wordpress.com/2015/08/05/cosmo-the-dog/ Source: comicicons.com
1. Adam Warlock (Thor: The Dark World & Guardians of the Galaxy)
Cosmo the Space Dog isn’t the only secret character hidden in the Collector’s vault of cosmic artifacts. Sharp-eyed viewers might have spotted another item tied to one of Marvel’s most formidable superheroes.
In both Thor: The Dark World and Guardians of the Galaxy, a strange glowing object resembling an alien cocoon can be seen. Dedicated fans will recognize this as the cocoon of Adam Warlock, a powerhouse hero who deals with threats on a galactic scale. Notably, in the post-credits scene of Guardians of the Galaxy, the cocoon appears to have been opened.
http://iheardthatmoviewas.com/know-your-superheroes/guardians-of-the-galaxy-2/ Source: iheardthatmoviewas.com
