The 6 Best Civilians in Marvel Comics, Ranked

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Marvel Comics is packed with bombastic action, space-faring characters, time travel, and all manner of other fantastical elements. Characters will fight an intergalactic threat to the Earth on one day, and the next, they’ll be sitting down for dinner with their friends and family as if nothing had happened. This distinction between the craziness of the superhero action and the personal stakes and drama of human life is what makes Marvel Comics so effective and beloved, and a large part of that success is the supporting characters—the ordinary people the heroes are fighting for.

From love interests to parents to coworkers, Marvel’s supporting roster of civilians is chock full of compelling and exciting characters in their own right. Any one of them could hold their own as the star of their own comic book, and that is one of the most important aspects of a supporting character. If a fan or reader would be happy to see a supporting character take the spotlight for an issue or more, it’s clear that that character has succeeded in their role. Marvel Comics is the master of down-to-earth heroes mixing with cosmic beings beyond anything imaginable, and the relationships between all these characters are what makes the publishing giant so great.

6

Willie Lumpkin Is The Fantastic Four’s Faithful Mailman

Willie Lumpkin, the Kind-Hearted Ally of Marvel’s First Family, Is Often Forgotten

While certainly less popular and talked-about than some of Marvel’s civilians, Willie Lumpkin is one of the original ordinary side characters in Marvel’s roster. His interactions with the Fantastic Four are always rooted in kindness and everyday, ordinary good-heartedness, and that is something that comic book stories (and stories of all kinds) sorely need.While he’s often been used as a gag character throughout his history, Willie has also had a number of stories more focused on him and his relationship with the Fantastic Four. Sometimes a bit of a goofy character with a bit of a silly name, Willie has proven himself to be a vital part of Marvel’s canon, as well as a pillar of the Fantastic Four’s supporting cast.

One of the most emotionally impactful issues of Fantastic Four came in the pages of Fantastic Four #606, written by Jonathan Hickman and drawn by Ron Garney. The issue sees the Fantastic Four on an intense mission through a bizarre, alien-like landscape, where they race against the clock to save the life of their faithful friend and ally, Willie Lumpkin. What at first seems to be an alien world or alternate dimension is actually the inside of Willie’s body, and the the Fantastic Four must work perilously to cure Willie of a disease that is slowly killing him. It’s a one-off issue and a story that isn’t connected to any storyline or arc that was happening at the time, but it is the perfect example of the importance of the character of Willie Lumpkin and the heartfelt nature of the Fantastic Four and their stories.

5

Ben Urich Is Daredevil’s Investigative Ally

The Reporter and Friend of Matt Murdock is Invaluable to The Man Without Fear

Known for his uncompromising integrity and moral backbone, Ben Urich has been a compelling side character within the pages of Daredevil for decades. A reporter formerly working at the Daily Bugle, Ben has been swept up in the center of many of Marvel’s most intense and exciting events and storylines. From discovering both Spider-Man and Daredevil’s secret identities to starting his own paper during the events of the epic Marvel event Civil War, Ben Urich is one of New York City’s most incredible reporters, and his morality is the thing that keeps him apart from some of the other characters surrounding him.

Unlike a character like J. Jonah Jameson, Ben Urich is unflinching and uncompromising in his reporting and his opinions about the subjects he investigates. While Jameson is often blinded by his hatred for Spider-Man and similar heroes, Urich takes a grounded, factual approach guided by a strong moral compass. Major discoveries, such as uncovering the identities of two of New York’s most important superheroes, would typically be award-worthy investigative work. However, Urich understands that protecting the secrets of Matt Murdock and Peter Parker—two individuals who make his city safer—is far more important than gaining recognition at their expense.

4

Edwin Jarvis Served The Avengers Faithfully for Years

The Avengers’ Butler and Ally Has Been With the Team for Decades

Originally the butler for Tony Stark’s parents, Edwin Jarvis became a close confidant and ally of Iron Man before taking on the role of butler to the Avengers. Standing by their side through decades of roster changes, perilous adventures, and major events, Jarvis is one of the most trustworthy and good-natured characters in Marvel Comics history. From maintaining and defending Avengers Mansion to babysitting superhero children while their parents were away fighting, Jarvis truly is an all-in-one package.

He is much more than simply the Marvel version of Alfred Pennyworth, and his dedication and compassion for his work and the people around him is what has made him stand the test of time. While he was replaced in the Marvel Cinematic Universe by an A.I. system built by Tony Stark, the legacy of the character has impacted many aspects of the live-action world. In the comics, during the Secret Invasion, one of Marvel’s best events, it was revealed that Jarvis had been captured and replaced by a Skrull impersonator—a reveal that shocked and appalled both readers and the members of the Avengers who had been betrayed. A character as good and noble as Jarvis didn’t deserve such an action done against him, and since the entire Avengers roster sees him as a close friend and ally, their fight with the Skrulls became all the more personal.

3

J. Jonah Jameson Is More Complex Than He Seems

The Brash J. Jonah Jameson Has Grown and Evolved Over the Years

One of the longest-lasting rivalries in comic book history belongs to J. Jonah Jameson and Spider-Man. The rude, brutish head of the Daily Bugle has at times been somewhat of an antagonist to Spider-Man, at times been merely a thorn in his side, and at others has been a close ally and friend. The complexity of Jonah’s relationship to Peter Parker, aka Spider-Man, is one of the key components of what makes his character work so well. What started as merely a cartoonishly rude and loud boss character evolved into a much more three-dimensional, well-rounded supporting character in Spider-Man’s life.

While Jonah often criticizes the wall-crawler and his antics through New York City’s streets, his heart is frequently in the right place. Though often portrayed outside the comics as a two-dimensional cranky old man, Jameson’s comic book character is intelligent, well-meaning, and deeply influential in Peter Parker’s life. He is a fan-favorite character for a reason, and it’s not just because of his memorable design or his tendency to deliver the best lines. It’s because he’s a genuinely compelling character with a myriad of interior struggles and thoughts—an often hilarious, often tragic figure rooted at the heart of Spider-Man stories.

2

Foggy Nelson Is Daredevil’s Partner and Friend

One Half of Nelson and Murdock Is Marvel’s Greatest Best Friend

Matt Murdock, aka Daredevil, has one of the most awful lives in the Marvel Universe. His bad luck is rivaled perhaps only by Peter Parker, and he is constantly on the back foot in life. Luckily, Matt Murdock has one of the best side characters in all of comic book history standing right beside him through thick and thin. Foggy Nelson is one of the Marvel Universe’s best lawyers, and his connection to Matt Murdock and his Daredevil persona is a touching, emotional one. Foggy is one of the most important people in Daredevil’s life, and through constant tragedies, Foggy is still always there.

When Foggy is diagnosed with cancer during Mark Waid’s time on the Daredevil book, the central thrust of the arc becomes focused on the pair’s friendship and Matt Murdock’s dedication to his friend. It is a wonderful tribute to an incredible character, and it goes to show just how important it is to keep Daredevil grounded in reality by keeping his closest friends by his side. Through fake-out deaths, resurrections, diseases, betrayals, and horrors beyond comprehension, Foggy Nelson and Matt Murdock remain close allies and partners in upholding the law in any way they can.

1

Mary Jane Watson Is More Than a Love Interest

Peter Parker’s True Love Is a Compelling Character on Her Own

More than perhaps any other character in Marvel Comics history, Mary Jane Watson is a vital supporting character to Spider-Man. Their relationship has been the basis of a number of incredible storylines, as well as some unfortunately not-very-good tales. But, through it all, Mary Jane has remained a timelessly compelling, wonderfully independent character. She is the guiding light for Peter Parker to get through life. She is his strength, his dedication, his love. Mary Jane and Peter are one of the best couples in Marvel Comics history.

Although their relationship has been broken up numerous times by Marvel Comics mandates, Mary Jane Watson remains Peter Parker’s one true love. Fans’ unwavering dedication to the idea of the two characters reuniting speaks to how important Mary Jane is within the Marvel Comics community. Adapted with respect and grace across numerous mediums outside of comic books, Mary Jane is one of the most popular supporting characters in comic book history and has even received her own titles multiple times over the decades. Despite rarely having powers, she is as vital to Spider-Man’s success as Peter Parker himself.

“}]] Marvel’s world of superheroes would be nothing without the ordinary people within it, and some of them are just as important as the heroes themselves.  Read More