10 Best Side Characters In The MCU

Marvel's Cinematic Universe is an ever-expanding force that seems to be continuously stretching in every direction. For the past ten years, we have been steadily receiving a stream of Marvel films that now show no sign of stopping. We've been getting three films a year for the past two years now, with the roster of big-name superheroes only growing longer and longer.

But what about the characters who aren't so super? What about the characters who don't get to have their own solo film or act as a highlighted member of that oh-so-large network?

Since the very beginning, Marvel has been excellent at surrounding its superheroes with charismatic and likable side characters. They can act as comic relief, as emotional support, or even as true heroes in their own unique way. But they never seem to quite get the recognition they deserve. At the end of the first Iron Man, it is Tony Stark who gets all the glory, not Pepper Potts or Phil Coulson, who arguably do just as much to defeat the Iron Monger.

These are the heroes whose songs have, thus far, gone unsung. These are the side-kicks, friends, and family who have stuck by our hero's side as they save the world time and time again and never asked for a fraction of the attention. They are the best side characters the MCU has to offer.

The third film in the Thor franchise offered up a desperately needed kick in the ass to the franchise whose first sequel had gotten way too bogged down in bad comic relief and over-convoluted, non-compelling backstories. Ragnarok, on the other hand, trimmed the franchise down in every way possible and really offered a compelling and interesting story for our hero to embark on.

Along the way, Thor clashes with and eventually is able to befriend this lovable lush of a character. Valkyrie is an expert warrior, who once fought for the sacred Asgardian guards. After a battle with Hela went seriously wrong, she exiled herself and wound up a scrap-trader/bounty hunter on Sakaar with a bit of a drinking problem.

She not only helps Thor and Banner escape Sakaar and evil Jeff Goldblum, she also is a vital component in defeating Hela during the climax. She also beats the crap out of Loki at one point, and every character gets bonus points for whaling on his greasy mug.

She is funny, she is strong, and most of all, she is a compelling character who could easily anchor her own branch of the franchise.