The Marvel Universe is a grand culmination of heroes, villains, and anti-heroes from all walks of life with iconic teams like the Avengers and the X-Men who mirror real-world complexities and human experiences. As Marvel’s cosmos constantly expands, so do its characters and stories, going beyond the solar system and to other dimensions.
From Africa to Europe, Marvel has been growing its multinational teams and heroes to better illustrate the diverse global landscape. Superheroes come from a myriad of different places, all over the world, and fans may not know even the most popular of heroes originate from other countries. This eclectic assortment of Marvel’s international characters showcases to readers that stories of heroism and excitement know no bounds.
20
China – Zheng Shang-Chi
Special Marvel Edition #15 (1973) By Steve Englehart and Jim Starlin
Zheng Shang-Chi is an elite master martial artist who was raised to be an assassin under the House of the Deadly Hand and his father Zheng Zu, but broke free from the organization to become a formidable superhero. Hailing from Hunan, China, Shang-Chi is one of the best combative fighters in the Marvel Universe and wields the awesome powers of The Ten Rings.
Shang-Chi is known for his unshakable skills in hand-to-hand combat and has been sought out to train many heroes such as Spider-Man, Captain America, and Wolverine. He has also been shown to be an incredible teammate and leader, leading the Five Weapons Society and existing as a member of The Protectors.
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings: This film introduces Simu Liu as Shang-Chi, part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Confronted by his past, he becomes entangled with the mysterious Ten Rings organization, which challenges his identity and abilities. Released in 2021, the movie explores themes of family and legacy.
19
United States – Captain America (Steve Rogers and Sam Wilson)
Captain America Comics #1(1940) by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby
Captain America is one of the first and most iconic superheroes in Marvel given his role with the Avengers and a symbol of patriotism and justice. Created with the Super Soldier Serum, Steve Rogers first dawned the Captain America mantle in World War ll and has since gone on to great feats in the Marvel Universe such as battling Thanos and has shown to be worthy enough to wield Thor’s Hammer, Mjolnir.
Sam Wilson is the second Captain America, previously known as Falcon, and has a long history with Steve Rogers, kindling a strong alliance and friendship with the star-spangled hero. Sam Wilson is truly heroic as he’s a strong advocate for equality, values non-violence, and was chosen by Steve Rogers to continue the Captain America mantle.
18
India – Spider-Man (Pavitr Prabhakar, Earth-50101)
Spider-Man: India #1 (2004) by Jeevan J. Kang
Pravitr Prabhakar is an alternate version of Spider-Man from Earth-50101 and fights as the web-slinging hero in Mumbai, India. Popularised by Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, Pavitr’s personality is slightly different from his film counterpart as he’s originally introduced as a shy high school student. Despite this, he’s still the qippy hero many know and love.
Pavitr’s Spider-Man journey began when he was gifted the magical abilities of a spider, and with his newfound powers, battles and defeats Nalin Oberoi, his universe’s version of the Green Goblin. Pavitr also plays a big role in the Spider-Verse alongside Miles Morales and is a prominent member of the Spider Society.
Miles Morales returns in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, the sequel to Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. With his identity still safe but “grounded” by his parents, Miles Morales is visited by his friend from another dimension, Gwen Stacy. Inviting him on a new adventure, Miles jumps at the opportunity but is seemingly accosted by an unknown assailant on his journey. Miles and Gwen will unite with new and old Spider-Heroes to face a villain of immeasurable power.
17
Pakistan – Ms. Marvel (Kamala Khan)
Captain Marvel #14 (2013) by Sana Amanat, G. Willow Wilson, and Adrian Alphona
Ms. Marvel is a Pakistani-American teenage superhero with a deep connection to her family, culture, and her duty as a hero. Originally a superfan of Captain Marvel, Kamala Khan discovers she has mutant-inhuman hybrid abilities that allow her to stretch, and with her newfound powers, she decides to dawn a superhero persona, becoming Ms. Marvel.
Kamala is a quirky and inventive young hero who accomplished a great deal at a young age by unlocking her cosmic powers and eventually becoming a member of the Avengers. Being the daughter of immigrants from Karachi, Pakistan, he is also a strong supporter of building up her community and has been a large figure in leading the next generation of young heroes.
16
Nigeria – Temper (Idie Okonkwo)
The Uncanny X-Men #528 (2010) By Matt Fraction, Terry Dodson, and Whilce Portacio
Temper, also known as Oya, is a powerful X-Men whose fire and ice powers manifested when she was very young, driving her to hold a complicated relationship with her abilities and mutant identity. Born in Delta State, Nigeria, Rogue and the X-Men recruited Temper after she froze and burned down her town. With the help of Wolverine, she later learned to accept and embrace her flaws and mutant origins.
From her recruitment, Idie traveled with other X-Men to assist recently manifested mutants all over the world. Temper also later joined Cyclops’ team in Alaska along with Beast, Psylocke, and Juggernaught to take on missions and uncover the mystery of adults manifesting mutant abilities.
15
Brazil – Sunspot (Roberto Da Costa)
Marvel Graphic Novel #4: The New Mutants (1982) By Chris Claremont and Bob Mcleod
Originally introduced as a suave yet hot-headed playboy, Roberto Da Costa is a mutant hailing from a wealthy family in Brazil, using his wealth and inherited empire to better the lives of mutantkind. Roberto was recruited by Charles Xavier, Karma, and Moira MacTaggert as a member of the New Mutants, later joining other teams like the Avengers and the X-Men.
Sunspot also appeared in X-Men ‘97 television series as the fresh-faced recruit of the team, kindling a relationship with X-Men member Jubilee. During the Krakoa Era, Roberto traveled throughout outer space with the New Mutants and the Starjammers, playing a part in terraforming Mars for mutantkind.
X-Men ’97 is the direct continuation of the popular 1990s animated series X-Men: The Animated Series. Taking up where the third season left off, Marvel’s revival brings back famous mutants such as Wolverine, Storm, Rogue, Gambit, Cyclops, Beast, Magneto, and Nightcrawler, who fight villains like Mr. Sinister, the Sentinels, and the Hellfire Club.
14
Russia – Black Widow (Natasha Romanova)
Tales of Suspense #52 (1959)by Stan Lee, Larry Lieber, and Don Rico
Black Widow is an integral member of the Avengers and has proven herself to be a talented hero with unparalleled combat capabilities, but originally she was introduced as an antagonist to Iron Man from the Soviet Union. Going from villain to hero, Natasha Romanove has an interesting connection to her complicated past and from her origins strives to be a great hero with a strong moral compass.
Natasha has become a well-recognized, accomplished hero and has joined many teams over the years such as S.H.I.E.L.D., the Avengers, and The Thunderbolts. Despite her past as an assassin, Black Widow has developed into a hero who symbolically stands for resilience and moral strength.
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13
Mexico – Spider-Man 2099 (Miguel O’Hara)
Spider-Man 2099 #1 (1992) By Peter David and Rick Leonardi
Spider-Man 2099 has a unique origin, being from the distant future and working as a geneticist who attempts to recreate the powers of the original Spider-Man, Peter Parker. Miguel O’Hara is synonymous with the spider-verse as he’s appeared in several cross-over events like Spider-Verse and Spider-Geddon, usually leading or being a part of a team defending the multiverse.
Miguel O’Hara is a half-Irish and Mexican geneticist who operates as the Spider-Man of the future and strives to change the system of his oppressive society, a stark contrast to his Spider-Man: Across the Spider-verse film counterpart. Similar to his film counterpart, Miguel is a brilliant scientist who searches for innovation and to protect the multiverse.
12
Japan – Sunfire (Shiro Yoshida)
X-Men #64 (1970) By Roy Thomas and Don Heck
Originally from the island of Honshu, Japan, Shiro Yoshida was an original member of Cyclops’ X-Men team sent to rescue the first X-Men team from the island of Krakoa. Shiro has both firey powers and a firey temper which often leads him to clash with other heroes like Wolverine. This eventually leads Shiro to leave the team to operate on his own apart from the X-Men.
Shiro has faced many trials and tribulations that have shaped his identity as a hero such as getting brainwashed by Apocalypse and becoming one of his horsemen, but Sunfire has always found the strength to persevere. He has been a member of various hero teams such as Big Hero 6 and the Avengers Unity Division.
11
Egypt – Apocalypse (En Sabah Nur)
X-Factor #5 (1986) By Bob Layton and Butch Guice
Apocalypse is a powerful warrior and one of the oldest immortal mutants from the Marvel Universe, hailing from Ancient Egypt thousands of years ago. Apocalypse has been both a prominent antagonist and ally to the X-Men, playing a large role in forming the nation of Krakoa as a member of the Quiet Council alongside Professor Xavier and Magneto.
Apocalypse has incredible shape-shifting abilities and, throughout his long life, has gained several other powers such as telepathy and the ability to turn people into the Horsemen of Apocalypse, War, Famine, Death, and Pestilence, using celestial technology. Born into a harsh time period, En Sabah Nur strongly believes in a strict “survival of the fittest” mentality as well as mutant supremacy, which most times drives his goals.
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10
Vietnam – Karma (Xuân Cao Mạnh)
Marvel Team-Up #100 (1980) By Chris Claremont and Frank Miller
Karma was a mutant born in Vietnam and has the unique ability to psychically possess the minds of other people, a power she shares with her twin brother. Xuân initially used her power to take over the mind of Spider-Man, believing he was a villain, but later was convinced by Reed Richards and the Fantastic Four to attend Professor X’s school for mutants to better understand her powers and identity as a hero.
Karma would go on to become the leader of the New Mutants, leading other mutants like Sunspot and Mirage. She would later join her team on their adventures through outer space and the Shi’ar Empire during the Krakoa Era.
9
Germany – Nightcrawler (Kurt Wagner)
Giant-Size X-Men #1 (1975) By Len Wein and Dave Cockrum
Nightcrawler is one of the most iconic and recognizable X-Men with his uniquely blue and furry appearance, teleporting powers, and complex family history. Born in Bavaria, Germany, to Mystique and Destiny, Kurt Wagner was initially thought to have been abandoned and was taken in by a traveling circus.
Constantly judged by his demonic appearance Kurt struggled with being accepted by society, but his life took a turn when Charles Xavier recruited Kurt to join his X-Men and he would later become a staple member of the team. While Kurt sometimes grapples with his appearance, he is a well-loved member of the X-Men known for his charm and kind heart, becoming a leading member of the Quiet Council during the Krakoa Era.
8
United Kingdom – Captain Britain (Brian Braddock and Betsy Braddock)
Captain Britain #1 (1976) By Chris Claremont and Herb Trimpe
Brian Braddock was an intelligent physicist before he got into a life-threatening motorcycle accident and, in his dying state, was approached by the wizard Merlyn who granted him the powers of Captain Britain with the abilities of flight and super strength. Braddock became a member of the Captain Britain Corps, a group of interdimensional warriors whose powers stem from the mystical realm of the Otherworld and are tasked with protecting different dimensions under the Captain Britain mantle.
Captain Britain would be a part of various Superhero teams like Excalibur and the Avengers, however, during the Krakoan Era, Betsy Braddock, Brian’s younger sister and previously known as Psylocke, would take over Brian’s mantle of Captain Brittain. Betsy Braddock would take up her brother’s responsibilities as Captain Britain while Brian became Captain Avalon.
7
France – Exodus (Bennet du Paris)
X-Factor #92 (1993) By Scott Lobdell and Joe Quesada
Bennet du Paris was a mutant born in France during the 12th century and would become Apocolypse’s champion and follower once his powers manifested, dawning the name Exodus. Exodus eventually betrays Apocolypse in trying to protect his friend causing Apocolypse to put him in a centuries-long comatose state with Exodus eventually being awoken by Magneto and becoming one of his trusted followers.
Exodus wavers between the line of ally and enemy to the X-Men, often siding with causes that benefit the well being of Mutants or joining the X-Men in times of grave crisis. Exodus is an Omega-Level mutant with a large array of powerful psychic and telekinetic abilities. He also served on Krakoa’s Quiet Council and would help mutants terraform Mars.
6
South Korea – Luna Snow (Seol Hee)
War of the Realms: New Agents of Atlas #1(2019) By Greg Pak and Gang Hyuk Lim
Seol Hee, also known as Luna Snow, is a superhero who began as a K-pop idol in the band 4L1T. Orphaned at a young age Seol Hee became an idol to help support the rest of her family, and during one of her concerts at Sark Arena, the venue was attached by Joro Spider and A.I.M. agents. This attack led to one of the Sark fusion reactors to malfunction, subsequentially gifting Seol Hee with ice powers and leading her to dawn the superhero name Luna Snow.
Luna Snow would go on to become a part of the team Agents of Atlas and has made several appearances in comics, traveling around the globe as a hero. Recently, Luna Snow has become one of the many playable heroes in the video game, Marvel Rivals, as a premiere strategist pick.
5
Afghanistan – Dust (Sooraya Quadir)
New X-Men #133 (2002) By Grant Morrison and Ethan van Sciver
Born in Western Afghanistan, Sooraya Quadir was saved by Wolverine from an underground crime ring and would later enroll in the Xavier Institute. At the institute, her fellow mutant Xorn would try to get Sooraya to turn on Professor Xavier but she refused as Xorn required her to renounce her faith, in turn, she would try to warn Xavier of his betrayal.
Sooraya has the unique ability to turn into dust and weather any storm which is how she earned her hero title, Dust. Due to her specialized powers, Sooraya was tasked with leading the charge in maintaining Mars’ sandstorms so Mutants could terraform Mars for the Nation of Krakoa.
4
Greece – Elektra (Elektra Nachios)
Daredevil #168 (1981) By Frank Miller
Elektra Nachios was born to an influential political family on an island in Greece and was encouraged to train in martial arts by her father, eventually her skills would gain the attention of the Hand, leading to the group recruiting her. Elektra would also go to college with Matt Murdock, aka Daredevil, and develop a flirtatious and teasing relationship with the blind vigilante.
Despite not having inhuman abilities, Elektra’s incredible skill allows her to take on a wide range of superpowered foes. Through a long journey of redemption, Elektra would gradually go from Hand clan assassin to vigilante hero. During Matt Murdock’s disappearance, Elektra would take up the Daredevil mantle to protect the city, becoming a superhero in her own right.
3
Ireland – Banshee (Sean Cassidy)
X-Men #28 (1967) By Roy Thomas and Werner Roth
Sean Cassidy was originally an Interpol agent from Ireland before being recruited by Charles Xavier and joining the X-Men alongside Nightcrawler, Wolverine, and Storm, making him one of the first of the Professor’s X-Men. Cassidy has the interesting mutant ability to produce a sonic scream as well as selective heightened hearing that allows him to focus on or block out any sound.
Banshee was a part of Cyclops’ team to rescue the original band of X-Men from the island of Krakoa and later, he would join his fellow teammates in turning the island into a thriving nation for mutants. As a founding X-Men member, Cassidy has gone on many missions and is the father of the Siryn who inherited her father’s sonic cry, which encouraged him to be a mentor to the next generation of mutants.
2
Canada – Wolverine (Logan Howlett)
The Incredible Hulk #180 (1962) By Len Wein and Herb Trimpe
Wolverine was born in the 19th century in Alberta, Canada, as James Howlett and has since become one of the most recognizable superheroes and X-Men with his iconic yellow suit and his adamantium-lined claws. Logan has a long complex history as an immortal mutant, being the test subject in Weapon X as well as becoming a spy for Department H and the Canadian government.
Logan was one of the first X-Men to be recruited by Charles Xavier and has been a prominent participant in every major X-Men storyline. While Wolverine is known for his incredible abilities and long life, he’s also known for his berserker rage and irritable behavior, often clashing with other teammates, most notably Scott Summers.
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1
Kenya – Storm (Ororo Munroe)
Giant-Size X-Men #1 (1975) By Len Wein and Dave Cockrum
Storm is one of the X-Men’s most powerful members as an Omega-Level mutant and master of weather manipulation. Ororo Munroe was born to a Kenyan mother and an American father, and she would eventually travel to the Serengeti plains of Kenya where she helped the local towns with their crops by using her weather abilities. Her actions made the towns revere her as a god.
Storm would eventually be approached by Charles Xavier to join the X-Men and from there, she became one of the X-Men’s staple members. As an X-Men, Storm flourished in her powers and would grow to become a prominent leader of the team and accomplished feats such as leading the X-Men, becoming queen of Wakanda, and joining the Quiet Council of Krakoa.
