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By oldest character I don't mean the age of the character in the story, but rather in our world. Most comics heroes have been around for decades. For example, Spider-Man was first introduced in 1962.

Out of all the characters who have appeared on-screen in any MCU movie or TV show, which one has been around the longest as a comic book character?

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I believe that would go to both Captain America (Steve Rogers) and Bucky Barnes who both premiered in Captain America Comics Issue 1 that was released in March 1941.

Captain America Comics issue 1 front cover showing Steve punching Hitler
Click image to enlarge.

Interestingly, the next debut of an MCU character in Marvel Comics that I can find I think is actually Jimmy Woo (Ant-Man and the Wasp, WandaVision) who debuted in Yellow Claw Vol. 1 Issue 1 (1956).

Yellow Claw Issue 1 front cover
Click image to enlarge.

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    Upvoting because this is the most correct answer, due to the restrictions of being in the MCU, and the nature of the characters. While Vision was older, it was an entirely different Vision, and the Human Torch is not currently in the MCU except as a brief throw-away easter egg. Other possiblities of the same name but different origin include Black Widow and Falcon.
    – Carson
    Mar 19, 2021 at 16:38
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    It could also arguably go to Hitler.
    – Fivesideddice
    Mar 20, 2021 at 4:00
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    @Fivesideddice I think Thor has Hitler beat.
    – Matthew Wells
    Mar 20, 2021 at 7:56
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    Wow, that's pretty racist even for the time.
    – Graham
    Mar 20, 2021 at 15:23
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    @Graham If you're talking about the Yellow Claw comic, I wouldn't be surprised if it was intended to be progressive for its time. After all, it features a Chinese-American hero, even if he's fighting a horribly stereotypical Fu Manchu/yellow peril stereotype who was recruited by Chairman Mao to overthrow the American government to replace it with communism.
    – nick012000
    Mar 21, 2021 at 5:41
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I could make a case for The Human Torch - premiered in 1939 in Marvel Comics #1

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Although the character has been re-purposed from the original android (to Johnny Storm in the Fantastic Four), the original does appear in Captain America: The First Avenger in a Easter egg appearance at the World's Fair Expo

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    He was also the first Marvel character I think as well? And good spot here, it's been a while since I've watched TFA and I completely forgot about this.
    – TheLethalCarrot ♦
    Mar 19, 2021 at 16:10
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    Johnny Storm isn't in the MCU (yet), even discounting the switch from the android to the human Human Torch.
    – Zeiss Ikon
    Mar 19, 2021 at 16:19
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    My only gripe with this is whether you can count a throwaway Easter Egg and homage as a character. That said I have certainly upvoted it.
    – TheLethalCarrot ♦
    Mar 19, 2021 at 16:34
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    This Human Torch isn't Johnny Storm, but rather an android.
    – NomadMaker
    Mar 20, 2021 at 17:36
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    I make that point in the answer.
    – Paulie_D
    Mar 20, 2021 at 19:47

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