While Captain America and Thor were household names prior to the movies with characters like Ms. Marvel and Moon Knight finally hitting screens everywhere, the Marvel Cinematic Universe is beginning to expose fans to characters they may not have ever even heard of.
Yet, despite these new additions, there has been a prevailing belief among fans on Ranker that some characters within the MCU deserve more attention than new or more prominent characters. These underrated heroes have been around for years, but they've never really had the focus they deserve.
Note: Ranker lists are live and continue to accrue votes, so some rankings may have changed after this publishing.
Talos
A high-ranking Skrull desperate to protect his people from Kree attackers, Talos is certainly more than just a replacement Nick Fury. It's likely that fans ranked Talos so high because he proved capable of incredible deeds. While he's funny — and may have a slight fear of a pseudo-cat — he's also a man who managed to run Fury's network by himself, and he's looked good doing it.
Not to mention that Talos also managed to save an entire sect of Skrulls, while also ensuring that he could break Captain Marvel free of their control. He has even shown a willingness to work with the Kree, his mortal enemies, if it means keeping his people safe. It's incredibly noble, which makes him an even more fleshed-out character than many explicit heroes.
Mantis
A character who hasn't had a lot of screentime, Mantis has already proven herself incredibly capable. Though she's one of Marvel's least powerful heroes, she still managed to keep the likes of Thanos and Ego the Living Planet sated, if only temporarily.
She isn't a character that should be ignored. Instead, Marvel can take the opportunity to flesh out her powers and potentially introduce more of a role for her in the future. After all, the Guardians have many unstable characters, and a grounding presence like Mantis can really prove essential for keeping them tied together. At least, that's what many fans are hoping for.
Drax the Destroyer
A noble warrior with a bit of an impulsive streak, Drax deserves considerably better than he's gotten from the MCU and its fans. Often regarded as little more than comic relief, Drax is more than just a sidekick or ing role. He's an extraordinary warrior with an honorable nature that causes him to seek out fights wherever he goes.
Though he managed to find a family in the Guardians, his desire to avenge his original family is incredibly heroic and just goes to show his true nature. His growth has also been incredible, as he has begun to allow the Guardians to check some of his worst impulses. It's a great arc for a character most people tend to ignore, and it's why fans on Ranker would love to see more of him to truly see how far that development can take him.
Peggy Carter
While Peggy Carter has starred in her own TV show, appeared numerous times in the movies, and has even earned a role as a superhero herself, she hasn't really gotten much appreciation from fans. It's one of the reasons many fans believe that she's entirely underrated.
Her show was extraordinary, her role as Captain Carter is brilliant, and her character shaped Steve Rogers' life entirely. Yet, in of the wider fanbase, she barely gets any attention. Even Black Bolt held the attention of casual audiences better than her, which is a real disappointment for Carter fans, especially since she was a better Captain America than Steve.
Edwin Jarvis
More than just the namesake of the A.I. that became Vision, Edwin Jarvis was one of the best Agent Carter characters. A man who helped smuggle his Jewish wife to safety during World War II, Jarvis was a heroic character that just doesn't get much recognition outside of the unfortunately small Agent Carter fanbase.
Though his impact can be felt across the MCU, thanks to Vision's influence, the man truly showed on the small screen and was one of the more complex characters in the series. Besides, his sense of humor was one for the books.
Maria Hill
More of a presence in the comics than in the films, Maria Hill deserves better than she's gotten so far. As a character who has led the Secret Avengers in the past, she can be so much more than the dollar-store Nick Fury she's become in the MCU.
It's her potential that has really drawn fans in. While she's always the loyal subordinate, fans can see something else in the character. Hill deserves the chance to shine outside of Fury's shadow. Now that he's away in space, hopefully, she can get the chance to become a difference-maker and the leader that she should rightfully be.
M'Baku
Once one of his worst enemies, M'Baku quickly became one of the Black Panther's closest friends. A hard and stern man who pays his debts and protects his people, M'Baku has firm beliefs in right and wrong, which is why he came to T'challa's aid numerous times in the fight against Killmonger.
Still, despite his great qualities and fascinating history, M'Baku is often forgotten by the wider fanbase. It's hard to say that he's adequately appreciated when most fans hardly that he exists at all. Hopefully, he will have a larger role in Wakanda Forever that can help him take his rightful place as a beloved character.
Korg
Some characters really are little more than comic relief, and that's okay. Korg, a rock monster forced to fight as a pseudo-space gladiator, is one of the funniest characters in the MCU regardless of his overall lack of influence on the wider narrative of the universe.
Still, his lack of influence has led him to be generally forgotten. Most MCU fans likely wouldn't know him by name. Even if they do, it's unlikely they would know him as anything more than the funny rock man. Yet, it's a role he plays perfectly while providing much-needed moral for Thor along the way. A great friend and an even better companion.
Happy Hogan
The greatest Head of Security that Tony Stark could have asked for, in the wake of Tony's death, Hogan has proved to be both a mentor and a friend to Peter Parker as well. Though he has his moments of failings — typically when Aunt May is involved — he does his best whenever he can and even offered up his apartment just to help Peter get back on his feet.
Hogan has also been around since the start of the MCU, as he made his debut in Iron Man. Still, despite being there every step of the way, Hogan really hasn't gotten the attention he deserves. Most fans view him as nothing more than another repetitious face, rather than a fully developed character of his own merit.
Wong
The Sorcerer Supreme of the MCU universe, and one of the greatest sorcerers alive, Wong deserves considerably more respect than he's received from the wider fanbase. Now looking to be more and more like the Phil Coulson of Phase 4, thanks to his routine appearances across various projects, he deserves dedicated fans as much as any other hero.
While he may have only become Sorcerer Supreme through a loophole provided by the Blip, he's a funny character with a good heart and a great head on his shoulders. He also manages to be considerably more personable than Doctor Strange, which certainly helps his appeal. Still, not having a project of his own has hurt his image to the wider fanbase, even if he deserves better.
