Marvel's Avengers Game Characters: All The Superheroes Confirmed (So Far)

One of the standout games from E3 2019 was Marvel's Avengers. Coming from Tomb Raider (2013) and Deus Ex: Human Revolution developers Crystal Dynamics and Eidos Montreal, the upcoming superhero team-up game will have you take on the role of some of Marvel's most iconic heroes, undertaking numerous story-driven missions in single-player or in online co-op; though, recently it was confirmed that you won't be required to play the game online. While much about Marvel's Avengers is still unclear, we're expected to learn more about Marve's Avengers during a panel at San Diego Comic-Con 2019.

According to the developers, the game the most ambitious Marvel game to date, and we've just scratched the surface for what's in store. There's also some great talent behind the game, which includes devs who worked on God of War and Call of Duty.

Since its debut, however, there's been a lot of discussions online about which characters from the expansive Marvel universe could potentially make their way into the game--such as the fan-favorite Hawkeye, for example. With Marvel's Avengers being something of an evolving campaign, the game is planned to grow with post-launch updates, which will add in new story missions and even new playable characters for free.

So with that, we've pulled together a list of all the confirmed characters in Marvel's Avengers that we know of so far. As more trailers and gameplay impressions come in, we'll update this gallery with all the heroes, villains, and side-characters that will make an appearance in the game. We've also included some characters that seem like they could be in the game, but have curiously not made an appearance--despite them having a clear history with the Avengers in the comics and in the Marvel Cinematic Universe film-series.

For more on Marvel's Avengers, including our direct impressions from E3 2019, be sure to stay with GameSpot as we learn about the game in the months ahead of its May 15, 2020 release.

In the debut trailer, he leads the Avengers in their mission to defend San Francisco against Taskmaster's assault. However, despite their best efforts, the Avengers fail and Cap is presumed dead following the disaster. As the leader of the Avengers, Captain America possesses an aptitude for strategy and tactics, making him an exceptional commander in the field. Just like in the comics and the Marvel Cinematic Universe films, his combat style in the game revolves around close-range attacks that work in his iconic shield. During the gameplay presentation, we saw him use several grappling skills and quick strikes, in addition to special abilities that focused on his physics-defying shield.

• First Comics Appearance:Captain America Comics #1 (March 1941)
• First Film Appearance:Captain America theatrical serial (1944)
• First Game Appearance:Captain America: The Doom Tube of Dr. Megalomann (1987)

As the public face of the Avengers, Tony Stark is evidently at the top of his game at the beginning of Marvel's Avengers. Following the opening of the west coast Avengers HQ in San Francisco, things go south, his attitude and mostly upbeat nature quickly change. In the years following the disaster, which results in a public ban for the Avengers, Stark is a shell of his former self, and he'll need to renew his belief the Avengers to save the world once again. Just like in the comics, Iron Man's combat skills and techniques focus on his high-tech suit of armor. In addition to fighting enemies on the ground, using his patented Stark Industries repulsor technology, Iron Man can also take the battle to the air. While in aerial combat, Stark can fire missiles and blast enemies with his hand cannons.

• First Comics Appearance:Tales of Suspense #39 (March 1963)
• First Film Appearance:Iron Man (May 2008)
• First Game Appearance:Captain America and The Avengers (1991)

As the only character in the (current) roster without superpowers, Black Widow relies on spy gadgets and her advanced combat training to stay several steps ahead of the many threats the Avengers will face. During the battle in San Francisco, she goes one-on-one with the Taskmaster before realizing too late that the conflict was a part of an elaborate plot to frame the Avengers. In combat, Black Widows uses a mix of long-range and close-quarters combat skills. Along with her firearms, she has access to some gadgets that can turn her invisible, and even a set of batons that can stun enemies.

• First Comics Appearance:Tales of Suspense #52 (April 1964)
• First Film Appearance:Iron Man 2 (May 2010)
• First Game Appearance:The Punisher (April 2004)

Bruce Banner is often the voice of reason in the Avengers, but when things get tough, he'll show his more aggressive side. As the Hulk, he can use his incredible strength to pick up and toss massive objects at his enemies and even shrug off the small-arms fire with ease. In the trailer, there's a quick scene with Bruce Banner trying to coax Stark out of his post-defeat depression following the destruction of San Francisco. But as the Hulk, his abilities to quickly plow through the enemy's defenses make him a valuable asset to the team.

• First Comics Appearance:The Incredible Hulk #1 (May 1962)
• First Film Appearance:Hulk (June 2003)
• First Game Appearance:Questprobe featuring The Hulk (1984)

As the God of Thunder, Thor is arguably the strongest Avenger. With his Asgardian strength and magic, and wielding the hammer Mjolnir, allowing him to mix up close-quarters strikes and long-range attacks imbued with lightning energy. In the main story, Thor attempts to stop Taskmaster's goons from invading the city, only to fail once they succeed in destroying the Helicarrier. Just like Iron Man, Thor can also take the fight into the air, raining down lightning bolts on the enemies below.

• First Comics Appearance:Journey into Mystery #83 (August 1962)
• First Film Appearance:Thor (May 2011)
• First Game Appearance:Avengers in Galactic Storm (1995)

Hank Pym--the original Ant-Man--made a brief appearance at the end of the extended trailer shown during Square-Enix's E3 2019 presentation. Armed with a prototype shrink-ray, he uses it to miniaturize a massive spider-tank down to the size of a toy. While he's not in costume in the trailer, his brief appearance does give us a small sampling of what he could potentially be like as a playable character.

• First Comics Appearance:Tales to Astonish #27 (January 1962)
• First Film Appearance:Ant-Man (July 2015)
• First Game Appearance:Marvel: Ultimate Alliance (October 2006)

As the instigator of the attack on San Francisco, Taskmaster and his minions manage to outsmart the Avengers, succeeding in their plans to destroy the newly established HQ. As seen in the E3 2019 demo, you're able to fight Taskmaster with Black Widow, and he uses several high-tech gadgets and combat techniques to stay on a level playing field with the assassin. In the comics, the Taskmaster made his first appearance in the Avengers comic series, proving to be a formidable villain thanks to his remarkable ability to mimic his opponent's fighting style and movements after only a brief encounter.

• First Comics Appearance:The Avengers #195 (May 1980)
• First Game Appearance:Marvel Vs Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds (February 2011)

In the trailer, there's a quick shot of the Hulk going toe-to-toe with another green monster. The character he's facing off against is the Abomination, one of Hulk's greatest foes. Otherwise known as Emil Blonsky, he possesses equal strength to Banner's alter-ego and is essentially an evil version of the Hulk.

• First Comics Appearance:Tales to Astonish #90 (Apr. 1967)
• First Film Appearance:The Incredible Hulk (June 2008)
• First Game Appearance:The Incredible Hulk (August 1994)

Though he made no appearance in the trailer, Hawkeye has been a mainstay in the Avengers for decades. His lack of presence in the upcoming game was noticeable, and we're curious if he'll be a character in the released game--or potentially as a post-launch addition to the game.

• First Comics Appearance:Tales of Suspense #57 (Sept. 1964)
• First Film Appearance:Thor (May 2011)
• First Game Appearance:Spider-Man: The Video Game (1991)

Nick Fury, the head of S.H.I.E.L.D., has been a constant in the comics series--even more so in the slate of MCU films over the last decade. Interestingly enough, Captain America seemed to have fit the role that was usually held by Fury--issuing commands to the other heroes while stationed in the Helicarrier. Whether we'll see him in the full game remains to be seen.

• First Comics Appearance:Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos #1 (May 1963)
• First Film Appearance:Iron Man (May 2008)
• First Game Appearance:The Punisher (1993)