Although many of Marvel's most powerful heroes do not need weapons, given their fantastic super-powers, others supplement their fighting style with guns, armor, or even swords. Whether they're magical artifacts from ancient history or conjured manifestations of a character's own inner powers, Marvel is full of interesting and exciting swords of all kinds.
Some sword-wielding heroes need the power gained from their blade in order to compete with everything the Marvel universe has to throw at them. Others are already powerful in their own right, but use a sword as their preferred weapon for style or historical reasons. No matter the explanation, it's always exciting to see a a comic hero charging into battle wielding an incredible sword.
Updated September 28, 2022 by Declan Lowthian: While many superheroes wade into battle completely unarmed, there's something undeniably cool about a caped hero who wields a sword. We've updated this list with even more info about the most powerful swords in the history of Marvel comics.
10 Dragonfang
First Appearance: Defenders Vol. 1 #12 by writer Len Wein, penciler Sal Buscema, inker Jack Abel, colorist Petra Goldberg, letterers Gaspar Saladino & Charlotte Jetter, and editor Roy Thomas
Crafted from the tusk of a dragon from another dimension, Dragonfang is one of the deadliest swords in Marvel comics. For much of its history, this sword was in the possession of the Ancient One, who later passed it on to Doctor Strange. Strange used it to great effect in his time with the Defenders.
Dragonfang can absorb magical powers and cut through most magical barriers with ease. When the Asgardian Valkyrie joined the Defenders, Doctor Strange gave her the sword to help her carry out her mystical duties.
9 Excalibur
First Appearance: from Black Knight Vol. 1 #1 by writer/editor Stan Lee and penciler/inker Joe Maneely
The former blade of the fabled King Arthur, Excalibur is another one of Marvel's most powerful swords. King Arthur used this sword to fell many powerful enemies, but it has returned to prominence in the Marvel universe's modern era as well.
Excalubur has been wielded by many great heroes, such as Captain Britain, Black Knight, and Faiza Hussein, a new hero who then called herself Excalibur. Excalibur can kill anything, including gods, spirits, and immortal beings. It also has healing capabilities that can be used to miraculous effect.
8 Ebony Blade
First Appearance: from Black Knight Vol. 1 #1 by writer/editor Stan Lee and penciler/inker Joe Maneely
Wielded by the Black Knight, the Ebony Blade has a long list of powers that make it an incredible weapon. It can cut through almost any substance, including adamantium. This blade can also absorb energy and breakthrough any sort of mystical barrier.
Although it has many great powers, the Ebony Blade also carries a curse. Every time it is used to draw blood, the Blade slowly drives its wielder closer to darkness. Many Marvel characters have taken on the mantle of the Black Knight, but it is a dangerous and risky title.
7 Soulsword
First Appearance: Uncanny X-Men Vol. 1 #171 by writer Chris Claremont, penciler Walt Simonson, inker Bob Wiacek, colorist Glynis Wein, letterer Tom Orzechowski, and editor Louise Jones & Danny Fingeroth
Magik is one of the X-Men's most powerful magic users. While trapped within the dimension known as Limbo, Magik created the Soulsword using her own lifeforce. It immediately became one of the most powerful weapons in the entire Marvel universe.
The Soulsword is imbued with all of Magik's abilities. Anyone who wields the Soulsword becomes the ruler of Limbo and is granted many of Magik's powers. It is a devastating weapon against beings made of magic and/or energy and can dispell any magical effects that have been placed upon a person or object. Granting enhanced strength and abilities to its user, however, is the Soulsword's most powerful effect.
6 Blade Of The Phoenix
First Appearance: Uncanny X-Men Vol 1 #479 by writer Ed Brubaker, penciler Billy Tan, inkers Danny Miki & Allen Martinez, colorist Frank D'Armata, letterer Joe Caramanga, and editors Mike Marts, Nick Lowe, & Sean Ryan
Rook'shir, an ancient Shi'ar warrior, was the original being to be bonded with the Phoenix Force. While he possessed the cosmic energy, Rook'shir used his Phoenix Blade to help harness and direct this massive power.
Even after Rook'shir lost the Phoenix Force, a share of its power remained within the blade. Even a portion of the Phoenix Force still amounts to massive amounts of energy. This allows the sword's wielders (who must be decedents of Rook'shir) to produce massive amounts of energy from the blade in order to destroy their enemies.
5 Quantum Sword
First Appearance: Uncanny X-Men Vol 1 #171 by writer Chris Claremont, penciler Walk Simonson, inker Bob Wiacek, colorist Glynis Wein, letterer Tom Orzechowski, and editors Louise Jones & Danny Fingeroth
Created by the cosmic hero Phyla-Vell, the Quantum Sword is made up of pure quantum energy. This sword is a construct of Phyla-Vell's Quantum Bands, which contain vast amounts of energy and have the ability to absorb and project this energy.
This Quantum Sword is essentially a conduit for all of Phyla-Vell's powers. Although she is already extremely powerful on her own, being able to focus this energy into one physical object allows her to truly unleash her full potential.
4 Godkiller/ Grasscutter
First Appearances: (Godkiller) Secret Warriors Vol 1 #10 by writer Jonathan Hickman, penciler/inker Alessandro Vitti, colorist Sunny Gho, letterer Dave Lanphear, and Editor Tom Brevoort
(Grasscutter) Black Axe Vol 1 #2 by writer Simon Jowett, penciler Edmund Perryman, inker Rodney Ramos, colorist Steve Whitaker, letterer Ellie DeVille, and editor Michael Bennet
There was a time long ago when both Japanese and Greek gods of the Marvel universe went to war with one another. Zeus, the leader of the Greek Pantheon, and Amatsu-Mikaboshi, a Japanese god, faced each other in deadly conflict. In preparation for their battle, each god had a special blade crafted for the unique occasion.
While Amatsu-Mikaboshi wielded the deadly Grasscutter blade, Zeus was gifted the powerful Godkiller. The blades appear to be equally powerful, as both were made by the same blacksmith. They have killed many people and even some gods. Any weapon wielded by Zeus must be one of the most powerful in the Marvel universe
3 Muramasa Blade
First Appearance: Wolverine Vol. 3 #40 by writer Daniel Way, penciler Javier Saltares, inker Mark Texeira, colorist J.D. Smith, letterer Randy Gentile, and editor Axel Alonso
The Muramasa Blade can kill almost anything. Gifted to Wolverine by the smith and swordfighter Muramasa, it was created to help Wolverine enact fatal revenge on all the people responsible for murdering his wife Itsu. Any wound made with the Muramasa Blade cannot be healed, at least not quickly, even if the victim has Wolverine's enhanced healing factor.
Although the Muramasa Blade's limits were never truly tested, its anti-healing propertiesmean that it could probably kill the most powerful beings in Marvel. Wolverine is one of the most powerful and determined Marvel characters, and the Muramasa blade was crafted with a portion of his very soul.
2 Odinsword
First Appearance: Journey into Mystery Vol. 1 #117 by writer/editor Stan Lee, pencilers Jack Kirby & Carl Hubbell, inkers Vince Colletta & Carl Hubbell, colorist Stan Goldberg, and letterer Artie Simek
Quite probably the largest sword in the Marvel universe, the Odinsword is several hundred feet in length. Although originally the weapon of the fire demon Surtur, this blade fell into Odin's possession and he decided to make it a part of his normal arsenal.
When Asgard was attacked by the Celestials, Odin absorbed the power of every god in Asgard (except Thor). Imbued with all of this power, Odin grew to stand several hundred feet tall. He then drew the Odinsword and uses it to battle the cosmic creatures.
1 Twilight Sword
First Appearance: Journey into Mystery Vol. 1#104 by writer/editor Stan Lee, penciler Jack Kirby, inker Chic Stone, & letterer Artie Simek
Created by the Fire Giant Surtur, the Twilight Sword was formed using the burning of an entire galaxy. The Twilight Sword has been wielded by Surtur, Hela, Loki, Morgan Le Fay, and many others to accomplish many impossible feats.
Not only can the Twilight Sword cut through anything from physical objects to magical barriers, but it can also harness enough magical energy to reform an entire universe. It was prophesized that the sword would be used to destroy Asgard and it ultimately did lay waste to an alternate version of the godly realm.