These deep-cut Avengers heroes have what it takes to turn into the following era of Marvel Cinematic Universe stars. Whereas they may not have lived as much as their full potential within the comics, these characters might redefine their roles in Marvel lore with robust turns within the MCU as a part of a future line-up of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes.
Following Avengers: Secret Wars, the MCU is predicted to reboot. That is more likely to imply new variations of its basic A-list heroes, nevertheless it additionally supplies ample alternative to herald forgotten figures from Avengers historical past.
The characters collected right here might be cinematic gamechangers, taking their Marvel repute up a notch within the course of.
Captain Universe/Enigma Drive
First Look: Micronauts #1 (1978); Newest Look: King In Black #5 (2021)
Captain Universe is the title given to the varied hosts of the Enigma Drive, a robust cosmic entity that traces its origins again to the early days of the Marvel Universe. The Enigma Drive has had a plethora of hosts through the years, together with many iconic Marvel heroes, together with Spider-Man, Hulk, Juggernaut, Deadpool, and extra.
Captain Universe’s powers of cosmic consciousness and talent to control the very foundations of the cosmos would make them immediately essentially the most highly effective hero within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. And from a behind-the-scenes standpoint, the character gives a possibility to be taught an important lesson from the primary fifteen years of the MCU.
That’s, Marvel is all the time going to forged robust, charismatic leads in its movies. But their purpose for the following era of MCU heroes needs to be to make followers fall in love with the character, and their powers, quite than the performer portraying them. Captain Universe’s unfixed nature supplies a pure probability to attempt.
Star Model
First Look: Star Model #1 (1986); Newest Look: Avengers Assemble Omega #1 (2023)
Star Model is analogous, in some respects, to Captain Universe. The Star Model is a cosmic artifact which supplies its wielders unbelievable superpowers. Like Captain Universe, the hero was an try to do one thing new on the a part of Marvel, one which by no means absolutely caught on in the best way that the writer hoped.
Initially from a distinct continuity than the Marvel Universe fully, Star Model was finally built-in into Marvel’s mainstream canon, and subsequently has been a member of a number of Avengers groups. The character has never been entirely forgotten by Marvel, however the firm has by no means seemingly discovered fairly what to do with them.
Amongst all however essentially the most diehard Marvel followers, although, Star Model is a certifiably obscure character. But, an incarnation of Star Model might show to be an sudden success on display screen, given the precise performer within the position, and the precise storyline to exhibit the character’s potential for high-octane superhero motion.
Machine Man
First Look: 2001: A House Odyssey #8 (1977); Newest Look: Crimson Hulk #5 (2025)
Machine Man is a Jack Kirby creation, who originated in an adaptation of Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A House Odyssey, earlier than becoming a member of the Marvel Universe correct, the place he has been a dependable ally of the Avengers, the X-Males, and different heroes through the years. Nonetheless, Machine Man has by no means fairly made the leap to mainstream recognition that a lot of Kirby’s different characters have.
Nonetheless, Machine Man might lastly get his due with an impactful MCU position. The character has labored carefully with Crimson Hulk in a number of tales, together with this 12 months’s One World Underneath Doom crossover occasion. If Red Hulk has a future in the MCU, there is a good probability Machine Man will get a shot at cinematic glory as effectively.
Residing Lightning
First Look: Avengers West Coast #63 (1990); Newest Look: Astonishing Avengers Infinity Comedian #28 (2025)
Living Lightning has been a tertiary part of the Avengers franchise for thirty-five years. As of this 12 months, he’s a part of the forged of Astonishing Avengers Infinity Comedian, a digital-exclusive sequence. That stated, he’s successfully a career-long Avenger, having began with the West Coast squad, earlier than graduating to the principle roster.
Residing Lightning, or just Lightning as he goes by lately, has a compelling backstory that MCU followers would have the ability to simply get invested in, which charts the basic trajectory from tragedy to heroic triumph. Additional, Lightning is a queer hero, which means he might deliver some much-needed illustration to the following period of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Quake
First Look: Secret Wars #2 (2004); Newest Look: Drive Works 2020 #3 (2020)
Daisy Johnson, higher often called Quake, may not be a central determine in Marvel Comics now, however for a time beginning within the mid-aughts, she was a big think about Marvel canon. As her title suggests, she has the power to control the bottom surrounding her with a purpose to stimulate earthquakes.
Quake’s recognition peaked together with her inclusion in Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. TV present. The sequence made adjustments to her backstory that had been later included into the comics, however weren’t essentially well-received by followers. This was the apex of her Marvel historical past, for now, however a pivotal MCU position might be the beginning of a serious comeback.
Deathcry
First Look: Avengers #363 (1993); Newest Look: Chaos Struggle: Lifeless Avengers #3 (2011)
Deathcry is a badass alien warrior, part of the Shi’ar race greatest recognized for its recurring position in X-Males lore. The daughter of frequent X-antagonist Deathbird, Deathcry was a extra heroic different, however she by no means absolutely caught on as a Marvel hero. Lower than twenty years after her debut, she was killed off, and has remained lifeless for practically fifteen years since.
Loss of life is well circumventable in Marvel lore. When a personality stays lifeless so long as Deathcry, meaning they’re one thing even worse than lifeless: defunct. Nonetheless, the character is there for the MCU to pluck from the shelf and do one thing thrilling with, which might in flip rejuvenate her comedian counterpart.
Hyperion
First Look: Avengers #69 (1969); Newest Look: The Avengers #30 (2025)
Hyperion is one in all Marvel’s most powerful characters, and alongside the Sentry, he stands because the closest factor the Marvel Universe has to a Superman equal. Because the MCU takes steps towards a reboot following the following two Avengers motion pictures, Hyperion is high on fans’ list of characters anticipated to make an look sooner or later.
At occasions, Hyperion has been described as nearly too highly effective to exist within the Marvel Universe. Marvel has sophisticated his lore with a number of Multiversal variants of the character, and if the MCU had been to attract on this for supply materials, the character might additionally double as an extremely harmful antagonist.
Black Knight
First Look: Avengers #47 (1967); Newest Look: Implausible 4 #28 (2025)
In contrast to the remainder of the characters listed right here, Black Knight has already been launched to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Sadly, 2021’s Eternals movie is regarded among the many low factors of the MCU, placing its characters’ movie futures in jeopardy. But if one member of the forged might nonetheless make an influence, it will be Equipment Harrington’s Black Knight.
Black Knight has been within the Avengers’ orbit for many years, and Harrington’s position in Eternals barely hints at his superhero potential, if in any respect. Notably, the character’s use of advance know-how makes him a low-key potential Iron Man substitute for the MCU’s future. That may look like a longshot now, however in the precise cinematic context, Black Knight might thrive.
Apart from a short look alongside the Implausible 4 in early 2025, Black Knight has been largely dormant since starring in his personal 2021 miniseries. Nonetheless, a compelling shaggy dog story, and a full-on MCU look as a key member of the Avengers, might be all it takes to kick off a golden period for this underrated character.
