The new MCU movie, Morbius, may be getting poor reviews, but its titular character is a product of one of the most unique periods in Marvel Comics history. When the strict guidelines of the Comics Code Authority were eased in the early 1970s, comics were able to portray horror and occult themes. Morbius, the Living Vampire appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #101 in 1971 as part of a wave of horror-themed characters including characters like Moon Knight and Blade.
Many of these characters are appearing in the MCU and Sony Marvel Universe and many more, like Werewolf by Night, are due to appear soon. The comic book history of horror-themed Marvel characters likely provides a roadmap to their cinematic future. The majority of them are closely linked and likely will be in live-action as well, leading to a horror-themed branch of the MCU.
Moon Knight
Comic fans know Moon Knight began as a horror-themed character in Werewolf By Night #32 as a villain hunting down that book's hero, Jack Russell. In his earliest appearances, Moon Knight used silver-forged weapons to kill werewolves.
As his popularity grew, his backstory became more elaborate, with direct and deep connections to ancient Egyptian mythology and more psychological modes of horror. Moon Knight remains connected to the horror branch of the Marvel Universe via the Midnight Sons and likely will as well in the MCU.
Doctor Strange
Doctor Strange is considered among the most iconic superheroes in the Marvel Universe and though he isn't a product of the horror-themed period that gave rise to characters like Moon Knight, he is directly linked to some of the most terrifying aspects of Marvel Comics.
Horrific villains like Gargantos and Shuma-Gorath, some of Doctor Strange's most powerful villains, draw direct inspiration from the mythology of H.P. Lovecraft. Many of his stories in the comics involve demonic figures and occult themes right out of a horror comic.
Elsa Bloodstone
Else Bloodstone is a figure likely to appear in the MCU in the near future given her connection to major characters who have already debuted in the franchise. She is a monster hunter and a former member of the Midnight Sons and the Fearless Defenders.
Else Bloodstone has shades of both Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Van Helsing, using a variety of practical and mystical implements to hunt many different kinds of monsters. She also has superhuman powers, including immunity to vampire bites.
Magik
Magik is a mutant and deeply connected to the world of the X-Men, but her tragic backstory places her firmly in the context of horror comics. Illyana Rasputin was stranded as a child inside the dimension of Limbo, inhabited by demons.
As her name implies, Magik became one of the most powerful magical beings in Marvel Comics as a result of her experience. For a time, she was overtaken by the Dakrchilde, a demonic version of herself. Now she is in full control of her powers and wields the Soul Sword, a powerful mystical weapon.
Ghost Rider
Ghost Rider is inhabited by the Spirit of Vengeance and though he has a demonic appearance, he is actually an avatar of Heaven by virtue of his powers. He emerged during the horror revival in the early '70s, first appearing in Marvel Spotlight #5 in 1972.
Ghost Rider has been part of the Midnight Sons alongside Morbius and it's very likely that he will be part of the MCU in the near future. He also has strong connections to Moon Knight and Blade, and it's only a question of which version of the iconic character will appear.
Blade
Blade is another classic character from the horror movement in the 1970s, first appearing in The Tomb of Dracula #10 in 1973. He is a half-human, half-vampire, who hunts vampires with his superhuman powers. Blade has already appeared in the MCU courtesy of a voice cameo by Mahershala Ali in Eternals.
Blade has been a member of the Midnight Sons, Avengers, and most significantly for the MCU, M:13. This British organization focused on supernatural threats may come together in the MCU thanks to Blade's proximity to Dane Whitman and Moon Knight, both located in London.
Frankenstein's Monster
Marvel Comics adopted many classic horror characters straight into its mythology, including Frankenstein's monster. The character first appeared in 1953, before the proper Marvel Universe emerged, but later became a significant part of it.
A robot version of the character battled the X-Men in the 1960s and the proper monster then appeared sometime later. He headlined his own series, The Monster of Frankenstein, in the 1970s and has been connected to characters like Werewolf by Night and Elsa Bloodstone.
Man-Thing
Man-Thing first appeared in 1971 in Savage Tales #1. He is a sentient plant creature from the Florida Everglades with some surface resemblance to Swamp Thing from DC Comics, but there are significant differences between the two.
While a minor character in comparison to Blade or Moon Knight, Man-Thing is a major factor in the Marvel Universe thanks to his being the guardian of the Nexus of All Realities. This conduit to the multiverse guarantees Man-Thing will be in the MCU at some point, likely very soon.
Werewolf By Night
Comic book fans know Werewolf By Night is a major horror figure in the Marvel Universe. Jack Russell is a classic werewolf archetype and first appeared in the '70s as most horror-themed Marvel characters did, in Marvel Spotlight #2.
Played by Gael García Bernal, he will appear in the MCU in the upcoming Halloween special, and may actually appear sooner. Thanks to his strong ties to Moon Knight, there's every chance that he could cameo in his series before it's over.
Dracula
Dracula is the classic vampire from popular culture, and he first appeared in the Marvel Universe in The Tomb of Dracula #1 in 1972. Relaxation of guidelines from the Comics Code Authority allowed this iconic villain to become an integral part of Marvel Comics.
Though initially sequestered from much of the Marvel Universe of the '70s, Dracula would eventually play a major role and may also do so in the MCU. He is Blade's enemy and has fought the X-Men. Dracula continues to be a menacing figure for many characters in the modern era.