Best Marvel Characters Who Debuted In The 2010s

Summary

• Cosmic Ghost Rider, introduced in 2017, is a powerful character with a unique blend of Ghost Rider and Galactus’s powers.
• Ghost Rider (Robbie Reyes) made his debut in 2014, setting him apart from the iconic Johnny Blaze as a new version of the Spirit of Vengeance.
• Miles Morales, introduced in 2011, has become the most popular Marvel character from the 2010s with unique powers like camouflage and electricity.

Since the debut of Namor in the 1930s, Marvel has introduced thousands of heroes and villains over the years. Many of the iconic characters — such as Doctor Strange, Wolverine, and Iron Man — have been around for decades.

Even when it feels like everything has already been done, some characters introduced in the last 10 to 15 years have significantly impacted and become some of the most popular in the Marvel Universe today. This list ranks the best characters that Marvel introduced between 2010 and 2019 based on their popularity.

10

Ghost Rider (Robbie Reyes)

Debut Year: 2014

• Debut Appearance: All-New Ghost Rider #1 (March 2014)
• Real Name: Roberto “Robbie” Reyes
• Powers & Abilities:
  • Powers: Ghost Rider Transformation (Superhuman Strength, Superhuman Speed, Superhuman Durability, Self-Sustenance, Regenerative Healing Factor, Pyrokinesis, Chain Manifestation, Hell Charger Linkage, Intangibility, Underworld Path, Healing Symbiosis, Teleportation, Portal Creation, Nether Communication, Matter Surfing, Flight, Condemnation, Rage Enhancement, Vehicle Possession, Penance Stare, Penance Bomb)
  • Abilities: Expert Driver, Expert Mechanic, Skilled Hand-to-Hand Combatant, Piloting

Ghost Rider was originally introduced in the 1970s with Johnny Blaze as the central character. However, in 2014, Marvel took the Spirit of Vengeance in a new direction by introducing Roberto “Robbie” Reyes. Reyes made his first appearance in All-New Ghost Rider, where he entered a drag race in a car possessed by the satanic spirit of his uncle, Elias Morrow.

This event transformed him into a new version of Ghost Rider, but instead of the iconic motorcycle, Robbie rides a 1969 Dodge Charger. As the story progressed, he developed into a hero in his own right and even became a member of the Avengers. Fans quickly embraced the character, leading to his live-action debut in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

9

Silk (Cindy Moon)

Debut Year: 2014

• Debut Appearance: Amazing Spider-Man (Vol. 3) #4 (July 2014)
• Real Name: Cindy Moon
• Powers & Abilities:
  • Powers: Spider Physiology (Wallcrawling, Superhuman Strength, Superhuman Speed, Superhuman Stamina, Superhuman Durability, Superhuman Agility, Superhuman Equilibrium, Superhuman Reflexes, Silk-Sense, Organic Webbing, Superhuman Tracking)
  • Abilities: Gifted-Intelligence, Eidetic Memory, Skating

There are now numerous Spider-Man side characters, originating from events like the Clone Saga and more recent examples like the Spider-Verse. One notable character is Silk, who has taken on a more prominent role and even gained her own self-titled series the year after her debut in Amazing Spider-Man (Vol. 3) #4.

Cindy Moon was on the same field trip as Peter Parker when he was bitten by a radioactive spider. She was also bitten by the same spider, which gave her powers similar to those of Spider-Man. However, she was soon taken by Ezekiel Sims to protect her from Morlun, a hunter of the Spider-Totems. Peter only discovered her existence 13 years later and ultimately freed her from the bunker where she had been held.

8

Thor (Jane Foster)

Debut Year: 2014

• Debut Appearance: Thor: God of Thunder #25 (September 2014)
• Real Name: Dr. Jane Foster
• Powers & Abilities:
  • Powers: When wielding Mjolnir: Superhuman Strength, Superhuman Speed, Superhuman Durability, Superhuman Stamina, Superhuman Senses, Self-Sustenance, Regenerative Healing Factor, Longevity, Energy Manipulation, Lightning/Electrokinesis
  • Abilities: Nursing Skills, Medical Training

Jane Foster has been a supporting character and love interest of Thor Odinson since the 1960s. However, it wasn’t until 2014 that she became a hero in her own right. Unfortunately, she was diagnosed with cancer but refused magical assistance from Thor, who had lost the right to wield Mjölnir. In a surprising turn of events, the magical hammer called out to Jane, and when she picked it up, it cured her illness and granted her the power of the Mighty Thor. This storyline was later adapted into the Marvel Cinematic Universe in Thor: Love and Thunder.

As she embraced her identity as a hero and joined the Avengers, Jane discovered that the cancer did not actually go away; it was only a temporary fix while she was in her Thor form. Although wielding Mjölnir made her well, it ultimately made her condition worse as it removed the chemotherapy from her body. In time, she took on the mantle of Valkyrie, which granted her new permanent powers and cured her cancer permanently.

7

Falcon (Joaquín Torres)

Debut Year: 2016

• Debut Appearance: Captain America: Sam Wilson #6 (February 2016)
• Real Name: Joaquín Torres
• Powers & Abilities: Hybrid Physiology (Flight, Regenerative Healing Factor, Psychic Link with Redwing)

The mantle of Falcon was first held by Sam Wilson, who would later become Captain America. As a result, the new Cap needed a Falcon, which led to the introduction of Joaquín Torres in 2016. Torres was a member of the Mexican community who helped people cross the border into the United States.

He was captured by the Sons of the Serpent and experimented on by Karl Malus, transforming him into a human-falcon hybrid using Wilson’s avian partner, Redwing. This transformation granted Torres the ability to fly with his wing-like arms, a healing factor, and a psychic link with Redwing, similar to Wilson’s. After Captain America rescued him and the others who were captured, Torres became the next Falcon.

6

Agent Venom (Flash Thompson)

Debut Year: 2011

• Debut Appearance: Amazing Spider-Man #654 (February 2011)
• Real Name: Eugene “Flash” Thompson
• Powers & Abilities:
  • Powers: Black Symbiotic Costume (Superhuman Strength, Superhuman Speed, Superhuman Stamina, Superhuman Durability, Superhuman Agility, Superhuman Reflexes, Webbing Generation, Accelerated Healing Factor, Wall-Crawling, ESP (Spider-Sense), Spider-Sense Immunity, Invisibility, Constituent-Matter Generation, Constituent-Matter Manipulation, Shapeshifting, Genetic Memory, Night Vision)
  • Abilities: Skilled Marksman, Skilled Combatant

Flash Thompson is often recognized by casual fans as Peter Parker’s high school bully. However, in 2011, his character took a new direction. After graduating from high school, Flash enlisted in the army but tragically lost his legs during combat. Following this, he was bonded with the Venom symbiote through an experiment and became Agent Venom, working for the U.S. government.

This unique interpretation of both Flash and Venom became a popular character, thanks greatly to his striking costume. Despite this success, Agent Venom has not been featured in much additional media. After the symbiote returned to Eddie Brock, Flash later transitioned to become Agent Anti-Venom, wielding the Anti-Venom symbiote, a mantle he currently holds.

5

Ironheart (Riri Williams)

Debut Year: 2017

• Debut Appearance: Invincible Iron Man (Vol. 4) #3 (January 2017)
• Real Name: Riri Williams
• Powers & Abilities:
  • Abilities: Super-Genius Intelligence, Skilled Inventor and Engineer

Debuting in 2017, Riri Williams is a child genius who created her own suit of Iron Man armor. This achievement led Tony Stark to endorse her as a hero and become her mentor. Williams subsequently fought alongside Iron Man during the second Civil War event, which resulted in Stark falling into a coma. As a result, Williams took on the responsibility of becoming Ironheart in his place.

Riri Williams was well-received by fans and is best known as a member of the young superhero group, the Champions. She made her MCU debut in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and was scheduled to appear in Armor Wars, although that project’s status is currently uncertain.

4

Cosmic Ghost Rider (Frank Castle)

Debut Year: 2017

• Debut Appearance: Thanos (Vol. 2) #13 (November 2017)
• Real Name: Francis “Frank” Castle
• Powers & Abilities:
  • Powers: Spirit of Vengeance (Hellfire Manipulation, Superhuman Strength, Superhuman Durability, Penance Stare, Immortality, Meta Possession, Remote Possession, Mystical Chain Projection). Power Cosmic (Interstellar Travel, Energy Projection, Cosmic Penance Stare, Telekinesis)
  • Abilities: Weapon Fabrication

Cosmic Ghost Rider is a multiversal counterpart to Frank Castle, the Punisher, who died during Thanos’ quest for Earth. After his death, he was sent to Hell and made a deal with Mephisto to become the Ghost Rider. When he returned to Earth, he discovered that Thanos had won and that he was the last person alive. Eventually, Galactus came to the planet and made a deal with Castle, exchanging Earth for the Power Cosmic so he could seek revenge on the Mad Titan. As a result, he became a combination of Ghost Rider and a Herald of Galactus.

This concept is quite outrageous, but it works surprisingly well. Cosmic Ghost Rider has appeared in several different stories, proving himself to be a powerful character across the Marvel Multiverse. Despite this, there have been no major appearances of the character outside the comics.

3

Ghost-Spider / Spider-Gwen (Gwen Stacy)

Debut Year: 2014

• Debut Appearance: Edge of Spider-Verse #2 (September 2014)
• Real Name: Gwendolyn Maxine “Gwen” Stacy
• Powers & Abilities:
  • Powers: Spider Physiology (Wallcrawling, Superhuman Strength, Superhuman Speed, Superhuman Stamina, Superhuman Durability, Superhuman Agility, Superhuman Equilibrium, Superhuman Reflexes, Spider-Sense)
  • Abilities: Musician, Skilled Detective, Skilled Fighter, Web-Slinging

Spider-Gwen is an alternate reality version of Gwen Stacy from Earth-65, where she was bitten by the spider instead of Peter Parker. This bite granted her arachnid abilities. Initially known as Spider-Woman, she later adopted the name Spider-Gwen and eventually became Ghost-Spider.

She played a crucial role in the Spider-Verse saga by teaming up with other Spider-heroes to fight against the Inheritors across the Multiverse. Over time, she established herself as a hero in her own right and eventually settled on Earth-616. Spider-Gwen is particularly well-known for her prominent roles in the animated films Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and its sequel, Across the Spider-Verse.

2

Ms. Marvel (Kamala Khan)

Debut Year: 2014

• Debut Appearance: All-New Marvel NOW! Point One #1.NOW (January 2014)
• Real Name: Kamala Khan
• Powers & Abilities:
  • Powers: Mutant-Inhuman Hybrid Physiology (Inhuman Physiology: Morphogenetics, Elongation, Size Alteration, Accelerated Healing, Appearance Alteration, Bioluminescence), (Mutant Physiology: Hard Light Constructs, Hard Light Exoskeleton)

Ms. Marvel is a well-known character who has become a major player among the Avengers, moving beyond her role as a sidekick to Captain Marvel. Kamala Khan is an interesting blend of both an Inhuman and a Mutant, which provides her with two distinct sets of abilities: elongation and hard light regeneration.

She is a groundbreaking character, as she was the first muslim to headline a comic book series — a milestone that should not have taken until the 2010s to achieve. Ms. Marvel has gone on to star in her own self-titled series in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and is also featured in the movie The Marvels.

1

Spider-Man (Miles Morales)

Debut Year: 2011

• Debut Appearance: Ultimate Fallout #4 (August 2011)
• Real Name: Miles Gonzalo Morales
• Powers & Abilities:
  • Powers: Spider Physiology/OZ formula Enhancement (Superhuman Strength, Superhuman Speed, Superhuman Stamina, Superhuman Durability, Superhuman Agility, Superhuman Equilibrium, Superhuman Reflexes, Wallcrawling, Spider-Sense, Radar Sense, Electricity Generation, Mega Venom Blast, Venom Beam, Venom Punch, Lateral Repulsion, Bio-Electric Constructs, Venom-Saber, Energy-Thread Generation, Camouflage, Regeneration)

Without a doubt, Miles Morales is the most popular Marvel character introduced in the 2010s. Originally from the Ultimate Universe, he became a replacement for Spider-Man after the apparent death of Peter Parker. Since then, he has transitioned to the main 616 Marvel Universe. As a new Spider-Man, Miles possesses all the abilities of Peter Parker, but he also has the unique powers of generating electricity and using camouflage, which make him even more formidable.

His rising popularity has resulted in his own animated movie series, a video game, and even a brief reference in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), although he has not yet made a full live-action debut.