DEEP-CUT HEROES & ALLIES
Appearing in The Incredible Hulk as Betty Ross’s psychiatrist boyfriend, he has greenish-tinted hair in the comics and eventually becomes “Doc Samson.”
Who is Leonard Samson?
A reformed Kree zealot appearing in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., he initially hunts Inhumans but briefly teams with S.H.I.E.L.D. In comics, he led a Kree group hostile to Captain Mar-Vell.
Who is Vin-Tak?
Founded by Peggy Carter, Howard Stark, and Chester Phillips after WWII, it evolved into the agency Nick Fury would later lead.
What is the SSR (Strategic Scientific Reserve)?
In Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Stan Lee’s cameo sees him chatting with these cosmic observers. The most famous among them in the comics is Uatu.
Who are the Watchers?
This cameo in Iron Man kicked off the tradition of the film’s director portraying Tony Stark’s bodyguard and chauffeur.
Who is Jon Favreau (Happy Hogan)?
In Thor: The Dark World, during the Asgardian dungeon scene, we glimpse this lesser-known Asgardian God of War—who, in Norse myth, lost his hand to the giant wolf Fenris.
Who is Tyr?
A sleeper HYDRA operative in Captain America: The Winter Soldier, he was originally introduced in the comics as a Soviet spy who clashed with Nick Fury.
Who is Jasper Sitwell?
In Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., this ancient offshoot of HYDRA worshipped the Inhuman called Hive, orchestrating infiltration for centuries.
What is the original Hydra under Hive?
In Loki, we meet this bureaucratic group policing the Sacred Timeline. In the comics, they’re overseen by the Time-Keepers.
What is the TVA (Time Variance Authority)?
Making appearances in almost every MCU film until his passing in 2018, this comic book legend became famous for his cameo roles, from a hot dog vendor to a cosmic informant.
Who is Stan Lee?
Seen briefly in Captain America: The First Avenger, he’s an aide to Colonel Chester Phillips, but in the Golden Age comics he was also known as “The Patriot.”
Who is Jeffrey Mace?
First seen in Iron Man as a minor underling to Obadiah Stane, this disgruntled engineer later resurfaces in Spider-Man: Far From Home to help craft Mysterio’s illusions.
Who is William Ginter Riva?
This Ten Rings splinter group from the original Iron Man secretly bankrolled Tony Stark’s kidnapping. Its leader, Raza, was in contact with Obadiah Stane and teased a deeper ring-based hierarchy.
What is Raza’s Ten Rings cell?
Briefly referenced in Doctor Strange (2016) as a cosmic judge, in the comics he’s one of the most powerful beings in the multiverse, second only to The One-Above-All.
Who is The Living Tribunal?
Dubbed the “Feige Brain Trust,” it originally included Joe Quesada, Brian Michael Bendis, Dan Buckley, and others. Formed to help keep the early MCU scripts and continuity in check, it’s officially known as…
What is the Marvel Creative Committee?
In Marvel Comics, she’s the longtime friend of Tony Stark who eventually becomes the hero “Hellcat.” In the MCU’s Netflix continuity, she’s re-imagined as Trish Walker.
Who is Patsy Walker?
In Captain America: Civil War, we see him as Crossbones’ ally in Lagos. In the comics, he’s the flamboyant mercenary known as the “Leaper.”
Who is Georges Batroc (Batroc the Leaper)?
In The Falcon and The Winter Soldier, we meet a ring of super-soldier smugglers, but behind them lurks this Madripoor broker—revealed in the finale to be a former S.H.I.E.L.D. ally.
Who is Sharon Carter (the Power Broker)?
In What If...?, a variant Doctor Strange absorbs a tentacled interdimensional beast reminiscent of Shuma-Gorath. However, due to licensing reasons, the MCU renamed it as…
What is Gargantos?
Creative disagreements led to Edward Norton’s departure after The Incredible Hulk. This actor replaced him and remains the MCU’s Bruce Banner.
Who is Mark Ruffalo?
Featured in the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. spinoff Slingshot, she’s codenamed “Yo-Yo” for her speed-based powers. In the comics, her father is the supervillain called the Griffin.
Who is Elena Rodriguez?
Peter Quill’s father in the MCU is revealed to be a Celestial named Ego, but in the comics, he’s actually the Emperor of the Spartoi Empire named...
Who is J’Son of Spartax?
Referenced fleetingly in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (and tied to Captain Britain lore), this covert branch of British intelligence was formed to combat mystical and superhuman threats.
What is MI-13?
Teased in Loki, this final variant is also called “He Who Remains.” His prime self—long known in the comics—terrorizes the Avengers across time and is called…
Who is Kang the Conqueror?
In the Avengers: Endgame support group scene, the co-director Joe Russo appears as a grieving survivor, but the other cameo there is the man who created Thanos in the comics.
Who is Jim Starlin?