There are a number of Marvel heroes like Captain America and Spider-Man who usually have an unwavering respect for authoritative leaders. However, as the Avengers are currently learning in their showdown with Black Panther, not every Marvel hero has the same level of respect for authority. Black Panther stood up against the team, despite being an authority himself.
Heroes like Wolverine first gained popularity due to their constant lack of respect for authority, usually showcased by his constant bickering with Cyclops. Moon Knight famously burned his Avengers identicard when they attempted to interfere in his solo activities, and Punisher is one anti-hero who is not afraid to take down authoritative figures if they get in his way.
Updated on April 28, 2023, by David Harth: Marvel's heroes fought evil and worked with the police, but they had no problem doing their duty even if the authorities were against it. Some heroes had bigger problems with authority than others, which defined their careers. Some Marvel heroes live to stick it to the man. They hate other people telling them what to do. They have no problem with saving lives, they just don't want people in power hassling them.
12 Hawkeye
First Appearance: Tales of Suspense (September 1964) #57 by Stan Lee and Don Heck
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When Clint Barton made his comic debut, his lack of respect for authority led to a misunderstanding with the police. They assumed Hawkeye was a thief instead of a new hero, and his attitude during the encounter didn’t help convince them otherwise.
Even when Hawkeye reformed as an Avenger, he constantly butted heads with authoritative members like Captain America. Hawkeye wasn’t afraid to walk out on the team if he didn’t agree with decisions, even if he wasn’t always on the right side. Barton eventually softened and became one of the Avengers' greatest leaders.
11 Spider-Man
First Appearance: Amazing Fantasy #15 (June 1962) by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko
Spider-Man is Marvel's most popular hero, and he's always had a healthy disrespect for authority. In his case, it's entirely warranted. Spider-Man has been called a menace by J. Jonah Jameson for years and has been hunted by the police. It doesn't matter what good he tries to do, there's always someone trying to punish him for it.
Even among his fellow heroes, Spider-Man is always flippant with anyone who bosses him around. He responds to authority by mocking it mercilessly. Spider-Man has gotten better about authority as he's gotten older, but that doesn't mean he won't make fun of its mistakes.
10 Hulk
First Appearance: Incredible Hulk #1 (March 1962) by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby
The Hulk is the strongest one there is, but deep down he just wants to be left alone. Ever since the gamma bomb opened up the Green Door and gave Bruce Banner his powers, everyone has wanted a piece of him. He's been hunted by those in authority even when he didn't deserve it and has constantly found himself on the wrong side of the law.
The Hulk has often been at odds with everyone from military generals to the Illuminati. In fact, he led an anti-authoritarian group for a while, fighting against the corruption of both corporations and the government. The Hulk wants to be left alone, and the best way to achieve that is to topple the system.
9 Human Torch
First Appearance: Fantastic Four #1 (August 1961) by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby
Johnny Storm is one of the most powerful members of the Fantastic Four. He always brought a certain rebellious energy to his career. Human Torch was always the first person to make fun of Doctor Doom or get mouthy with anyone telling him what to do. When it came to Reed or Ben, it was mostly good-natured but almost anyone else would get a hot-headed response from the Torch.
Human Torch's disregard for authority has gotten violent in the past. His hotheaded nature contributed to his attitude toward authority. He enjoys needling those in power and will stop at nothing to mess with authority, if only because it entertains him.
8 Iron Man
First appearance: Tales of Suspense #39 (December 1962) by Stan Lee, Larry Lieber, and Don Heck
Iron Man has always been a figure of authority, but that doesn't mean he respects anyone else's authority. Iron Man believes in himself and his own abilities more than anyone else and always objects to being restricted. He'll ignore the laws and leadership of the land if he feels it's necessary, and the only judgment he trusts is his own.
However, Iron Man is perfectly happy in authoritative roles as long as he doesn't have oversight. He's been the Secretary of Defense and the Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. which allowed him to make everyone listen to him. However, put anyone else in those roles and he'd be the first to advocate for rebellion. And Iron Man's most powerful armors have the power to back him up.
7 Luke Cage
First Appearance: Hero for Hire #1 (March 1972) by Archie Goodwin and George Tuska
Marvel's B-listers are great heroes whenever they get the chance to prove it. Luke Cage got that chance as an Avenger and he knocked it out of the park. He became the leader of the team, but at the time Cage's Secret Avengers were in a conflict with S.H.I.E.L.D.'s director, Iron Man. This wasn't the first time Luke fought power, and his actions throughout his career were definitely justified.
Cage grew up in Harlem in a Black neighborhood. He learned at an early age that the people in power don't look out for people who look like him, so he grew up with a healthy distrust of authority. He knows what can happen when those with authority decide someone isn't a human being, and he's the first to fight against similar injustices.
6 Gambit
First Appearance: Uncanny X-Men #266 (August 1990) by Chris Claremont and Mike Collins
Gambit has been on a lot of teams, but he's always been Marvel's bad boy. Gambit came up as a member of the Thieves Guild in New Orleans. He understood that working in teams was beneficial, but he wasn't going to make it easy for anyone in charge. Gambit may listen to an extent, but the moment he thinks he has a better idea, that's what he's going to do.
Gambit has learned to listen better over the years, but he's also learned that doing things his way makes a lot of sense. His headstrong nature has led him to some bad places over the years, but he's found just as much success as failure. Gambit even became a team leader himself, turning him into the authority figure he usually rebelled against.
5 Moon Knight
First Appearance: Werewolf by Night (August 1975) #32, by Doug Moench and Don Perlin
Marc Spector was a former military man who joined the CIA before he grew tired of following orders from faceless leaders. He became a mercenary who worked for himself, though he found a new boss after his death and resurrection as Moon Knight.
Khonshu was a powerful authoritative figure in Moon Knight’s life. His presence made it difficult for Moon Knight to take orders from others given his independent personality. He even quit the Avengers by torching his identicard when they raised concerns over his actions. Moon Knight takes great pride in being his own authority after dealing with Khonshu for so long.
4 Blade
First Appearance: Tomb of Dracula (July 1973) #10, by Marv Wolfman and Gene Colan
Eric Brooks became Marvel’s greatest vampire hunter Blade after his pregnant mother was bit and turned by an evil undead named Deacon Frost. Blade became a dhampir and gained enhanced abilities which further enhanced his years of training as a hunter.
Blade operates in his own world which is usually hidden from anyone walking in the daylight. This makes it hard for Blade to respect the police and other authority figures who get in his way, as they likely have no idea of the real threat he’s facing. Blade barely even tolerates superhero authority figures who he feels aren't on the same level in his underground war.
3 Wolverine
First Appearance: Incredible Hulk (October 1974) #180, by Len Wein and Herb Trimpe
When he first joined the X-Men, the mutant known as Wolverine saw it as an opportunity to get away from the governmental authorities in Canada's Department H. He was a talented operative, but he wasn’t always great at following orders.
Even back during Logan’s days with black ops squads like Team X, he defied orders that didn't always suit him. Wolverine’s time with the X-Men also saw confrontations with leaders like Cyclops and Professor X. His status as a hard-to-love loner softened over the years as he became a part of Xavier’s family and one of the X-Men's greatest leaders.
2 Namor
First Appearance: Motion Picture Funnies Weekly #1 (April 1939) by Bill Everett
Namor is the king of Atlantis, responsible for the biggest kingdom on the face of the Earth. He's always looking out for his people, and that has put him at odds with nearly every authority of the surface world. He's declared war on the surface more than once and is just as known for his battles with heroes, earning Namor quite a few deadly enemies.
Like many rich and powerful people, Namor believes in his own authority first and foremost. In his mind, no one has the right to tell him what to do. Even when he's working with others, like his stints with the Illuminati, Avengers, and X-Men, he's the one who's questioning those in charge, ready to go his own way.
1 Punisher
First Appearance: Amazing Spider-Man (February 1974) #129, by Gerry Conway and Ross Andru
While Frank Castle was a decorated war hero who thrived taking orders during combat, his alter ego is quite a bit different. The loss of his family to criminal violence hardened Castle into one of Marvel's best anti-heroes. In his new role as The Punisher, he has little patience or tolerance for authority.
The Punisher is on a mission and will take out anyone who would target innocents or gets in his way. He is quick to drop crooked cops right alongside supervillains. Even his own personal heroes can't stop his mission. Captain America memorably kicked Punisher off the team during Civil War after Castle killed two villains who surrendered to the Secret Avengers.