Marvel has introduced yet another new variation of The Avengers, but this one might be one of the best so far. With how many superheroes exist in the Marvel canon, almost every single one of them will stumble onto an Avengers team at some point, either as long-standing members like Captain America and Thor or as temporary additions, like Wolverine or Spider-Man. It makes you wonder if any of the Thunderbolts team will earn a spot on the roster after their big film adventure.
With how frequently The Avengers rotates its roster, why not create a comic series that plays on that idea further? Well, that’s what Astonishing Avengers by writer Steve Orlando is aiming to do. The comic series takes place in a storyline where Captain America had to quickly assemble a team to stop a major threat, creating the Avengers Emergency Response Squad.
This is a rotating cast of characters that could form endless combinations of heroes, many of which you wouldn’t expect to crossover with each other, making it all the more exciting. The team featured on one of the covers includes Captain America, Daredevil (but the Elektra version), and She-Hulk. Other heroes like Hercules and Wonder Man can also take a spot depending on the time and place.
Writer Steve Orlando shared his vision for the new series, stating, "It’s about rekindling the accessibility and raw creativity of the Silver and Bronze Ages. Anyone could show up in this run! Our roster is always changing with people coming and going." This approach not only brings back a sense of unpredictability but also appeals to long-time fans who appreciate the rich history of Marvel comics.
It sounds like a fun read, purely to see if your favorite heroes show up in one of the stories. It’d be nice to see this idea make its way to the MCU as well, as it’s always a bit jarring to see a world-ending threat pop up and only one hero arriving to help.
Meanwhile, excitement is building for the upcoming film Avengers: Doomsday, which is set to begin filming very soon. With that in mind, fans should prepare for a few misdirects. Marvel Studios is notorious for keeping details under wraps, and they’re likely to take drastic measures to prevent leaks. One can imagine they might lure paparazzi into capturing images of filming fake scenes, which, of course, we wouldn’t know to be fake until later.
Additionally, it’s likely that the film’s cast has been thoroughly vetted regarding what to say or not to say. This leads to speculation about Elizabeth Olsen, who plays Scarlet Witch, and her recent comments. Olsen claims she is not part of Doomsday nor Secret Wars, but insiders are suggesting otherwise.
According to leaker MyTimeToShineH, "Marvel Studios is aware of this, [it’s] why they are making three spin-offs to her show plus a Scarlet Witch movie and [giving] her a major role in the Avengers movies." This would include Doomsday and Secret Wars. You can’t have the so-called “new face of the MCU” missing the MCU’s biggest cinematic event.
Of course, this is all to be taken with a pinch of salt. Many fans have expressed their desire for Olsen's Scarlet Witch to take a lead role in the MCU. She was brilliant in WandaVision, and while the events of Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness were divisive, Olsen’s performance was widely praised.
However, opinions among fans are mixed. One Twitter user remarked, "She is Marvel’s IT girl," while another countered, "Why is that, though? I don't get it. Yes, we all love Wanda, but she isn't the only character. Hell, she isn't even a main Avenger or main X-Man." After browsing numerous comments, it's clear there are far more Wanda supporters than naysayers, as many fans are eager to see her return.
As the Marvel Cinematic Universe continues to expand, the introduction of new series like Astonishing Avengers and the anticipation surrounding Doomsday highlight the studio’s commitment to keeping audiences engaged. The rotating roster of heroes in the comics allows for unexpected team-ups and fresh storylines, while the films are set to explore the evolving dynamics of the characters we’ve come to love.
The future looks bright for Marvel fans, with plenty of new content on the horizon. Whether it’s through comics or films, there’s no shortage of adventures waiting to unfold. Fans are left wondering which heroes will rise to the occasion next and how these developments will shape the MCU moving forward.
