It’s hard to believe it because we’re all still reeling, but it’s only been two months since Thanos clicked his fingers in Avengers: Infinity War. Now, in just one week Marvel will release it’s 20th MCU movie in the form of Ant-Man and The Wasp. The newest film will introduce us to the original Wasp, Janet Van Dyne, a founding member of the Avengers who actually came up with the moniker of Marvel’s most famous team! The fact that we’re finally getting to meet some of the classic but lesser known Avengers has got us thinking about team members we’d love to see join the MCU in future phases…

Patriot

Elijah Bradley is the grandson of the first Captain America, Isaiah Bradley, a Black man who was tortured and experimented on by the government in their trials to create the Super Soldier Serum. Eli also first appeared in Young Avengers #1, and quickly became a firm fan favorite. He’s brave, brilliant, and he almost made his silver screen debut in Black Panther, so we think it won’t be too long ’til he joins the MCU.

Moondragon

With deep connections to both Thanos and Drax, it’s surprising that Moondragon hasn’t already turned up in the MCU. The master martial artist was created by Bill Everett, Mike Friedrich, and George Tuska, and was trained on Titan by Thanos’ father Mentor. Her own father was bound to a new body when he died and became Drax the Destroyer, and she even fought alongside the Avengers to battle Thanos. We know that Titan is MCU canon, so could it be that Moondragon might offer her services to the now deeply wounded Avengers in the eagerly anticipated continuation of Infinity War?

Monica Rambeau

One of the few women—and the only Black woman–to ever lead the Avengers, Monica Rambeau first held the mantle of Captain Marvel when she was introduced in The Amazing Spider-Man Annual #16 by Roger Stern, John Romita Jr., John Romita Sr., and Stan Goldberg. Rambeau is one of the Marvel Universe’s most iconic heroes, and though there were rumors that she may appear in the upcoming Captain Marvel movie, we’ve yet to get confirmation. But we have every possible thing crossed that she’ll join the MCU sooner rather than later!

Hercules

Inspired by the classic character from Greek mythology, Marvel’s Hercules is an O.G. Avengers character from the Silver Age heyday of Jack Kirby, Vince Colletta, and Stan Lee. Technically introduced in Avengers #10, Hercules was played as a foil for Thor, the Avengers’ other mythological deity. He’s also been played against Hulk, which could lead to some pretty fun showdowns post Infinity War, especially as the team needs some new heroes to beat the Mad Titan. And who better than one of history’s most infamous strong guys?

Thor

“But Thor is already in the Avengers!” I hear you cry out. Alas, we’re not talking about Odinson, as much as I love Chris Hemsworth. I am in fact referencing Jane Foster, who took on the mantle of Thor in 2014’s Thor #1 by Jason Aaron, Russell Dauterman, and Matt Wilson. Jane held the mantle for four years and was a truly worthy God of Thunder. We’d love to see Foster take on the mantle, maybe when Odinson inevitably heads off with his new galactic buds, the Guardians of the Galaxy?

Hawkeye

Yep! This is another legacy character inclusion. Of course we aren’t talking about Clint Barton, who’s been on our screens a lot! The archer we want to see join the MCU is Kate Bishop, who first appeared in Young Avengers #1 by Allan Heinberg, Jim Cheung, John Dell, and Justin Ponsor. Bishop would be a brilliant addition, as she’s a smart, sassy super who’d bring some much needed new blood to the team and already has a massive fan following.

Namor

Easily the most iconic inclusion on our wishlist, Namor the Sub-Mariner is one of the oldest Marvel characters, as he debuted the same year that the company launched with Marvel Comics #1 in 1939. Created by Bill Everett, Namor has acted as hero, villain, and superhero comics’ first anti-hero. Namor’s been a part of many teams including the Avengers, Defenders, Fantastic Four, and X-Men, as well as having close narrative ties to Wakanda. Though the character’s movie rights have long been tied up with Universal, we hope to see this Atlantean swimming into the MCU soon.

Black Knight

Another weird and wonderful addition to the MCU could come in the guise of Dane Whitman A.K.A. The Black Knight, who crashed into the Marvel Universe in John Buscema, Roy Thomas, and George Tuska’s Avengers #47. The grandson of a supervillain of the same name, Whitman reinvented the mantle and used his uncle’s reputation to infiltrate criminal organizations. He was a longtime member of the Avengers, and for Fox/Disney conspiracy fans he has deep-seated connections to the X-Men and the Brotherhood of Mutants… so he’s an out there but surprisingly solid choice for a new addition to the MCU.

Mockingbird

Mockingbird has a confusing history, as she was first created by Len Wein and Neil Adams but their comic was delayed so her first appearance was actually Astonishing Tales #6. She’s had a problematic past, which has included a horrible rape storyline while married to Hawkeye, who hardcore victim blamed her. Luckily, the character was reinvented in 2016’s Mockingbird series by Chelsea Cain, Kate Niemczyk, and Rachelle Rosenberg. We’d love to see this version of Bobbi join the big screen Avengers—as she’s already appeared in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.—or maybe even lead an onscreen West Coast Avengers team!

Hulkling

Another 2005 Young Avengers #1 alumni is Teddy Altman. Though his codename implies he’s connected to Bruce Banner, he’s actually a Kree/Skrull hybrid and is the son of the original Captain Marvel, Mar-Vell, and the Skrull Empress, which makes him essentially both Skrull and Kree royalty. Teddy was also a huge part of Kieron Gillen, Jamie McKelvie, Matt Wilson and Clayton Clowes’ Young Avengers, which we’re huge fans of! The fact that the upcoming Captain Marvel movie will be introducing Skrulls means we’re pretty sure we might see him turn up soon.

Wiccan

Teddy’s partner in life and sometimes crime is Billy Shepard A.K.A. Wiccan, a powerful magic user who’s another character born out of Cheung and Heinberg’s Young Avengers. Though he was born of human parents, Wiccan is actually the reincarnated child of Scarlet Witch, which would of course be a fantastic connection to the already established MCU. Plus we know that Kevin Feige has promised that two new LGBTQ characters will be introduced in the MCU’s next phase, and their relationship was a core part of McKelvie, Gillen, Wilson, and Clowes’ Young Avengers so here’s hoping…

She-Hulk

The most outrageous of our big screen snubs so far is She-Hulk–the cousin of Bruce Banner, a decorated attorney at law, and general badass. It’s honestly shocking that we haven’t seen her hit the MCU yet. Originally appearing in 1980’s Savage She-Hulk #1 by John Buscema, Chic Stone, and Stan Lee, Jennifer Walters was created so Marvel could keep the rights to a female Hulk in the event that CBS tried to add one to the hit Incredible Hulk TV show. Jennifer is a longtime Avenger and a hugely underrated member of the Marvel Universe who we’d love to see her kick ass and take names in the MCU.

Images: Marvel Comics

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