A household name in the enduring, thrilling, and complex world of comic books,Stan Leewas responsible forcreating or co-creating over 300 Marvel characters. Many of the biggest names in Marvel were created by Stan Lee. The Fantastic Four, Spider-Man, Hulk, Thor, Iron Man, Ant-Man, Wasp, Daredevil, the X-Men, Black Panther, She-Hulk, the Scarlet Witch, the Silver Surfer, the Inhumans, and many more. Even characters like Spider-Woman, Ghost Rider, Luke Cage, and Vision had contributions from Stan Lee.
Known for his trademark mustache and tinted glasses, the legendary creator may have left a sizable legacy, but he actually climbed the ladder of success and fame from the bottom. Born in 1922 as Stanley Lieber, he debuted as an office boy, then was hired at Timely Comics as a jack-of-all-trades, doing everything from mopping to writing. When the company was rebranded as Atlas Comics, he became its chief writer and editor, leaning more toward adult-oriented stories.
TheMarvelname the fans know and love effectively came into fruition in 1961 with the launch of various superheroes from the minds of Lee, Jack Kirby, Steve Ditko, and others. Today, Marvel Comics publishes about 50 comics monthly, not to mention over 30 blockbuster movie releases within theMarvel Cinematic Universe, withhigh-grossing titles likeThe Avengers,Black Panther,Captain Marvel, andSpider-Man: No Way Home.
While many of these beloved characters came from Lee’s vivid imagination, some famous superheroes were, in fact, first envisioned by other people. Here are 12 famous examples.
15Namor, the Submarnier
Created by Bill Everett
Debut:Marvel Comics#1 (1939)
Namor, alongside the original Human Torch, debuted in the very first Marvel Comic (originally Timely Publication) in the issue the company would eventually draw its name from,Marvel Comics. Namor was the mutant son of a human sea captain and a princess of the mythical undersea kingdom of Atlantis and had the superstrength and aquatic abilities of the Homo Hermanus race, as well as the mutant ability of flight, and is now known in Marvel as the first mutant.
Namor was one of the company’s most popular heroes during the 1930s and 1940s, but the company soon stopped publishing due to a decline in superhero comics. Stan Lee would revive the character inFantastic Four#4, which not only reintroduced him to a new generation of fans but put him firmly in the Marvel Universe as one of the biggest characters. Stan Lee might not have created Namor, but he certainly redefined him, and now Namor has been both a foe and ally to various teams like The Fantastic Four, the X-Men, and The Avengers.Namor finally made it to the big screen in 2022’sBlack Panther: Wakanda Foreverwhere he was played by Tenoch Huerta.
Black Panther Wakanda Forever
A sequel that will continue to explore the world of Wakanda and all the characters introduced in the 2018 film.
14Jessica Jones
Created by Brian Michael Bendis (writer) and Michael Gaydos (artist)
Debut:Alias#1 (November 2001)
Jessica Jonesis now best known as the lead of the critical and fan-favorite seriesJessica Jones, which aired on Netflix from 2015 to 2019 and is part of the Defenders Saga. Brain Michael Bendis and Michael Gaydos created the character as the lead character for their MA comic seriesAlias, featuring her as a super-powered private investigator who used to be a superhero. They retroactively made her a short-lived hero in the Marvel Universe named Jewel and actually made her a former classmate of Peter Parker’s and a background character fromThe Amazing Spider-Man#4, which Stan Lee wrote. So technically, one can say that Jessica Jones was partially created by Stan Lee, but that was generous and certainly splitting hairs.
Jessica Jones has led three solo titles, was a member of The New Avengers, and, of course, got to star in her own Marvel series. Despite being a rather new character to the comics, she has become a major player in the Marvel Universe and a fan favorite.Fans are hoping Krysten Ritten returns to reprise her role in the MCU.
Jessica Jones
Created by David Mack (writer) and Joe Quesada (artist)
Debut:Daredevil#9 (December 1999)
Maya Lopez aka Echohas been thrust into the spotlight thanks to her supporting role on the hit television showHawkeyeand now her own Disney+ series titledEcho, which debuted on Disney+ on July 01, 2025. Maya Lopez was created by David Mack and Joe Quesada, the character first appeared inDaredevil#9 from December 1999. She is a deaf-Native American adopted daughter of the Kingpin who eventually turns on him and becomes a hero. She adopts the mantle of Ronin and joins the New Avengers and, recently, in the comics, became the newest host of The Phoenix Force.
Maya Lopez, played by Alaqua Cox in the MCU, has been reimagined as a member of the Choctaw Nation and, in addition to being deaf, is also an amputee. While in the comics, her powers are she has photographic reflects where she can copy anyone’s fighting moves after seeing them, the MCU series reimagined her powers to be tied into her culture. She can draw from the skills and powers of her ancestors from across time.
12Shang-Chi
Created by Steve Englehart (writer) and Jim Starlin (artist)
Debut:Special Marvel Edition#15 (December 1973)
Shang-Chiis now one of the faces of the Marvel Cinematic Universe thanks to his hit film,Shang-Chi, and the Legend of the Ten Rings. The character was created in the 1970s as an attempt to cash in on the martial arts craze that was sweeping through Hollywood. While for most of his publications, he was eclipsed in popularity by Iron Fist, who debuted one year later, Shang-Chi has now become a greater part of the Marvel Universe both in the comics and on the big screen. Shang-Chi was created by writer Steve Engelhart and artist Jim Starlin and debuted inSpecial Marvel Edition#15 in 1973.
In the original comics, he was the son of the racist caricature Fu-Man Chu. Yet following Marvel Comics' loss of the rights to the character, Shang-Chi’s origin had been reimagined many times. This made him a perfect fit for the Marvel Cinematic Universe as he could be made the son of the iconic Iron Man villain, The Mandarin, but allow Marvel to reimagine both characters in a way that would be a better fit for the 21st century. NowShang-Chi is one of Marvel’s biggest success stories postAvengers: Endgame.
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
Created by Frank Miller
Debut:Daredevil#168 (January 1981)
Elektra Natchios is most notably associated with Matt Murdock/Daredevil as a love interest, antagonist, and ally. She is a proficient assassin whose weapon of choice is a pair of sai and whose abilities include super-speed, acrobatics, telekinesis, hypnotism, durability, and martial arts. Elektra was created by Frank Miller for a filler story,Daredevil #168, in 1981. However, the character was popular. She instead became a frequently appearing villain in Daredevil until her death in issue #181 in April 1982 at the hands of Bullseye.
Related:7 Indie Directors Who Made the Jump to the MCU
“The Elektra Saga” storyline is one of the most defining in Daredevil comics, one that was adapted in the 2003 filmDaredevilwith Jennifer Garner playing the role and then again inDaredevilseason two with Elodie Yung stepping into the role. Despite dying in the comics, she was brought back to life, which greatly upset Miller as he didn’t want her to return. Elektra is arguably Miller’s most famous original creation in comics, but she also became a popular Marvel hero, appearing in her own solo film. Shewill return inDeadpool & Wolverinewith Garner reprising her role.
Creators: Marv Wolfman (writer) and Gene Colan (artist)
Debut:The Tomb of Dracula#10 (July 1973)
The ’70s saw Marvel embrace the Blackspoltation phase of cinema with their own batch of characters. Luke Cage is certainly the most notable, but that was a hero that Stan Lee specifically ordered. Yet one of the most enduring characters to come out of that period of time wasBlade, created by Marv Wolfman and Gene Colan for the horror comic series,The Tomb of Dracula. Blade’s comic book origin is very different than what many know. While a vampire did bite his mom at birth, in the comics, it just made him immune to vampires and has some increased level of strength.
The 1998 film starring Wesley Snipes established both the origin and look most people would commonly associate with the character. Now half-human and half-vampire, he has all of the vampire’s strengths but none of their weaknesses except a thirst for blood. His costume was redesigned from having an afro and green vest to a black tactical outfit with a trench coat. Blade became an unlikely hero for Marvel as he was the first Marvel hero to successfully lead a feature film, which led to two sequels and a television spin-off. He will soon join theMarvel Cinematic Universe in a reboot starring two-time Academy Award winner Mahershala Ali.
Blade (1998)
9Rocket Racoon
Created by Bill Mantlo (writer) and artist Keith Giffen (artist)
First Appearance:Marvel Preview#7 (July 1976)
TheGuardians of the Galaxy went from being one of Marvel’s most obscure characters to now one of the biggest brandsin the franchise. Notably, neither the original team nor four of the five signature members of the team were created by Stan Lee. Only Groot was created by Stan Lee, but he was originally a one-off monster character. Rocket Racoon might be the biggest member of the team and one whose real-life creation has as many tragedies as his recent film depictions. Rocket is a genetically altered raccoon who acts as a space-traveling hero.
The character was created by Bill Mantlo and Keith Giffen and is inspired by the Beatles song “Rocky Racoon”. The character debuted inMarvel Preview#7 in 1976 and only appeared in a total of ten comic books in his first thirty years of existence. In 2007, he was upgraded to a major player thanks to his role in theAnnihilation: Conqueststory and eventually became a member of the Guardians of the Galaxy, which became the basis of the movie. Rocket’s co-creator, Bill Mantlo, was the victim of a hit-and-run accident in 1992 and has been in institutional care ever since. Marvel Studios negotiated a compensation package for the rights to Rocket Raccoon when they produced Guardians of the Galaxy and Mantlo’s brother has said this arrangement ensures Bill Mantlo will receive care for the rest of his life.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
8The Punisher/Frank Castle
Created by Gerry Conway (writer) and John Romita Sr. (artist) and Ross Andru (artist)
Debut:The Amazing Spider-Man#129 (February 1974)
Frank Castle, a Marine Vietnam veteran, becomesThe Punisherafter witnessing the murder of his wife and daughter at the hands of the mob in Central Park. He ruthlessly targets criminals, displaying extraordinary speed and pain tolerance and honed military and tactical skills. The Punisher came to life when the writer ofThe Amazing Spider-Man, Gerry Conway, drew inspiration fromThe Executioner, a book series written by Don Pendleton about a Vietnam veteran hellbent on avenging his murdered family. He even made the first sketch with a small skull and crossbones emblem and submitted it to Marvel art director John Romita, Sr. andAmazing Spider-Manpenciller Ross Andru.
Originally Stan Lee wanted to name him The Assassin, but since the word only had negative connotations, Conway convinced him to go for The Punisher, and the character debuted as an antagonist inThe Amazing Spider-Man #129, in 1974 and quickly became a popular Marvel anti-hero. Now he has become one of the most iconic characters in the Marvel Universe, having been the star of three separate feature films and was a prominent character inDaredevilseason 2, played by Jon Bernthal. Benrthal’s depiction was so popular he got his own spin-off series andwill return inDaredevil: Born Again.
7Ms. Marvel
Created by: Sana Amanat, Stephen Wacker, G. Willow Wilson, Adrian Alphona, and Jamie McKelvie
Debut:All-New Marvel Now! Point One#1 (January 2014)
Khamla Khan aka Ms. Marvelhas become one of the biggest and most popular characters in Marvel Comics and she has only been around for a decade. Created by editors Sana Amanat and Stephen Wacker, writer G. Willow Wilson, and artists Adrian Alphona and Jamie McKelvie, Kamala Khan is Marvel’s first Muslim protagonist character and South Asian American person with her own comic book. From the minute she arrived on the comic book scene, she became an instant fan-favorite and would later be played by Ms. Marvel fan Iman Vellani in the MCU in her 2022 solo seriesMs. Marveland then in the 2023 filmThe Marvels.
Ms. Marvel was created at a time when Marvel Comics was trying to beef up the importance of the Inhumans and downplayed the X-Men as Marvel did not have the film rights to the mutants and wanted to raise the stock of a group of superpowered people they did have. Yet following Disney’s acquisition of 20th Century Fox and their reacquiring the rights to the X-Men back, the Inhumans have once again been downplayed, and now Marvel Studios has changed Kamala’s origins to not be related to the Inhumans, but instead, she is a mutant and has cosmic alien ties to her favorite hero, Captain Marvel,thanks to the quantum bands.
Ms. Marvel
6Carol Danvers aka Captain Marvel
Created by: Roy Thomas and Gene Colan - Carol Danvers/Gerry Conway and John Buscema - Ms. Marvel / Kelly Sue DeConnick, Dexter Soy, and Jamie McKelvie - Captain Marvel
Debut:Marvel Super-Heroes#13 (March 1968) - Carol Danvers/Ms. Marvel#1 (January 1977) - Ms. Marvel/Avenging Spider-Man #9(July 2012) Captain Marvel
While Stan Lee did create the original hero Captain Marvel, Kree hero Mar-Vell, inMarvel Super-Heroes#12 from December 1967, the most famous incarnation of the character was not created by Stan Lee. In fact,Carol DanversandtheCaptain Marvelmost people know, has had many different creatives across decades. Carol Danvers appeared in the very next issue,Marvel Super-Heroes#13, and was created by writer Roy Thomas and artist Gene Colan. She would not get superpowers until Ms. Marvel #1 in January 1977 by writer Gerry Conway and artist John Buscema, when Carol adopted Ms. Marvel’s identity.
Future legendary X-Men writer Chris Claremont would write for Ms. Marvel and eventually bring her into his X-Men run, where she adopted the identity of Binary in The Uncanny X-Men #164 (December 1982). In 2012, Carol Danvers finally adopted the mantle of Captain Marvel inAvenging Spider-Man#9 (July 2012) before getting her own solo series written by Kelly Sue DeConnick, with art by Dexter Soy, with artist Jamie McKelvie assigned to redesign Danvers' costume to the Captain Marvel costume fans love today. Now Carol Danvers as Captain Marvel is more popular than the original Captain Marvel that Stan Lee created and is one of the faces of the Marvel Universe, thanks to being played bystar Brie Larson in the MCU. Carol Danvers has had a long history and owes her creation and development in many identities to many legendary creators.
