10 Best New Marvel Characters Of The 21st Century

Comics have been around for absolutely ages. Batman and Superman first appeared in the 1930s, while Stan Lee had a hand in most of Marvel’s big guns in the 1960s. In fact, most people’s favourite comic book characters have been around for longer than fifty years.

That’s some remarkable longevity, but it’s not like there’s no new blood though. Marvel especially have continued to create and curate their roster into the modern day, and the 21st Century has already ushered in some gems. The future looks very bright indeed.

These ten characters have all brought something new to the table, shaped by a modern world. They might not be ousting Hulk or Spider-Man right now, but the best of them have what it takes to stick around for the long haul.

With the MCU bringing new fans and digital marketplaces reviving what was a dying art form, the rules of the game are changing. This lot have what it takes to run with the big boys.

Characters who were reinvented are exempt here; this is examining full on new creations. People picking up the torch from more established heroes will count though, so there’s a big variety of super folk.

Started from the bottom, now she’s here... still at the bottom, kind of, but making the cut as one of Marvel’s ten best 21st Century characters while the likes of Sentry & fellow West Coast Avenger America Chavez miss out. Considering her inauspicious beginnings, that’s no small feat.

Gwenpool was originally a joke for a variant cover, mashing together the aesthetics of Deadpool and Spider-Gwen (more on her later). This happened in June 2015, which was intended to be Gwenpool’s only outing.

However, the cover was so popular that Marvel moved to create an actual character, and in November 2015, Gwendolyn Poole made her debut in Howard The Duck.

Christopher Hastings, who created her personality after Chris Bacholo had created her design, had the genius idea to go meta with her. Taking inspiration from her namesake Deadpool, Gwenpool breaks the fourth wall but will full knowledge that she’s in a comic book.

Marvel Comics even exists in her world, and she acts recklessly without fear of consequence, knowing she’s just a character on a page. Following Howard The Duck, a solo run as The Unbelievable Gwenpool followed, before she joined the new look West Coast Avengers.