Although DC comics is known for many things, one trend that they have had down for decades is the legacy hero. If you’re unfamiliar with that term, it basically refers to a superhero title (like Green Lantern, Flash, or even Batman) is passed down from one generation to the next.
In this recent decade, Marvel has tried to up its A-game and allow for a changing of the guard with some of their best-known cash cows. However, what Marvel does differently is be intentionally inclusive with their legacy heroes.
So, without further ado, the Top 14 Legacy Heroes at Marvel.
14. Power Man
Originally: Luke Cage
Now: Victor Alvarez
After Luke Cage started going by his birth name, the Power Man title was left vacant for many years. However, since 2010, a young Afro-Domincan man named Victor Alvarez inherited the title. Not only are his powers a combination Iron Fist and Luke Cage (the perfect illicit love-child), but his mixed heritage is a reflection of our ever-diversifying country.
13. Ghost Rider
Originally: Johnny Blaze
Now: Robbie Reyes
What’s better than white dudes on motorcycles? Pretty much anything. Granted, the bar wasn’t set too high with the Ghost Rider mantle—it had been shuffled around to a variety of equally boring white dudes—but Marvel attempted to mix up the formula with their latest incarnation.
Not only has Robbie ditched the tired, old hog in favor of a hot rod, but he is a young Latino who is helping to raise his younger brother.
12. Doctor Voodoo (Sorcerer Supreme)
Originally: Stephen Strange (aka Doctor Strange)
Then: Jericho Drumm (formerly Brother Voodoo)
The mantle with Doctor Strange is not actually his name; it’s the accompanying subtitle of Sorcerer Supreme. And while we’ve been told that there have been countless Sorcerers Supreme since time immemorial, we never actually saw a shift until 2009.
While Haitian-born Jericho Drumm is actually a doctor in his own right (of psychology)—itself a move ahead of its time to show a well-educated character of color in a respected profession— the title of Sorcerer Supreme was briefly his until his death. Allowing the mantle of Doctor Strange—an upstanding white man of white magic—to be conferred upon a practitioner of the oft-stigmatized voodoo was a bold move on Marvel’s part. And you can catch up with Doctor Voodoo in the soon-to-be relaunched Uncanny Avengers.
11. Hawkeye
Originally: Clint Barton
Now (shared with): Kate Bishop
Having a heroic archer take on a younger, female sidekick is nothing new (looking at you Green Arrow), but having a young person defiantly cut out her own niche and earn the same title as her predecessor? Now that’s good reading.
Not only was Kate Bishop good enough for Captain-muthafuckin-America to publically acknowledge as Hawkeye, but in Matt Fraction’s hit series, she proved that she was more mature and just as capable as the original Hawkeye.
And she’ll be given another chance to prove herself this fall in Marvel’s All-New Hawkeye.
10. Wasp
Originally: Janet Van Dyne
Then: Hank Pym
Now, while Hank Pym only inhabited the mantle of Wasp for about a year (in memory of his then-deceased wife), the reason it is on the list is because of the paradigm shift. Up until this point, it was perfectly acceptable for a female to take on the role of a male hero, but the reverse had never been done. Especially when that title had only been championed by a female…for 60 years.
Kudos to Hank for crossing gender barriers and showing that taking on a female’s title doesn’t make you any less of a man.
9. Venom
Originally: Eddie Brock
Now: Flash Thompson
If you are unfamiliar with the current Venom, you may not understand why he made this list. Both former and current Venoms were white, straight, cis-males. However, one bold step that Marvel took when passing the mantle on to Flash Thompson was showing a hero who was a double amputee.
Although some may argue that having the symbiote grow legs for Flash defeats the purpose of having a disabled character, the fact that there even is such a character is groundbreaking. Follow his upcoming adventures in Venom: Space Knight.
8. Giant-Man
Originally: Hank Pym
Now: Raz Malhotra
Although he has yet to don the costume, Raz Malhotra had been gaining a lot of media attention as the upcoming Giant-Man. Is it because he’s Indian? Not really. It’s because he’s gay! This will be the first time a founding Avengers member title is worn by a queer individual.
7. Captain Marvel
Originally: Mar-Vell
Then: Monica Rambeau (currently Spectrum)
Now: Carol Danvers (formerly Ms. Marvel)
Just to be upfront: I’m a huge Carol Danvers fan and have been for years. It’s amazing to see such a capable character come into her own, be embraced by the fans, and find respect among her peers. BUT, to be honest, I think that the trailblazer award would have to go to her predecessor, Monica Rambeau.
Keep in mind, Monica came on the scene as Cap. Marvel in 1982. 1982! This was still the era of derivative heroes (like She-Hulk, Spider-Woman, and [shudder] She-Thing). For Monica—a person of color and a woman—not to have a “Ms” or a “She” or a “Woman” in her title was HUGE!
However, props to Carol for kicking ass and taking names. Any woman who had to wear her original costume deserves a break. You can catch both glass-ceiling-shattering ladies in the upcoming Ultimates title.
6. Hulk
Originally: Bruce Banner
Now: Amadeus Cho
Everyone knows the story: brainy white dude messes around with science, science pushes back, incredible monsters are born. The story of the Hulk is at least as old as Dr. Jekyll and Mister Hyde and arguably older than Greek mythology. However, Marvel recently revealed a changing-of-the-guard for their jade giant which will hopefully re-invigorate the genre.
Amadeus Cho (one of the top ten geniuses in the Marvel U) is taking on the mantle this fall of the Totally Awesome Hulk. As a young, smart, funny (and Asian-American) man, Cho will hopefully make the Hulk more relatable to modern audiences.
5. Thor
Originally: Thor Odinson
Now: Jane Foster
Oh the buzz that surrounded this goddess’ debut! I’m not the first one to tout how amazing the new Thor is (in fact, this isn’t even my first time doing so), but Marvel made such a smart move when they passed on the mantle of Thor. Fans may have initially been confused, since Thor is a name as well as a title, but writer Jason Aaron handled the shift with eloquence and grace.
Not only is Thor one of the Big Three of the Avengers, not only is Thor one of the baddest mothers in the Marvel U, not only was Thor the epitome of masculinity, he was a source of major income for Marvel (with two solo movies under his belt and a third on the way). Marvel would be crazy to change the character now, right?
Wrong. This move was timely and perfect. Jane Foster has proved her worthiness not only to wield Mjolnir, but to carry the legacy of Thor—so much so that he gave up his name to her!
She’ll continue to win our hearts in the upcoming Avengers title, so stay clued in!
4. Captain America
Originally: Steve Rogers
Now: Sam Wilson (formerly Falcon)
Way. To go. Sam. Wilson.
Living in the perpetual superhero version of “always the bridegroom never the bride”, dear Sam Wilson deserved this break. In a recent interview with actor Anthony Mackie, he summed up why we need great characters of color:
"I feel like kids don't get race," Mackie said, noting that as a kid he thought he couldn't be Superman because of the hero's different race. "We preach so much to kids that you can be anything you want to be, and then we follow it with 'except,' and we have to leave that 'except' off."
Of all the heroes on the list, none is as symbolic as Captain America. He not only protects this country, he represents this country. And it’s about damn time that a capable hero—one who trained at the side of Steve Rogers for years—take the reins and represent where our country is headed: towards inclusivity.
3. Ms. Marvel
Originally: Carol Danvers
Now: Kamala Khan
Coming out of Marvel's big Inhumans push, a young teen finds herself transformed by Terrigen Mists into an Inhuman superhero. She is quirky, genuine, and geeky to the core, and patterns herself off of her idol: Carol Danvers.
The charm of Kamala Khan is irrefutable. Under the capable pen of G. Willow Wilson, the tired teen hero story has blossomed, mostly because of Wilson's dedication to shedding light on what it means to be a Muslim Pakistani-American. In fact, a good portion of the storytelling—even the costume that Kamala wears—is inspired by her proud heritage. As Marvel's first such hero (hopefully the first of many), Ms. Marvel has been breaking down barriers (and into fans hearts).
2. Spider-Man
Originally: Peter Parker
Now: Miles Morales
Arguably one of the most recognizable franchises that Marvel owns, Spider-Man has been drawing spider-fans to his web since the 1960s. And that’s precisely why he needed a fresh update.
Fans of the series will probably tell you that part of the charm that made ol’ SM a hit was when he was trying to juggle his teenage duties with his superheroic responsibilities. Spider-Man seemed too old with his wife and normal job, which is precisely why writers retconned his marriage out of existence. But that’s doing too much!
Instead, take the name recognition of Spider-Man, mix with the relevancy of a biracial child, add a dash of teenage angst and presto! Instant success.
Miles continues to charm legions of fans and does the mantle proud. He will test his mettle further this fall as part of the new Avengers line up.
1. Wolverine
Originally: James “Logan” Howlett
Now: Laura Kinney (formerly X-23)
Feel free to disagree (this is where, if I had claws, I would snikt them out to counteract my previous flippancy), but I think this is Marvel’s boldest move to date in regards to legacy heroes. Why? Because Wolverine is Marvel Comics’ topcash cow. At his peak, he was in multiple active rosters of various X-Teams, heading a solo book, and on the Avengers (not to mention countless cameos in struggling titles to help boost their ratings).
He was the self-professed “best there is” at what he did (which was brutally killing people) and no one ever sufficiently proved him wrong. So, giving this heavy mantle over to a teenage girl is a huge risk for Marvel financially. Will fans complain that she’s not the “real” Wolverine (sure, and those same trolls will probably disagree with every character on this list), but she’s a darn good choice to fill his boots.
Hopefully she’s be able to carve out her own legacy in All-New Wolverine.
Who else should've made the list? Put in your two cents in the comments below.
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