The Marvel Universe features some of the most incredible superheroes to ever appear in comic books. However, some of these characters are famous for much more than just their strength in their power set. Fans also love them because of their personality, their story, or even their actions when they’re not taking down bad guys.
From store owners to doctors to lawyers, some Marvel heroes have truly balanced being a superhero with real careers. Half the time it’s not really that they need to make a living; it’s that they are passionate enough about what they do and committed to the good fight.
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10 Scarlet Witch has an amazing store
First appearance: X-Men #4 Vol. 1 (1964), by writer Stan Lee, artist Jack Kirby, inker Paul Reinman, and letterer Artie Simek
Although Wanda Maximoff is one of the most powerful magic users in the Marvel Universe, she still needs extra income sometimes. After his redemption arc during X-Men: The Trial of MagnetoThe Scarlet Witch settles in Lotkill, a small town in New York, where she opens a store.
The Emporium, as she named it, sells all kinds of magical items, from talismans of magical protection to herbal remedies and even readings. The Emporium has a cool, mystical vibe thanks to Wanda’s abilities. Although Wanda’s work is always in the realm of her superpowers, there is something funny but wholesome about the Scarlet Witch using her witchcraft to help people with small problems that could be solved with a nice cup of hot tea.
9 The Wasp is a true fashion mogul
First appearance: Tales to amaze #44 Vol. 1 (1963), by writers Stan Lee and HE Huntley, artist Jack Kirby, inker Don Heck, and letterer Art Simek
Janet Van Dyne, also known as Wasp, is a renowned fashion designer in the Marvel Universe. Although she is best known for being a founding member of the Avengers, she has also found success in her day job, so she leads a very comfortable life. During Rainbow Rowell’s run She-Hulkshe lent her house to Jennifer – and Jade Giantess was delighted with all the luxury here and the many dresses Jane owns.
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Granted, it’s a bit sexist for the first female Avenger to have a job in fashion, but Marvel Comics knew how to navigate that detail for more modern sensibilities. As of 2024, Janet is one of the coolest female comic book characters. She is always dressed to the nines and her social personality makes her very likeable.
8 Ghost Rider’s work is as cool as his superhero persona
First appearance: Spotlight on Marvel #5 Vol. 1 (1972), by writer Gary Friedrich, artist Mike Ploog, and letterer Jon Costa
A skeleton surrounded by Hellfire who rides a motorcycle to take revenge on those he considers evil, Ghost Rider is already the epitome of cool. But even before he became the Spirit of Vengeance, Johnny Blaze was incredible as a mere human. He worked as a motorcycle stuntman.
Before riding the Hell Cycle into battle, Johnny was already riding motorcycles in the most dangerous circumstances – a trade he learned from his father, famed stuntman Barton Blaze. Johnny’s courage in his civilian job definitely translated into his superhero identity.
7 Shuri is a wonderful engineer
First appearance: Black Panther #2 Vol. 4 (2005), by writer Reginald Hudlin, artist John Romita Jr., inker Klaus Janson, and colorist Dean White
Shuri is not only the princess of Wakanda – and one of its many Black Panthers – she is also a central figure in that country’s development. When she’s not saving the world alongside other heroes, T’Challa’s sister spends her time creating new technology based on Vibranium that can help her people.
As the genius chief scientist in Wakanda, Shuri is responsible for some of that country’s greatest advances. She created weapons that help Black Panther and invented things that help her community every day. She can tinker with some of the most advanced technology in the world while helping others, which is amazing.
6 Valkyrie has had a long journey in Marvel Comics
First appearance: Journey into mystery #84 Vol. 1 (1962), by writers Stan Lee and Larry Lieber, penciler Jack Kirby, inker Dick Ayers, colorist Stan Goldberg, and letterer Artie Simek.
Jane Foster debuted in Marvel Comics as Donald Blake, aka Thor’s love interest, but she became much more over time. During Jason Aaron’s 2014 Thor run, she became Mighty Thor, the Goddess of Thunder, when Odinson was no longer worthy. Then, during War of the Kingdoms, she took up the Valkyrie mantle after Brunnhilde’s death. Between all these experiences, she also worked as a nurse and then as a doctor.
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Being a healthcare professional may not be as glamorous as other jobs, but it’s still super cool. Few Marvel characters can boast of helping people as both civilians and superheroes. Jane is one of them and Earth’s representative to the mystical Congress of Worlds. That’s pretty cool for someone who debuted as a two-dimensional love interest.
5 Iron Fist owns a company
First appearance: Marvel Premiere #15 Vol 1 (1974), by writer Roy Thomas, penciler Gil Kane, inker Dick Giordano, colorist Glynis Wein, and letterer LP Gregory
When Danny Rand was just a child, his father was murdered by his business partner during an expedition to Tibet, leaving Daniel as heir to half of the Rand-Meachum Corporation, a multi-million dollar conglomerate working in the pharmaceutical and medical technology field. After Meachum’s crime, there was a power struggle between Danny and Meachum’s daughter, but ultimately, Iron Fist became CEO of Rand-Meachum Inc. – although he gave up the position after a while , becoming only a shareholder.
Despite being a selfless superhero in his spare time, Danny lives a life that only a few Marvel characters can live. He has an ever-increasing net worth, making it easy for him to access the luxuries he desires. He rarely does this because he doesn’t care much about money, but at least he doesn’t have to worry about much – at least financially.
4 Dazzler’s mutation goes very well with his daily job
First appearance: X-Men #130 Vol. 1 (1980), by writer Chris Claremont, writer and artist John Byrne, inker Terry Austin, colorist Glynis Wein, and letterer Tom Orzechowski
Alison Blaire, also known as Dazzler, is a famous singer in the Marvel Universe and a mutant with powers of sound and light. She can transform sound vibrations into light while creating energy fields that manifest as light radiating from her body. Dazzler can control this light in any way, manipulating its frequency to change its color, intensity, and even duration.
These abilities set Dazzler apart from many other performers, allowing her to create a light show while she sings. This is why it is very popular with music lovers. Although she is not yet an international superstar, Dazzler lives the life of a celebrity: she parties at night, sings in clubs and is recognized by her fans everywhere she goes.
3 Jessica Jones first tried to be a normal superhero
First appearance: Alias #1 Vol. 1 (2001), by writer Brian Michael Bendis, artist and inker Michael Gaydos, colorist Matt Hollingsworth, and letterer Richard Starkings.
When Jessica Jones was younger, she played the role of the obscure superhero Jewel for a few years. Unfortunately, she came across Zebediah Killgrave, a supervillain capable of controlling people’s minds. Killgrave made Jessica his slave for months.
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After escaping from him, she never returned to her role as Jewel. She became a private detective with a tough exterior – until she formed a family with Luke Cage and briefly returned to superheroes as Power Woman. Jessica’s job as a private detective isn’t glamorous – it often involves catching cheaters and blackmailing others while living on an independent budget – but she makes it look exciting. With his leather jacket, acid humor and super strength, the most mundane affairs are transformed into gritty thrillers.
2 Daredevil always protects those who need it
First appearance: Daredevil #1 Vol. 1 (1964), by writer Stan Lee, artist Bill Everett, inkers Steve Ditko and Sol Brodsky, and letterer Sam Rosen
Blinded as a child following an unfortunate accident, Matt Murdock overdeveloped his other senses and grew up to become Daredevil, a vigilante from Hell’s Kitchen. At the same time, he studied law and became a lawyer. Unlike many other superheroes, including lives revolve around this high-powered job, Matt works as a lawyer and he even had his own firm alongside his friend Foggy Nelson to “Nelson and Murdock.”
Matt is an excellent lawyer, but unlike She-Hulk, he doesn’t always mix his secret identity with his day job. Instead, his practices focus on civil rights, which is why he takes on many pro bono cases. He’s a defense attorney, so just like his superhero persona, he puts justice over everything, often giving intense speeches on the subject in court.
1 She-Hulk is a great lawyer
First appearance: Wild Hulk #1 Vol. 1 (1979), by writer Stan Lee, artist John Buscema, inker Chic Stone, and letterer Joe Rosen
After her transformation into a gamma being, Jennifer Walters decided that she would not neglect her human life for the sake of her powers. Instead, She-Hulk tried to combine her life as a superhero with her life as a lawyer. She achieved this by specializing in superhero-related matters. She found a niche in her profession and has since opened many doors for super-powered beings to be protected by the law.
Jennifer works as a bridge between normal life and the great community. Every day, she faces the reality of a world like Earth-616, where ordinary people and superpowers coexist – things like malpractice suits when a superhero fails to save someone or that a company’s chemical waste turns someone into a danger to their family. These are topics that other comics leave behind for the sake of storytelling, and other superheroes won’t even consider them a problem, so she has a broader view of how the world has changed thanks to them, which is incredible. This and the fact that she can break the fourth wall is a testament to how meta She-Hulk is as a character.
Wonder
Marvel is a multimedia powerhouse encompassing comic books, films, TV shows and more, captivating audiences with its iconic characters, exciting narratives and diverse worlds. From the legendary Avengers to street heroes like Daredevil, the Marvel Universe is vast and ever-expanding.
- First TV show
- the incredible hulk
- First episode broadcast date
- November 15, 1966
- Cast
- Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Tom Holland, Brie Larson
- Character(s)
- Thor, Iron Man, Spider-Man (Characters)