Dr. Strange in the Multiverse of Madness has introduced many fan-favorite characters to the MCU. While some of these characters have proven to be absolute powerhouses, there have been a good number of characters who have shown that intellect is one of their best qualities as a hero.
Along with returning characters, Phase 4 of the MCU has proved to have some of the most intelligent characters in the entire MCU. Here’s a look at how the most intelligent characters of the MCU’s Phase 4 stack up against each other.
The Mandarin (Xu Wenwu)
Thousands of years old, Xu Wenwu conquered countless kingdoms and held the title of “The Most Dangerous Man on Earth”. While the Ten Rings are the main reason for his success and power, the Mandarin’s intellect and skills as a battle tactician make him one of the most menacing villains in the MCU.
Paired with the amazing performance from Tony Leung Chiu-wai, the Mandarin proved to be one of the best and most intelligent villains so far in Phase 4.
Spider-Man
While Spider-Man is now one of the most charismatic and likable characters in the MCU, fans sometimes forget that Peter Parker started off as a typical high school nerd. Along creating his own web formula, Peter Parker has engineered a high-tech version of his suit and used his wit and intellect to hold back Dr. Strange.
As many fans like to call Peter Parker the new Tony Stark of the MCU, Spider-Man definitely earns a spot as one of the most intelligent characters in Phase 4 of the MCU.
Howard Stark
Picking up right where he left off in Captain America: The First Avenger, Howard Stark showed in episode one of What If…? that he is still a man whose capabilities are only held back by the time period of which he was a part of. After obtaining the Tesseract, Howard Stark put his genius on display by creating a version of an Iron Man suit called the Hydra Stomper.
As fans of the MCU love to marvel at the genius of Tony Stark, Howard Stark proved that the apple didn’t fall too far from the tree.
Dr. Strange
Even before becoming the Sorcerer Supreme, Dr. Strange was already a very accomplished surgeon. Taking his sharp mind and photographic memory to the Mystic Arts, Stephen Strange was able to cultivate a cosmic-level intelligence and also put into action the plan to take down Thanos.
As it is the foundation for his power and one of the many reasons why he is an amazing hero, Dr. Strange’s mind makes him one of the most intelligent characters of Phase 4 and the entire MCU.
Professor X
Aside from the long-awaited debut of mutants in the MCU, Professor X’s appearance in Dr. Strange in the Multiverse of Madness was one of the most fan-pleasing moments of Phase 4. As the world’s strongest mind, Charles Xavier’s ability as a telepath makes him one of the smartest people in the world.
As he is also a specialist in mutant biology and sociology, Professor X’s scientific background combined with the limitless intellect he can tap into because of his powers makes him one of the most intelligent characters fans have seen in Phase 4 thus far.
Phastos
While Eternals wasn’t one of the highlights of Phase 4, there’s no denying that the film introduced some of the most powerful and intelligent characters in the MCU with the smartest of these being Phastos. As a cosmic being who has guided humankind through thousands of years of advancement and invented many machines vital to human progress
Phastos has shown that his skills as a genius inventor make him one of the most powerful members of the Eternals as he was able to hold his own against Ikaris and even subdue him.
Vision
Though his future in the MCU is uncertain for now Vision has always been one of the most intelligent characters in the MCU. Having not just the power but also the sentience of the Mind Stone gives Vision a supreme intellect and deep understanding of the universe.
One of the last times fans saw Vision was when he used his intellect to convince White Vision to allow him to transfer his memories to his white counterpart, Vision has shown time and time again that his mind is one of his strongest weapons.
Reed Richards
Although he didn’t get to show off much of his superior intellect in Dr. Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Reed Richards is possibly the smartest character to make an appearance in the MCU thus far. Teleporting to the Illuminati hearing, Reed Richard immediately shows that his intelligence is on a whole other level.
With a Fantastic 4 movie in development for the MCU, it’s only a matter of time before fans get to see more of Mr. Fantastic and his amazing intellect.
He Who Remains
As a variant of Kang the Conqueror, He Who Remains is perhaps the most intelligent character in the MCU multiverse. As he stays in the Citadel at the End of Time, He Who Remains has the deepest understanding of time, technology, and the universe the likes of which haven’t been seen yet in the MCU.
He Who Remains is from an Earth almost a thousand years into the future and while he may not have any actual powers, his incomprehensible intellect alone gives him what it takes to be the next big bad of the MCU.
The Watcher
This entry might be a little unfair to the geniuses and hard-earned intellect of the humans, mutants, and heroes on Earth, but The Watcher has a cosmic awareness of the entire multiverse. As he knows everything that has happened and will happen across the multiverse, The Watcher is the textbook definition of an omniscient being.
While it’s doubtful fans will ever get to see The Watcher show off his intellect and power due to his strict “no interference” policy, The Watcher is the most intelligent character in Phase 4 and the entirety of the MCU.
