DC Comics is so well-known for its use of sidekicks. Robin is among the most famous, but almost every major hero across the brand has some kind of student to mentor throughout the vigilante lifestyle. Marvel doesn't quite have that dynamic, but that isn't a definitive rule.
There are still some famous sidekicks that helped out in battle, from Bucky and Falcon for Captain America to the newest Hawkeye or Ms. Marvel. However, outside of these heavy hitters, there are still some sidekicks on the page that are incredibly underrated and could actually get a chance to shine on the big or small screen in the future.
The United States Of Captain America
The United States of Captain America is both the name of the narrative and a loose grouping of all the Captain Americas that have styled themselves off of Steve Rogers. There are vigilantes all around the nation, each of which has taken the mantle and the shield and given a unique spin on it.
They have served as sidekicks to Bucky, Falcon, and Cap in various scenarios, and no matter the equipment or training available to them, they have proven they have the hearts of a hero. While their futures remain uncertain, it's clear that if Cap needs to call upon a group of allies, these vigilantes should be one of his first ports of call for support on the ground.
Jack Of Hearts
Jack Of Hearts might not usually be deemed as a sidekick. But from his smaller role on the Avengers to his team-up with Silver Surfer and his most recent appearance as a secondary character to She-Hulk, Jack Of Hearts has ultimately filled the supporting position time and time again.
He is supremely powered but quite unpredictable. Thanks to these abilities and the difficulties Jack has suffered across his history, it's pretty normal to see him getting support from his friends and allies, who also rely upon him to have their backs in battle.
Honey Badger
Honey Badger is a lesser-known character from Marvel in general and more of a recent creation. X-23 was the usual sidekick to Wolverine, a clone that exhibited many of the same abilities and Mutant skills as her 'father.' She recently made the transition to becoming Wolverine in her own right though.
With Logan out of the picture, the former X-23 wanted a new sidekick. Honey Badger entered the fray, another clone of X-23 herself. With an incredible costume and a rage that has to be controlled, the newest Wolverine can pass on the lessons that she once learned, with Honey Badger open to that journey eventually.
Amadeus Cho
Amadeus Cho will now be well-known as the Hulk hero Brawn. In that way, he has somewhat been classed as Hulk's sidekick, learning from the beast and making the role his own. In the past, he has also teamed up with Bruce Banner, with the two sharing a love for science.
But, it was Cho's relationship with the hero Hercules that is perhaps well-worth pointing to. The pair formed a genuinely deep bond, with Cho and Hercules eventually traveling together as part of the God Squad. He didn't boast any powers, but Cho more than made up for in regards to Hercules' lack of intelligence.
Micro
While Micro did make an impact on the small screen adaptation of The Punisher, the hacker has supported Frank Castle in the comics for years. He is always one step ahead of the enemy, with his supreme intelligence allowing him to formulate strong and tactical plans.
It's a partnership that has seen Micro deemed the sidekick because he isn't usually in the midst of the action, but instead supporting from afar from behind a computer screen. Even if he is not the main attraction, Castle is at his most effective with Micro's help. However, Micro's betrayal and turn was one of the most shocking in Punisher history.
Stepford Cuckoos
The Stepford Cuckoos as they are sometimes referred to are a family of psychic Mutants who think in unison. They look the same, talk the same and act the same. They are far more powerful together, but despite being an important X-Men team, they are actually sidekicks to one specialist heavy hitter.
These are the daughters of Emma Frost and while they disagree with her on many issues, they ultimately serve her and learn from their mother. They are even more powerful when backed up by the Hellfire Club leader and while they might be sidekicks, they do give Frost the consistent backing that she requires.
Sun Girl
Going back to the days of the original Human Torch, the character is often associated with the Invaders, who were a tactical unit consisting of Captain America, Namor, Torch himself, and Bucky. Much like the latter member though, Human Torch himself also had a sidekick.
Sun Girl managed to boast the same powers, and while she didn't burn quite as bright, she was a brilliant hero to bring into battle. She's been forgotten in the Marvel timeline and although there is now another variation of Sun Girl in Marvel continuity, it would be great to see the original return, as Jim Hammond has had the chance to do.
Demolition Man
Who hasn't Demolition Man supported? It's a bit of a running joke that D-Man is always looking for a hero to serve. It's a constant aspect of the character, and heroes like Captain America, Wolverine, and even Deadpool have teamed up with the vigilante in the comics.
However, there's a darker side to D-Man who feels he has been underrated and ignored by the superhero community. With a costume that's clearly a rip-off of the likes of Daredevil and Logan, Demolition Man actually gained his abilities from the Power Broker's drugs. He was always loyal and willing to serve, but there was an unpredictable nature to D-Man that made his stories so intriguing.
Elsa Bloodstone
Elsa Bloodstone has begun to stand out among Marvel's monster hunters and it's unfair to class her as a sidekick now. However, in her earlier days, she was one of the best-supporting heroes around, learning from her father who she adopted the name and powers from.
Any character that faces the supernatural would have crossed paths with Bloodstone at some stage. Blade, Moon Knight, and even Black Knight have continued to use the impressive skills of Elsa to take down those threats from the darker dimensions. Her days as a sidekick shouldn't be underrated, because they set her up for the successes the character is currently experiencing.
Five Weapons Society
The Five Weapons society has become a difficult team to manage, with Shang-Chi at the head of the group. While the organization itself spans across the world, the small unit that surrounds him, all represent different skills in the arts of the use of weapons.
These can be deemed as Shang-Chi's sidekicks considering they are far less experienced than the master of martial arts. Each is actually a sibling to Shang-Chi too, with his younger sister, in particular, Zheng Esme, looking up to her brother, hero, and occasional antagonizer.