Several of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s established antagonists have spent time as heroes in Marvel Comics lore. While a few of these have already hinted at corresponding heroic turns in the MCU during their time on screen, others listed here are more surprising, including some of Marvel’s most recognizable antagonists.
Redemption arcs are a staple of superhero storytelling, whether it is heroes who have fallen from grace and have to fight their way back, or villains who undergo a change of heart and become good.
The characters collected here are primarily known as baddies in the MCU, but their comic book counterparts have much more complex history.
Namor
Marvel’s First Anti-Hero Is More Than A Black Panther Enemy
namor the sub-mariner
​​​​​The MCU version of Namor, introduced in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, was portrayed as a nuanced, at times even conflicted character. Yet he was still fundamentally the antagonist of the film, paralleling his initial introduction in the comics as a subversively anti-heroic character, one who was arguably way ahead of his time.
Namor debuted in 1939, and in nearly eighty years since, he has been a heroic figure about as often as a villain. Namor has been a member of the X-Men, Avengers, and Defenders, and was a prominent member of Marvel’s original Illuminati. He makes sense as a go-to morally complex enemy, but he ultimately has more to offer as a hero.
Namor is confirmed to be returning for Avengers: Doomsday, where it is speculated he will take on a more heroic role. This could lead to a spin-off film, which could expand on Namor’s multilayered position in the Marvel Universe in much greater detail, and perhaps offer a definitive modern interpretation of the character.
Taskmaster
The MCU’s Most Misused Character Has Greater Range In The Comics
All things considered, the MCU has a high success rate for capturing the essence of its takes on Marvel characters, even if something is almost always lost in the translation from page to screen. That said, one of the biggest adaptation casualties in the MCU’s history is the case of Taskmaster.
First appearing in Black Widow and then abruptly killed off in Thunderbolts*, the MCU Taskmaster is an appropriation of the character’s name, and design, without bearing any tangible connection to the comic version beyond that. Which is a shame, because Taskmaster is an extremely fun character with a lot of potential.
Including the opportunity for a heroic turn. Introduced as a mercenary villain, contemporary Marvel Comics have found the character taking on a mentorship role for Deadpool’s daughter, who has taken up the hero’s mantle. This was a surprising, but positively-received turn, yet it is made even more surprising by the character’s MCU treatment.
Ultron
Ultron’s Brief But Impressive Time As An Avenger, Explained
The latest short-lived volume of West Coast Avengers managed to serve up a novel new chapter in Ultron’s Marvel lore. Over the course of just ten issues, a version of the robotic villain achieved redemption as a member of the team, guided by Tony Stark, before sacrificing himself to defeat another, still-evil Ultron copy.
It might never have been a heroic turn that was meant to last, but it was unexpectedly effective while it lasted, especially with the twist of a second Ultron still embodying his trademark villainy. In other words, it highlighted the dramatic potential of short-term redemption storylines for classic villains, by using an iconic Avengers adversary in an unprecedented way.
Cassandra Nova
The Powerful Psychic Mutant Has Had Her Heroic Moments
Cassandra Nova in the woods in Marvel Comics
Cassandra Nova was introduced as an X-Men villain, and she is currently an antagonist in X-Men lore. In the MCU, she proved to be an effective enemy for the heroes in Deadpool and Wolverine. That said, Nova has also spent time as a more anti-heroic, if not necessarily sympathetic character.
Nova was introduced at the start of Grant Morrison’s groundbreaking New X-Men run as the series’ first “Big Bad.” Yet by the end of Morrison’s tenure on the series, they’d already offered a glimpse of the character’s surprising potential for redemption, recontextualizing her as a hero in the far-flung future story “Here Comes Tomorrow.”
In the years since, Cassandra Nova has seemingly proven that she is best suited for villainy. Still, it’s not unreasonable to expect that she’ll shift back into the “good” column at some point, even temporarily. In essence, Nova is too good of a character not to experiment with, and that includes tweaking her moral alignment.
Norman Osborn
The Green Goblin Has Struggled Against His Villainous Impulses For Years
golden goblin can cure cancer norman osborn green goblin
At the climax of Spider-Man: No Way Home, primary antagonist the Green Goblin, aka Norman Osborn, was “cured” of his insanity. It was a surprising ending for many MCU fans, but not those who are familiar with the precedent set by the comics, in which Osborn has spent time as an anti-hero, and even an outright hero, in stark contrast to his arch-villain reputation.
In fact, Norman Osborn has even taken on an alternate “Golden Goblin” persona at his heroic heights. While the allure of an evil Osborn is too strong for Marvel to keep him as a good guy permanently, the character has proven his potential on both sides of the aisle, suggesting he’ll continue to bounce back and forth.
Thaddeus Ross/Red Hulk
The MCU Just Scratched The Surface Of Red Hulk’s Potential
Thaddeus Ross transforms into Red Hulk in Marvel Comics cover
Thaddeus Ross, played first by William Hurt, then by Harrison Ford, has primarily been an antagonistic presence in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and the character has frequently fulfilled this role in his decades-long comic history as well. However, especially since he was empowered as the Red Hulk, Ross has had his heroic moments as well.
Red Hulk has been an Avenger, as well as a member of the Thunderbolts. In the latest One World Under Doom crossover series, Ross, as Red Hulk, was yet again portrayed as a more sympathetic character. In the end, Marvel fans are trained to root for a Hulk, any Hulk, and the Red incarnation is no exception.
Kang the Conqueror
Several Kang Variants Have Been Stalwart Heroes
kang the conqueror busiek art
Given his time-hopping nature, and the nature of the Marvel Multiverse, there are an excessive number of Kang the Conqueror variants in Marvel lore. Some of these versions rank among Marvel’s most dangerous villains, while at the same time, there have been several memorable heroic incarnations of Kang that have popped up as well.
Most notably, one variant took on the identity Iron Lad and became a founding member of Marvel’s Young Avengers. The Kang of Marvel’s current Ultimate Universe is also a hero, and in fact, in that timeline, turned out to be a version of Tony Stark, who took on the “Iron Lad” name in the “present day” of the story.
As with Ultron, Kang’s character conceptually allows for him to be used in myriad different ways, while still preserving his core villainy. Unlike most Marvel bad guys, no mechanics of redemption are required to make Kang a hero; a heroic Kang can just simply be introduced, utilized in a story, and disposed of when necessary.
Ghost
An Anti-Hero With Untapped Potential In Multiple Mediums
Ava Starr’s Ghost in full costume in the MCU’s Ant-Man and the Wasp
Ghost debuted in the MCU as an opponent of Ant-Man, before the process of rehabilitation her character started in Thunderbolts*, something that is expected to continue in the upcoming Avengers film duology. Ghost’s comic book counterpart has similarly wavered between heroic and anti-heroic status, and both have debatably yet to live up to their full potential.
Meaning, both the MCU and comic versions of Ghost could still be destined for villainy, but they also have a chance to be a memorable hero on screen and on the page. Ghost has been around for decades in the comics, but the character getting their full due might hinge on success in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.