4. Valkyrie
It took nine years and seventeen films before finally a woman of color Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson) was depicted in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the wait was well worth it. When we first meet Valkyrie, she is a former Asgardian warrior and leader and last survivor of the Valkyries in exile. While in exile on the planet Sakaar, Valkyrie resides as a bounty hunter for the Grandmaster (Jeff Goldblum) and part time training partner for The Hulk.
Valkyrie could have easily been fetishized like other female characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, instead Tessa Thompson embodies a character that is able to stand against strong male leads and be a hero instead of someone in search of one.