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Marvel Comics is well-known for its incredible street-level heroes who fight to keep their communities safe. Whether gritty and lethal anti-heroes or kind-hearted and public beacons of their neighborhoods, these are the best superheroes who patrol the streets of the Marvel Universe.
10) Spider-Woman
Debuting as a brainwashed supervillain, Jessica Drew, aka Spider-Woman, broke free of her mind control to become one of the most iconic Spider-heroes in Marvel Comics. On top of possessing super-strength, agility, and the ability to crawl on walls, Spider-Woman can shoot bioelectricity and glide. Spider-Woman has taken on many roles over the course of her life, acting as both an Avenger and an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. However, in recent years, after having a baby, Spider-Woman has focused more on being a street-level hero, taking a job as a private investigator and fighting local supervillains and gangsters. Spider-Woman is willing to do anything to protect her son and her neighborhood.
9) Elektra
One of the deadliest women on the planet, Elektra was a ruthless assassin who started as an enemy/lover of Daredevil. With her mastery of martial arts and her trademark sais, Elektra has cut down numerous people for her employers, like the Hand and Kingpin. However, over time, Daredevil’s virtues rubbed off on Elektra, and she gave up her assassin life to become an anti-hero. While she still has no qualms about killing, she now fights against the same types of criminal organizations that once employed her. Elektra even took over Daredevil’s mantle while he was temporarily in prison, showing just how dedicated she is to protecting New York City and its citizens.
8) Hawkeye
Clint Barton, aka Hawkeye, is most well-known for going on adventures across the world and galaxy as a member of the Avengers. Still, he’s also done plenty of street-level vigilante work on his own. Some of Hawkeye’s best solo runs have focused on him fighting the mafia and protecting working-class citizens from turf wars. And Hawkeye certainly has the skills and arsenal to fight gangsters and assassins. His martial arts and assortment of high-tech trick arrows ensure that he can take down dozens of armed thugs single-handedly. With just a bow and arrow, along with a criminal background, Hawkeye has always been one of the most grounded Avengers.
7) Iron Fist
Danny Rand brings ancient mystical martial arts to the modern day to keep the neighborhoods of New York City safe. After being adopted and trained by monks in the city of K’un-Lun in the Himalayas, Danny earned the title of Iron Fist and became one of Marvel Comics’ greatest martial artists. Upon returning to New York, he put his skills to good use fighting both local gangs, monsters, and ninjas. He does most of his vigilante work alongside his best friend, Luke Cage, as the Heroes for Hire. One of the most powerful and skilled street-level heroes in Marvel, Iron Fist can channel his chi to destroy incoming trains with a single punch.
6) Jessica Jones
Initially, Jessica Jones was a more traditional superhero who used her super-strength, durability, and flight to be a crimefighter, but the trauma she endured after becoming a victim of the Purple Man completely changed her. Jessica abandoned her costumed vigilantism and instead became a gruff but brilliant private investigator of her own Alias Investigations agency. Instead of relying on her superpowers to make the streets a better place, Jessica mainly uses her deductive reasoning to solve crimes. Of course, she still won’t hesitate to use her super-strength to knock down anyone who tries to attack her or other innocent people. Not caring about being in the spotlight, Jessica is a flawed but determined hero who helps people when the justice system fails them.
