The first Swordsman was Jacques DuQuesne. He along with Trickshot helped train the Avenger known as Hawkeye. Jacques was caught stealing money from the circus that all three men worked for as performers. He would later join the Avengers as a spy for the Mandarin, but was discovered by Captain America. After the betrayal of the team he left their ranks. At that point he worked for Egghead, Batroc's Brigade, and the Lethal Legion. Eventually rejoined the Avengers for the assault on Olympus. He would later travel around the world as a drunken mercenary. Until the woman known as Mantis entered his life. She helped Jacques regain his self-respect back. He would once again rejoin the Avenger ranks along with Mantis. Jacques sacrificed his life to save Mantis from Kang in the " Celestial Madonna Quest". Swordsman's sword was created by the Madarin from Mukluan Technology. It served as a melee weapon, fire energy blast of various types, as well as fire and gas.

The second Swordsman, Philip Javert was from Earth-921 and was briefly a member of Earth-616 Avengers.

The current swordsman is Andreas Strucker, formerly known along with his sister as Fenris.

In addition to his superior swordsmanship skills, Andreas was genetically altered in-utero and can channel blasts of force through his blade. His power is only activated through skin to skin contact with his sister, which he accomplishes by having the hilt of his sword wrapped in her preserved skin.

Alternate Realities

Earth-398

In this reality Philip Javert was the Swordsman and he was a member of the Queen's Guard.