The Marvel Universe as a whole has become a generation-defining brand that has set the tone for superhero-centered media to come. Whether it be the nostalgia of the Marvel Comics or the meticulously curated films and shows in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Marvel has become an integral part of mainstream entertainment.
Marvel has a seemingly endless backlog of superheroes for us to pull from. From the faces of the franchise like Iron Man, Captain America, Hulk, and Spider-Man to the iconic additions like Captain Marvel, Scarlett Witch, and Black Panther, Marvel does not fall short of giving us powerful and complex heroes.
As much as each Marvel superhero stands out on their own, there is something special about it when they come together. Just by looking at the undeniable success of the Avengers films, watching Earth’s mightiest heroes fight on a battlefield alongside each other is a special experience. Throughout the history of Marvel, comics, films, shows, and all, superhero crossovers are the best fan service we could ask for. We are here to explore the strongest Avengers team rosters in Marvel’s history.
9 Team Iron Man and Team Captain America
Captain America: Civil War is known as the franchise’s “token Avengers film.” Civil War came out in 2016 and follows the Avengers on the precipice of disaster as they are asked to sign the Sokovia Accords in order to tighten some reigns on the team. However, when it comes down to it, the team ends up divided, with Captain America leading a team against the Accords and Iron Man leading the team that stood in favor of the Accords.
Team Cap included Falcon, Ant-Man, Hawkeye, Scarlett Witch, and the Winter Soldier. Team Iron Man included Black Widow, Black Panther, War Machine, Vision, and Spider-Man.
Friendly Fire
Standing between these 2 powerhouse rosters is not a good idea. In the realm of the MCU, Earth’s mightiest heroes are divided, forced to face off against one of their most formidable villains yet: each other. Tony Stark has a lot going for his team, from Vision laying the ground even against a magic wielder like Wanda to the surprise recruitment of a friendly neighborhood Spider-Man.
On the other hand, Team Cap holds a sense of rugged loyalty that proves to be a respectable force against Tony’s squad. Both teams have such unique rosters that, when put up against each other, unleash new levels of power needed to carry a fight. Stream on Disney+.
8 The Original Dark Avengers
When we hear about the Avengers, our minds go straight to the bravest group of Earth’s mightiest heroes, the good guys. However, in the world of Marvel Comics, there exists an Avengers roster that stands out amongst others. The Original Dark Avengers is a group of villains under the disguise of being heroes. In this group, we have Norman Osborne (Iron Patriot), Moonstone (Ms. Marvel), Bullseye (Hawkeye), Daken (Wolverine), Noh-Varr (Captain Marvel), Mac Gargan Venom (Spider-Man), Ares and The Sentry.
The Anti-Avengers
The layers of this group go beyond the cut-and-dry roles that normal Avengers rosters have. Osborn has remade the Iron Man armor to become the Iron Patriot, leading this villainous group into battle. Ares and The Sentry are definitely standouts in this group. With The Sentry’s troubles with the Void, Osborne was able to manipulate him into joining this antihero group. With Ares, it’s simple. He’s the God of War.
7 The OG MCU Avengers
The first three phases of the MCU could go down in cinema history. The phenomena of the franchise defined pop culture and superhero entertainment like another we’ve ever seen. Out of all the MCU projects, the first Avengers film from 2012 cemented the franchise as something special.
The film follows the recruitment of Captain America, Hulk, and Iron Man to join Natasha Romanoff and S.H.I.E.L.D. to fight against Loki and rescue Clint Barton. Fittingly enough, Thor, the God of Thunder himself, joins the fun against his brother.
Avengers, ASSEMBLE
Numbers are not everything in this situation. Never underestimate the power levels of the original MCU Avenger roster. The iconic image of the Avengers assembling for the first time on screen is something every Marvel fan will never forget. The team brought together a god from space with a magic hammer, two master assassins, a big, green, rage machine, a genius, and a super-soldier to go up against an alien army. And, they won. Stream on Disney+.
6 The Infinity War Crews
The only reason why this one is not higher is that the roster never comes together. Avengers: Infinity War can be considered the best Avengers film in the franchise. Coming out in 2018, the world has forced our favorite Avengers to fight Thanos from every corner of the universe. As Thanos gets closer and closer to wielding all six infinity stones, the team rosters are scrambling all over the place to stop him.
Iron Man is in space with a stowaway Spider-Man, and Dr. Strange when they run into the Guardians of the Galaxy. Thor is off on his own mission to forge a new weapon that can defeat Thanos. Captain America is back on Earth when he teams up with Black Panther and Bucky in Wakanda to try and extract the Mind Stone from Vision while keeping Earth safe from Thanos’ army.
Avengers NOT Assembled
There is no doubt that this Avengers roster is jam-packed full of power. They have magic, weapons, and armies on their side. The only issue? They’re not together. This entire group of heroes has the makings of being unstoppable. In fact, even though they are fragmented in this fight, they still almost come out on top. If only the God of Thunder decided to aim for the head. Stream on Disney+.
5 Kurt Busiek and George Pérez’s 1998 Avengers Team
The current MCU could use something like the Busiek/Pérez 1998 Avengers. As far as Marvel comic storylines go, there is something special about this one. This Avengers tale has a roster that includes Captain America as the leader, Iron Man, Thor, Wonder Man, Vision, Scarlett Witch, Firestar, and Justice. In this installment, the team goes up against a well-known Avengers villain in both the MCU and the Marvel Comics, Ultron.
A Team to Remember
For any franchise losing momentum, having a project come out and reinvigorate excitement for it is a blessing. That is exactly what Heroes Return did for Marvel. Marvel fans found themselves falling in love with these heroes once again. There are some very well-known members in this group such as Cap, Iron Man, and Thor.
However, including both the Scarlett Witch AND Vision on one team, how could they be stopped? Also, with Justice’s telekinesis powers and Firestar’s human torch-esque powers, what more could you ask for?
4 The Guardians of the Multiverse
Marvel’s What If…? series is such an underrated project in this franchise. The show explores alternate realities and plots within the Marvel universe that are set up to blow your mind. In the season finale of What If…?’s first season, the multiverse is on full display and audiences are introduced to the Guardians of the Multiverse.
In this Captain Carter-led Avengers team, heroes from across the entirety of the multiverse come together under the request of The Watcher. Their mission? Take down Ultron before he comes out on top of his multiverse domination scheme.
The Multiverse Avengers
The Guardians of the Multiverse consist of Captain Carter, Doctor Strange, Star Lord, Gamora, Killmonger, Thor, and Black Widow. Now, we know that this Avengers roster sounds like someone picked names out of a hat and there them on a team. However, in the multiverse, anything is possible. Also, taking a closer look and thinking about what these characters are capable of in terms of power, we’d be terrified of the power they hold. Stream on Disney+.
3 The Uncanny Avengers (Unity Squad)
Although both the X-Men and the original Avengers fall in the Marvel universe, seeing them fight together and interact together is what makes the Marvel Comics such a well-rounded experience. Comic book fans first meet the Uncanny Avengers/Unity Squad in the October 2012 debut of Marvel NOW!
The mind-bending team combines powerhouses like Captain America, Thor, and Scarlet Witch with the likes of Wolverine, Havok, Rogue, and Sunfire. Also in the mix are Wasp, Wonder Man, Dr. Voodoo, and Psynapse.
The Best of Both Worlds
The X-Men and The Avengers are a match made in Avengers roster heaven. We know that although there is power in a smaller Avengers roster, numbers could make a great difference. In this case, there is a lot of both unyielding power and numbers on their side. The Uncanny Avengers, referred to as The Unity Squad, were brought together to begin a comradery between humans and mutants. With a team like this one, it was set up to do that and so much more.
2 The Endgame Team
Oh, the power of numbers. Everyone remembers how they felt when they watched the final battle in Endgame for the first time. Endgame is the long-awaited conclusion to the third phase in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Endgame fast forwards 5 years post-snap with the world trying to rebuild what they can after half of all living creatures disappeared. After an impressive time heist, the heroes who are left bring everyone back in one last-ditch effort to eliminate Thanos for good.
Size (of an Army) Does Matter
It is easy for us to recognize how powerful each MCU superhero is. However, Endgame gave us our heroes as one unit, fighting on one battlefield. Left and right, each hero is showing off their impressive powers and skills to bring down Thanos’ army. This massive Avengers roster is the best fan-service moment in the entire franchise, and we know that Thanos’ downfall was inevitable facing this group. Stream on Disney+.
1 Jonathan Hickman’s Avengers
Hickman’s Avengers is the only Avengers roster that could rival and trump the roster in Avengers: Endgame. In the face of war, Captain America and Iron Man utilize the Avengers Machine to strategically form the perfect team.
Listing off all the members of this unbelievable roster would be a task in itself. However, some of the hard hitters here are Captain America, Iron Man, Spider-Man, Captain Marvel, Thor, Wolverine, Hulk, Captain Universe, and Shang-Chi.
The Full Package
The amount of heroes, old and new in Marvel Comics, is infinite. Therefore, Hickman’s Avengers roster is epic to say the least. This team shows us all the heroes we have grown to love over the years, brings them together, and even brings in some of the newcomers and gives them a star-studded spot on the Avengers team. For the amount of heroes on this team alone with the variations of abilities and powers, there is no stopping this roster.
