Sidekicks are undoubtedly a vital part of the comic book formula, almost as important as the superheroes are themselves. While not every superhero uses sidekicks, a great many heroes started their careers as one. For some heroes, starting out as a sidekick is an important stepping stone on the path to becoming a full-fledged superhero.
With the Marvel Cinematic Universe bringing the origins of many Marvel heroes into focus, some heroes having got their start as sidekicks may not be all that surprising. Though they don't feature sidekicks as often as DC, some of the biggest names in Marvel Comics got their start as a sidekick to another hero.
10 Rick Jones Has Been The Sidekick Of Multiple Heroes
Rick Jones has had many status-quo changes throughout his comic book tenure, and most of them have been acting as a sidekick to one hero or another, including Hulk, Captain America, and the original Captain Marvel. Perhaps best known as Hulk's sidekick, Rick was essentially responsible for Bruce Banner's transformation into the Hulk in the first place.
After serving as a sidekick to other heroes, Rick would become closely associated with Hulk once again, transforming into A-Bomb during the World War Hulk series and becoming a superhero in his own right.
9 Sun Girl Was The Sidekick Of The Original Human Torch
Mary Mitchell as Sun Girl is one addition from the Golden Age of comics that unfortunately didn't really take off. Mary actually went backward compared to the other sidekicks, starring in her own series for three issues as an independent superhero. Shortly after, Mary became both secretary and sidekick to Jim Hammond, the original human torch.
After, Mary would go off on her own again before retiring, being one of few comic characters to have actually aged over the years. A new Sun Girl named Selah Burke would appear many years later as a part of Marvel's New Warriors, though this Sun Girl shares no connection to the original beyond their alter-egos.
8 Dum Dum Dugan Has Always Been Nick Fury's Right-Hand Man
Though more of a secondary character in the stories he appears in, Dum Dum Dugan has been an essential part of many of Marvel's biggest crossover events like Civil War and Secret Warriors. Fans who are only familiar with Dugan because of his appearance in the MCU may be surprised to learn that Dugan was originally a sidekick to Nick Fury, primarily because Dugan and Fury have never interacted in the MCU (due to living in different time periods.)
Even though it was later revealed Dugan was killed and replaced with a Life Model Decoy, every version of him remained loyal to S.H.I.E.L.D. and Fury.
7 Bucky Barnes Was The Original Marvel Comics Sidekick
Bucky in the comics has had a long and complicated history, with the Winter Soldier being both a brainwashed villain and then becoming a justice-serving anti-hero. Bucky even took on the mantle of Captain America for a while in Steve Roger's absence.
It is somewhat hard to remember then that, in his early appearances, Bucky Barnes was just Bucky the sidekick to Captain America. Bucky may not be a sidekick any longer, but his friendship with Steve has transcended real-life decades.
6 James Rhodes Has Been There For Tony Stark When He Needed Him Most
Given their close relationship and similar suit appearance, many probably still remember Rhodey started his time as War Machine being Iron Man's sidekick. When he first suited up, Rhodes was acting as Iron Man in Tony Stark's stead. Though he quit being Iron Man when he found out Stark had tricked him into the role, he would still have Stark's back when it mattered most, fighting at his side as War Machine.
Rhodey has been an invaluable ally to Stark, both as a hero and a friend, while also acting independently as a hero himself.
5 Jubilation Lee Was Wolverine's Unofficial Sidekick
Despite being known as a loner with a rough personality, Wolverine has formed strong bonds with many other young X-Men, the young female members of the group in particular. Jubilee was one of the young mutants who bonded with Wolverine after she helped him escape the villainous Reavers.
After joining the X-Men, Jubilee worked closely with Wolverine over the next few years following her introduction, becoming known as his unofficial sidekick. While Jubilee has done much since, including becoming an actress, a vampire, and joining the New Warriors as Wondra, it is her time as Wolverine's sidekick that fans remember most fondly.
4 Kitty Pryde Was The First Sidekick For Wolverine
Like Jubilee, Kitty Pryde has also been known as Wolverine's sidekick and was actually in the role first. Joining the X-Men as a young teen, Kitty was still trying to figure out her identity. She was largely a secondary character and went through several different aliases including Sprite. It wasn't until the miniseries Kitty Pryde and Wolverine that Kitty would come into her own as a superhero, largely thanks to Wolverine's guidance.
At the end of the series, Kitty finally adopted the name Shadowcat and has since gone on to become one of the most important members of the X-Men, as well as one of the most popular Marvel characters overall.
3 Sam Wilson Helped Captain America Before He Became Captain America
With Sam having recently been Captain America in the comics, and now in the MCU, it may feel strange to think that he was the sidekick of Steve Rogers not very long ago. Sam first met Steve Rogers when the Red Skull used the Cosmic Cube to switch bodies with Steve. The chance meeting and rescue by Sam started a long-lasting partnership.
Fans may debate whether he or Bucky is the better friend to Steve, but Sam has truly earned his place, no matter if it is as Falcon or as Captain America.
2 Groot Has Been Much More Than A Bodyguard To Rocket Racoon
Many sidekicks have demonstrated their loyalty to their partners time and time again, though none more than Groot has to Rocket Racoon. While Groot is a relatively new addition to Marvel comics compared to Rocket, the pair have been inseparable since Groot's introduction.
Even when the Guardians of the Galaxy split into two separate teams that saw Groot and Rocket on opposite sides, Groot would decide to betray his team to save Rocket's life. Groot has proven that he has moved beyond the role of sidekick and is now a trusted friend and equal to the rest of the Guardians.
1 Bob, Agent Of Hydra Was A Sidekick Against His Will
Equally surprising and not surprising at all, mostly because he is still just a sidekick, yet never really was one from the beginning. Originally just a simple Hydra agent that Deadpool had hoped to ransom back to the organization for money, Bob has been forced into the role of sidekick to Deadpool on numerous occasions.
Bob has accompanied him on some of his most ridiculous missions, including taking on the role of a parrot when Deadpool was wanting to sail the seas as a pirate. Bob actually made a cameo in 2016's Deadpool, though not as an agent of Hydra. One can only hope that Bob can make a proper appearance as a Hydra agent during Deadpool's third outing now that rights are back in Marvel's hands.
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