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Superheroes are not always found in sleek suits, billion-dollar tech, and penthouse hideouts.Tony Stark has a tower, T’Challa owns a kingdom, and evenDoctor Strangelives in a mystical mansion. But not every Marvel hero has a Black Card or a Stark-funded paycheck. In fact, some of them are flat-out broke, like cannot-pay-rent, maxed-out-credit-card broke. And honestly? That makes them even more relatable.
Because while fighting crime is one thing, doing it while worrying about rent, ramen noodles, or student loans is another. That’s a whole other kind of superpower. These are the heroes who still show up for the world even when the world can’t spot them a dime. They’re couch-crashing, job-juggling, side-hustling warriors who prove that you don’t need a billion-dollar suit to make a difference.
FromPeter Parker constantly dodging eviction noticesto Hulk wandering town to town with nothing but purple pants, Marvel’s got a surprising number of down-and-out do-gooders. Some are hilarious, some are heartbreaking, and some just really need a financial planner.
So let’s dig into the superheroes who fight the good fight, not for fame or fortune, but simply because someone has to. These are the poorest Marvel superheroes of all time, and we love them for it.
1Hulk (Bruce Banner)
Bruce Bannermay be a genius scientist with a PhD or two under his belt, but let’s be real, there’s no 401(k) plan for turning into a giant rage monster and smashing everything in sight. Ever since the gamma radiation accident that changed his life forever, Banner’s lived like a man without a country: always on the move, no steady job, no permanent address, and definitely no bank account.
Let’s not forget that being a fugitive from multiple governments doesn’t exactly scream “financial stability.” He’s spent years hiding out in remote villages, doing under-the-table science gigs, or just surviving off the grid. Forget Stark Labs, Bruce is more of a “fix-your-tractor-for-food” kind of guy these days.
And even when he’s not on the run, theHulkisn’t exactly known for leaving property intact. Can you imagine the insurance premiums? The guy could barely hold down a job at a university before something triggered a transformation, and boom, there goes the lab, the faculty lounge, and the funding.
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Sure, he’s occasionally had help from friends like Tony Stark or SHIELD, but that’s more charity than salary. Bruce Banner is the epitome of the “hero who gave up everything,” including a stable financial future. And yet, he still shows up bruised, broke, and barefoot because deep down, he still wants to help.
He may be the strongest Avenger, but when it comes to his wallet, Bruce Banner is definitely the poorest Avenger there is.
2Big Bertha (Ashley Crawford)
By day, Ashley Crawford is a world-famous supermodel gracing the covers of top fashion magazines. She’s tall, glamorous, and raking in cash faster than you can say “strike a pose.” But by night (or, really, whenever duty calls), she turns into Big Bertha, a plus-sized powerhouse with the ability to manipulate her body mass for superhuman strength. The catch? She has to expel all that excess weight after each mission, usually by vomiting it out. Not exactly runway chic.
Now here’s the kicker: despite her high-paying day job, Ashley’s bank account is constantly in danger because she bankrolls her entire superhero team, the Great Lakes Avengers. That’s right, she’s the one footing the bill for gear, transportation, and just about everything else her team needs to scrape by. Think of her as the financially drained mom of a group of grown kids who keep breaking stuff and asking for more snacks.
Sure, she could walk away and live her best rich-girl life, but that’s not who she is. Ashley believes in using her powers for good, even if it means sacrificing her modeling fortune and social status. She’s the kind of hero who would rather be broke and fighting crime than rich and ignoring it.
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So while most heroes are broke because they have to be, Big Bertha is broke because she chooses to be. And honestly? That kind of loyalty deserves more than just a paycheck; it deserves a standing ovation.
3Spider-Man (Peter Parker)
Peter Parkeris probably Marvel’s most iconic everyman, and part of what makes him so beloved is that he’s constantly broke. Seriously, name a point in Peter’s life where money wasn’t a problem. Whether he’s a teenager trying to pay Aunt May’s medical bills or an adult drowning in rent, this guy has been dodging bill collectors longer than he’s been dodging supervillains.
Let’s start with his job: freelance photography. Taking blurrymid-air selfies of himself fighting crimeand selling them to the Daily Bugle for a few bucks? That’s not exactly a six-figure hustle. J. Jonah Jameson is practically allergic to paying Peter what he’s worth, and Peter, being too nice (and broke) to push back, just accepts it.
Even when Peter upgrades to teaching or science gigs, life has a funny way of ripping the rug out from under him. Lab destroyed? Check. Fired over Spider-Man drama? Double check. Rent is due, and Aunt May is sick again? You already know it.
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Despite all this, he never stops doing the right thing. He’ll swing across the city in a suit he probably stitched himself, take on villains with tech worth billions, and still make time to rescue someone’s cat from a tree. It is becausePeter Parker is the ultimate grounded hero, the friendly neighborhood guy who puts the world first, even when his wallet says he shouldn’t.
Spider-Man might not have cash, but he’s got heart, and that’s way more valuable in the Marvel Universe.
4Firestar (Angelica Jones)
Angelica Jones, better known as Firestar, might have flown with the big leagues like the X-Men, the Avengers, and even the New Warriors, but you’d be surprised how little that prestige pays. She’s one of those heroes who gets invited to world-saving events but goes home to unpaid student loans and a shared apartment with peeling paint.
Firestar started off as a mutant teen just trying to get through school, and honestly, not much has changed. She’s often portrayed as someone balancing hero work with trying to finish her education or hold down a teaching gig. Her powers, manipulating microwave radiation, are off the charts, but sadly, they don’t heat up her bank account.
But let’s be honest, that low-key attitude kind of comes back to bite her. While the flashy heroes are out building empires and buying towers, Firestar’s stuck juggling team missions with real-world stuff like student debt and trying to figure out how to afford groceries between crises.
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And no, saving the world doesn’t come with a paycheck or even a thank-you most of the time. There’s no time for a side hustle when you’re flying through explosions or bailing your teammates out of interdimensional chaos.
5Rage (Elvin Haliday)
Rage is literally the definition of “built different.” he’s got the muscles of a grown man and the soul of a 13-year-old kid just trying to figure things out.
After a sketchy chemical spill gave him super strength and aged him up overnight, Elvin didn’t get a mentor, a mansion, or a cool team-up moment. He got thrown into the deep end of superhero life with nothing but raw power and a ton of real-world pressure. And spoiler alert: no one was cutting him any slack.
He did manage to join the Avengers for a hot second, but they treated him more like an intern than an equal. The New Warriors gave him some shine, but the fame didn’t come with a paycheck. Once the superhero buzz wore off, Rage was right back to grinding it out in a world that didn’t care how strong he was, just how quiet he could be.
And through it all? No big salary, no fancy gadgets, no retirement plan. Just a man trying to survive, stand up for his community, and not completely lose it while doing both homework and hero work.
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Rage doesn’t need a flashy suit or a billionaire bestie. He’s raw, real, and ridiculously underappreciated. He’s not just one of Marvel’s poorest heroes financially; he’s one of the richest in heart. And honestly? That’s the kind of energy the world needs more of.
6Doorman (DeMarr Davis)
DeMarr Davis is part of the wonderfully weird Great Lakes Avengers, and his power? He literally becomes a human door. Yes. He lets people pass through his body like a walking portal. Not exactly the kind of ability that gets you a big movie deal or action figure line, right?
But that’s the thing, Doorman’s powers may be weird, but they’re actually pretty useful when the team’s getting stomped by cosmic-level threats on a shoestring budget. Unfortunately, being useful doesn’t mean he’s getting paid. The GLA is more chaotic roommate energy than a polished superhero squad, and most of the time, they’re running on vibes, duct tape, and leftover pizza.
At one point, Doorman dies and becomes an actual angel of death for the cosmic entity Oblivion. You’d think that would come with at least some perks, maybe a cool jacket or a raise? Nope. Just more responsibility, more stress, and still no health insurance.
He’s broke, often overwhelmed, and stuck with some of the most ridiculous teammates in Marvel history, but he never bails. The Doorman keeps showing up, keeps cracking jokes, and keeps making himself useful even when life hands him nothing but losses.
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He’s the guy who opens doors for others (literally and figuratively) but never seems to catch a break himself. And if that’s not relatable, we don’t know what is.
7Luke Cage
He’s one of the toughest guys in the Marvel universe, with skin that can stop bullets and fists that can punch through walls. But what people forget is that Luke started out broke, stayed broke, and had to literally monetize his muscles just to stay afloat. Yes, he turned hero work into a hustle with “Heroes for Hire.” Not because he was greedy, but because a man’s gotta eat.
Luke Cagedidn’t come from money. He came from the streets of Harlem with a past full of injustice, prison time, and pain. And when he got powers, he didn’t suddenly get rich; he got realistic. If you’re gonna fight supervillains and save lives on the regular, it better come with something more than just “thank yous” and property damage bills.
Even when he does start to make a little coin, Luke’s the kind of guy who pours it right back into his community, whether it’s helping people fix up local businesses, protect their neighborhoods, or just keeping the lights on at his own place.
And let’s not forget, his gear has always been budget. No Iron Man suit, no Wakandan tech, just a t-shirt, some jeans, and pure muscle. That’s it. That’s the brand.
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Luke Cage is the kind of hero who shows upwhen no one else will. He’s not rich, flashy, or trying to get famous; he’s just real. And honestly, that’s why people trust him. He’s the neighborhood’s MVP, even when the checks bounce.
8Squirrel Girl (Doreen Green)
Squirrel Girlmight have the power to take down Thanos (yes, really), but let’s be clear, her wallet is not nearly as powerful.
Doreen Green is the ultimate underdog hero. She talks to squirrels, kicks serious villain butt, and does it all with a big smile and a backpack full of snacks. But despite saving the world on more than one occasion, she’s definitely not cashing Avenger-level checks.
Most of the time, Doreen is out here juggling classes, part-time gigs, and chaotic squirrel emergencies. She’s lived in dorms, shared apartments, and probably survived off peanut butter and acorn-based snacks a few too many times. She’s not broke because she’s irresponsible; she’s broke because being a good person doesn’t always pay the bills.
And being one of Marvel’s most lighthearted heroes doesn’t exactly come with luxury perks. No high-tech suits. No mega-salary. Just big heart energy and alot of squirrel sidekicksthat definitely aren’t helping out with rent.
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What makes Squirrel Girl iconic is that she doesn’t care about fame or fortune. She’s out here saving the world, helping people, and solving problems with kindness and chaos while probably Venmo-requesting someone for coffee money afterward.
9Jessica Jones
Jessica Jonesis that hot mess friend who’s always broke, always tired, and somehow still ends up saving everyone’s life.
She gave up the superhero gig ages ago because let’s be real, the costume didn’t suit her, and the trauma was way too real. So now she runs a sketchy little PI business out of her run-down apartment, drinks like it’s cardio, and basically lives off bad takeout and worse decisions. The vibe? Very much “I have superpowers, but I also forgot to pay rent… again.”
And look, Jess isn’t broke because she’s lazy, she’s broke because being a decent person doesn’t exactly pay. Her cases are shady, her clients are flaky, and most of her “income” ends up going toward whiskey and busted phones. She could probably make bank working for the Avengers or Stark Industries or someone legit, but she’s not built for that. She’s built for calling out bullsh*t, punching through walls, and solving mysteries with zero patience and a whole lot of attitude.
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What makesJessica iconic isn’t her strength, but that she shows up even when she’s emotionally wrecked, sleep-deprived, and completely over it. She doesn’t need a cape or a team. Just a hoodie, a sarcastic comeback, and maybe five more minutes of sleep.
10Demolition Man (D-Man)
Demolition Man is proof that not all heroes wear capes; some wear knockoff wrestling gear and sleep in alleyways.
D-Man, aka Dennis Dunphy, started out strong. Literally, he was a pro wrestler with enhanced strength thanks to a super-soldier-ish serum, and for a while, things were looking up. He even fought side-by-side with Captain America. But superhero life, much like the wrestling biz, doesn’t come with job security or mental health days, and D-Man spiraled hard.
Over time, he went from sidekick to street legend, living on the margins of society. He lost his home, his fame, and his footing, but never stopped helping people. At one point, Dennis was literally homeless, patrolling the streets and protecting the unhoused community like a broke, bearded Batman.
He doesn’t have a big team behind him. No gadgets, no fortune, not even a decent costume (it’s basically a mash-up of Daredevil and Wolverine’s old looks, yes, really). But D-Man shows up. Every time. He’s raw, scrappy, and full of heart, doing what he can with what he’s got, which, nine times out of ten, is absolutely nothing.
People laugh at D-Man, but he’s out here protecting folks who get overlooked. He’s a hero for people like him — forgotten, struggling, still standing.
He might not be rich or shiny or remotely stylish, but Demolition Man is one of the realest in the game. No ego. No agenda. Just grit, loyalty, and a heart way bigger than his bank account.
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Honestly, saving the world with zero savings is the real flex. These Marvel heroes might not have billionaire budgets or shiny HQs, but they’ve got heart, hustle, and a whole lot of grit. They’re out here juggling rent, stress, and supervillains and still manage to show up for the fight.
No fancy gadgets. No endless resources. Just vibes, determination, and maybe a busted costume held together by hope (and duct tape). So next time someone talks about their favorite hero, forget the rich guys, give it up for the broke legends holding it down anyway. They’re not just relatable; they’re iconic.
So, which of the poorest Marvel superheroes is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below!
Read about these Marvel heroes now in Marvel Unlimited and Comixology.
Hrishita Das
Articles Published :180
Hrishita Das is an Entertainment Writer at FandomWire, primarily focusing on rankings, retrospectives, and celebrity features. She has published hundreds of articles that explore pop culture’s most talked-about moments, from iconic TV seasons to behind-the-scenes Hollywood stories. Before joining FandomWire, she worked on various editorial and creative writing projects, blending research with engaging narratives. With a graduate degree in Anthropology and a Master’s in Sociology, Hrishita approaches entertainment journalism with a unique cultural and societal lens.A cinephile with a love for auteur-driven cinema, Hrishita often covers the works of filmmakers like Martin Scorsese, Park Chan-wook, and Quentin Tarantino, as well as long-running TV shows with complex character arcs. She also enjoys exploring the legacies of actors, directors, and pop culture phenomena through detailed rankings and profiles.
