Real Avengers?

With the unveiling of the 'new' New Avengers, there have been quite a few comments about how there are no "real Avengers" on the team (although the comments are more about the lack of classic Avengers on the team as I understand it) as well as comments about how there are too many street levellers on the team.

What makes a character a good addition to the Avengers? Suitable of carrying the mantle of the title?
What kind of mix of characters would make for a good Avengers line-up and good stories?

What would be your ideal/dream Avengers line-up?
(Let's say 6-8 team members)

I think any character can be an Avenger given the right circumstance. The character and the team itself should never have to match any kind of archetype, in the long run that's nothing but limiting.

As for my ideal lineup...

Iron Man
Scarlet Witch
Wonder Man
Hawkeye
Vision
Spider-Woman
Jacosta
Beast
With Thor and Cap coming in and out.

Or something along those lines...

The classic avenger feel, for me, is alot like what I think the Might Avengers will be like. Theres some element about them that makes them feel more like 'classic' superheroes, rather then the New Avengers. And that isn't because of the power level of the members of the roster- Dr. Strange is on there, but he doesn't feel like a 'classic' superhero.

I don't know if anyone understands what I'm saying...

Basically, Ms. Marvel, Wasp, Sentry, Ares- ALL seem to fit the 'superhero' archetype. The black and white, good and evil, great power with great responsibility, often spandex-wearing archetype.

The New Avengers seems to be a little edgier, slightly rag-tag, though not neccessarilly worse. Just different.

As for my team:
Captain America
Spider-Woman
Ms. Marvel
Black Panther
Wasp
Falcon
Ironman
Luke Cage

While I myself have never been an Avenger reader, from I can gather they are supposed to be the Earth's greatest defense. If we are taking that term literally, then a character that can provide a greater variety of powers than just....well.....punch and kick. However, to create diversity I think you need some heavy hitters, then some more street level characters for more Black Ops type stuff.

If I had to create a team it would look something like:

Strange (just because I thought he was a cool pick in the new book)
Hawkeye (as leader, I can only take so much Cap)
Invisible Woman
Luke Cage
Beast (you need a guy with smarts)
Crystal
Thor
Quasar
and Multiple Man because I think that would be interesting

I cant think of a decent non mutant telepath, and a speedster besides QS.

Originally posted by Lucid Lui
I think any character can be an Avenger given the right circumstance.
Or something along those lines...

While I understand what ur saying, I dont agree with it. The Avengers are supposed to be the elite team, most prestigious team in the MU. A heroes should prove him/herself before being considered into the team. I like Wolvie but he really doesnt belongs in the Avengers. If they need him, call him, ask him for assistance and then off u go. Same goes for some of the New Avengers, I like the characters but they dont belong n the team(Spider-Woman, Ronin, Sentry). My team would be:

Captain America
Spider-Man
Thor
Iron Man
Ms.Marvel
Vision
Captain Mar-Vell
Hawkeye
Storm( I would love to see her on the team at least for a few months.)

I can agree with most of what's been said. It's a premier team, so the members should be tried and true heroes, but at the same time if written well any character could become an Avenger.

In terms of team dynamics; I think a range of power levels and types, as well as a variety of personalities makes for a good team. I'd probably have a mix of veterans and newer additions.

Hawkeye - I like the idea of him leading the team.
Ms Marvel
Vision
Sersi
Spider-Man
Storm - I think she'd make a nice addition, and she has history with Carol. Her powers are also very versatile.
Black Panther - Every team needs a brain.
Ares - Every team needs a brick.

With appearances by Thor & Dr Strange when the threat warrants it. As well as guest appearances by Wolverine and Captain America. Although I'm pretty fickle so I'd probably change the line-up every few arcs if it were up to me. Madrox would be interesting. Cloak and Dagger might be interesting additions too.

I say take it back to basics

Captain America
Iron Man
Hawkeye
Thor
Hercules
Wonder Man
Vision
Wasp
Hank Pym
Beast
Sersi
Scarlet Witch

More or less. I'd keep Dr. Strange out of it. He's a Defender, and needs to stick with it, all things considered. Him, Surfer, Hulk, and Namor are awesome as a team, though Namor fits well on both Avengers and Defenders.

The good question is what makes someone a good Avenger. I think more or less it's the bravery and willingness to take up the fight. I guess that the Avengers are essentially people that resemble what every American wants to be.

Now, most people who live outside the US probably think that's weak, but the companies do exist in the U.S. primarily.

Anywho, I guess it's just a level of strength and dedication that I honestly don't see in other books. The X-Men is more of a team to go against the norm. The Defenders seem to be the team that keeps the outer dimensional forces outside our home dimension, but seem to have a lot of tension, like a ticking time bomb.

The Avengers are more or less the typical American story of a team, though they're probably the most powerful team in Marvel as a whole, unless you go into dumb technicalities like "OMG TEH X-MEN HAVE DEAH PHEONICKS FROCE!"

That, and it seems that the Avengers have probably the most interesting character lineup, at least in my opinion, which I why Wolverine and Echo, or any other Ninja, need to be kept out of the picture. Hate to say it, but I may end up buying Mighty Avengers, provided they keep Ares quiet.

Bah an Avengers team should embody the aussie way of life.

Genis
Thor
Scarlet witch
Pietro
Vision
Hawkeye
Black Cat

My ideal Avengers is one that isn't too powerful:

Captain America (Greatest leader in the world)
Hercules (replacement for Thor and Hulk)
Iron Man (cool...nuff said)
Hawkeye (rebeller, and also for humor)
Storm (cool powers and leadership skills)
Scarlet Witch (young, naive magic user prove useful)
Vision (non human point of view)
White Queen (team needs telepath, and a mean hot chick)
Quicksilver (see Iron Man)

I think this is the perfect balance of powers, personalities, and interesting stories. They're not TOO powerful (as if they had Thor) but they can be VERY powerful if they work as a team.

Based on my favourite Avengers stories over the years, and the general consistency of the books quality, my Avengers Dream Team would look like this;

Superman
Wonder Woman
Flash
Hal Jordan
Martian Manhunter
Aquaman
Batman
Green Arrow
Zatanna

😖hifty:

Originally posted by Blair Wind
If I had to create a team it would look something like:

Strange (just because I thought he was a cool pick in the new book)
Hawkeye (as leader, I can only take so much Cap)
Invisible Woman
Luke Cage
Beast (you need a guy with smarts)
Crystal
Thor
Quasar
and Multiple Man because I think that would be interesting

I like Multiple Man ... but I can't see him leaving X-Factor .... though maybe one of his dupes could join the team (dupes can make dupes... right?)

Beast? .. meh ... I know he's a dick, but Hank Pym >> Beast

If IW is gonna be there you may as well add the Torch.

Originally posted by Blair Wind
I cant think of a decent non mutant telepath, and a speedster besides QS.

Moondragon and Makkari?

What was great about the Avengers was the personalities and interactions of the team and its members. They have had powerful members but anyone is gonna base their argument based on the fact the them needs to be the strongest is forgetting some of the other teams in history have not been about strength. Avengers membership wasn't about how powerful you were but about whether or not you had what it takes to be a hero. If it was about power then why would Wasp and Hawkeye ever be allowed on the team. Pre Bendis my ideal Avengers lineup was

Captain America
Iron Man
Spider-Man
Ant-Man (Scott Lang)
Hawkeye
Ms Marvel
Wasp (only cause I needed another female)

The only REAL avenger is Triathalon and EVERYONE knows it!

Captain America - Leader

Hawkeye

Scarlet Witch

Ms. Marvel

She-Hulk

Spider-Woman

Antman (Pym) and Wasp

and Crystal

My Avengers Dream Team:
Captain America
Thor
IronMan
Quasar
Scarlet Witch
Antman
Vison
Hulk

Cap
Iron-man
Thor
Hawkeye
Scarlet Witch
Vision
Quicksilver
She Hulk

Smurph's Avengers, group 2:
Hawkeye
She-Hulk
Vision
Moonknight
Ares
Antman (Scott Lang)
Jack of Hearts
Psylocke

Personally i would of liked the Avengers to have two seperate teams. The first being a street level team that would take on the small-medium threats. The team would look like this, and be called the Secret Avengers:

1. Cap
2. Luke Cage
3. Iron Fist
4. Hawkeye
5. Ronin
6. Echo
7. Spider Woman
8. Hercules

Then I would have the New Avengers team that would be kind of like JLA to take on the major threats to Earth. Something like this:

1. Iron Man
2. Thor
3. Hank Pym
4. Sentry
5. Dr. Strange
6. Ms. Marvel
7. She- Hulk
8. Ares

Then when there is a really big event or threat both teams would unite and become the MIGHTY Avengers.

Magneto
Thor
Quicksilver
Scarlet Witch
Cap A.

Back-Up V. Major Threats
Sentry
Doc. Strange
Iron Man w/ Uber Suit
FF

Wonderman
Beast
Iron Man
Wasp
Cap
Thor
Vision
Scarlet Witch sometimes
Hawkeye sometimes
HAnk Pym sometimes

Nuff Said 🙂