10 Marvel Superheroes Who Put Themselves First: You Won't Believe Who Tops The List!

Summary

Heroes often let personal desires outweigh duties, making selfish choices over the greater good.
Marvel characters like Cyclops show selfishness through personal relationships and leadership decisions.
Scarlet Witch and other characters prove themselves as selfish heroes driven by personal interests.

In the Marvel Universe, whether on the pages of comics or in movies, heroes frequently grapple with their humanity by confronting feelings that challenge their commitment as superheroes. They reveal vulnerabilities when faced with tough decisions, allowing personal inclinations to sometimes push them to prioritize themselves over the greater good, leading to conflicts due to a lack of full understanding and selflessness.

In numerous tales, characters often fail to make selfless choices in critical situations or unveil a hidden dark side despite performing good acts, making them more intricate than the commonly perceived divide between good and evil. This propensity leads them to prioritize their own interests over the collective, causing damage to their teams and the world at large. Consequently, they sow destruction and disorder wherever they go.

10. Moon Knight

The Hero Refuses Responsibilities Out Of Selfishness

First appearance in the comics: Werewolf by Night #32

Moon Knight, selected by Khonshu, often strays from his duties because of self-centeredness. This was evident during Marc Spector’s days as a ruthless mercenary, who prioritized personal wealth and power over all else. He eagerly took on the riskiest jobs for monetary gain, which serves as a foreshadowing of his future reluctance to obey Khonshu’s instructions and stirring up conflict with his divine mission, which demanded unwavering dedication.

In the Moon Knight TV series, Marc frequently shuns the obligations tied to being Moon Knight, preferring a tranquil existence over the heavy burden of heroics. His relationship with Layla demonstrates that he ranks among the most self-centered heroes in Marvel, as he jeopardizes himself and heightens her concerns, pulling her into perilous situations.

9. Gamora

From Ruthless Assassin To A Selfish Hero

First appearance in the comics: Strange Tales #180

Raised by the Mighty Titan, Gamora transformed into a ruthless killer who battled alongside Thanos, conquering planets and ending lives with an icy demeanor. She also demonstrated self-centered behavior by trading the Power Stone for riches, disregarding the potential peril of such a deal, a quality that persisted in her revamped persona in Avengers: Endgame, hindering her heroic development.

In the Guardians of Galaxy comics, she is motivated by revenge against Thanos, who destroyed her people and took advantage of her abilities, causing her to pursue retribution without regard for the consequences. Often, she chooses to act independently rather than with her teammates, disregarding their collective welfare, which underscores her strong self-centered tendencies.

8. White Queen

Cruel And Manipulative, She Ranks Among The Most Selfish Heroes

First appearance in the comics: Uncanny X-Men #129

Emma Frost has a knack for changing roles between ally and adversary in the Marvel Universe, becoming a member of various X-Men teams and even taking command on occasions, demonstrating both her strength and guile. First appearing in X-Men: First Class, she stands side by side with Sebastian Shaw as he pursues global domination, disregarding the destruction and casualties that war inevitably brings, further solidifying her self-centered nature.

In the realm of comic books, I find myself captivated by a character who, in the Uncanny X-Men, uses manipulation as a tool, treating the mutants she’s trained like pieces on a chessboard. She went so far as to seize Storm’s body to attack her fellow X-Men. Her selfishness peaked during Avengers vs. X-Men when, after acquiring fragments of the Phoenix’s power, she meted out punishment on humanity, firmly establishing herself among the most self-centered heroes in Marvel Comics.

7. Cyclops

Driven By Ideals, He Is A Selfish X-Men Leader

First appearance in the comics: X-Men #1

In the X-Men comics, although Cyclops’ self-centered actions weren’t extensively portrayed in the movies, they were quite prominent. One of the most significant instances was the controversy surrounding his romantic life: while he was already with Jean Grey, he developed feelings for Emma Frost. This led him to prioritize Frost over his partner and display a selfish side in relationships, indicating that his principles didn’t prevent him from causing pain to those close to him.

Following the events of the Schism storyline within the X-Men comic books, I found myself at odds with Wolverine over our approaches to nurturing young mutants. I advocated for their combat training, while he preferred to keep them shielded. This disagreement ultimately led to a split in our superhero team.

Later, during Avengers vs. X-Men, my decisions became increasingly radical, disregarding the welfare of my team members as we confronted a grave threat. This situation served as a stark reminder of just how far my self-centered leadership could stretch.

6. Thor

His Ego Makes Him One Of The Most Selfish Superheroes In Marvel

First appearance in the comics: Journey into Mystery #83

In the movie “Thor,” this powerful Avenger showed a self-centered side when he prioritized personal desires over protecting others. Instead of considering the consequences for himself and his people, he journeyed to Jotunheim seeking revenge, which eventually led to his banishment to Earth and the loss of Mjolnir. This incident underscored Thor’s tendency towards selfishness.

In the comic book series “Thor Lore: The Surtur Saga”, he chooses to abandon Asgard, embarking on a personal journey rather than staying loyal to his home. This decision leaves Asgard vulnerable and ignores his father’s calls, highlighting his self-centered nature. Later in “The Mighty Thor”, without fully considering the potential risks, he confronts Ego, putting the universe and his allies in jeopardy.

5. Doctor Strange

He Only Cared About Himself Before Becoming A Superhero

First appearance in the comics: Strange Tales #110

Even though Doctor Strange is known as one of Marvel’s strongest sorcerers, he has shown signs of selfishness on multiple occasions. In “The Oath,” one of his most well-known stories, his actions suggest a willingness to disregard the code of sorcery in order to save Wong’s life. This decision, driven more by personal concern than consideration for the repercussions, highlights Doctor Strange’s self-centered character and ambition for power.

In the Marvel comic series “Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme”, Strange persistently strives to maintain his position of power, disregarding the destruction he leaves behind in the process. His past actions suggest a preoccupation with professional accolades rather than compassion for others, further highlighting his self-centered nature and unquenchable thirst for recognition, which often overshadows his heroic persona.

4. Wolverine

This Hero Can Break All Rules When Enraged

First appearance in the comics: The Incredible Hulk #180

Exhibiting an impulsive personality, Wolverine stands out as one of Marvel’s more self-centered characters, often swayed by powerful emotions that can divert him from primary goals. In the story “Enemies of the State“, he becomes consumed with revenge against Hydra following manipulation, disregarding counsel from both the Avengers and X-Men. Instead, he chooses a violent course, demonstrating how his self-serving instincts can overshadow teamwork.

In the movie “X-Men: The Last Stand,” the protagonist embarks on a solitary journey, abandoning the X-Men to pursue his personal destiny, disregarding his heroic responsibilities. Later in “Logan,” he initially refuses aid to X-23, only relenting when Charles Xavier persuades him. At first, he seems more concerned with his own pain and exhaustion, showcasing a hint of selfishness and a reluctance to safeguard others, revealing a deeper self-centered aspect.

3. Scarlet Witch

This Hero Will Do Anything For Her Children

First appearance in the comics: X-Men #4

As a dedicated Marvel fan, I can’t help but observe that Scarlet Witch transforms into one of the most self-centered characters within the Marvel Universe when her power and sorrow intertwine in the gripping saga of Avengers: Disassembled. In the aftermath of losing her children, she unleashes a devastating blow against mutantkind by proclaiming, “No more mutants,” demonstrating her overwhelming abilities while disregarding the broader implications and focusing solely on her personal grief. This self-absorbed act further underscores her relentless pursuit of self-interest.

In the “House of M” comic, she alters reality to make mutants the majority, prioritizing her children over everyone else, without regard for the consequences on others. In the movie “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,” she sacrifices numerous lives in pursuit of her sons, solidifying her reputation as one of Marvel’s most self-centered heroes.

2. Iron Man

By Underestimating His Team, He Makes Selfish Decisions

First appearance in the comics: Tales of Suspense #3

In one of his bleakest Marvel story arcs, Iron Man battles alcoholism in the tale called “Demon in a Bottle”. Rather than accepting aid from others, he attempts to conquer his addiction on his own. His behavior becomes erratic yet he seems indifferent towards those around him, showcasing the self-centered character that hides beneath the most selfish hero within Marvel. This self-importance frequently overshadows any empathy or remorse he might feel.

In the movie “Age of Ultron“, Tony constructs Ultron with the intention of safeguarding the planet; however, this invention ultimately poses a worldwide danger, highlighting his imprudent act of decision-making without considering team consensus. He disregards potential consequences once more in “Civil War“, opting for an easier solution rather than discussing it with fellow Avengers, further solidifying his pattern of hasty choices that bolster his self-centered persona.

1. Mister Fantastic

His Coldness Makes Him The Most Selfish Hero In Marvel

First appearance in the comics: Fantastic Four #1

In the early issues of the Fantastic Four comic books, Reed’s eagerness to validate his theory led him to persuade his team to embark on a perilous space voyage, despite the potential hazards of cosmic radiation. This decision, driven by his scientific ambition, ultimately stirred up chaos within the team. The consequences of his choice continue to weigh heavily on him, demonstrating yet again how Reed’s professional pride overshadowed caution and regard for his colleagues.

In different storylines, he introduced the Negative Zone during the “Civil War” saga, finding himself at odds with friends and family due to his conviction that the ends could indeed justify the means. One of his most extreme actions took place in “Secret Wars”, where he decided to annihilate multiple worlds for the sake of preserving his own, solidifying his reputation as one of the self-centered heroes within Marvel Comics.

2025-03-30 15:45

10 Marvel Superheroes Who Put Themselves First: You Won’t Believe Who Tops The List!