All New MCU Characters Introduced In Phase 4  And Their Comic Counterparts 

We are going through the phase four of Marvel Cinematic Universe starting from Black Widow to recent upcoming film Black Panther: Wakanda Forever including the Disney+ series from Wanda Vision to recent She-Hulk: Attorney at Law and more to come. 

Even though there has been inconsistency in the narrative quality of the MCU movies, and also some series, for the most part, people are hopeful about MCU’s future to come. 

Especially when you excited projects like Kang Dyansty, Secret Wars and Fantastic Four and so much more to come. 

And for great pay-offs, more and more characters are introduced in the MCU movies and shows in Phase 4. 

So, these characters are going to be so much important for the upcoming MCU phases and all the movies. 

Let’s explore all the new MCU characters introduced in the Phase 4 of the MCU, in the shows as well as in movies. 

Ironheart 

As we know that Dominque Thorne is set to play Riri Williams aka Ironheart in MCU in upcoming Disney+ show Ironheart. 

Apparently, the character is going to make debut in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever before even in her own series. 

In comics, when Tony Stark aka Iron Man couldn’t carry his legacy after being a renowned superhero in the universe, he gets someone to keep his mantle alive, that’s Riri Williams aka Ironheart. 

She is a 15-years old super genius who uses Tony Stark’s armor and then reverse engineers the suit making another one with additional customizations, and becomes a hero. 

Just like Tony Stark, she doesn’t have any super-powers but is a genius and brave. It will be interesting to see how in the MCU, her character is going to be introduced. 

She-Hulk

Already making a huge buzz mostly for bad reasons but still an interesting addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. 

Disney+ Show She-Hulk: Attorney At Law marks the debut of She-Hulk aka Jennifer Walters in MCU where so far, five episodes are already out. 

The show is receiving mixed reviews at best where the criticism is mostly around bad CGI, poor & improper characterisation and overall writing of the show. 

It is still enjoyable for MCU fans, at least in parts, except a lot of them are basically waiting for Daredevil cameo. 

Jennifer Walters, the attorney turned a super-hero lawyer managing the cases of super-abled people and also dealing with occasional threats is played gracefully by Tatiana Meslany. 

She-Hulk in comics, is also cousin sister of  Dr.Bruce Banner aka The Hulk who gained the ability to turn this mild version of Hulk as get exposed to Bruce’s blood in a car accident. 

What is interesting about her abilities is being able to turn green, larger and more powerful but unlike Bruce or Hulk, she retains her personality and conciousness, so intact with all human intelligence and emotional control. So overall, no alter-ego like Hulk. 

In comics, she is also known to break the fourth wall, something you have seen with Deadpool for creating humor. 

She is also known to be a member of Avengers, Fantastic Four, S.H.I.E.L.D, The Defenders and Heroes for Hire as well. 

It will be interesting to see her joining the new Avengers, and especially her role in Kang Dynasty and Secret Wars. 

Herculues 

Remember the first appearence cameo, hence the debut of Herculues in MCU, shown at the post-credit scene of Thor: Love and Thunder. 

He was seen with Zeus who got defeated by Thor earlier in the movie, planning together to go against Thor. 

It seems that we are going to get Thor vs Herculues in the MCU in the next Thor movie which is said to be one of the biggest clashes in Marvel comics.

Hercules,  basically is the son of Zeus and Alcemna where he was given the task to hunt and kill Thor at the end of the movie Love and Thunder.

In comics, he was considered more powerful than Thor and first established as a rival for Thor, apparently what MCU is going for in their version.

He was however, also became the part of Avengers, a perennial member, in fact, however not officially announced.

Interestingly, after defeating Thor, he become slave to a fellow Olympian God Pluto who puts him incharge of ruling netherworld instead of him. 

But later he was eventually rescued by Thor only defeating Pluto’s minions in the underworld. And there are too many adventures of his characters around Thor and Avengers both, both as friend and foe. 

So it will be really interesting to see how his character will be shown in the MCU. So far, it seems that we are definitely going to get a really good battle between Thor and Herculues. 

Also, it will be good to have a matching or even more powerful enemy for Thor to evolve his character and bring back the action as well. 

Yelena Belova aka Black Widow 

Yelena Belova is introduced in MCU from the Black Widow movie and further appeared in Disney+ series Hawkeye

She is the adopted sister of Natasha Romanaff aka Black Widow, and a highly trained spy and assassin, trained in Red Room. 

Yelena Belova is also going to be Black Widow, the next one after the death of Natasha Romanoff in Avengers: Endgame

Her on-screen character in MCU is played by Florence Pugh who is also going to appear in Marvel Studios’ upcoming film Thunderbolts as well. 

In comics, she plays Black Widow, a second-era character first appeared in Inhumans Issue #5 in 1999. 

Initially, she was sent to kill Natasha Romanoff but later they became allies. She went on becoming part of many teams such as Vanguard, HYDRA and S.H.I.E.L.D. 

She was a real anti-hero character in the comics with different affiliations. Her character was also later changed into a different version of Super-Adaptoid, member of High Council of A.I.M, later reverting to her original name Black Widow. 

Another interesting fact about her character, that she was the first confirmed asexual character in Marvel comics. 

Namor

Namor is the character we only saw a glimpse of in the recently released Black Panther: Wakanda Forever teaser, hence making his debut in MCU. 

So far we know that Namor will be attacking Wakanda, perhaps we will get to see more of  him in the trailer of the film, and eventually when the movie releases as well. 

In the comics, he is the mutant son of a sea captain, a human and a princess of an undersea kingdom of Atlantis. 

He has super-strength and aquatic abilities, mostly portrayed as an anti-hero, a short-fused but good natured superhero or an invader. 

He is spiteful towards the surface-dwellers and seeking vengeance against them due to the ill they have done to his aquatic kingdom. 

Namor is also known as the first popular comic book anti-hero, and a relatively known Marvel character as well. 

In the comics, he has been invovled with The Invaders, The Avengers, The Fantastic Four, The X-men and even The Illuminati. 

America Chavez

America Chavez, played by Xochiti Gomez, made her first appearance in MCU in the movie Doctor Strange and The Multiverse of Madness, fighting alongside Doctor Strange against Scarlette Witch. 

Her character, as shown in the film, is raised by her mothers in a Utopian parallel reality that is out of time. 

She got her superhpowers due to a presence of a powerful being knwn as Demiurge, giving her abilities to open portals across different realities. 

America Chavez, in comics, she eventually joined Teen Brigade, as co-leader with Ultimate Nullifier. She also popularly been part of Young Avengers along with other teen superheroes such as Ironheart, Ms. Marvel, Kid Loki, Patriot, Hawkeye (Kate Bishop), Marvel boy, Hulkling and others as well. 

After Doctor Strange helped her, protected her and almost became her guide in the Multiverse of Madness in their journey together stopping Scarlette Witch. It will be interesting to see where her story goes from there. 

There are definitely no solo movie of America Chavez or Ms. America so far for at least a few years, or in phase seven. But she might be appearing in a lot of movies lined up until then, so look out for her. 

Shang-Chi

According to rumors, Shang-Chii sequel might be coming in 2025 where the first one, Shang-Chi and The Legend of The Ten Rings, was released in September 2021, marking the debut of Shang-Chi in MCU. 

He’s character in the film is played by Simu Liu who further will be reprising his character as well, in the marvel cinematic universe.

In comics, he is also known as Master of Kung-Fu and Brother Hand. He has achieved expertise in all forms of fighting, and that’s why he prefers eschewing weapons for hand-to-hand combat. 

Showing the Ten Rings in the movie, and also the cameo of Wong, in the post-credit scene ties up this movie with the marvel cinematic universe, which means he will show up in Avengers or other MCU movies as well. 

Mr. Fantastic 

A distant dream for marvel fans now coming much closer, especially after the cameo of Reed Richards played by John Krasinski in Doctor Strange and Multiverse of Madness

This dream also included X-men into the MCU, not just the Fantastic Four but the cameos in the movie was a hopeful start. 

The Fantastic Four movie, however now is officially announced taking part in Phase Six , set to be released in 2024, bringing these new heroes into MCU. 

Mr. Fantastic, the leader of Fantastic Four aka Reed Richards, in comics has powers of elasticity and is also a genius among the likes of Tony Stark. 

It is still not confirmed whether John is playing the character, as the Earth 616 version of Reed Richards as well or whether there will be a new cast altogether. 

Fantastic Four team, apart from Mr. Fantastic (Reed Richards) also includes Invisible Woman (Susan “Sue” Storm), Human Torch (Johny Storm) and The Thing (Ben Grimm). 

Invisible Woman, as the name suggests can make herself invisible as well as create invisible force fields and blasts, Human Torch can generate flames, Thing possesses extreme superhuman strength and durability due to his stone-like flesh. 

We soon will see Mr. Fantastic and other team members in the MCU, especially it will be great to see them meet Avengers. 

Valentina Allegdra de Fontaine

Contessa Valentina Allegdra de Fontaine has first appeared in the MCU in the Disney+ show The Falcon and the Winter Soldier

She appears almost at the end of the finale episode, to former-Captain America John Walker to join this new band of superheroes, which is announced to be the upcoming MCU movie Thunderbolts

Later she also makes another appearence in the post-credit scene of Black Widow movie, to Yelena Belova, adopted sister of Natasha Romanoff where she tells her that someone wants to hire her to kill Clint Barton, who is also responsible for her sister’s death. 

And that’s why we see her longer cameo in the Disney+ Hawkeye series fighting Clint Barton and Kate Bishop. 

She is going to be an important character, and apparenlty founder of The Thunderbolts in MCU as well. 

In comics, she is also a powerful, manipulative and influential personality, who knows how the United States operates.

Monica Rambeau

Monica Rambeau has made her appearence in MCU in Disney+ show Wanda Vision, daughter of late Maria Rambeau, childhood friend of Carol Danvers aka Captain Marvel. 

She was in incharge of the Westwiew anomaly, after which she later got trapped in, got mind-controlled by Wanda. 

Her character starts living as a woman named Geraldine, and becomes friends with her. She does become aware of herself in this reality helping Wanda give birth to twins. 

When she was thrown out of the invisible shields surrounding Westwiew. Later when she tried again to re-enter throught he barrier, found that she can and gain powers like spectral visions.

Monica Rambeau, played by Teyonah Parris, is going to reprise her role in the upcoming movie The Marvels along with Captain Marvel and Ms. Marvel. 

Adam Warlock

Adam Warlock, also known to be Him, is a well-known character in Marvel comics, popularly seen both as hero and villain, even as anti-hero at some times. 

Apparently, his character is going to make his debut in the MCU, established in the post-credit scene of Guardians of Galaxy Vol 2

According to Variety, Will Poulter is going to play his character in the MCU and it seems that he is going to hunt Guardians of the Glalaxy in the third installment. 

He is one of the major players in the cosmic landscape of the Marvel universe  with his innate, energy-based superpowers making him a powerful being. 

Adam Warlock, is one of the most powerful warriors in the Marvel universe, wielding sould gems, known to be a frequent ally of Guardians of the Galaxy and Fantastic Four. 

So, it seems that he will be initially hunting Guardians but later one might get along with them against a common enemy or threat. 

It is also possible that Guardians movie might explore or even introduce first of him as his evil version, his own dark side called Magus, and later when he will be able to destroy it with the help of guardians, he becomes Adam Warlock. 

Echo

Echo is the character with alter ego Maya Lopez, is a deaf martial artist and athlete, expertise in copying or mimicking fighting abilities of her opponent. 

She was shown as the adoptive daughter of Kingpin, in the comics as well as in Disney+ show Hawkeye where she made her debut in MCU, played by Alqua Cox.

In the Marvel comics, she is also known to be a supporting character to Daredevil, so there’s high chances we are going to see her in the much-hyped upcoming Marvel Disney+ series Daredevil: Born Again

Also, she is getting her own TV series on the Disney+ where Daredevil aka Matt Murdock is definitely going to show up. 

The first teaser of this Hawkeye spin-off show has been already shown in Marvel’s D23 Expo 2022 unveiling her character as Echo. 

Moon Knight 

Moon Knight, one of the earliest entries in the phase V of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which was highly appreciated by fans as well as critics. 

Disney+ show Moon Knight is about Marc Spector, a vigilante harnessing the powers of Moon God Khonshu fighting against mystical threats to the world. 

With Oscar Isaac playing Marc Spectre, his performance and good writing of the show made this one of the best MCU adaptations in this phase. 

Just like in the show, he was a mercenary who was going to die in the desert but was revived by Moon Good Khonshu to make him his fist and high priest. 

His character suffers from the dissociative identity disorder where he becomes changed into other alter egos such as billionaire Steve Grant and cab driver Jake Lockley. 

What will be interesting to see is how Moon Knight will connect to the MCU and where they will connect to. 

Taskmaster

In the comics, Taskmaster is basically a former S.H.I.E.L.D Agent turned assassin and mercenary. 

He has the ability to replicate any physical skills of his or her opponent, something matching to Echo. 

Taskmaster made it into MCU through Black Widow movie released in 2020 as the opponent of Nastash Romanoff and her sister Yelena Belova. 

In that movie, behind the Taskmaster, it was Dreykov’s own daughter acting as his personal enforcer, very different from the comics and known to be quite a conterversial choice for the fans as to see a female version of Taskmaster. 

Interestingly, in the comics, after a long time, he eventually end up becoming a teacher starting his academy to train government agents, heroes, henchmans, or even villains. 

Since, in the MCU, her character will be the part of The Thunderbolts, we will be getting more from her character, and background story as well. 

Kang the Conqueror 

Well, he is going to be the centre of attaction in the coming phases of MCU, that’s for sure. They are setting him up, building his anticipation just like Thanos in the Infinity Saga. 

In the Marvel comics, he is an all-powerful time-travelling enemy of the Avengers, known as the ruler of Chronopolis with an alter ego named Natheniel Richards.

One version or a variant of him, He Who Remains has already been introduced in the MCU in the Disney+ show Loki, the ruler behind Time Variance Authority. (TVA) 

However, as he was killed by Sylvie, the female variant of Loki, apparently that leaves Kang the conqueror as the new rule of TVA, changing the timeline shown in the climax of the show.

Kang the conqueror is the most hostile and powerful version of himself across the multiverse who has killed Avengers multiple times in different timelines, as what he said to Ant-man in the new footage released at D23 Expo.

Since he is going to be the main villain of this Marvel phase and another to come, it seems that his first official appearance is going to be in Ant-man and the Wasp: Quantamania

Blade 

Remember the early Marvel Blade movies featuring Wesley Snipes as Blade along with other stellar cast like Sanaa Lathan, Stepher Dorff, Kris Kristoffereson and Donal Logue. 

It is this character who himself is a part-vampire and part-mortal, and becomes a vampire hunter to protect humans from these vicious beasts. 

His goal is to prevent these manical vampires taking over the human race and destroying everything. 

Apparently, we already know that Blade movie is going for a MCU reboot, this time multiple oscar-winner Mahershala Ali playing the titular role. 

Stacy Osei-Kuffour who wrote Watchmen is hired by Marvel to write this reboot film, finally bringing this into MCU. 

Apart from her, Marvel also brought the director for this film onboard as well, Bassam Tariq, who is best known for his work on Mogul Mowgli. 

According to the rumors, this MCU Blade project will be titled as Blade, the Vampire Slayer, something similar to Buffy. The film is set to release on November 3, 2023, right after Halloween. 

Ms. Marvel

Disney+ show Ms. Marvel is streaming all its episodes for the first season right now, marking the debut of Iman Vellani aka Ms Marvel in MCU. 

She is a Pakistani-American teenager who got superpowers like the superhero, Captain Marvel who she looks upto. 

The series explored her origin story living in a pakistani community in New Jersey, raised among migrant families in the U.S with traditional background. 

Ms. Marvel’s character is played by Iman Vellani with other cast members such as Rish Shah, Fawad Khan, Matt Lintz, Farhan Akhtar and more. 

In comics, she has gained the similar ability to extend her limbs, shape-shift and make changes in her appearance in many ways. 

However in the show, there are some forms of energy crystals that allow her to create an extended hand made up of the same crystal energy. In the comics, she is also known to be the female counterpart of Captain Marvel. 

As per the post-credit scene, we already know that Ms. Marvel is going to be a part of the Captain Marvel story. 

And as already announced upcoming Marvel film The Marvels will be feature Ms. Marvel along with Captain Marvel and Monica Rambeau. 

Scarlet Scarab 

Scarlet Scarab appeared in the Moon Knight Disney+ series where Layla Abdallah El-Faouly,  the archaeologist and wife of Marc Spectre aka Moon Knight, made a deal with Tawaret to become her avatar as Scarlet Scarab. 

This happened almost at the end of the series where she had to become the Avatar of Tawaret to save her life and to fight against Harrow in Cairo. 

In the comics, however, apparently her father Dr. Abdul Faoul was the superhero going with that name. 

He was the one who protected his homeland Egypt using the Ruby Scarab, making himself transform into this new god-like being or powered individual named Scarlet Scarab. 

Well there still be might chance that Layla’s father might have been the Scarlet Scarab at his time which is yet to be revealed in the show. That might be explored more in the second seasno of the Moon Knight series. 

The Watcher 

Watchers in Marvel comics are basically a species, a powerful being who observes the Multiverse from a place that is called to be the Nexus of all realities. 

Uatu, the one who is referred to as The Watcher in the Disney+ Anthology animated series What If, also acts as  narrator of the show, and the common link connecting all the episodes together.

He abides an oath which is taken by all the Watchers that they will never interfere in the events of multiple realities that they are assigned to watch. 

Even though What If is made to be the canon for the MCU, we are yet to see his character in a live-action movie, however there are few appearances casually done in earlier movies. 

Red Guardian 

Red Guardian, with alter-ego Alexei Alanovich Shostakov, is the first Soviet-Russian super soldier, something like a Russian counterpart to Captain America. 

He has been an ally to Dreykov who was the head of the Red Room, and he was also assigned as a deep undercover in Ohio to infilterate and destory S.H.I.E.L.D ( HYDRA occupied), having two daughters as Natasha Romanoff and Yelena Belova. 

One daughter is known to be a former Avenger Black Widow and another is a new Black Widow. 

Red Guardian made his debut in MCU along with Yelena Belova in the Black Widow movie featuring Natasha Romanoff reunited with her family, before the events of Infinity War. 

His character is played by actor David Harbour, known for Stranger Things and Hellboy. It will be interesting to see more of his character in the MCU where he will be part of upcoming MCU movie The Thunderbolts

US Agent 

John Walker is a character who becomes the next Captain America, making his debut in MCU in Disney+ show The Falcon and The Winter Soldier. 

Well, later on, he turns out to be a morally-gray character when as Captain America, he kills  someone crossing the line Steve Rogers would never cross, or any superhero for that matter.

However, his character become more complex character as we move forward in the show, revealing that his fate isn’t just seal to be this manical former Captain America rather an anti-hero U.S Agent. 

His character went downtrodden from righteous and perfect Steve Roger’s successor to this morally corrupted former hero, eventually to be U.S Agent or hinted so with cameo of Contessa at the end of the show offering him to be part of The Thunderbolts. 

There are also other characters such as Gorr the God Butcher, Daredevil, Captain Carter, Clea, Agatha Harkness and Kate Bishop. 

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