Fan art is all about bringing concepts to life that corporate entities wouldn't necessarily touch, unless there was a story to capitalize on. Sometimes, it's all about seeing what can happen if talented artists put pen to paper (or tablet) and let their imaginations run completely wild.
This is the case with fan artists who have tackled the Marvel superhero pool. They've each come out with some incredible works when they attempted to showcase these characters as they might have looked in medieval times. You'll never look at your favorite superheroes quite the same way, again.
10 The Punisher
This poster is a mix of modern and classic featuring Frank Castle decked out in medieval armor, and his trademark skull insignia shining as brightly as ever. Instead of a pistol, the Punisher wields a small crossbow for quick encounters, and a knife tucked into his belt for close quarters.
The interesting part of this amazing art piece by Isikol is Frank's patched up eye, suggesting he got into quite a scuffle and happened to emerge victorious. It doesn't seem to have slowed down his quest for justice.
9 Spider-Man
Deviant artist Ricky Ryan gave Spider-Man the classic treatment with this amazing and kinetic art piece featuring the webslinger as he's never been seen before. The mixture of medieval armor and vintage web-shooters is matched by his Assassins Creed-style cloak and dagger which completes the whole ensemble.
One also gets a hint of Robin Hood underpinnings from this piece, which wouldn't be out of place in a medieval setting. Sadly, Ricky Ryan's DeviantArt page no longer seems to be up, but he deserves massive credit for this piece.
8 Iron Man
This striking piece comes courtesy of TheDurrrrian, and it's part of a series of medieval-inspired takes on iconic Marvel superheroes. His Iron Man stands apart as a cut above the rest for many reasons that go far beyond just the striking visual style.
The arcane runes that highlight the piece suggest that Tony Stark has powered this version of the Iron Man suit using magic, rather than science and technology. His ancient take on Stark's palm repulsors is a nice touch that accents that sweeping lines and beautiful colors.
7 Hawkeye
With what appears to be a repurposed executioner's mask on his face, this medieval version of Hawkeye looks ready to deal out death with no hesitation. This is a stunning grayscale shot of the character getting ready to draw his bow for an upcoming attack, and the detail level is incredible.
Artist Denis Medri masterfully uses gray brushes to simulate trees and underbrush while keeping the focal point on his character. It's tremendously effective, and the classic lettering font makes it feel hundreds of years old, which is precisely the point!
6 Black Panther
Black Panther also gets a strong medieval treatment with this superb reimagining. Here, T'Challa seems to be preparing for war as he prepares to lower his helmet. It's a shame artist hyunjoong didn't give us a full-body shot of Black Panther's armor, but this profile portrait is more than enough to get the point across.
One wonders what sort of medieval R&D went into the creation of this particular armor suit to retain T'Challa's agility and speed, but even if this were just a straight-up classic suit of knight's armor, it wouldn't matter. The cool factor alone is more than worth the tradeoff.
5 Deadpool
It may not be an original piece, but Eric Ninaltowski's wicked take on a medieval Deadpool works perfectly, thanks in large part to the red iconography in the armor and shield. The piece is essentially a rework of classic fantasy artist Frank Frazetta's Death Dealer I, replacing the demonic slayer with none other than the Merc with a mouth.
A few elements of the shot have changed, but this is essentially a parody art piece that just happens to scream ultra-cool from the rooftops. It's savage, striking, and comical, all at the same time.
4 Daredevil
Daredevil would have little to fear living in feudal Japan, thanks in large part to his knowledge of the culture, and his own innate skills and training. Here, he seems right at home as a medieval version of himself, complete with samurai-inspired armor and a pair of nunchukus to replace his twin batons.
The simple use of browns and dull reds gives this piece a timeless, classic feel. It's one of those rare art pieces that can make any fan yearn for a full-fledged comic book series based just on this one single shot. Big props to digitalinkrod for this fantastic work.
3 Wolverine
Many folks may not know Nate Hallihan, but they've probably seen his work at some point. The man has been involved in pretty much every pop culture franchise property one can think of, and he's been cranking out top-tier art for a long time. Here, he takes a break from corporate commissions to craft this striking pic of Wolverine in a medieval setting, complete with an awesome set of armor and what appear to be steel claws.
The sheer vibrancy of the piece is hard to overstate. The flaming arrows and burning embers give a sense of movement to the shot as Logan crouches in a battle stance, ready to shred more opponents. This piece is part of a greater series of medieval Marvel works by Hallihan, and they're all top-notch.
2 The Winter Soldier
Eleesar brings Bucky Barnes to life with a medieval take on the character that feels half knight, half ninja in tone. The grayscale colors and prominent use of red in the star is a nice nod to minimalist palettes, and it works here to great effect. The sharp lines and sketchy feel make it seem like a comic book waiting to happen.
The clever use of knight's armor for the Winter Soldier's left arm is a solid touch and feels totally probable if the character were alive in that particular age. It's easily one of the best medieval-inspired Marvel character-takes around.
1 Captain America
There are a few medieval takes on Captain America floating around the internet, but none are as straight-up cool as this one. There's nothing particularly fancy or extravagant about the shot. It's merely a depiction of Steve Rogers in the old days, complete with a wooden shield and his signature red, white, and blue colors.
The walking pose suggests Rogers is confident and ready to take on any threats that might pop up in such a lawless age, and he's got a sheathed sword on his back to prove it. The hint of chainmail is a nice touch, as is the embossed star on his chest plate. Very unique, and very cool work from min02123.
NEXT: I Came To Bargain: 10 Magnificent & Mystical Doctor Strange Fan Art Pieces