Show pageOld revisionsBacklinksBack 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. ====== The New Warriors ====== ===== Part 1: The Dossier: An At-a-Glance Summary ===== * **Core Identity:** **The New Warriors are a dynamic team of young superheroes, originally conceived as a junior version of the Avengers, who famously and tragically served as the catalyst for the superhuman Civil War.** * **Key Takeaways:** * **Role in the Universe:** The New Warriors have always represented the next generation of heroism in the Marvel Universe. Initially, they were a proactive, independent team tackling threats that larger groups like the [[avengers]] overlooked. Over time, their role evolved, culminating in them becoming a controversial reality television spectacle, a cautionary tale about the perils of fame mixed with superpowers. * **Primary Impact:** Their most significant and universe-altering impact was the **Stamford Incident**. While filming their reality show, a televised battle with the villain Nitro resulted in a catastrophic explosion that killed over 600 civilians, including 60 elementary school children. This tragedy was the direct impetus for the Superhuman Registration Act and the devastating [[civil_war_(comics)|superhero Civil War]]. * **Key Incarnations:** In the comics, the New Warriors have had several distinct eras: the optimistic and acclaimed 1990s founding team, the ill-fated reality TV cast, a post-Civil War underground resistance, and a modern mentorship-focused group. Critically, **the New Warriors do not exist in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU)**, representing a significant piece of Marvel lore yet to be adapted for the screen. ===== Part 2: Origin and Evolution ===== ==== Publication History and Creation ==== The New Warriors first appeared as a team in **''The Mighty Thor'' #411** (December 1989), created by writer and editor Tom DeFalco and artist Ron Frenz. The concept emerged during a period when teen superhero teams were immensely popular, with DC Comics' ''The New Teen Titans'' being a massive success. Marvel sought to create its own grounded, dynamic counterpart, distinct from the academic setting of the [[x-men|X-Men's]] New Mutants. DeFalco and Frenz assembled a roster of pre-existing but underutilized teenage characters: Nova (Richard Rider), a former cosmic hero; Firestar, famous from the cartoon ''Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends''; and Marvel Boy (later Justice), a one-time antagonist of the Thing. To this core, they added three new creations: the enigmatic, Batman-esque leader Night Thrasher; the Atlantean warrior Namorita; and the bubbly, kinetic-energy-wielding Speedball. The team's self-titled series, ''The New Warriors'', launched in July 1990 with writer Fabian Nicieza and artist Mark Bagley. Nicieza and Bagley's 53-issue run is considered the definitive era for the team, celebrated for its blend of high-stakes superhero action, soap-opera-style character drama, and exploration of mature social issues. The series captured the spirit of the early 1990s, establishing the Warriors as a formidable force who weren't just "Avengers-in-training" but heroes in their own right. Their initial success waned by the late '90s, leading to cancellations and several relaunches, each attempting to recapture the original's magic, often with a darker, more cynical tone that reflected the changing comic book landscape. ==== In-Universe Origin Story ==== === Earth-616 (Prime Comic Universe) === The formation of the New Warriors was the calculated brainchild of **Dwayne Taylor**, the vigilante known as **Night Thrasher**. A brilliant inventor, tactician, and martial artist, Dwayne was driven by the childhood trauma of witnessing his wealthy parents' murder. He dedicated his life and vast resources to fighting crime. However, he recognized the limitations of a solo crusade and conceived of a team that could tackle threats on a grander scale. Using his sophisticated computer systems, Night Thrasher identified several young, powerful, and unaffiliated superhumans across the country: * **Richard Rider ([[nova_(richard_rider)|Nova]]):** A former member of the Nova Corps who had lost his powers but recently regained them, feeling adrift and without purpose. * **Angelica Jones (Firestar):** A mutant with microwave manipulation powers, formerly of the Hellions, trying to find her place as a hero. * **Vance Astrovik (Marvel Boy):** A powerful telekinetic mutant who had been denied Avengers membership and was struggling with an abusive home life. * **Robbie Baldwin ([[speedball_(robbie_baldwin)|Speedball]]):** A carefree adventurer whose body could generate kinetic energy fields, making him a living bouncing ball. * **Namorita:** The cousin of Namor the Sub-Mariner, a powerful Atlantean hybrid seeking adventure on the surface world. Night Thrasher ambushed and "tested" each of them, forcing them into a confrontation. Though initially resistant and distrustful of his methods, they were inadvertently brought together when the cosmic powerhouse **Terrax the Tamer**, a former herald of Galactus, crash-landed in New York City. The fledgling group, despite their inexperience and friction, was the only force available to confront him. They managed to defeat Terrax in a spectacular battle, an event that caught the attention of the media and established them overnight as a serious new super-team. Realizing their potential, they formally agreed to become the New Warriors, with Night Thrasher providing their funding and their first headquarters in the Ambrose Building in Manhattan. === Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) === As of the current phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, **the New Warriors team does not exist.** There has been no mention of the team, its members, or its iconic storylines within any MCU film or Disney+ series. This represents a major deviation from the comics, where the team and its subsequent actions in the Stamford Incident were pivotal to the entire superhero community. The closest the concept came to a live-action adaptation was a planned television series titled ''Marvel's New Warriors''. Developed for Freeform and later shopped to other networks around 2017-2018, the show was conceived as a half-hour comedy. The planned roster was significantly different from the classic comic lineup, focusing on more offbeat characters: * Doreen Green / Squirrel Girl * Craig Hollis / Mister Immortal * Dwayne Taylor / Night Thrasher * Robbie Baldwin / Speedball * Zack Smith / Microbe * Deborah Fields / Debrii A pilot was filmed starring Milana Vayntrub as Squirrel Girl and Derek Theler as Mister Immortal. However, the series was never picked up by a network and was officially declared defunct in 2019. The pilot has never been released publicly. Therefore, while an adaptation was attempted, it never became part of the official MCU canon, and the team remains absent from that continuity. Any future introduction would require a completely new origin story, potentially tying into the rise of younger heroes like [[ms_marvel_(kamala_khan)|Ms. Marvel]] or the eventual formation of the [[young_avengers|Young Avengers]]. ===== Part 3: Mandate, Structure & Key Members ===== === Earth-616 (Prime Comic Universe) === ==== Mandate and Philosophy ==== The New Warriors' initial mandate, as envisioned by Night Thrasher, was proactive heroism. They were not a reactive force waiting for disasters like the Avengers, nor were they an academic institution like the X-Men. They actively sought out problems—from street-level crime to corporate corruption and cosmic threats—that other heroes were too busy or too high-profile to notice. Their philosophy was one of youthful idealism mixed with a gritty pragmatism. They believed they could make a real difference and were determined to prove they were not sidekicks, but the world's premier super-team. This idealistic mandate corroded over time. After several disbandments and reformations, the most infamous version of the team embraced a new philosophy driven by modern media culture. They became the stars of a reality television show, chasing supervillains for ratings. Their primary goal shifted from justice to entertainment, a decision that led them to take increasingly reckless risks, culminating in the Stamford tragedy. ==== Structure and Resources ==== The team was initially structured with Night Thrasher as the undisputed leader, strategist, and benefactor. He provided their resources through his family's Taylor Foundation. * **Leadership:** While Dwayne Taylor was the founder, leadership was often shared or challenged. Vance Astrovik, upon adopting the name **Justice**, became a co-leader and the team's moral compass. Namorita also served as leader during certain periods. * **Headquarters:** Their primary base of operations was the **Ambrose Building** in Manhattan's TriBeCa neighborhood, which housed advanced technology and training facilities. After its destruction, they relocated to the **Crashpad**, a retrofitted firehouse in Brooklyn. * **Transportation:** The Warriors utilized a variety of high-tech vehicles designed by Night Thrasher, most notably the **"Tailgater,"** a custom van, and later a Quinjet-style aircraft. ==== Key Members (Core Rosters) ==== The New Warriors' roster has been fluid, but several members are considered cornerstones of the team across its various incarnations. ^ **Codename** ^ **Real Name** ^ **Core Abilities** ^ **Role on the Team** ^ | **//Founding Members//** |||| | Night Thrasher | Dwayne Taylor | Peak-human athlete; master martial artist; gifted tactician and inventor; wears advanced body armor. | Founder, Leader, Tactician, Financier | | Nova | Richard Rider | Access to the Nova Force, granting superhuman strength, speed, durability, flight, and energy projection. | Heavy Hitter, Cosmic Powerhouse | | Firestar | Angelica Jones | Mutant with the ability to generate and control microwave radiation, allowing for intense heat blasts and flight. | Ranged Offense, Energy Projector | | Marvel Boy / Justice | Vance Astrovik | Powerful telekinesis, allowing for flight, force fields, and manipulation of objects with his mind. | Field Leader, Moral Center, Powerhouse | | Namorita | Namorita Prentiss | Atlantean/human hybrid clone with superhuman strength, durability, and flight via ankle wings. Can survive in water and on land. | Frontline Brawler, Amphibious Assault | | Speedball | Robert "Robbie" Baldwin | Mutated human who generates a kinetic energy field, absorbing all kinetic energy and redirecting it, making him a "living bouncing ball." | Wild Card, Morale Booster, Unpredictable Element | | **//Significant Later Additions//** |||| | Silhouette | Silhouette Chord | Mutant with the ability to teleport through shadows and manipulate Darkforce energy. A skilled martial artist with leg braces. | Stealth Expert, Infiltrator | | Rage | Elvin Haliday | Exposed to toxic waste, granted superhuman strength, speed, and durability rivaling the Hulk, but with the mind of a teenager. | The "Muscle," Conscience of the Team | | Darkhawk | Christopher Powell | Wields an alien amulet that allows him to swap places with a powerful android body, granting flight, energy blasts, and a protective force field. | Versatile Fighter, Air Support | * **Scarlet Spider (Ben Reilly):** The clone of Peter Parker, he briefly joined the team during his time as Spider-Man, lending his experience and Spidey-powers to their ranks. * **Turbo (Mickey Musashi):** A human who wore the Torpedo armor, granting her superhuman flight and energy blasts. She shared the identity with her friend Mike Jeffries. === Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) === Given the team's non-existence in the MCU, there is no mandate, structure, or membership to analyze. The unaired comedy pilot envisioned a team living together in a shared house, struggling with their powers and daily life, suggesting a mandate more focused on personal growth and situational comedy than the grand-scale heroism of the comics. Their structure would have been loose and informal, a "found family" of misfits rather than a disciplined paramilitary unit like the Avengers. This approach contrasts sharply with the high-stakes drama and tragedy that ultimately defined the team in the source material. ===== Part 4: Key Relationships & Network ===== ==== Core Allies ==== * **The Avengers:** The Warriors' relationship with the Avengers was one of aspiration and frustration. They looked up to them as the gold standard of heroism, and members like Vance Astrovik dreamed of joining. They teamed up on numerous occasions, but the Warriors often felt patronized or treated like a "junior league." This tension was a driving force in their desire to prove themselves. The relationship was validated when Justice and Firestar eventually graduated to become full-fledged Avengers, a major milestone for the team. * **Spider-Man:** Peter Parker was a frequent ally and a kind of mentor figure. His connection to Firestar from their "Amazing Friends" days ((A reference to the 1980s animated series, which was later loosely integrated into comic continuity.)) provided an easy entry point for team-ups. He worked closely with them during the city-wide crisis of ''Maximum Carnage'' and later found common ground with Ben Reilly when the Scarlet Spider joined the team. Spider-Man respected their drive and saw a reflection of his own early struggles in them. * **Fantastic Four:** As another New York-based team, the Warriors had several early encounters with the Fantastic Four. Their very first mission against Terrax brought them into the FF's sphere of influence. The Thing, in particular, had a soft spot for the young heroes, occasionally offering gruff advice and backup. ==== Arch-Enemies ==== * **The Sphinx (Anath-Na Mut):** An ancient, immortal Egyptian mystic with vast cosmic power, the Sphinx was arguably the Warriors' first true arch-nemesis. He saw the team's combined potential as a threat to his plans for reality and repeatedly targeted them in complex, time-bending schemes. Their battles with him forced the team to operate on a cosmic level far beyond their initial street-level mandate. * **The Folding Circle:** This cabal of super-powered individuals was directly tied to Night Thrasher's origin. Led by the villain Midnight's Fire, the group revealed that Dwayne Taylor was part of a pact made in Cambodia to breed super-powered offspring. The Folding Circle's crusade to uncover this truth shattered Dwayne's understanding of his past, created a deep rift within the team, and served as the central conflict for one of their most celebrated storylines, "Nothing But the Truth." * **Nitro:** While not a long-standing foe, Nitro is their most consequential one. A villain with the ability to explode and reform himself, his powers were always C-list but devastating. During the confrontation in Stamford, he used his powers to their fullest, causing the explosion that killed hundreds and made the New Warriors infamous. His single act of mass destruction did more to destroy the team than any other villain, cementing his place as their ultimate nemesis. The event led Robbie Baldwin (Speedball), the sole superhero survivor, to hunt Nitro down for revenge. ==== Affiliations ==== The New Warriors were fiercely independent for most of their existence. They were not state-sanctioned, unlike [[alpha_flight]], nor were they an offshoot of a larger team. Their primary affiliation was with the general superhero community, answering calls for help during major crises like ''The Infinity Gauntlet'' and ''Maximum Carnage''. Individually, members held numerous other affiliations that influenced the team: * **Nova:** A key member of the intergalactic [[nova_corps]]. * **Justice & Firestar:** Both became full-time members of the [[avengers]]. * **Namorita:** Held royal standing in Atlantis and served alongside [[namor_the_sub-mariner|Namor]] and the Defenders. * **Rage:** Was briefly an Avenger before being demoted due to his age. ===== Part 5: Iconic Events & Storylines ===== ==== Nothing But the Truth (//New Warriors// #22-25) ==== This storyline fundamentally reshaped the team and its leader. The Warriors are confronted by the Folding Circle, a team whose members—Midnight's Fire, Silk Fever, Bloodstrike, and Smoke—possess powers derived from a mystical wellspring in Cambodia. They reveal a shocking truth: Night Thrasher's parents were part of a secret pact with their parents, and Dwayne's destiny is intertwined with theirs. The story took the team to Cambodia, forcing Dwayne to confront the lies his entire life was built upon. It was a darker, more emotionally complex arc that tested the team's loyalty to their leader and introduced the key character of Silhouette, Night Thrasher's long-lost love. ==== Maximum Carnage (1993 Crossover Event) ==== During this sprawling 14-part crossover, the serial killer Cletus Kasady (Carnage) and his "family" of villains embarked on a bloody rampage across New York City. With heroes like the Avengers and X-Men stretched thin, the New Warriors became essential frontline defenders. They fought alongside Spider-Man, Venom, Captain America, and Cloak & Dagger in brutal, street-level warfare. Firestar proved to be a major MVP, as her microwave powers were one of the few things that could effectively harm the Carnage symbiote. Their participation cemented their status as major league heroes capable of holding their own in a city-wide catastrophe. ==== Civil War: The Stamford Incident (//Civil War// #1) ==== This is the team's most infamous and defining moment. Now the stars of a reality show, a C-list roster of the team (Night Thrasher, Namorita, Speedball, and Microbe) tracks a group of escaped villains to a quiet suburb in Stamford, Connecticut. In a reckless bid for ratings, they engage the villains—Nitro, Coldheart, Speedfreek, and Cobalt Man—in front of a local elementary school. When cornered, Nitro unleashes a massive explosion. The blast vaporizes everyone in a multi-block radius, killing 612 people, including all the Warriors present except for Speedball, who is launched hundreds of miles away but survives due to his powers. This horrific, televised tragedy turned public opinion against superheroes overnight, leading directly to the passing of the Superhuman Registration Act and igniting the superhero Civil War. The New Warriors' legacy was forever tarnished, their name becoming synonymous with irresponsibility and death. ===== Part 6: Variants and Alternative Versions ===== * **Post-//Civil War// New Warriors:** Following the Stamford Incident, the New Warriors name was toxic. A new team was formed in secret by Donyell Taylor, Dwayne's half-brother, who took up the mantle of **Night Thrasher**. This group acted as an unregistered, underground resistance to the Superhuman Registration Act. Its roster was composed of depowered mutants who had gained new abilities from technology, including former X-Man Jubilee and members of the villain team Psionex. They operated in the shadows, a stark contrast to the original team's public-facing heroism. * **The "All-New" New Warriors (2014 Relaunch):** This series attempted to redeem the team's name. Led by original members Justice and Speedball, they acted as mentors to a new generation of fledgling heroes. The roster was diverse, featuring Sam Alexander (the new [[nova_(sam_alexander)|Nova]]), Kaine Parker (the [[scarlet_spider|Scarlet Spider]]), and several new Inhuman characters. This incarnation was a deliberate return to the optimistic, adventurous spirit of the original 1990s series, focusing on the challenges of being a young hero in a complicated world. * **The "Outlawed" New Warriors (2020 Incarnation):** A planned relaunch of the title in 2020 was to feature a new team of young heroes mentored by classic members. This version gained significant notoriety before its first issue was even released due to the controversial naming of its new characters, **Snowflake** and **Safespace**. The announcement was met with widespread internet ridicule and criticism, and the planned series was ultimately cancelled amidst the backlash and pandemic-related publishing shifts. The characters did, however, appear in the "Outlawed" crossover event, but their team book never materialized. ===== See Also ===== * [[night_thrasher_(dwayne_taylor)]] * [[nova_(richard_rider)]] * [[speedball_(robbie_baldwin)]] * [[civil_war_(comics)]] * [[avengers]] ===== Notes and Trivia ===== ((The original concept for the team was pitched by Tom DeFalco as "The New Mutants," but this was rejected due to the existing X-Men spinoff. He then suggested "The X-Men" before settling on "The New Warriors.")) ((The character of Firestar was created for the 1981 animated series ''Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends'' alongside Iceman. Her immense popularity led to her official introduction into the Earth-616 continuity.)) ((The Stamford Incident in //Civil War// #1 is one of the most significant single events in modern Marvel history, directly leading to a universe-wide conflict and reshaping the political and social landscape for years.)) ((Speedball, the sole survivor of the Stamford Incident, was radically altered by the trauma. The explosion supercharged his powers but left him unable to feel pain, and he adopted the grim, self-harming persona of **Penance**, wearing a suit lined with 612 internal spikes to represent each victim of the tragedy.)) ((The unaired 2017 ''New Warriors'' TV pilot was fully completed. Creator Kevin Biegel has stated he is proud of the project and occasionally shares behind-the-scenes images and scripts on social media.))