Editor Note: We are listing this under “game series” as the games included come from several different decades, and the “post” with tags includes the same information at the game page. Due to the unique nature of this article we do not have specific details listed for each game, but do link out to pages with more information for each game. Following the norm for the rest of the site, the games by decade lists will only list games in which an LGBTQ character made their first appearance. However, a full list of games with these characters is available below.

Article written by Joshua D. Savage for LGBTQ Video Game Archive in April 2017.

The Marvel Universe has a plethora of LGBTQ characters, many of which have appeared in various video games over the years. However, due to the long story arcs in serialized comics, in which character development unfolds over decades, some characters may be revealed as queer long after their original introductions, which can retroactively mean that many games featuring Marvel characters include LGBTQ content, even if they were not understood as such at the time of the games’ publication.

Particularly notable among these characters is Bobby Drake, also known as Iceman, one of the original X-Men created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in 1963 (“Iceman”, 2017). the character was revealed to be gay in 2015 and 2016 in a pair of stories written by Brian Michael Bendis (All-New X-Men #40, Uncanny X-Men #600). This retroactively means that earlier games that included Iceman included a gay character. Iceman’s first appearance in a video game after the character was established as openly gay was in Marvel Puzzle Quest (2013). Iceman was added to the game’s roster in September of 2015 (Chabala, 2015).

Other characters were written as LGBTQ characters from their inception, and have always been depicted as such. Chief among these are Billy Kaplan, AKA Wiccan, and Teddy Altman, AKA Hulkling, a young gay superhero couple created by Allan Heinberg and Jim Cheung for Young Avengers in 2005; their relationship was a central focus of the second, 2013 Young Avengers series by Kieron Gillen and Jamie McKelvie. Wiccan first appeared in a video game in an image of the ending to Doctor Strange’s storyline in Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3, then appeared in playable form as an alternate ‘enhanced’ costume of the Scarlet Witch made available in 2015 in Marvel Heroes. Hulkling first appeared in a game (alongside Wiccan) in LEGO Marvel’s Avengers, though no mention was made of the pair’s sexual orientation, or of their being in a relationship. The pair’s first appearance in a game as an explicit couple was in Marvel Future Fight, though Marvel: War of Heroes previously alluded to their feelings for one another. The pair also appear in Marvel Avengers Academy. Similarly, America Chavez, AKA Miss America, is a lesbian character created by Joe Casey and Nick Dragotta who also featured heavily in Gillen and McKelvie’s 2013 Young Avengers series (“Miss America (Marvel Comics)”, 2017). She first appeared in video game form in LEGO Marvel’s Avengers, in which her sexual orientation is not discussed, and has also appeared in Marvel Avengers Academy.

In addition to challenging normative concepts of sexuality, Marvel Universe characters have also been known to flout normative definitions of gender. Villain-cum-antihero Loki, for example, is a sexually fluid character who is attracted to both genders and has appeared in both female and male bodies. The character has appeared in both genders in some Marvel video games.

While many Marvel games feature LGBTQ characters, very few games make direct mention to the sexual orientations or gender identities of LGBTQ characters. While Marvel Future Fight and Marvel Avengers Academy include openly gay depictions of characters Wiccan and Hulkling, the latter game is also open about other LGBTQ characters, particularly gay male character Union Jack, who talks openly about being gay in the game. Marvel Avengers Academy also includes multiple references to same-sex romantic trends in Marvel fan culture, such as Iron Man talking to Captain America and alluding to the plethora of fan faction depicting the two characters in a sexual relationship. Additionally, the now-defunct mobile game X-Men: Battle of the Atom was a card-based social game containing a very large roster of characters from the Marvel X-Men series of comics. That game was notable for openly discussing the sexual orientation of many of its LGBT characters in their character descriptions.

In addition to the characters listed above, other LGBTQ Marvel characters who have appeared in video games include, but are not limited to: Anole (gay male), Benjamin Deeds (gay male), Colossus (Ultimate Universe) (gay male), Daken (gay male), Deadpool (pansexual male), Doop (Pansexual, gender nonbinary), Graymalkin (gay male), Karma (lesbian female), Lightspeed (pansexual female), Mystique (bisexual female), Northstar (gay male), Prodigy (bisexual male) Shatterstar (bisexual male).

Hector is a gay male character and part of the Pantheon team in The Incredible Hulk: The Pantheon Saga.

In the comics, he is openly gay. His sexuality is not mentioned in the game, however, though he does appear to have been out in the comics before the game was released.

Still other characters are suspected to be LGBTQ by some readers, but have not had their sexual orientations or gender identities made explicit. One notable example who has appeared in many video games is supervillain Electro, whom some fans read as bisexual (“Is Electro from Marvel Universe Bisexual?” 2016).

Below is a list of 57 video games set in the Marvel Universe in which 20 LGBTQ (or queerly read) characters appear, also noting if the game makes specific mention to the non-straight sexual orientation or non-cis gender identity of its characters.

Questprobe Featuring Spider-Man (Adventure International, 1984): Electro (first video game appearance)

Spider-Man and Captain America in Doctor Doom’s Revenge (Empire Interactive/Paragon Software, 1989): Electro

The Uncanny X-Men (LJN, 1989): Iceman (first video game appearance)

X-Men II: Fall of the Mutants (Paragon Software, 1990): Iceman

The Amazing Spider-Man vs. The Kingpin (Sega, 1990): Electro

Spider-Man: The Video Game (Sega, 1991): Electro

Spider-Man: Return of the Sinister Six (LJN/Flying Edge, 1992): Electro

X-Men (Konami, 1992): Mystique (first video game appearance)

The Amazing Spider-Man 3: Invasion of the Spider-Slayers (LJN, 1993): Electro

X-Men: Children of the Atom (Capcom, 1994): Iceman

X-Men [Sega Game Gear] (Sega, 1994): Iceman

The Incredible Hulk: The Pantheon Saga (Eidos Interactive, 1996): Hector (First video game appearance)

Fantastic Four (Acclaim Entertainment, 1997): Iceman

Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes (Capcom, 1998): Iceman (non-playable)

Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes (Capcom, 2000): Iceman

X-Men: Mutant Academy (Activision, 2000): Mystique

X-Men: Mutant Wars (Activision, 2000): Iceman, Mystique

X-Men: Mutant Academy 2 (Activision, 2001): Mystique

Spider-Man 2: Enter Electro (Activision, 2001): Electro

Spider-Man: Mysterio’s Menace (Activision, 2001): Electro

X-Men: Next Dimension (Activision, 2002): Mystique

X-Men Legends (Activision, 2004): Iceman, Mystique

X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse (Activision, 2005): Iceman, Deadpool (first video game appearance), Mystique (non-playable)

Ultimate Spider-Man (Activision, 2005): Electro

Marvel: Ultimate Alliance (Activision, 2006): Iceman, Loki (first video game appearance)

X-Men: The Official Game (Activision, 2006): Iceman

Marvel Trading Card Game (Konami, 2007): Iceman, Electro, Mystique, Prodigy (first video game appearance)

Spider-Man: Friend or Foe [Playstation Portable] (Activision, 2007): Electro

LittleBigPlanet (Sony Computer Entertainment, 2008): Deadpool (Costume), Mystique (Costume)

Spider-Man: Web of Shadows (Activision, 2008): Electro

X-Men Origins: Wolverine (Activision, 2009): Deadpool, Mystique

Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2 (Activision, 2009): Iceman, Deadpool, Electro

Marvel Super Hero Squad (THQ, 2009): Loki, Mystique

Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions (Activision, 2010): Deadpool, Electro

Marvel Pinball (Zen Studios, 2010): Loki, Deadpool

X-Men Destiny (Activision, 2010): Iceman, Mystique, Northstar

Ultimate Spider-Man: Total Mayhem (Gameloft, 2010): Electro

Marvel Super Hero Squad Online (Gazillion Entertainment, 2011): Iceman, Deadpool, Loki, Mystique

Thor: God of Thunder (Sega, 2011): Loki

Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds (Capcom, 2011): Deadpool, Iceman (cameo), Wiccan (cameo; first video game appearance)

Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 (Capcom, 2011): Deadpool, Daken (as a collectible card; first video game appearance) Iceman (as a collectible card, cameo), Loki (as a collectible card), Mystique (as a collectible card) Wiccan (cameo)

Marvel Avengers: Battle for Earth (Ubisoft Quebec, 2012): Iceman, Loki

Marvel: War of Heroes (Mobage, 2012): Wiccan, Hulkling (first video game appearance), Iceman, Daken, Deadpool, Doop (first video game appearance), Electro, Loki, Mystique, Northstar (first video game appearance) Shatterstar (first video game appearance), Striker (first video game appearance),

Marvel: Avengers Alliance (Playdom/Disney Interactive, 2012): Iceman, Deadpool, Loki

Marvel Heroes (Gazillion, 2013): Wiccan (first playable video game appearance) Iceman, Deadpool, Doop, Electro, Loki (both as a male and as a female). A costume is available for Colossus that depicts his Ultimate Universe appearance (in that comics universe, Colossus is openly gay).

Deadpool (Activision, 2013): Deadpool

LEGO Marvel Super Heroes (Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, 2013): Iceman, Deadpool, Electro, Mystique, Union Jack (First video game appearance)

Marvel Puzzle Quest (Demiurge Studios, 2013): Iceman, Daken, Deadpool, Loki, Mystique

Marvel Contest of Champions (Kabam, 2014): Deadpool, Loki

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (Activision, 2014): Electro

X-Men: Battle of the Atom (PlayNext, 2014): Iceman (as a card and playable character), Anole (first video game appearance, identified as a gay male in-game), Benjamin Deeds (first video game appearance), Daken, Deadpool, Doop, Graymalkin (first appearance, identified as a gay male in-game), Karma (first video game appearance, identified as a lesbian in-game), Mystique, Northstar (identified as a gay male in-game), Prodigy, Shatterstar

Disney Infinity: Marvel Super Heroes (Disney Interactive Studios, 2014): Loki

Spider-Man Unlimited (Gameloft, 2014): Electro

Disney Infinity 3.0 (Disney Interactive Studios, 2015): Loki

Marvel Future Fight (Netmarble Games, 2015): Wiccan and Hulkling (first time explicitly stated to be in a romantic relationship in-game), Loki (both as a male and as a female)

LEGO Marvel’s Avengers (Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, 2016): Wiccan, Hulkling, Striker (first playable appearance), America Chavez (first video game appearance), Loki, Union Jack, Lightspeed (first video game appearance)

Marvel Avengers Academy (TinyCo, 2016): Wiccan and Hulkling (openly in a relationship in-game), America Chavez, Electro, Loki (both as a male and as a female) Union Jack (openly gay in-game)

Sources

1. Bendis, Brian Michael (writer), Mahmud Asrar (art), Rain Beredo (color), and Cory Petit (lettering). All-New X-Men v1 #40.
2. Bendis, Brian Michael (writer), Sara Pichelli, Mahmud Asrar, Stuart Immomen et al. (art), Wade von Grawbadger, Tim Townsent, and Mark Irwin (inks), Marte Gracia, Jason Keith, Chris Bachalo et al. (color), and Joe Caramanga (lettering). 2016. Uncanny X-Men #600. New York: Marvel Entertainment.
3. Chabala, Ben. 2015. “Piecing Together Marvel Puzzle Quest: Iceman.” Marvel.com. Published 16 September, 2015. Retrieved February 28, 2017 from https://news.marvel.com/comics/25104/piecing_together_marvel_puzzle_quest_iceman/
4. “Champion Spotlight: Iceman.” 2017. Kabam, Inc. Published 29 March, 2017. Retrieved 4 April, 2017 from https://playcontestofchampions.com/champion-spotlight-iceman/
5. Gillen, Kieron (writer), Jamie McKelvie (art), Matt Wilson (color), and Clayton Cowles (lettering). 2013. “Style > Substance.” Young Avengers v2 #1.  New York: Marvel Entertainment.
6. Heinberg, Allan (writer), Jim Cheung (pencils), John Dell, Mark Morales and Drew Geraci (inks), Justin Ponsor (color), and Cory Petit (lettering). 2005. “Sidekicks.” Young Avengers v1 #1. New York: Marvel Entertainment.
7. Hopeless, Dennis (writer), Mark Bagley (pencils), Andrew Hennessy (inks), Nolan Woodard (color), and Cory Petit (lettering). 2017. All-New X-Men v2 #17. New York: Marvel Entertainment.
8. “Iceman.” 2017. Marvel.com. Retrieved 28 February 2017 from http://marvel.com/characters/27/iceman
9. “Is Electro from Marvel Universe Bisexual?” 2016. Comic Vine [Forums]. Retrieved 1 March 2017 from http://comicvine.gamespot.com/forums/gen-discussion-1/is-electro-from-marvel-universe-bisexual-1770825/
10. “Miss America (Marvel Comics).” 2017. Wikipedia. Last Modified 26 February 2017. Retrieved 2 March 2017 from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miss_America_(Marvel_Comics)

List of LGBTQ Marvel Characters supplemented by reference to:
“Characters by Sexual Preference” [Category Page]. Marvel Database. Fandom (Powered by Wikia). Last modified 21 February 2017. Retrieved 28 February 2017 from http://marvel.wikia.com/wiki/Category:Characters_by_Sexual_Preference

Game release dates and character appearances collected from Wikipedia. Lists of games were compiled from individual games’ Wikipedia pages and:

1. “Miss America (Marvel Comics).” 2017. Wikipedia. Last Modified 26 February 2017. Retrieved 2 March 2017 from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miss_America_(Marvel_Comics)
2. “Deadpool.” 2017. Wikipedia. Last modified 28 February 2017. Retrieved 28 February 2017 from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deadpool
3. “Electro (Marvel Comics).” 2017. Wikipedia. Last modified 23 February 2017. Retrieved 1 March 2017 from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electro_(Marvel_Comics)
4. “Iceman (Comics).” 2017. Wikipedia. Last modified 26 February 2017. Retrieved 28 February 2017 from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iceman_(comics)
5. “Loki (Comics).” 2017. Wikipedia. Last modified 18 February 2017. Retrieved 28 February 2017 from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loki_(comics)
6. “Mystique (Comics).” 2017. Wikipedia. Last modified 26 February 2017. Retrieved 28 February 2017 from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mystique_(comics)
7. “List of Video Games Based on Marvel Comics.” 2017. Wikipedia. Last modified 20 February 2017. Retrieved 28 February 2017 from  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_video_games_based_on_Marvel_Comics
8. Information about Questprobe #2 Featuring Spider-Man collected from:
   StillGaming. “The Great Scott Project: Questprobe #2 Featuring Spider-Man (1985).” 2010. Gaming After 40. Retrieved 1 March 2017 from http://gamingafter40.blogspot.ie/2010/09/great-scott-project-questprobe-2.html
9. Additional information about X-Men: Mutant Wars collected from:
   Snorlaxnut. 2001. “Snorlaxnut’s Unofficial Guide to: X-Men: Mutant Wars by Activision.” GameFAQs. Retrieved 28 February 2017 from https://www.gamefaqs.com/gbc/447313-x-men-mutant-wars/faqs/13396
10. Additional information about Marvel Trading Card Game retrieved from:
    Maillaro, Michael. 2007. “Marvel Trading Card Game FAQ”. GameFAQs. Retrieved 28 February 2017 from https://www.gamefaqs.com/psp/932927-marvel-trading-card-game/faqs/50940
11. Release information for the Deadpool costume in LittleBigPlanet retrieved from:
    “Deadpool Costume.” N.d. LittleBigPlanet.com. Retrieved 28 February 2017 from http://littlebigplanet.playstation.com/downloadable_content_items/1230
12. List of characters in Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 Heroes and Heralds Mode (Cards) from:
    “Heroes and Heralds Mode.” 2016. Marvel vs. Capcom Wiki. Fandom (Powered by Wikia). Last modified 14 December 2016. Retrieved 28 February 2017 from http://marvelvscapcom.wikia.com/wiki/Heroes_and_Heralds_Mode
13. Card information in the Marvel: War of Heroes mobile game collected from pages on
    Marvel: War of Heroes Wiki. Fandom (Powered by Wikia). Homepage last updated 10 October 2013. Homepage retrieved 28 February 2017 from http://marvel-war-of-heroes.wikia.com/wiki/Marvel:_War_of_Heroes_Wiki
14. Additional information about LEGO Marvel Super Heroes collected from:
    Knight, Michael and Nick Von Esmarch. 2013. LEGO Marvel Super Heroes: Prima Official Game Guide. Roseville, CA: Penguin Random House, LLC.
15. Card information in the X-Men: Battle of the Atom mobile game collected from pages on:
    X-Men: Battle of the Atom Mobile Game Wiki. Fandom (Powered by Wikia). Homepage last updated 16 December 2014. Homepage retrieved 28 February 2017 from http://xmen-battle-of-the-atom-mobile-game.wikia.com/wiki/X-Men:_Battle_Of_The_Atom_Mobile_Game_Wiki
16. Additional information about LEGO Marvel’s Avengers collected from:
    Schmidt, Ken and Michael Knight. 2016. LEGO Marvel Avengers: Official Guide. Indianapolis, IN: DK/Prima Games.
17. Release information for Marvel Avengers Academy from:
    “Avengers Academy.” 2017. Marvel Database. Fandom (Powered by Wikia). Last modified 28 February 2017. Retrieved 28 February 2017 from http://marvel.wikia.com/wiki/Marvel_Avengers_Academy

Game Image sources:

1. Marvel Heroes Character Images sourced over a span of three years from:
   “Home.” Marvel Heroes. Gazillion Entertainment. www.marvelheroes.com
2. Image of Iceman in Marvel Puzzle Quest sourced from:
   Chabala, Ben. 2015. “Piecing Together Marvel Puzzle Quest: Iceman.” Marvel.com. Published 16 September, 2015. Retrieved February 28, 2017 from https://news.marvel.com/comics/25104/piecing_together_marvel_puzzle_quest_iceman/
3. LEGO Marvel’s Avengers screenshot sourced from:
   Paget, Mat. 2016. “Lego Avengers Features First Openly Gay Superheroes in a Video Game.” Gamespot. Published 5 February 2016. Retrieved 28 February 2017 from http://www.gamespot.com/articles/lego-avengers-features-first-openly-gay-superheroe/1100-6434561/ Image address: http://www.gamespot.com/images/1300-3002272
4. Screenshots from Marvel Future Fight captured by Joshua D. Savage.
5. Marvel Avengers Academy character splash images sourced from:
   “Marvel Avengers Academy.” n.d. Facebook. Retrieved 28 February 2017 from https://www.facebook.com/AvengersAcademy/
6. Screenshot collage of Wiccan and Hulkling in Marvel Avengers Academy created by Joshua D. Savage.