Since Marvel Studios launched the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2008, superheroes are way more popular than before. Characters only hardcore fans knew, like Drax, Korg, or Moon Knight, are now part of mainstream media. However, they aren't necessarily like their comic counterparts, which has created an obvious division between MCU-only and comic fans.
Marvel Studios are quite free and loose with their adaptations, resulting in many characters changing their personality. Since Disney is behind the franchise, the changes tend to go in a more PG-13 direction. Whether it's because they're less funny, more powerful, or even deal with more mature topics, these characters are scarier in the comics.
10 Drax The Destroyer Is Less Of A Joke In The Comics
Portrayed by Dave Bautista, Drax the Destroyer is one of the funniest characters in the MCU. His random personality, which has led to iconic phrases such as, "Why Is Gamora?" immediately tickled fans' funny bones. When combined with Drax's tragic backstory and the loss of his family, he's captured fans' hearts.
In the comics, Drax is a human possessed by a cosmic champion named Kronos. He's still seeking revenge after Thanos killed his family, but he has far fewer one-liners. Given the lack of jokes, Drax comes across as a full criminal in Marvel Comics, not the clownish, morally ambiguous antihero he is in the MCU.
9 Hank Pym Is A Domestic Abuser In The Comics
An original Avengers founder and the genius behind Pym Particles, Dr. Hank Pym was given a lesser role in the MCU. Portrayed by Michael Douglas, he's an older man who passed his role as Ant-Man to Scott Lang. In the movies, his only objective is to find his wife, Janet van Dyne, who's been trapped in the Quantum Realm for a long time.
In the comics, Hank and Janet started out as a couple but eventually divorced after one of the most shameful moments in Marvel comics. Hank slapped Janet when she tried to calm him down. In the MCU, Pym is devoted to Janet, but his comic version has a darker attitude toward her.
8 Miek Went From Warrior To Administrative Minion
As a Saakaran insectoid who helped Hulk carry out his revenge against planet Earth, Miek was always quite vocal about ending humanity. Since he first debuted in comics in The Incredible Hulk #92 by Greg Pak and Carlo Pagulayan, he's been portrayed as a villain. However, tThe MCU radically changed him into a friendly gender-fluid being who befriended Thor.
Given Miek's lack of social conventions, their scenes always make the audience laugh. However, hardcore fans are disappointed at how pacifist this character is in the MCU. For example, in Thor: Love and Thunder, Miek is Valkyrie's assistant instead of a fearless fighter from outer space.
7 The Comics' Iron Man Isn't As Charming As Robert Downey Jr.
Since he first debuted in Iron Man, Tony Stark has been an MCU fan-favorite, which is mostly thanks to Robert Downey Jr.'s portrayal of the character. As a result, Iron Man will go down in history as one of the funniest, most charming, and most heroic characters ever seen. However, all the traits that made him so lovable weren't in the comics.
Like the MCU's Iron Man, the comic version of Tony Stark is an arrogant genius. However, when removing RDJ's charming jokes and emotional beats, Iron Man comes across as a cruel billionaire with a no-nonsense attitude. Fortunately, the audience loved RDJ's portrayal so much, the comics slowly turned him into a new version of the same character.
6 America Chavez Is A More Mature And More Powerful Heroine
One of the most diverse characters in comics, America Chávez debuted in comics in 2011. She's a Latinx lesbian with super strength and the ability to kick open portals into other dimensions. America's control of her powers, coupled with her unyielding determination, make her one of the toughest characters in Marvel.
Unfortunately for fans, America's debut in the MCU gave them a very different rendition. Xóchitl Gómez's version is a younger, more naive girl who still hasn't learned how to use her abilities. She's less tough, which makes her way less intimidating to potential enemies.
5 Dr. Strange Deals With Far Darker Situations In Marvel Comics
Sorcerer Supreme and keeper of the Sanctum Sanctorum, Stephen Strange became an expert in the Mystic Arts while attempting to heal his hands after a car accident. In the comics, Strange deals with all kinds of demons and infernal threats.
The MCU version doesn't stray too far from his comic characterization. However, he’s also quite comical, especially during Phase Four. Strange becomes the go-to adult for teenage heroes like America and Peter Parker, and his relationship with these characters shows a friendlier side to him that the comics don’t. He’s definitely less approachable in the books.
4 Taika Waititi's Korg Is Ironically Soft In The MCU
A Kronan born on Planet Ria, Korg was part of an army that attempted to conquer Earth. When their attempts were thwarted by Thor, he attempted to return to his world but crash-landed on Sakaar, where he became a slave. While there, he met Hulk and became one of his closest allies, especially when the Jade Giant sought revenge for his exile.
When Thor: Ragnarok introduced Korg to the MCU, the script drew inspiration from the comics, but the general tone of his story is different. Although he was also imprisoned in Sakaar, the MCU's Korg is less of a warrior and more of a comedian. From his stoner vibe to his Hawaiian shirt and soft-spoken accent, he's a light-hearted character who's often used for comic relief in the films.
3 Chris Hemsworth's Thor Is Less Solemn Than Marvel Comics' God Of Thunder
One of the characters who's changed the most throughout their time in the MCU is Thor, the God of Thunder. While the character grew up and became more emotionally complex, he also went from being a serious character with occasional jokes to having a lot of funny lines and one-liners. This is thanks to Chris Hemsworth and Taika Waititi's knack for comedy.
MCU fans love funny Thor, but Marvel Comics' readers know Thor is far sterner. He doesn't really make jokes, is self-righteous, is fully committed to his role as Earth's protector, and has an exaggerated Shakespearean accent. While he's also kind, he's less relatable and approachable than the MCU's Thor.
2 Fans Will Find It More Difficult To Redeem The Comics' Moon Knight
Casual Moon Knight fans looking for comics to learn more about him will discover a Marc Spector who's very different from Oscar Isaac's portrayal in the MCU. Sure, they're both Avatars of Khonshu on Earth, but in the comics, he's way more unapologetic for his actions.
Isaac's Spector spends the whole season of Moon Knight trying to come to terms with his vigilantism while easing Steven Grant's fears. In the comics, none of Marc's personalities have a problem doing their job. A great part of Steven's charm in the MCU series comes from the fact he's naive, meaning people can relate to his confusion about the vigilante world. However, the comics don't show this side of him. He's darker, rougher, and more violent.
1 Fans Feel Hulk Was Nerfed For The MCU
The duality between man and beast that Bruce Banner must face on a daily basis is central to Hulk's story. He represses his emotions for the greater good, which is the basis for his psychological profile as a human. Given this, one of the biggest criticisms fans have with the MCU is Hulk's apparent rationality.
While the comics' Hulk is impossible to control — to the point where Earth's heroes send him to space — Ruffalo's depiction is more and more human as the MCU progresses, to the point he's now a rational version of himself. Fans are still waiting to see the completely irrational creature that puts the Avengers in a pickle more than once.