15 Radical Superheroes To Diversify The MCU
6. Young Avengers
Okay, the whole ‘Young Avengers’ name may be a little on the nose (YA, anybody?), but it’s the concept and characters that appeal here, each member representing an equivalent of a classic Avenger.
It’s what was done with that ’next generation' concept that makes it really interesting. As the new Hawkeye Kate Bishop is more capable and a finer leader than her hangdog namesake, while Wiccan is the son of the Scarlet Witch, a sorcerer in a relationship with Hulkling (who's an alien with no gamma-based origin at all).
Miss America is a Latina lesbian from another reality, and the most badass teen hero in Marvel comics; Patriot is the grandson of a previous, black Captain America; and Iron Lad is nothing to do with Tony Stark, but is the teenage Kang The Conqueror, struggling to come to terms with his villainous destiny.
Others join the team, including a Kree Marvel Boy, a version of the Vision and a certain Norse trickster god in the body of a teenager (seriously, Kid Loki is the best), but that’s the core of the team - and as you can see, the characters are fascinating, and fascinatingly diverse.
It’s not for nothing that the Young Avengers book won multiple awards from GLAAD for its nuanced portrayal of LGBTQIA heroes.