Marvel's male characters ranked

By Bryanne Salazar 1:23am PDT, Mar 14, 2017

To celebrate the March 17, 2017, debut of Netflix's "Iron Fist" — a series that features Finn Jones as the titular martial arts expert — we filtered through hundreds of Marvel heroes and villains to find those most deserving of our recognition. Whether these guys are super-hotties or super-bad boys, we think they're worthy of a place on our top 20 list. Keep reading for more…

20. Blade

During labor, Eric Brooks' mother was attacked and murdered by a hungry vampire, which led to her unborn child receiving enzymes through the womb that gave him superhero abilities and an immunity to vampires. Our No. 20 Marvel man grew up under the tutelage of vampire hunter Jamal Afari, who trained Blade (as played by Wesley Snipes in "Blade: Trinity") to be a ruthless, near-immortal slayer of the bloodthirsty undead.

19. Beast

Blue superheroes are super-hot and this brawny muscleman's incredible intellect only makes him hotter. Our No. 19 on the list is Beast (as played by Nicholas Hoult in "X-Men: Days of Future Past"), a member of the X-Men and happens to also be one of the greatest minds in genetics. He's helped save the world too many times to count and always has a witty joke ready to make us smile.

18. Dr. Strange

This former surgeon is our No. 18 pick because even though he's got ego for days, he's sworn to defend the universe with magic and kick-butt martial arts skills. While Doctor Strange (as played by Benedict Cumberbatch) has had a few ups and downs (including turning evil for a short while), his use of spells and mystical objects to control time, space and reality makes him one awesome Sorcerer Supreme.

17. Spider-Man

Peter Parker made it to No. 17 on our list because even though he's just a teenage boy, as Spider-Man (as played by Andrew Garfield in "The Amazing Spider-Man"), he's still one of the bravest superheroes around. A bite from a radioactive spider transformed this geeky orphan into a web-wielding crime crusader who keeps New York City safe all while pining away for Mary Jane, his one true love.

16. Daredevil

At No. 16 on our list is Matt Murdock, the blind lawyer by day, superhero with super senses by night. Blinded by radioactive liquid as a child, Daredevil's remaining faculties became heightened, giving him the ability to hear, smell and sense oncoming danger. Now, this protector of Hell's Kitchen (as played by Charlie Cox on Netflix's "Daredevil") keeps his community safe by slaying evil during his off hours.

15. Loki

Although Thor's brother Loki (as played by Tom Hiddleston in "The Avengers") was raised by Odin, ruler of Asgard, he's actually the son of Odin's evil adversary, Laufey, king of the Frost Giants. With Loki's deceptive ways and villainous streak, he's easy to dismiss as just another bad guy, but the pain in his eyes and need to belong make us want to save him. He's No. 15 on our list because we all like a good fixer-upper.

14. Hulk

Our No. 14 Marvel man is a green meathead with a serious temper problem. When quiet physicist Bruce Banner accidentally blasted himself with gamma rays, he unleashed a ferocious alter ego who wasn't putting up with anyone's nonsense. Triggered by emotions (like a mood ring), Bruce transformed into the Hulk (as played by Mark Ruffalo in "The Avengers"), a muscular green monster who can only be tamed by the calming power of love.

13. Ghost Rider

He was stuntman Johnny Blaze, riding fearlessly on his motorcycle through flaming hoops, before he made a life-altering deal with the devil. In return for saving his father's life, Johnny (as played by Nicolas Cage) had to forfeit his existence to become the Ghost Rider, a demon empowered by the fires of hell to trap evil beings and send them to the underworld. Since he's a bad boy who's making the world a better place, we put him at lucky No. 13 on our list.

12. Black Panther

This powerful mutant has the weight of history on his side. Named before the politically minded Black Panther organization was founded, he's the first black superhero created in mainstream comics, meaning his legacy is what paved the way for future heroes of color like Luke Cage and Nick Fury. With royal Wakandan blood running through his superhuman veins, Black Panther (as played by Chadwick Boseman in "Captain America: Civil War") is determined to keep his ancestral home safe — just like his spot as No. 12 on our list.

11. Nick Fury

He's more than 100 years old, but that doesn't make Nick Fury (as played by Samuel L. Jackson in "The Avengers") too old to be our No. 11. Although an immortality serum is responsible for his long life, his hand-to-hand and armed-combat training are what make this leader of S.H.I.E.L.D. — an international intelligence agency established by Tony Stark — a superior superhero.

10. Iron Man

When outrageously wealthy engineer Tony Stark isn't waxing rhapsodic about his own intelligence, he's donning an exoskeleton suit he made in his lab, powered by an ultra-rare arc reactor. The suit allows him to become a fearless superhero who flies, shoots weaponry with precision and has near-impossible levels of strength. Although he's a big braggart, we still love his whole playboy-turned-protector thing, landing Iron Man (as played by Robert Downey Jr.) at our No. 10 spot.

9. Professor X

Sure, he can creep inside your mind, hear your every thought and make you operate like a puppet on a string, but this wise, human-loving superhero abides by a code of honor that is as admirable as it is unyielding. Professor Charles Xavier (as played by Patrick Stewart in "X-Men: The Last Stand") is both the founder and the leader of the X-Men and has the genuine, optimistic heart of a child, making him a great choice for No. 9.

8. Captain America

He's the broad-shouldered superhero who inspires patriotism in support of the good ol' U.S. of A. Once a meek, weak-bodied boy, our No. 8 pick got knocked into superherodom with an experimental dose of body-altering serum, courtesy of the U.S. government. Now, Captain America (as played by Chris Evans) — along with his Avengers team — fights against the dangerous villains who pose a threat to our great nation.

7. Magneto

While this magnetic-field bender is sometimes more supervillain than superhero, he has a sworn duty to protect his fellow mutantkind, and that makes him a loyal, if not intense, friend to have. He's got a long history with the X-Men and was once Professor Charles Xavier's best friend before the two parted ways over ideological differences. Still, when times get tough, Magneto (as played by Ian McKellen in "X-Men: The Last Stand") always has the professor's back, and that's why he's our No. 7 Marvel man.

6. Punisher

The Punisher is a brutal former Marine who has a personal vendetta against crime. While Frank Castle (as played by Jon Bernthal on Netflix's "Daredevil") is more vigilante than superhero, his impressive tactical and warfighting skills make him a superior force against evil. What makes this terrifying tough guy our No. 6 pick is his devotion to his slain wife and children, which proves that even the most dangerous killers can have a tender heart.

5. Silver Surfer

Sometimes the Silver Surfer (as played by Doug Jones in "Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer") is a good guy and sometimes he's not, but this metallic Adonis is always the epitome of physical perfection. Our No. 5 Marvel man came from Zenn-La on a flying surfboard on a mission to hand over our planet to his evil boss, but after some subtle sway from a blind sculptress, he realized Earth is too beautiful to sacrifice. Although he learned to play nice with the Fantastic Four, this handsome hero is more of a lone ranger.

4. Wolverine aka Logan

Possibly the most famous of all X-Men, this sharp-clawed, brooding hero has etched a permanent place in our hearts. He's a handsome sideburn-donning survivor with abandonment issues who, deep down inside, just wants to be loved. Wolverine (as played by Hugh Jackman) is our No. 4 pick.

3. Luke Cage aka Power Man

Although he once used his powers for profit, our No. 3 pick redeemed himself once he hooked up with the Fantastic Four. As the first-ever African-American Marvel superhero to headline his own comic series, Luke Cage (as played by Mike Colter on Netflix's "Luke Cage"), a Harlem native, is as groundbreaking as he is earth-shattering. His impenetrable strength and devotion to saving his community make him a sexy force for good in an often-dangerous world.

2. Deadpool

Our No. 2 is a Canadian bad boy with an even dirtier mouth, but have you seen his abs? Nothing's hotter than an assassin-turned-superhero like Deadpool (as played by Ryan Reynolds), especially one that has a killer sense of humor and makes time for romance before slaying his enemies.

1. Thor

He's a god from Norse mythology who came to Earth from Asgard with his big, powerful hammer. He's loyal, passionate and puts the needs of others (including his sometimes-villainous brother, Loki) ahead of himself. With his luxurious long mane and need to protect our planet from alien invaders, it's easy to see why Thor (as played by Chris Hemsworth in "Avengers: Age of Ultron") gets our vote for No. 1.