DiscipleofBob
2012-05-03, 09:30 AM
After pondering various team combinations in the Marvel Draft thread, I got to thinking about other possible lineups.
I know the 50 States Initiative tried putting a superhero team for every state. Don't think they ever finished cataloguing all 50 teams and their members. But that seems to take things to an extreme.
So here's what I'm asking of the forum. If the Avengers (being the most widespread of superhero teams in the Marvel universe) divided itself into regions since they probably aren't going to stop all the world's super problems in Manhattan, what would their team composition be?
Assume the following:
The following regions get Avengers' teams: United States East Coast, United States West Coast (figure the two combined can take the western hemisphere), Avengers Europe, Avengers Africa, and Avengers Asia. Maybe also a separate team on a space station to handle incoming extraterrestrial threats.
The teams should contain members native to the region, or at least experienced enough in said region that they wouldn't be too out of place.
The teams should be 5 to 7 people at least, with more if necessary.
The teams should be comprised of superheroes. Supervillains should be reasonably reformed and not guaranteed to betray the team. Antiheroes and gray morality villains are welcome as long as they don't overwhelm the good.
The teams should contain the following roles: The Leader (obvious), The Lancer (Powerful, but either lacks the leadership capabilities of the team leader or just didn't make the cut), The Tank (a powerhouse meant to frontline missions), The Techie (because someone needs to invent and maintain those wonderful toys), The Scientist (likely the same person as the techie, but with the added talent of analyzing threats and powers on a scientific level of understanding, not just building a bigger gun), The Scrapper (Someone to fight enemies on a smaller level, like thieves and muggers, without destroying a few city blocks in the process), The Sorcerer (someone to deal with magical threats), The Mentalist (because telepaths can be a pain if you don't have a counter), and at least one Hot Girl (because team morale and that's how you sell the comic). These roles can overlap where possible, and other members can be added who don't fit the role. Heck, if you see an important hole that should be filled by a different role or think one role is completely unnecessary, don't feel the need to include it.
If you need to break canon, say, to bring back a character who's currently dead or something, feel free. This is just a creative exercise anyway.
Okay, now that the basic format is out of the way, these are the incomplete ones I've come up with so far.
Do not, I repeat DO NOT take the following partial lineups to mean that any team you suggest has to include these members or in these positions. Put what you think would be best. In fact, if you want to avoid bias, maybe you should post your lineups before reviewing the following:
AVENGERS EAST COAST
Captain America - Team Leader, since he was raised in this city and has been operating in it longer than any of the other Avengers.
Wolverine - The Lancer, respects the Cap and that's the only reason he's a team player here.
Mr. Fantastic - The Techie and The Scientist
Invisible Woman - The Hot Girl, because she's likely going to stay with her husband.
Thing - The Tank
Human Torch - Might as well just round out the Fantastic Four here.
AVENGERS WEST COAST
Iron Man - Team Leader, separated from East Coast because his company is far enough spread that it isn't confusing, it spreads the leadership roles of the original Avengers a bit better, and it avoids any post-Civil War tension with Captain America.
Spider-Man - The Lancer/The Scrapper, moved to the West Coast after New York City became too hairy what with all his old enemies knowing his secret identity now.
Hulk - The Tank, All that Arizona and Nevada desert gives Hulk plenty of abandoned land to let off some steam and leap around.
Hank Pym The Techie and the Scientist.
AVENGERS EUROPE
Dr. Strange - Team Leader and The Sorcerer, since he has the brains and power to back up his authority, and his calm composure is definitely a must in heavy situations.
Thor - The Lancer and The Tank, while he could be leader, I think his personality might be a too far removed to relate with his more grounded allies, and I think he'd be happier just fighting his own battles and not directing others.
Cable - The Techie, I could be wrong but I thought at least at some point Cable had his own small country in Eastern Europe.
Nightcrawler - The Scrapper
AVENGERS AFRICA
Black Panther - Team Leader, since such a team would obviously be based in Wakanda.
Storm - The Hot Girl, not that she isn't powerful and very useful in many other aspects, she just doesn't quite fit the roles listed above.
AVENGERS ASIA
Black Widow - The Scrapper and possible Team Leader, not sure if ex-Russian agent Black Widow is team leader material, but she's definitely got the covert ops and combat experience to be useful here.
Colossus - The Tank
Iron Fist - Another Scrapper with some Sorcerer and healer qualities to boot.
AVENGERS IN SPACE
I know the 50 States Initiative tried putting a superhero team for every state. Don't think they ever finished cataloguing all 50 teams and their members. But that seems to take things to an extreme.
So here's what I'm asking of the forum. If the Avengers (being the most widespread of superhero teams in the Marvel universe) divided itself into regions since they probably aren't going to stop all the world's super problems in Manhattan, what would their team composition be?
Assume the following:
The following regions get Avengers' teams: United States East Coast, United States West Coast (figure the two combined can take the western hemisphere), Avengers Europe, Avengers Africa, and Avengers Asia. Maybe also a separate team on a space station to handle incoming extraterrestrial threats.
The teams should contain members native to the region, or at least experienced enough in said region that they wouldn't be too out of place.
The teams should be 5 to 7 people at least, with more if necessary.
The teams should be comprised of superheroes. Supervillains should be reasonably reformed and not guaranteed to betray the team. Antiheroes and gray morality villains are welcome as long as they don't overwhelm the good.
The teams should contain the following roles: The Leader (obvious), The Lancer (Powerful, but either lacks the leadership capabilities of the team leader or just didn't make the cut), The Tank (a powerhouse meant to frontline missions), The Techie (because someone needs to invent and maintain those wonderful toys), The Scientist (likely the same person as the techie, but with the added talent of analyzing threats and powers on a scientific level of understanding, not just building a bigger gun), The Scrapper (Someone to fight enemies on a smaller level, like thieves and muggers, without destroying a few city blocks in the process), The Sorcerer (someone to deal with magical threats), The Mentalist (because telepaths can be a pain if you don't have a counter), and at least one Hot Girl (because team morale and that's how you sell the comic). These roles can overlap where possible, and other members can be added who don't fit the role. Heck, if you see an important hole that should be filled by a different role or think one role is completely unnecessary, don't feel the need to include it.
If you need to break canon, say, to bring back a character who's currently dead or something, feel free. This is just a creative exercise anyway.
Okay, now that the basic format is out of the way, these are the incomplete ones I've come up with so far.
Do not, I repeat DO NOT take the following partial lineups to mean that any team you suggest has to include these members or in these positions. Put what you think would be best. In fact, if you want to avoid bias, maybe you should post your lineups before reviewing the following:
AVENGERS EAST COAST
Captain America - Team Leader, since he was raised in this city and has been operating in it longer than any of the other Avengers.
Wolverine - The Lancer, respects the Cap and that's the only reason he's a team player here.
Mr. Fantastic - The Techie and The Scientist
Invisible Woman - The Hot Girl, because she's likely going to stay with her husband.
Thing - The Tank
Human Torch - Might as well just round out the Fantastic Four here.
AVENGERS WEST COAST
Iron Man - Team Leader, separated from East Coast because his company is far enough spread that it isn't confusing, it spreads the leadership roles of the original Avengers a bit better, and it avoids any post-Civil War tension with Captain America.
Spider-Man - The Lancer/The Scrapper, moved to the West Coast after New York City became too hairy what with all his old enemies knowing his secret identity now.
Hulk - The Tank, All that Arizona and Nevada desert gives Hulk plenty of abandoned land to let off some steam and leap around.
Hank Pym The Techie and the Scientist.
AVENGERS EUROPE
Dr. Strange - Team Leader and The Sorcerer, since he has the brains and power to back up his authority, and his calm composure is definitely a must in heavy situations.
Thor - The Lancer and The Tank, while he could be leader, I think his personality might be a too far removed to relate with his more grounded allies, and I think he'd be happier just fighting his own battles and not directing others.
Cable - The Techie, I could be wrong but I thought at least at some point Cable had his own small country in Eastern Europe.
Nightcrawler - The Scrapper
AVENGERS AFRICA
Black Panther - Team Leader, since such a team would obviously be based in Wakanda.
Storm - The Hot Girl, not that she isn't powerful and very useful in many other aspects, she just doesn't quite fit the roles listed above.
AVENGERS ASIA
Black Widow - The Scrapper and possible Team Leader, not sure if ex-Russian agent Black Widow is team leader material, but she's definitely got the covert ops and combat experience to be useful here.
Colossus - The Tank
Iron Fist - Another Scrapper with some Sorcerer and healer qualities to boot.
AVENGERS IN SPACE