10 MCU Characters Who Actually Had Secret Identities

Although the practice is not common in the Marvel Cinematic Universemultiple characters use secret identities. Across the MCU's films and television shows, the franchise has brought many aspects of its source material to life in live-action in unprecedented ways. One of the staples of the comic that didn't survive translation to the screen was the idea of ​​heroes using secret identities to maintain their anonymity.

Since Tony Stark first introduced himself to the world as Iron Man at the start of the MCU film timeline, the franchise has eschewed the idea of ​​its heroes using aliases to protect their identities. However, as the franchise has continued to expand, there have been some MCU characters whose true identities have been protected for one reason or another, even if this practice is not widespread. With that in mind, here are 10 MCU characters who actually had secret identities.

10 Agatha Harkness used a secret identity to deceive Wanda

Wandavision (2021)

WandaVisionThe approach to storytelling was decidedly innovative, using different formats in each episode to not only reference many eras of television sitcoms, but also to obscure the series' central mystery of what exactly was going on in Westview. It turned out to be the work of a grieving Wanda, but it also turned out that the Scarlet Witch had been being manipulated by Agatha Harkness all along. Additionally, the series' secret villain also used a secret identity during her appearances on the series.

Agatha used the name Agnes and was introduced throughout WandaVision as a neighbor of Wanda and Vision. Part of Agatha's manipulation was to convince Wanda that she was an ordinary neighbor, and as a result, Marvel also deceived Marvel WandaVisiontricks the audience into believing their deceptions. Agatha kept her true identity hidden not only from Wanda, but also from the MCU audience.

9 Michael Keaton's Vulture led a double life in the MCU

Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)

There have been many pivotal moments in Spider-Man's MCU history, but his first solo encounter with a supervillain still stands tall. Spider-Man: HomecomingThe series' villain, the Vulture, is portrayed in the MCU as a man who was able to rescue alien technology after the Battle of New York and use it to create high-tech weapons and armor. This allowed him to transform into a villain while also harboring a grudge against Tony Stark and the Avengers.

The MCU's Vulture carefully guards his civilian identityHe leads a double life as a family man and villain. Adrian Toomes' evil behavior is later exposed by Spider-Man after Peter Parker encounters him in everyday life and as a hero. Although his secret identity was revealed in the MCU, Toomes was able to live a double life for several years while maintaining his cover.

8 Bucky Barnes was the Winter Soldier for decades

Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)

The character of Bucky Barnes has had many MCU appearances, first appearing in 2011 Captain America: The First Avenger. While Barnes has since become a hero in the MCU, he was once a prominent villain who was brainwashed by Hydra and became a powerful assassin known as the Winter Soldier. During the decades he spent as Hydra's secret weapon, his identity was kept secret.

While it may not be a secret identity in the traditional sense, Bucky Barnes still fits the bill as the Winter Soldier. After the events of , Bucky was presumed dead by the entire world The first AvengerTherefore, his identity was not revealed until the world learned of his survival. It may not have been Bucky's own decision, but Hydra forced him into a secret identity to make him her perfect weapon.

7 Taskmaster's secret identity was a major MCU reveal

Black Widow (2021)

In the comics, Taskmaster is the alias of Tony Masters, a mutant human with the uncanny ability to mimic the movements of anyone he sees. However, Taskmaster's introduction to the MCU is part of Black widowThe cast took creative liberties with the character and significantly changed the villain's backstory. Therefore, Taskmaster's true identity was unknown to the audience and the heroes Black widow until late in the film.

The film later reveals that the MCU's Taskmaster is Antonia Dreykov, the daughter of the film's main antagonist. After being presumed dead following a botched assassination attempt on Dreykov, Antonia was instead transformed into the Overseer and her identity was closely guarded. Included Black widow made Taskmaster's identity an MCU secret to protect the film's late reveal, making her just another character protected by an alias.

6 A teenager's identity is kept secret through magical means

Agatha All Along (2024)

Introduced as part of the cast of Agatha all the timeJoe Locke's character is not identified in the series' earliest episodes. Others only know him as “Teenager,” but a sealing spell prevents him from revealing his identity. Since his unknown identity is the result of a magical intervention, it is fair to say that it is being kept secret from his fellow characters.

Speculation ahead Agatha all the timeThe release of Locke called for Locke to play Billy Kaplan, also known as Wicca in the comics. While his secret identity is explored as the series progresses, it's safe to say that his true name is being kept secret for good reason. As Teen's hidden past is an important part of it Agatha all the timeIn the story, the character becomes another example of the MCU using a secret identity for a prominent figure in a major publication.

5 Whoever bought Avengers Tower has kept their identity secret

Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)

Early entries in the MCU introduced Avengers Tower, the headquarters of the franchise's premier superhero team. The tower, originally owned by Tony Stark, was later decommissioned and resold to another party. The Avengers moved to a purpose-built facility in upstate New York, but who bought the Avengers Tower remained a mystery.

Although the MCU has provided several clues as to the identity of the owner of Avengers Tower, this remains one of the franchise's longest unanswered questions. Considering that the character in question has made a point of acquiring one of the most prominent buildings in the entire MCU, it's likely that his identity will be a significant reveal. However, at the time of writing this article The true identity of the character who purchased Avengers Tower remains a mystery within the MCU.

4 Ms. Marvel's secret identity allows her to live a normal life

Ms. Marvel (2022)

As one of the MCU's most iconic teenage heroines, Ms. Marvel is a key figure in the franchise. Her official introduction to the MCU in 2022 Ms. Marvel She also brought key elements of her story into the franchise while making some changes to her origin and the nature of her powers. However, one thing that survived in the MCU version of the heroine was her secret identity.

Ms. Marvel's civilian identity is that of Kamala Khan, a teenager from New Jersey with a particular fondness for the Avengers and Captain Marvel. Her exploits after discovering her hidden abilities led to her becoming known as the heroine Ms. Marvel, but not publicly revealing her identity. As such, she is one of the few MCU heroes to maintain her secret identity, allowing her to live a normal teenage life despite her extracurricular exploits.

3 Moon Knight has identities that are secret even to himself

Moon Knight (2022)

Moon Knight is a unique hero within the MCU as he has identities that seem to be secret even from himself. First introduced in Moon Knight As Stephen Grant, the titular hero is shown to be living with dissociative identity disorder (DID), and Grant is later revealed to be an alter of Marc Spector. However, the final moments of Moon Knight Season 1 reveals the existence of a secret third significant other, Jake Lockley.

The fact that Marc Spector lives with DID means that he has many identities or changes and these different personalities all stem from severe childhood trauma. However, The complex manifestations of these personalities ultimately lead to Marc being unaware of his third personalitywhich is the most violent and dangerous of all his identities. As such, Moon Knight possesses some kind of secret identity hidden among Marc Spector's antiquities.

2 Daredevil's identity is a closely guarded secret

Daredevil (2015)

First introduced in 2015 Daredevil As part of Marvel's collaboration with Netflix, Charlie Cox's version of Man Without Fear was retroactively introduced into the MCU. After being confirmed with a cameo appearance in the franchise Spider-Man: No Way HomeHe made his first full appearance in She-Hulk: Lawyer. Throughout the entire run of Daredevil and the character's subsequent appearances, the hero's civilian identity is kept secret from all but his most trusted allies.

Maintaining a secret identity is vital to Daredevil's success in both lives. Since he works as a lawyer for Matt Murdock by day, he would lose his livelihood if he were revealed to be a daredevil. Likewise, if his true identity were discovered, Daredevil's enemies would better understand the nature of his abilities, as they are inextricably linked to his loss of sight. This makes Daredevil one of the few MCU characters to use a secret identity in the traditional sense.

1 Spider-Man paid a heavy price to maintain his secret identity

Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)

The story of Spider-Man: No Way Home shows what would happen to Peter Parker if the world discovered he was Spider-Man. The Multiverse Troubles in the MCU begin after Parker convinces Strange to help him undo the damage caused by blowing his cover, leading to several villains entering the main MCU timeline. At the end of the film, the hero realizes that his anonymity is more important than even his closest relationships, which he forgoes to protect his secret.

In the MCU, Spider-Man is shown to pay a heavy price to maintain his secret identity, and for good reason. Aware of the danger this would pose to those around him and the multiverse in general, Peter Parker is unable to impersonate Spider-Man. As a result, perhaps he is the one Marvel Cinematic Universeis the best example of a hero forced to keep his identity secret.

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