While some heroes are blessed with powers of flight and teleportation, or even have the ability to swing from webs, some need to rely on more conventional modes of transport. To shift themselves across cities, or to move their teams across the galaxy, no good hero is without a reliable transportation method. Very often, some of them do not even need it.
The Marvel universe has had some iconic vehicles in its time. From military jets to floating aircraft carriers, they have provided the backdrop to many adventures. Some of them, on occasion, even manage to arrive at their destination intact.
10 Blackbird Jet
The Blackbird is the iconic jet favored by the X-Men as their main method of transport. It was a predecessor to their privately purchased Stratojet, which was destroyed in a battle with Count Nefaria. For a long period, its hanger was underneath the swimming pool on the grounds of Xavier's school and was used by the X-Men extensively.
Many people do not realize that the Blackbird is actually a brand of a jet produced by Lockheed aviation and not a fictional mode of transport. The SR-71 was introduced by the company in 1966 as a military stealth aircraft. There were only 32 known to be built.
9 Fantasti-Car
The Fantasti-Car is the four-seater vehicle used by the Fantastic Four to traverse long distances. It has undergone a number of remodels and in its time throughout various comic runs. Its first incarnation looked like an open-top, futuristic car mixed with a bathtub. Its modern versions look somewhat more like jets, with the latest version bearing similarities to the shape of a manta ray.
The original Fantasti-Car was capable of splitting into four separate component parts. This allowed each member of the team to travel separately, although it was recently repurposed by Deadpool, who used it to scour Manhattan.
8 Quinjet
First designed by Wakandan scientists, the Quinjet was known as the aircraft of choice for The Avengers. While early designs were simple, newer versions have become much more complex. It is capable of reaching Mach 2.1 and spaceflight.
One of the jet's biggest upgrades was provided by Peter Parker, also known as Spiderman. He added a host of stealth options to the craft, making it undetectable by sonar and radar. It has been used by a number of Avengers splinter squads. These have included the Champions, who affectionately named it the 'Champjet'.
7 S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier
The Helicarrier is one of the few vehicles that is both a base of operations, a mode of transport, and a huge weapon. It is the headquarters of S.H.I.E.L.D, though, for an espionage agency, it is not a subtle way to hide. This has been proven in the number of times it has been destroyed and rebuilt.
Built by Tony Stark, Reed Richards, and Forge, to date there have been over 20 known models. It has been known to turn invisible, been able to operate as a submarine, and even at one point turned into a giant robot. One incarnation even saw it adorned in the red and gold color scheme of Iron Man.
6 Punisher's Battle Van
While many superheroes opt for the glitz and glamour of flying cars and hi-tech jets, Frank Castle stays true to his roots. As the vigilante Punisher, Castle has driven many innocent-looking black and blue vans. Yet, each of them has had a number of surprise additions.
For this simple Ford V-6 van, attractive features such as onboard entertainment systems and heated seating have been cast out. Instead, expect built-in grenade launchers, miniguns, and gas, tear and fog delivery systems. The vans even have a peel-off layer of paint and license plates, to quickly dispatch anyone who may be in pursuit.
5 Silver Surfer's Board
In the history of Marvel, never has a mode of transport been so linked to a character as the Silver Surfer to his board. Gifted to him by Galactus and imbued with the power cosmic, it allows him to fly faster than light.
The abilities awarded by the board, and those which belong to the surfer himself, can often be unclear. The board can allow travel through interstellar space and hyperspace. This allows the rider to traverse to galaxies billions of light-years away. It has also allowed the rider to travel through time on numerous occasions, often taking others with him.
4 Hell Cycle
Of all the vehicles on the list, arguably the most iconic is the Hell Cycle. A beastly motorcycle with flaming wheels, it is ridden by the Ghost Rider. Created by the demon Mephisto, it is the chosen method of transport for his emissaries, the Spirits of Vengeance.
There have been a number of hell cycles over the years, but the most iconic was the original. Ridden by the powerful Johnny Blaze, the gas cap was a medallion of power that turned Blaze into the Ghost Rider. Who would not want to ride a motorcycle with a flaming skull as your safety helmet?
3 S.H.I.E.L.D. Flying Car
The S.H.I.E.L.D. flying car has changed its look from various makes and models over the years. However, it has always retained the same basic principle. The front and back wheels fold down to provide thrusters, so any normal looking car can suddenly take to the air.
Unlike the Fantasi-Car, this flying vehicle is much more suited for espionage. Originally built around a Porsche 904 chassis, it has been modified to suit everything from an Aston Martin to a Mercedes. Reed Richards even fitted it with holographic projectors, so that it could change to any look like any object the driver wished.
2 Spider-Mobile
One of the most iconic, yet slightly zany transport modes, is the Spider-Mobile. This large dune buggy has the ability to drive up and down walls, sticking to them like Spiderman. Yet despite its crazy concept, its origin actually made a lot of sense.
The Spider-Mobile was actually built on a green, non-polluting engine. When the company needed a surefire marketing plan to advertise their new car, they approached Spiderman. After initially refusing, he decided that the money was too good to refuse. With the help of the Human Torch, he would adapt it and start to use it on the streets of New York in several important stories.
1 Goblin Glider
Never has a simple vehicle been used for so much evil. Originally a flying broomstick created by the Green Goblin, it was later modified to be a Bat-like glider. This allowed the Green Goblin exceptional flight mobility, as good as any physical power could be.
The goblin glider has been used by many people since. The Hobgoblin has a variation, as does the Punisher and even Spiderman himself. However, its greatest moment came when the Green Goblin managed to impale himself to a wall with it. The storyline immediately killed the character off, or so fans were led to believe.