Warning! Minor spoilers for Thunderbolts*!In a surprising move, the New Avengers have finally debuted in theMarvel Cinematic Universe. Every year that passes by, a new team comes to the universe, drastically expanding the beloved franchise. And yet,Marvel Studios has onlyscraped the surface of the teams that fans want to see make an appearance in the MCU.
Though they came together and briefly took on the name Thunderbolts, the newest MCU team has been re-brandedas the New Avengers. While the team has a different line-up from the comics, it’s a debut that fans everywhere have surprisingly been on board with. But there are still a lot of other teams fans are hoping to see. Not just other Avengers incarnationslike the Dark Avengersor the West Coast Avengers, but fan-favorite ones like the Power Pack or the Midnight Sons. As the MCU looks ahead, here are 10 other underrated Marvel teams fans would love to see in the MCU.
10Dark Avengers
First Appearance:Dark Avengers #1
If the seriesDark Avengersis remembered for anything, it’s for its outrageous, but engaging premise. This team was founded by Norman Osborn after he became a leading figure in the MCU in the wake ofSecret Invasion. Though publicly presented as the Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, this team is actually composed of villains and anti-heroes. Bullseye is Hawkeye, Spider-Man is Venom,and leading them all is Osborn as a Captain America/ Iron Man hybrid, the Iron Patriot. It’s a wicked concept and one that could make just as big a splash if adapted into the MCU.
9Champions
First Appearance:Champions #1
The Marvel Cinematic Universe has been around for a good long while and its just starting to get its next generation of heroes like Wiccan, America Chavez, and Ms. Marvel going. While a lot of fans have been hoping for a Young Avengers movie, Champions more or less serves the same purpose and would help give the younger heroes their own legacy instead of living in the shadows of their elders.The MCU needs new blood and nothing would help that more than by bringing in the Championsto show the adults what the next era of heroes can do.
8Great Lakes Avengers
First Appearance:The West Coast Avengers #46
Out of all the Avengers teams, few are as odd but captivating as the Great Lakes Avengers. This isn’t a team for the A-listers in the Marvel Universe. Instead, the team is composed of the most underrated and/or lesser-appreciated heroes, like Mr. Immortal, Flatman, and Big Bertha. As lighthearted as the MCU is, the team is certain to stand out due to their ‘goofier’ aesthetics. While most MCU films have a comedic bend to them,a Great Lakes Avengers movie done well has the potential to be one of the funniest movies ever produced in the franchise.
7New Warriors
First Appearance:The Mighty Thor #411
Like the Champions, the New Warriors were created to be a younger counterpart to the Avengers. Though what separated the two was the New Warriors had less legacy characters and more independent heroes like Speedball and Night Thrasher. Interestingly enough, the New Warriors werethisclose to having a show set in the MCU until development fell through. ButMarvel Studios could easily redevelopNew Warriorsfor Disney+and finally give fans the team they’d hoped to see years ago, including the fan-favorite member, Squirrel Girl.
6West Coast Avengers
First Appearance:The West Coast Avengers #1
More than ever, now would be the best time to introduce the West Coast Avengers team. In the comics, this spinoff of the Avengers was founded by Hawkeye, who assembled a team of heroes to expand the heroes’ influence on the Marvel Universe. Thanks toThunderbolts*, fans know that there’s a copyright battle already being fought over the Avengers’ name. Why not throw a wildcard into the mix and have a couple of heroes try to skirt the copyright issue by coming up with thiscompletelyoriginal and non-actionable name,if only to see the headache it’d cause other Avengers?
5Nextwave
First Appearance:Nextwave #1
While the MCU has been fairly straightforward, what it could really use is a really fun, tongue-in-cheek parody of itself. WhileDeadpool & Wolverinewas close, what would be better is a film that brings the team Nextwave into the mix. Nextwave is an anti-terrorist team composed of heroes like Monica Rambeau and Elsa Bloodstone as they fight against the reality manipulations of the Beyond Corporation. While not a team the entire family is likely to enjoy, the inclusion of Nextwave in the Marvel Cinematic Universe would bring the laughs and certainly pump some new life into the franchise.
4The Ultimates
First Appearance:The Ultimates #1
Granted, it may seem redundant to bring the Ultimates to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but the team is quite well-liked among fans. As their name implies, this team comes from the Ultimate universe and are its version of the Avengers. While the MCU was largely inspired by elements of the Ultimate universe (most notably, with Nick Fury being modeled after the Ultimate version), it’d be a real kick to see what the Ultimates would look like in the MCU. Perhapsthe team could even take a bit of inspiration from the most recent overhaul of iconic Marvel squad.
3Power Pack
First Appearance:Power Pack #1
Out of all the younger hero teams the MCU could readily adapt, the Power Pack is at the top of the list. The team is composed of four sibling heroes, Alex, Julie, Jack, and Katie Power, each of whom has a specific power. The team is a real fan-favorite, and they’ve had a bunch of miniseries teaming up with Marvel heroes such as Spider-Man, Thor, Hulk, and the Fantastic Four. Maybe a movie would be too much, buta television series set in the MCU that focuses on these kids and their wacky adventures would be a solid addition.
2Midnight Sons
First Appearance:Ghost Rider #31
The Midnight Sons is a team fans have been dying to see in the Marvel Cinematic Universe for a while now. This team is mostly composed of more supernatural heroes that take on larger supernatural threats to the Marvel Universe. Unfortunately, fans are a way aways from seeing heroes like Blade and Ghost Rider on the silver screen, butwith figures like Moon Knight, Man-Thing, Werewolf by Night, and Wong around, the groundwork is practically laid out. Hopefully, a Midnight Sons MCU movie isn’t too far off as long as some of its more prominent members are on the way.
1Alpha Flight
First Appearance:X-Men #120
With a newX-Menmovie on the horizon and a new Wolverine undoubtedly to follow, there’s never been a better time to start priming Alpha Flight. The team is notable for being one of the most well-known collections of Canadian heroes who were assembled in part due to the assistance of Logan. Alpha Flight has never factored into anyX-Menmovie (orWolverine-focused spin-off, for that matter).The MCU could really help its newX-Menfilms stand out from the past movies by introducing this fan-favorite collection of heroesfrom the Great White North.
