Marvel Cinematic Universe: Ranking the 20 greatest superheroes

12. Rocket Raccoon/Groot

Rocket Raccoon and Groot, two CGI characters from Guardians of the Galaxy, get their own section, due to their unusual ways of being heroes. Neither are humans, but other species that no one would expect to save the galaxy in Marvel’s intergalactic adventures.

Rocket’s personality turns people the wrong way, given his frequent arguments and fights with Star-Lord. This happened in both Guardians of the Galaxy movies, including in the first one, when Rocket attempted to capture Peter Quill on Xandar. Couple that with Rocket stealing batties in Vol. 2, and it didn’t exactly make him a hero.

Despite this, Rocket still acts as an anti-hero. He won’t be like Captain America, who someone will look up to as the superhero savior of the planet. Instead, it’s as this genetically-altered animal that may be a nuisance, but proves to be someone viewers can get behind, especially when he assists Yandu escape from Taserface and assisting in Ego’s destruction.

As for Groot, he sacrificed himself in the first Guardians of the Galaxy film to save his friends. That takes him out of the Rocket-esque anti-hero conversation.

Then, there’s Baby Groot, the one who doesn’t understand directions and the character we can’t figure out, either, unless he says “I am Groot.” He saved the Guardians in Vol. 2, by placing the bomb on Ego’s core, too, which put him at the forefront of the movie’s heroics, again.

These two are unusual characters, but ones viewers can get behind. Oh, and Baby Groot makes for a great merchandise tool. Go figure, right?