Show pageBack to top This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. ====== New Avengers ====== ===== Part 1: The Dossier: An At-a-Glance Summary ===== * **Core Identity:** **The New Avengers are a revolutionary incarnation of Earth's Mightiest Heroes, initially formed by circumstance from a mix of iconic legends and street-level heroes, who redefined what it meant to be an Avenger in the 21st century.** * **Key Takeaways:** * **Role in the Universe:** The New Avengers represented a paradigm shift for Marvel's premier super-team. Moving away from the government-sanctioned, publicly-adored model, their first incarnation operated as an independent, unsanctioned strike force, tackling threats the old guard wouldn't or couldn't. This fundamentally changed their relationship with authority, from [[S.H.I.E.L.D.]] to the United States government, a theme that would dominate their stories. * **Primary Impact:** Their formation, chronicled in the wake of the devastating `[[Avengers Disassembled]]` storyline, revitalized the Avengers franchise. By controversially adding historically solo characters like [[Spider-Man]] and [[Wolverine]] to the roster, the New Avengers became Marvel's flagship title, driving major comic events for nearly a decade, including `[[Civil War (comics)|Civil War]]`, `[[Secret Invasion]]`, and `[[Dark Reign]]`. * **Key Incarnations:** In the Earth-616 comics, the "New Avengers" name has primarily been associated with two major teams: the original, renegade group formed after the Raft breakout, and a later, A.I.M.-funded version led by [[Sunspot]]. The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) does not have a team explicitly named the "New Avengers," but the team formed at the end of `[[Avengers: Age of Ultron]]` under [[Captain America]]'s leadership embodies its spirit of a rebuilt, next-generation roster. ===== Part 2: Origin and Evolution ===== ==== Publication History and Creation ==== The New Avengers burst onto the comic book scene in January 2005 (cover-dated March 2005) with `New Avengers #1`. The series was spearheaded by the creative team of writer **Brian Michael Bendis** and artist **David Finch**. Their creation was a direct consequence of the 2004 storyline `[[Avengers Disassembled]]`, also penned by Bendis, which saw the original Avengers team violently dismantled and their charter revoked after a series of catastrophic attacks orchestrated by a mentally unstable [[Scarlet Witch]]. Marvel Comics' then-Editor-in-Chief, Joe Quesada, tasked Bendis with rebuilding the Avengers franchise from the ground up. The core concept was to create a team that felt more modern, relevant, and unpredictable. Bendis's approach was revolutionary for the title; he brought his signature "street-level" dialogue and character-focused, decompressed storytelling from his work on titles like `Alias` and `Daredevil` to Marvel's biggest super-team. The most significant and controversial decision was the inclusion of [[Spider-Man]] and [[Wolverine]]. For decades, both characters were defined by their status as loners or members of other teams ([[X-Men]] for Wolverine). Placing them on the Avengers roster was a deliberate creative and commercial strategy. It signaled that this was a completely different kind of Avengers team and simultaneously boosted sales by leveraging two of Marvel's most popular characters. This move permanently altered the landscape of the Marvel Universe, making team affiliations far more fluid and establishing the Avengers as the central hub of all heroic activity. ==== In-Universe Origin Story ==== The formation of the New Avengers is a tale of two realities, with the comic book origin being a story of chaos and chance, while its cinematic counterpart is one of deliberate design. === Earth-616 (Prime Comic Universe) === The New Avengers were not assembled; they were forged in the crucible of a crisis. Following the dissolution of the original Avengers, a massive, coordinated breakout was triggered at **The Raft**, a maximum-security superhuman penitentiary. The event was orchestrated by the villain [[Electro]], hired by an unknown party (later revealed to be the [[Skrull]]s as a precursor to their invasion). Several heroes converged on The Raft to contain the breakout by sheer coincidence. **[[Captain America (Steve Rogers)|Captain America]]** and **[[Iron Man (Tony Stark)|Iron Man]]** arrived to confer about the future of the Avengers. **[[Spider-Man (Peter Parker)|Spider-Man]]**, **[[Luke Cage]]**, and lawyer **Matt Murdock ([[Daredevil]])** were also present, visiting their client, Robert Reynolds (**[[Sentry]]**), an immensely powerful but dangerously unstable hero. **Jessica Drew ([[Spider-Woman]])**, an agent of [[S.H.I.E.L.D.]], was on-site as well. In the ensuing chaos, these disparate heroes were forced to fight side-by-side against a legion of escaping supervillains. They successfully quelled the riot, but the event exposed a power vacuum. Recognizing that fate had brought them together and that the world still needed Avengers, Captain America extended an invitation to the heroes who had fought with him. Iron Man, using his vast resources, offered the team a new headquarters in the top floors of **Stark Tower**. Luke Cage, Spider-Man, and Spider-Woman accepted Captain America's offer. Daredevil declined but recommended the blind martial artist **[[Echo (Maya Lopez)|Echo]]** in his stead. Wolverine, who had also been at The Raft tracking an escapee, was a reluctant addition, but Captain America insisted he was needed. The Sentry, after being helped by the others, also joined. This unlikely group—a super-soldier, an armored futurist, a powerhouse for hire, a wise-cracking wall-crawler, a super-spy, a feral mutant, and a mentally fragile god-like being—became the first, unsanctioned incarnation of the New Avengers. Their mandate was simple: to be a proactive force against the threats no single hero could withstand, operating with or without official approval. === Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) === In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, a team explicitly named the "New Avengers" has never been formally established. However, the team assembled at the conclusion of `[[Avengers: Age of Ultron]]` (2015) is widely considered its spiritual and functional equivalent. Following the cataclysmic battle against [[Ultron]] in Sokovia, the original Avengers team fractured. [[Iron Man]] semi-retired, burdened by guilt over Ultron's creation. [[Thor]] left Earth to investigate the [[Infinity Stones]]. [[Hulk (Bruce Banner)|Hulk]] exiled himself in the Quinjet. [[Hawkeye (Clint Barton)|Hawkeyes]] returned to his family. This left **[[Captain America (Steve Rogers)|Captain America]]** and **[[Black Widow (Natasha Romanoff)|Black Widow]]** to lead a new, officially sanctioned team. Their mandate was to train the next generation of heroes and serve as Earth's primary defense force. They established the **New Avengers Facility** in upstate New York as their base of operations and training ground. The founding roster of this new team included: * **Sam Wilson ([[Falcon]])**: A veteran pararescueman with advanced flight gear. * **James "Rhodey" Rhodes ([[War Machine]])**: An Air Force Colonel with a Stark-designed armored suit. * **Wanda Maximoff ([[Scarlet Witch]])**: A powerful telekinetic and reality-warper seeking redemption. * **The Vision**: A synthetic being born from the Mind Stone, J.A.R.V.I.S.'s matrix, and Ultron's work. //Key Differences and Adaptations:// The MCU's approach was a direct contrast to the comics. Where the comic team was a renegade group born from chaos, the MCU team was an official, structured organization created to replace the old one. This adaptation served several narrative purposes for the films: - It provided a clear in-universe reason for the roster change, allowing the original actors to step back while introducing newer characters to the forefront. - It established a clear chain of command under Captain America, setting the stage for his ideological conflict with Tony Stark over government oversight in `[[Captain America: Civil War]]`. - The formal, government-backed nature of this team made the signing of the [[Sokovia Accords]] a more potent and divisive issue than it would have been for a clandestine group. ===== Part 3: Mandate, Structure & Key Members ===== The operational philosophy and membership of the New Avengers have shifted dramatically across different eras, reflecting the ever-changing political and social landscape of their universe. === Earth-616 (Prime Comic Universe) === ==== Mandate and Philosophy ==== The core mandate of the original New Avengers was to exist outside the system. After `Avengers Disassembled`, Iron Man's attempt to secure government backing was stonewalled. Captain America argued that the team should not wait for permission to save people. This established their initial identity as a proactive, independent superhero unit. This philosophy was put to the ultimate test during `[[Civil War (comics)|Civil War]]`, where the team fractured. Those who opposed the Superhuman Registration Act, led by Captain America, went underground and became an officially registered "terrorist" group, continuing their mission in secret. After the Skrull Invasion and Norman Osborn's rise to power, Luke Cage's New Avengers became the primary heroic resistance, operating as outlaws against a corrupt government. During the "Heroic Age," they were finally recognized as a legitimate team but maintained their street-level focus under Luke Cage's leadership. ==== Structure and Headquarters ==== Unlike the classic Avengers, the New Avengers had a more fluid and less formal structure. * **Leadership:** While Captain America was the natural field leader initially, the team often operated more democratically. After `Civil War`, **Luke Cage** became the undisputed leader of the underground New Avengers, a landmark moment for the character and for Marvel. * **Headquarters:** * **Stark Tower:** The team's first base, provided by Tony Stark, was a state-of-the-art facility in the heart of New York City. * **Sanctum Sanctorum:** After going underground, [[Doctor Strange]] offered his magical home as a temporary, unplottable base of operations. * **"The Hideout":** An apartment in Hell's Kitchen owned by Danny Rand ([[Iron Fist]]) served as a more grounded base for the fugitive team. * **Avengers Mansion:** After Norman Osborn's fall, the team was given the rebuilt Avengers Mansion as their official headquarters, signifying their return to legitimacy. ==== Notable Rosters Across Eras ==== ^ **Era** ^ **Key Members** ^ **Notes** ^ | **Initial Roster (2005-2006)** | Captain America, Iron Man, Spider-Man, Luke Cage, Wolverine, Spider-Woman (Jessica Drew), Sentry, Echo (as Ronin) | The founding team. Iron Man leaves and the team fractures during Civil War. | | **Underground Roster (Post-Civil War, 2007-2010)** | Luke Cage (Leader), Spider-Man, Wolverine, Spider-Woman, Iron Fist, Doctor Strange, Ronin (Clint Barton), Echo | The "Secret Avengers." They operate as fugitives, opposing the Registration Act and later Norman Osborn's Dark Reign. | | **Heroic Age Roster (2010-2012)** | Luke Cage (Leader), Spider-Man, Wolverine, Ms. Marvel (Carol Danvers), The Thing, Mockingbird, Iron Fist, Doctor Strange, Victoria Hand (as liaison) | A government-sanctioned team that still operated with autonomy under Cage. Ben Grimm (The Thing) joins, adding a Fantastic Four member to the roster. | | **Avengers Idea Mechanics (All-New, All-Different, 2015-2016)** | Sunspot (Leader/Financier), Songbird, Hawkeye, Hulkling, Wiccan, Squirrel Girl, Pod, Power Man (Victor Alvarez), White Tiger (Ava Ayala) | A radical reinvention. Roberto da Costa (Sunspot) buys A.I.M. and rebrands it as a force for good, funding his own Avengers team. | === Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) === ==== Mandate and Philosophy ==== The MCU's "New Avengers" team had a mandate of **global security and talent development**. Led by Captain America and Black Widow, their primary function was to be the world's officially recognized response team for superhuman threats while also training new recruits in a controlled environment. Their philosophy was one of professionalism and accountability, a stark contrast to the rebellious nature of their comic book namesakes. This very philosophy, however, contained the seeds of their destruction, as the debate over the //nature// of that accountability (i.e., the Sokovia Accords) is what ultimately destroyed the team in `[[Captain America: Civil War]]`. ==== Structure and Headquarters ==== * **Leadership:** The team had a clear dual leadership structure with Captain America as the field commander and moral center, and Black Widow as the operational coordinator and strategist. * **Headquarters:** The **New Avengers Facility** in upstate New York was their sole base. A former Stark Industries warehouse, it was retrofitted by Tony Stark to be a comprehensive headquarters, featuring advanced training areas, dormitories, labs, and a hangar for Quinjets. This isolated, campus-like setting emphasized their role as a professional, full-time organization, distinct from the more public Avengers Tower. ==== Roster ==== The roster of the MCU's de facto New Avengers was small and focused, comprising individuals who had proven themselves in the battle against Ultron. * **[[Captain America (Steve Rogers)|Captain America (Steve Rogers)]]** (Co-Leader) * **[[Black Widow (Natasha Romanoff)|Black Widow (Natasha Romanoff)]]** (Co-Leader) * **[[Falcon (Sam Wilson)|Falcon (Sam Wilson)]]** * **[[War Machine (James Rhodes)|War Machine (James Rhodes)]]** * **[[Scarlet Witch (Wanda Maximoff)|Scarlet Witch (Wanda Maximoff)]]** * **[[The Vision]]** This entire lineup was torn apart by the events of `Civil War`, with Falcon and Scarlet Witch siding with Captain America, and War Machine and Vision siding with Iron Man. The team, in this form, had a very short operational lifespan. ===== Part 4: Key Relationships & Network ===== ==== Core Allies ==== * **[[Jessica Jones]]**: As the wife of New Avengers leader Luke Cage and a formidable powered investigator in her own right, Jessica was the team's most important civilian confidante. She provided support, intelligence, and a grounding human connection for the team, particularly during their time as fugitives. * **[[Doctor Strange]]**: The Sorcerer Supreme was a crucial ally and eventual member. He provided magical support and offered his Sanctum Sanctorum as a sanctuary when the team was on the run. His presence expanded the team's scope from street-level crime to mystical and dimensional threats. * **[[Fantastic Four]]**: The relationship was often complex, especially the friendship between Luke Cage and [[The Thing]], and Spider-Man's history with the team. During the Heroic Age, The Thing officially joined the New Avengers, cementing the bond between Marvel's first family and its mightiest heroes. ==== Arch-Enemies ==== * **The Hood (Parker Robbins)**: The Hood and his supervillain syndicate were the primary antagonists for the underground New Avengers. Wielding a demonic cloak and Norn Stones provided by [[Loki]], the Hood consolidated a vast criminal empire, presenting a persistent and organized threat that mirrored the New Avengers' own unconventional structure. Their conflict defined the team's gritty, street-level focus during the post-`Civil War` era. * **The Skrull Empire**: The New Avengers were ground zero for the `[[Secret Invasion]]`. It was revealed that their member, Spider-Woman, had been replaced by the Skrull Queen Veranke before the team had even officially formed. This deep-cover infiltration sowed paranoia and mistrust, turning their greatest strength—their close-knit, family-like bond—into their greatest vulnerability. * **Norman Osborn and the Dark Avengers**: During the `[[Dark Reign]]` event, the New Avengers were Public Enemy #1. Norman Osborn, hailed as a hero after the Skrull Invasion, took control of national security. He formed his own "Dark Avengers," consisting of villains posing as heroes, and used the full power of his agency, `[[H.A.M.M.E.R.]]`, to hunt down Luke Cage's team. This period transformed the New Avengers into a symbol of rebellion against a fascist regime. ==== Affiliations ==== * **[[Avengers]]**: The New Avengers are, first and foremost, a splinter and evolution of the main Avengers concept. For years, they coexisted with a government-sponsored team, the `[[Mighty Avengers]]`, leading to frequent rivalries and team-ups. Their journey was one of fighting for the right to use the "Avengers" name and uphold its ideals on their own terms. * **Underground Hero Community**: As fugitives, the team formed the core of the anti-registration movement. They were closely allied with other heroes who refused to sign the Superhuman Registration Act, forming a network of safe houses and contacts that became known as the "Secret Avengers." ===== Part 5: Iconic Events & Storylines ===== === Breakout! (New Avengers #1-6) === The foundational story arc. It depicts the riot at The Raft that inadvertently brings the future members together. The narrative, driven by Bendis's rapid-fire dialogue, showcases the raw power of the escaping villains and the desperate, impromptu teamwork of the heroes. The arc culminates with Captain America and Iron Man deciding to formalize this new, eclectic group, setting the stage for the next era of Avengers history. It masterfully established the team's core dynamic: a blend of awe-inspiring power and grounded, personal conflict. === Civil War (Civil War #1-7 and New Avengers tie-ins) === `[[Civil War (comics)|Civil War]]` was the event that defined the New Avengers' ideology. When the government passed the Superhuman Registration Act, the team was shattered. Iron Man led the pro-registration faction, believing in accountability and oversight. Captain America led the anti-registration resistance, arguing that the act was a violation of civil liberties. The New Avengers became the backbone of Cap's "Secret Avengers," forced to operate as outlaws. This storyline cemented their identity as rebels fighting for their principles, even when it meant fighting their closest friends. It permanently removed Iron Man from their ranks and placed Luke Cage on a path to leadership. === Secret Invasion (Secret Invasion #1-8 and New Avengers tie-ins) === This storyline paid off years of simmering plot threads. The revelation that Spider-Woman was the Skrull Queen Veranke sent shockwaves through the team and the entire Marvel Universe. The New Avengers were on the front lines of the invasion, their personal trust issues magnified on a global scale. The event tested their ability to rely on one another when they couldn't be certain who was real. Luke Cage's leadership was solidified as he rallied the fugitive heroes to fight alongside their pro-registration rivals to save Earth, demonstrating his unwavering heroism. === Dark Reign (Multiple series, 2008-2010) === Following `Secret Invasion`, Norman Osborn was given the keys to the kingdom. He dismantled S.H.I.E.L.D., created H.A.M.M.E.R., and hunted the New Avengers with his own team of Dark Avengers. This era was the New Avengers' darkest hour, forcing them to live constantly on the run. They became the sole beacon of true heroism in a world where villains were in charge. Their struggle culminated in the `[[Siege]]` of Asgard, where they played a pivotal role in exposing Osborn's madness to the world and finally ending his reign of terror, earning them a full pardon and public adoration once more. ===== Part 6: Variants and Alternative Versions ===== * **Ultimate Universe (Earth-1610)**: The primary Avengers-equivalent team in this universe are the `[[Ultimates]]`, a state-sponsored black-ops team. While they lacked the "outlaw" spirit of the 616-New Avengers, later incarnations of the Ultimates, particularly after the `Ultimatum` event, were forced to operate with less oversight and featured a more diverse roster, echoing some of the New Avengers' themes. * **The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes (Animated Series)**: While the show's initial roster was based on the classic Silver Age team, its second season expanded to include characters closely associated with the New Avengers, such as Spider-Man, Wolverine, Luke Cage, and Iron Fist. It effectively blended the classic and modern eras, introducing the New Avengers concept to a younger audience. * **Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2 (Video Game)**: This game directly adapts the `Civil War` storyline. Players are forced to choose a side, either pro- or anti-registration. Choosing the anti-registration path allows players to experience the story from the perspective of the New Avengers, fighting as fugitives and recruiting other heroes to their cause, perfectly capturing the essence of their role in that event. * **What If? Civil War #1 (2007)**: In one alternate timeline, Captain America, instead of surrendering, is killed on the steps of the Capitol Building. In another, Iron Man loses the war. This issue explores alternate outcomes where the New Avengers' rebellion either fails catastrophically or succeeds completely, highlighting the razor's edge upon which their victory in the prime timeline rested. ===== See Also ===== * [[avengers]] * [[avengers_disassembled]] * [[mighty_avengers]] * [[dark_avengers]] * [[civil_war_(comics)]] * [[secret_invasion]] * [[dark_reign]] * [[brian_michael_bendis]] * [[luke_cage]] * [[spider-man_(peter_parker)]] * [[wolverine_(james_howlett)]] ===== Notes and Trivia ===== ((The decision to add Spider-Man and Wolverine was highly controversial among long-time fans in 2005, with many feeling it violated the core concept of the characters. However, it proved to be a massive commercial success, making `New Avengers` one of the best-selling comics for years.)) ((Brian Michael Bendis wrote every issue of `New Avengers` from #1 (2005) to #34 (2012) of its second volume, an incredibly rare and lengthy run for a writer on a flagship team book.)) ((The original codename for Echo as a member of the New Avengers was intended to be a surprise. The character was simply called "Ronin," and her true identity as Maya Lopez was not revealed for several issues. The "Ronin" identity would later be passed to Clint Barton after his resurrection.)) ((The question of how the Avengers were funded was a running gag and plot point in the series. After leaving Stark Tower, the team was often broke, relying on the personal fortunes of members like Iron Fist and Doctor Strange.)) ((Luke Cage's leadership of the New Avengers was a significant milestone, making him one of the first African American characters to lead one of Marvel's "Big Three" teams (Avengers, Fantastic Four, X-Men).)) ((In the MCU, the term "New Avengers" is a fan-coined name for the `Age of Ultron` team. It is never spoken on-screen. The official designation is simply "the Avengers." The term is more accurately applied, in spirit, to the team that Captain America leads as fugitives during and after `Captain America: Civil War`.))