====== U.S.Avengers ======
===== Part 1: The Dossier: An At-a-Glance Summary =====
  *   **Core Identity: The U.S.Avengers were a United States government-sanctioned superhero team, ingeniously formed by Roberto da Costa from his rebranded A.I.M. (American Intelligence Mechanics) to serve as a patriotic and publicly accountable replacement for the fallen S.H.I.E.L.D.**
  *   **Key Takeaways:**
    *  **Role in the Universe:** Created in the wake of [[civil_war_ii|Civil War II]], the U.S.Avengers were designed to restore public faith in superheroes by operating with full government transparency. They merged the scientific resources of [[aim|American Intelligence Mechanics]] with the field expertise of seasoned heroes, becoming the nation's premier defense force.
    *  **Primary Impact:** The team's most defining moment came during the [[secret_empire]] event, where they became one of the few organized resistance cells fighting against HYDRA's takeover of America. Their defiance, even after being disavowed and hunted, cemented their heroic legacy despite their short operational history.
    *  **Key Incarnations:** The U.S.Avengers are a concept exclusive to the Earth-616 comics continuity. They **do not exist in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU)**, and their narrative role as a government-controlled team is thematically occupied in the MCU by initiatives led by figures like Thaddeus Ross and the emerging [[thunderbolts]] team.
===== Part 2: Origin and Evolution =====
==== Publication History and Creation ====
The U.S.Avengers burst onto the scene as part of Marvel's "All-New, All-Different Marvel" publishing initiative. The team was conceived by the critically acclaimed writer **Al Ewing** and visually brought to life by artist **Paco Medina**. Their formal introduction occurred in a prelude story within *New Avengers* (Vol. 4) #18 in December 2016, but their own flagship title, **''U.S.Avengers'' #1**, launched in January 2017.
The creation of the team was a direct spin-off from Ewing's celebrated run on //New Avengers//, which saw the mutant billionaire [[roberto_da_costa|Roberto da Costa (Sunspot)]] purchase and reform the villainous organization A.I.M. into a force for good. The series was created in a real-world political climate of heightened patriotism and debate over government oversight, themes which Ewing masterfully wove into the team's narrative. The concept of a globally-recognized, nation-specific Avengers team was not new—with counterparts like Canada's [[alpha_flight]] or Britain's [[excalibur]]—but the U.S.Avengers were unique in their direct claim to the "Avengers" name and their high-profile, public-facing mandate within the United States.
==== In-Universe Origin Story ====
=== Earth-616 (Prime Comic Universe) ===
The formation of the U.S.Avengers is the culmination of Roberto da Costa's ambitious and audacious plan. After gaining control of Advanced Idea Mechanics, he rebranded the notorious science-terrorist group into **American Intelligence Mechanics**, turning their vast resources and brilliant (if morally flexible) scientists towards heroic endeavors. Operating from a mobile headquarters, he led a new incarnation of the [[new_avengers]], successfully combating threats across the globe.
However, the superhero community was soon shattered by the events of //Civil War II//. The conflict between [[captain_marvel_carol_danvers|Captain Marvel]] and [[iron_man_tony_stark|Iron Man]] left the public's trust in its heroes at an all-time low. Simultaneously, the global security network S.H.I.E.L.D. was still reeling from its own internal corruption and repeated failures. Seeing a power vacuum and a crisis of confidence, the U.S. government, represented by the grizzled **General Robert L. Maverick**, approached da Costa with a unique proposition.
The government would officially sanction A.I.M., granting it legitimacy and resources. In exchange, A.I.M.'s super-team would be rebranded and federalized, becoming the new, official Avengers of the United States. The goal was to create a team that was both powerful and patriotic, a symbol of stability the American people could rally behind.
Da Costa, a shrewd strategist, agreed. He understood, however, that as a Brazilian mutant, he could not be the public face of such a team. To lead the U.S.Avengers, he adopted the heroic mantle of **Citizen V**, a legacy hero identity with deep roots in American wartime history. Cloaked in anonymity, he assembled a diverse roster:
  * **[[cannonball|Cannonball (Sam Guthrie)]]:** A seasoned X-Man and Avenger, chosen for his unwavering moral compass and immense power.
  * **[[red_hulk|Red Hulk (General Maverick)]]:** The government's own man on the team, using a nanotech "Hulk Plug-in" to grant him incredible strength for limited periods.
  * **[[squirrel_girl|Squirrel Girl (Doreen Green)]]:** An often-underestimated powerhouse with a surprising knack for defeating cosmic-level threats.
  * **[[iron_patriot_toni_ho|Iron Patriot (Dr. Toni Ho)]]:** The brilliant engineer daughter of Ho Yinsen, who created her own advanced version of the Iron Patriot armor.
  * **Enigma (Aikku Jokinen):** A biologist bonded to a powerful suit of armor that could manifest the abilities of other heroes.
Operating from the newly established **Secret Avenger Mountain** (a repurposed Project P.E.G.A.S.U.S. facility inside a dormant volcano), the U.S.Avengers became America's first line of defense.
=== Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) ===
To be unequivocally clear, **the U.S.Avengers organization does not exist in the Marvel Cinematic Universe**. There has been no mention of the team, American Intelligence Mechanics, or a government initiative to form an officially branded "U.S.Avengers."
However, the thematic seeds for such a group are deeply embedded in the MCU's long-running narrative. The core concept of the U.S.Avengers—a government-controlled superhero team created in response to the destructive autonomy of other heroes—is the very philosophy that drove the creation of the **Sokovia Accords**. The desire for accountability and government oversight, championed by figures like Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross, is a central conflict of the MCU's post-//Avengers: Age of Ultron// era.
While the team itself is absent, several components and thematic analogues can be identified:
  * **The [[thunderbolts|Thunderbolts]]:** The upcoming MCU film is set to introduce the Thunderbolts, a government-assembled team of anti-heroes and reformed villains under the control of Valentina Allegra de Fontaine. This group serves a very similar narrative function to the U.S.Avengers: a state-sanctioned alternative to the independent Avengers.
  * **[[us_agent|U.S. Agent (John Walker)]]:** The character of John Walker represents the government's attempt to create its own, more compliant Captain America, embodying the patriotic branding central to the U.S.Avengers concept.
  * **[[red_hulk|Red Hulk]]:** The transformation of Thaddeus Ross into the Red Hulk has been confirmed for the film //Captain America: Brave New World//. In the comics, General Maverick's Red Hulk was the government's muscle on the U.S.Avengers. In the MCU, Ross's Red Hulk will likely be a key asset for whatever government-backed faction he leads.
  * **[[iron_patriot]] Armor:** The Iron Patriot armor has already appeared in the MCU, most notably worn by James "Rhodey" Rhodes ([[war_machine|War Machine]]) in //Iron Man 3//. This establishes the precedent for patriotic, government-endorsed armored heroes.
Ultimately, the MCU has chosen to explore the theme of government-controlled super-teams through the lens of the Thunderbolts, a property with a different, but equally rich, comic book history. The direct adaptation of the U.S.Avengers remains highly unlikely.
===== Part 3: Mandate, Structure & Key Members =====
=== Earth-616 (Prime Comic Universe) ===
==== Mandate and Doctrine ====
The primary mandate of the U.S.Avengers was to protect the United States and its interests, both domestically and abroad, operating with the full authority of the federal government. Their doctrine was twofold:
1.  **Public Accountability:** Unlike the often secretive S.H.I.E.L.D. or the self-governing Avengers, the U.S.Avengers were designed for transparency. Their missions were officially sanctioned, and they were, in theory, answerable to the American people through their government liaisons. This was their key selling point in a world tired of superhero-induced collateral damage.
2.  **Technological Supremacy:** By integrating with American Intelligence Mechanics, the team had access to bleeding-edge science and technology far beyond that of a typical government agency. Their role was not just to fight threats, but to out-think and out-innovate them.
==== Structure and Resources ====
^ **Aspect** ^ **Description** ^
| **Leadership** | Publicly, the team was led by the enigmatic **Citizen V**. In reality, all strategic and financial decisions were made by **Roberto da Costa**. Field command was delegated to the experienced veteran, **Cannonball**. |
| **Government Liaison** | **General Robert L. Maverick** served as the team's direct link to the Pentagon and U.S. military command, while also serving as the Red Hulk on the active roster. |
| **Funding** | The U.S.Avengers operated on a hybrid funding model. While they received a budget from the Department of Defense, the majority of their operational costs, advanced technology, and facilities were financed by Roberto da Costa's immense personal fortune. |
| **Base of Operations** | **Secret Avenger Mountain**: A highly advanced base located within a hollowed-out volcano that formerly housed Project: P.E.G.A.S.U.S. It was equipped with a global teleportation network, advanced A.I.M. laboratories, state-of-the-art training facilities, and powerful defensive systems. |
| **Support Staff** | The team was supported by the full staff of American Intelligence Mechanics. This included thousands of reformed A.I.M. scientists, engineers, and technicians (still wearing their iconic "beekeeper" suits, but now in red, white, and blue) who provided technical, medical, and logistical support. |
==== Roster Breakdown ====
  * **Citizen V (Roberto da Costa):** The team's founder, financier, and secret leader. Posing as the patriotic Citizen V, he directed the team from the shadows. His vast intellect and strategic acumen were his primary weapons, though he would subtly use his [[sunspot|Sunspot]] powers to enhance his physical performance within the Citizen V suit.
  * **Cannonball (Sam Guthrie):** The heart and soul of the team, serving as its official field leader. As an "external mutant" with a near-invulnerable thermo-chemical energy field, he was the team's primary heavy-hitter and moral anchor. His experience with both the [[x-men]] and Avengers made him a respected and capable commander.
  * **Red Hulk (General Robert L. Maverick):** A tough-as-nails military man, Maverick used a device called a "Hulk Plug-in" which allowed him to transform into a Red Hulk for exactly one hour every 36 hours. This strict time limit was both a tactical consideration and a source of dramatic tension, as he would revert to his human form at the most inopportune times.
  * **Squirrel Girl (Doreen Green):** Officially the team's "heavy recon" specialist and computer science expert. While often seen as comic relief, her unbeatable combat record (having defeated the likes of Doctor Doom and Thanos) and her unique ability to communicate with squirrels made her a surprisingly effective and versatile member.
  * **Iron Patriot (Dr. Toni Ho):** A certified genius with PhDs in multiple engineering fields, Toni Ho was the team's chief technologist. Following in the footsteps of her father, Ho Yinsen, she built her own highly advanced Iron Patriot armor, which she constantly upgraded. She provided the team with its technological edge and was responsible for maintaining much of its equipment.
  * **Enigma (Aikku Jokinen):** A Finnish biologist who, after an encounter with the alien God-Thing, became bonded to a sophisticated battlesuit. The suit allowed her to manifest a wide array of powers by replicating the abilities of other superheroes, making her the team's most unpredictable asset. She was also in a committed relationship with teammate Toni Ho.
  * **[[baron_zemo|Baron Helmut Zemo]]:** In the team's darkest hour during //Secret Empire//, it was revealed that the Citizen V identity had been co-opted by HYDRA's Baron Zemo. He used the respected mantle to manipulate the team and sow chaos from within, representing a profound betrayal of their trust.
=== Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) ===
As the team does not exist in the MCU, a direct comparison of its structure and roster is not possible. However, one can analyze the status of its key members within the cinematic universe to understand why a direct adaptation would be challenging:
^ **Character** ^ **MCU Status & Analysis** ^
| **Roberto da Costa / Sunspot** | Not yet introduced in the MCU. Previously appeared in 20th Century Fox's //X-Men: Days of Future Past//. His introduction is contingent on the MCU's broader integration of mutants. |
| **Sam Guthrie / Cannonball** | Not yet introduced in the MCU. Previously appeared in 20th Century Fox's //The New Mutants//. Like Sunspot, his arrival depends on the X-Men's introduction. |
| **Robert Maverick / Red Hulk** | The character of **Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross** is a long-established figure in the MCU, and his transformation into Red Hulk is confirmed for future projects. He represents the strongest potential link to the U.S.Avengers concept. |
| **Doreen Green / Squirrel Girl** | No presence in the MCU. A live-action //New Warriors// television series featuring the character was developed but ultimately not picked up. |
| **Toni Ho / Iron Patriot** | The character of Toni Ho has not been introduced. However, her father, **Ho Yinsen**, was a pivotal character in //Iron Man//, establishing a potential legacy for her to inherit. The Iron Patriot armor itself already exists. |
| **Aikku Jokinen / Enigma** | No presence in the MCU. |
| **Baron Helmut Zemo** | A major, well-developed antagonist in //Captain America: Civil War// and //The Falcon and The Winter Soldier//. His MCU incarnation despises superhumans, making it thematically inconsistent for him to lead a super-team, unless as part of a grander, more deceptive scheme than his comic counterpart. |
===== Part 4: Key Relationships & Network =====
==== Core Allies ====
  * **The New Avengers:** The U.S.Avengers were a direct successor to Roberto da Costa's incarnation of the New Avengers. The teams shared a common ethos, leadership, and resources. Characters like [[wiccan_billy_kaplan|Wiccan]] and [[hulkling|Hulkling]], while not on the U.S.Avengers roster, remained close allies and were part of da Costa's wider network of heroes.
  * **The Ultimates:** Written concurrently by Al Ewing, //The Ultimates// focused on a team tackling cosmic-level, preventative science missions. The U.S.Avengers shared a philosophical alignment with this team, and the two groups occasionally crossed paths, sharing intelligence and offering support against existential threats that affected both Earth and the wider cosmos.
  * **S.H.I.E.L.D. (Remnants):** Despite being formed to replace the beleaguered agency, the U.S.Avengers often found themselves working with loyalist remnants of S.H.I.E.L.D., particularly during the HYDRA takeover. Their relationship was one of professional rivalry, but in the face of a common enemy, they became reluctant but effective partners.
==== Arch-Enemies ====
  * **HYDRA (during Secret Empire):** The U.S.Avengers' single greatest adversary was the HYDRA regime led by the corrupted Captain America. When HYDRA seized control of the United States, the team was immediately branded as traitors and hunted by overwhelming forces. Their struggle against HYDRA was not just a physical battle but an ideological one, as they fought to reclaim the very country they were sworn to protect.
  * **The Golden Skull:** This villain from a dystopian future was the team's first major antagonist. A ruthless capitalist armed with advanced technology and an army of mutated Shark-Men, the Golden Skull sought to plunder the present day for its resources. His defeat required the full, coordinated effort of the newly-formed team.
  * **Baron Helmut Zemo:** Zemo represented the ultimate betrayal. By secretly usurping the Citizen V identity, he turned the team's greatest symbol into their greatest liability. He manipulated them from within, feeding intelligence to HYDRA and working to undermine their efforts at every turn. His unmasking was a devastating blow to the team's morale and a pivotal moment in the //Secret Empire// conflict.
==== Affiliations ====
  * **[[aim|American Intelligence Mechanics]]:** The U.S.Avengers were the public face and super-powered arm of A.I.M. The two entities were inextricably linked, with the team relying on A.I.M. for all its scientific, logistical, and technological support.
  * **[[us_government]]:** As a federally sanctioned team, they were an official branch of the United States government, at least until the HYDRA coup. They held a higher security clearance than any previous non-S.H.I.E.L.D. hero team and were authorized to act on the nation's behalf. This relationship was severed during //Secret Empire// and never fully restored.
  * **[[avengers|The Avengers]]:** While they held the "Avengers" name, they operated as a separate and distinct entity from the main Avengers team, which was being led by Sam Wilson as Captain America at the time. There was little operational overlap, as the U.S.Avengers focused on domestic threats under government purview, while the main team handled more global or independent crises.
===== Part 5: Iconic Events & Storylines =====
==== American Intelligence Mechanics (U.S.Avengers #1-3) ====
The team's inaugural arc established their mission and dynamic. Their first major challenge came from the Golden Skull, who launched an attack from a massive floating volcanic fortress. The U.S.Avengers deployed from Secret Avenger Mountain to intercept. This storyline served as a showcase for each member's unique contributions: Red Hulk's brute force against his time limit, Iron Patriot's technical genius in disabling the fortress's systems, Cannonball's leadership under fire, and Squirrel Girl's surprisingly effective strategy of overwhelming the villain's command ship with an army of squirrels. The arc culminated in a confrontation with the Secret Empire and their leader, a mysterious figure later revealed to be the new Madame Hydra. This victory solidified the team's status as America's premier super-team.
==== Kang War V (U.S.Avengers #5-6) ====
This complex time-travel storyline plunged the U.S.Avengers into a conflict with the master of time, [[kang_the_conqueror|Kang]]. A future version of the Golden Skull, allied with a future Kang, travels to the present to eliminate Roberto da Costa. To combat him, the U.S.Avengers find an unlikely ally in a future version of Danielle Cage, the daughter of Luke Cage and Jessica Jones, who has become the new Captain America. The battle becomes a chaotic clash of timelines and alternate realities, forcing Toni Ho to devise complex temporal solutions on the fly. The arc was a testament to the team's ability to handle not just terrestrial threats, but high-concept cosmic crises.
==== Secret Empire (U.S.Avengers #7-10) ====
This event was the U.S.Avengers' trial by fire and their most significant storyline. When Captain America revealed himself as a HYDRA agent and seized control of the country, the U.S.Avengers were one of the first groups to resist. Operating from a besieged Secret Avenger Mountain, they were declared enemies of the state. The situation grew dire when Roberto da Costa was captured and brutally tortured, leading him to fake his own death to escape. In the chaos, Toni Ho stepped up as the de facto leader of the resistance cell. The ultimate blow came when they discovered their leader, Citizen V, was actually Baron Zemo in disguise. Despite these catastrophic setbacks, the team managed to escape and join the wider underground resistance, playing a crucial role in the final battle to restore America. The trauma and political fallout from these events, however, led directly to the team being disbanded.
===== Part 6: Variants and Alternative Versions =====
Due to its relatively recent and short-lived existence, the U.S.Avengers have very few alternate reality variants compared to more established teams.
  * **W.H.I.S.P.E.R. Avengers (Earth-616 Future):** The most direct variant encountered by the team was a corrupted, future version of themselves seen during the "Kang War V" arc. Hailing from a timeline where the Golden Skull had won, this team served as his enforcers. It included a more heavily armored Cannonball and other twisted versions of the heroes, serving as a dark reflection of what the U.S.Avengers could become if they failed in their mission.
  * **Video Game Appearances:** While the U.S.Avengers as a formal team or faction is not typically featured in video games, many of its core members are playable characters in titles like //Marvel: Future Fight//, //Marvel Strike Force//, and //Marvel Contest of Champions//. Red Hulk, Squirrel Girl, and the Iron Patriot armor are popular characters, allowing players to unofficially assemble a roster that mirrors the comic book team.
===== See Also =====
  * [[roberto_da_costa]]
  * [[new_avengers]]
  * [[secret_empire]]
  * [[aim|American Intelligence Mechanics]]
  * [[baron_zemo]]
  * [[citizen_v]]
===== Notes and Trivia =====
((The creation of the U.S.Avengers by writer Al Ewing is part of a larger, interconnected narrative that runs through his work on //New Avengers//, //The Ultimates//, //Contest of Champions//, and later //Immortal Hulk//. Characters and plot points from these series often intersect.))
((The name "American Intelligence Mechanics" is a direct and somewhat satirical rebranding of "Advanced Idea Mechanics," reflecting Roberto da Costa's effort to reform the organization's image while retaining its core identity.))
((General Maverick's "Hulk Plug-in" is a clever way to utilize the Red Hulk persona without the character needing to be Thaddeus Ross, who was occupied with other storylines at the time. The one-hour time limit also provided a built-in weakness for dramatic effect.))
((The legacy of Citizen V is a long one in Marvel Comics, originally the leader of the V-Battalion. Baron Zemo famously used the identity to lead the Thunderbolts, making his deception of the U.S.Avengers a callback to his most famous scheme.))
((The final issue of the series, //U.S.Avengers// #12, served as a lighthearted epilogue after the grim events of //Secret Empire//. It was a Christmas-themed story that saw the team officially disband on good terms.))
((Source Material: The team's complete saga is contained within the twelve issues of //U.S.Avengers// (2017) and the preceding //New Avengers// (Vol. 4) run, both written by Al Ewing.))