The Marvel Cinematic Universe has introduced a swathe of characters after Avengers: Endgame, some of whom vary significantly from their comic book counterparts. Avengers: Endgame closed the chapter on the Infinity Saga. Since then, the MCU timeline has entered a new era defined by fresh faces, with some bold reinterpretations of comic book history.

With the MCU’s multiverse expanding and legacy characters stepping aside, Marvel Studios has used Phase 4 and beyond to introduce a wave of new heroes, villains, and supporting figures, many of whom are dramatically different from their original comic book counterparts. These changes often reflect the studio’s ongoing commitment to diversity, contemporary storytelling, and thematic evolution.

While not every update has been met with universal praise, each reinvention offers something unique. These offer a richer backstory, a modernized origin, or broader representation. While often divisive, many of these changes are vital in reflecting contemporary society rather than just the 1960s mainstream.

10

Zelma Stanton

Ironheart

Zelma Stanton’s comic book origins paint her as a skeptical Bronx librarian turned reluctant magical apprentice to Doctor Strange. In the MCU, she appears in Ironheart with some changes. This Zelma is younger than her comic counterpart and already well-versed in mystic arts.

It’s unclear if she has met Strange or Wong, but her magical pedigree is strong. Zelma’s mother, Madeline, once trained at Kamar-Taj before giving up her studies to raise Zelma. Madeline pᴀssed on considerable mystical knowledge to Zelma.

Zelma demonstrates advanced abilities, including understanding the Dark Dimension and casting powerful transportation spells that open doorways to the Western Cortex of Neverish, a parallel realm. She eventually mentors Riri Williams in the ways of magic and plays a key role in helping her defeat the Hood. This suggests a much deeper magical influence in the MCU’s future.

9

Kamala Khan / Ms. Marvel

First Appeared In Ms Marvel

Kamala Khan’s powers are one of the biggest MCU departures post-Endgame. In the comics, Kamala is a polymorph who can “embiggen” her limbs and shape-shift thanks to her Inhuman genes. The MCU reimagines her powers as hard-light constructs derived from a mysterious bangle connected to Noor Dimension ancestry.

This mystical, energy-based ability better aligns with the MCU’s ongoing exploration of cosmic and multiversal elements. Importantly, the change avoids confusing connections to the underused Inhumans. It also ties Kamala to the Kree and The Marvels more directly.

The essence of her character, an earnest Pakistani-American fangirl-turned-hero, remains intact. Yet the powershift symbolically reinforces her cultural idenтιтy by linking her abilities to heroic heritage. The redesign modernizes her origin and makes Kamala fit more organically into the MCU, while still honoring the inclusive spirit behind her comic book debut.

8

Ajak

Eternals

In the comics, Ajak is a male Eternal. He is a warrior-priest archetype who often serves as a spokesperson for the Celestials. Salma Hayek’s version in Eternals flips the gender and repositions Ajak as a maternal figure and the spiritual leader of the group.

This Ajak is more reflective, ethical, and conflicted about the Celestials’ cosmic plans. The change brings gravitas to the role and introduces an authoritative Latina leader. This was important to help diversify the mostly white male Eternals’ lineup from the comics.

By turning Ajak into the group’s emotional center and moral compᴀss, the film expands the character’s purpose beyond being a Celestial mouthpiece. This gender-swapped portrayal adds complexity and empathy to the narrative. It also aligns with the MCU’s broader efforts to redefine legacy characters for contemporary audiences.

7

America Chavez

Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness

America Chavez’s MCU debut in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness retains her core idenтιтy as a multiversal traveler. However, it alters her origin and skill level. In the comics, America is already a confident, seasoned hero from the Utopian Parallel who can fly, has super strength, and punches star-shaped portals through the multiverse.

The MCU version, played by Xochitl Gomez, is much younger and inexperienced. While her powers are still unstable and limited to dimensional travel. She’s positioned more as a student than a superhero, needing guidance and protection.

This scaled-back version serves the MCU’s narrative by offering a fresh multiverse perspective and makes her growth arc more pronounced. While her full powerset is yet to emerge, the reimagining helps build long-term character development. It also reinforces the MCU’s shift towards a younger generation of heroes.

6

K’uk’ulkan (Namor)

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

Namor’s MCU debut in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is one of the boldest reimaginings of a classic Marvel character. In the comics, Namor is the Atlantean Sub-Mariner. He’s a proud, sometimes arrogant mutant who rules the underwater kingdom of Atlantis.

The MCU transforms Namor into K’uk’ulkan, ruler of Talokan, an underwater civilization rooted in Mesoamerican culture. This reinvention draws from Indigenous histories and repositions Namor as a colonialist survivor rather than just an antihero. By integrating real-world mythologies and socio-political themes, the MCU’s Namor becomes a richer, more culturally resonant figure.

Tenoch Huerta’s performance emphasizes both strength and sorrow, redefining the character’s motivations as grounded in the trauma of imperialism. The shift away from a generic Atlantean archetype expands representation and keeps the character different from DC’s Aquaman. Yet it still maintained Namor’s iconic role as a fierce protector of his people.

5

The Scarlet Scarab / Layla El-Faouly

Moon Knight

Layla El-Faouly, introduced in Moon Knight, is an original MCU creation. Though she loosely draws inspiration from the obscure comic book character Abdul Faoul, the Scarlet Scarab. In the comics, Scarlet Scarab is a male Egyptian nationalist from the 1940s with mystical strength.

The MCU reimagines Layla as an Egyptian archaeologist and mercenary who becomes the Scarlet Scarab avatar of Taweret, the Egyptian goddess. This version fuses modern action-hero elements with mythological empowerment. Layla’s final transformation is a major milestone: she becomes the first Egyptian superhero in the MCU.

Layla El-Faouly’s Scarlet Scarab has since been introduced into the comics.

This reinvention not only provides much-needed Middle Eastern representation but also reframes a dated nationalist character into a modern-day feminist icon. Her role helps ground Moon Knight in its Egyptian setting. It also offered the MCU a dynamic new heroine with global resonance.

4

Makkari

Eternals

In the comics, Makkari is a white, male speedster from ancient civilizations. He often acts as comic relief among the Eternals. The MCU reimagined Makkari as a deaf woman of color, portrayed by Lauren Ridloff.

This change made Makkari the first deaf superhero in the MCU. This added a much-needed layer of representation and diversified the traditionally homogeneous group of Eternals. Makkari’s speed powers remain intact, but her quieter demeanor and intense screen presence set her apart from her comic counterpart.

The switch to a deaf character is more than surface-level diversity; it affected how her action scenes were choreographed. It emphasized her unique connection to the world through vibration and movement. The result is a more grounded and impactful character, breaking new ground for disability representation in mainstream superhero films.

3

Love (Gorr’s Daughter)

Thor: Love And Thunder

Love, introduced in Thor: Love and Thunder, is a unique MCU invention. In the comics, Gorr the God Butcher’s daughter dies early in his origin story and never returns. As in the movie, this drives Gorr’s quest for revenge against the gods.

The film, however, resurrects her with Eternity’s power, making her a cosmic being entrusted to Thor’s care. Played by Chris Hemsworth’s real-life daughter India, Love adds an unexpected emotional core to the story. She also softens Gorr’s tragic villainy into something more understandable.

Love’s character is undefined in terms of power and origin. Yet she represents a new take on legacy heroes, potentially tying into the Young Avengers or a broader cosmic arc. While not drawn from any other direct comic inspiration, Love symbolizes the MCU’s growing trend of intergenerational storytelling.

2

Valentina Allegra De Fontaine

First Appeared In Black Widow

In Marvel Comics, Valentina Allegra de Fontaine is an Italian aristocrat, a SHIELD agent, and sometimes romantic interest for Nick Fury. She’s more spy than strategist, with occasional heel turns. The MCU reinvents her as a shadowy, manipulative force pulling strings behind the scenes.

Portrayed by Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Val is now the head of the CIA. She works to form a darker version of the Avengers, ᴀssembling disparate heroes for clandestine operations. Rather than a field agent, she plays puppet master.

Val is much closer to DC’s Amanda Waller than her comic book counterpart. Her smug charisma masks cold ambition, and this twist positions her as a major player in future political and superhuman conflicts. This culminated in Thunderbolts* where she unveiled the New Avengers will trying to ᴀssert her place in the government’s superhero program.

1

Taskmaster / Antonia Dreykov

First Appeared In Black Widow

The MCU’s Black Widow introduced a radically different Taskmaster in Antonia Dreykov. In the comics, Taskmaster is Tony Masters, a cocky mercenary with pH๏τographic reflexes and a history as a villain-for-hire. The MCU transformed the character into a near-silent ᴀssᴀssin.

Antonia is the brainwashed daughter of General Dreykov, turned into a human weapon by her father’s Red Room experiments. This version is a tragic victim rather than a self-interested killer, and the gender-swapping surprised many fans. The change reframed Taskmaster’s mimicry powers as technology-based rather than innate.

This fits better with the espionage tone of Black Widow and the themes of generational trauma. Antonia’s arc adds emotional gravity and critiques abusive systems, giving the character a personal, redemptive edge absent from the comics. While controversial, this reinvention also increases the number of compelling female characters in the MCU’s spy thriller space.