15 Radical Superheroes To Diversify The MCU
3. The Champions
The Champions are Marvel’s current version of the fan-favourite ’next generation of Avengers’ gimmick. Since 2016’s relaunch, the team’s line-up has consisted of a widely diverse and representative array of characters, including a new iteration of the African American Patriot, Amadeus Cho’s Hulk, Ironheart and Ms Marvel herself as the team leader.
Then there’s Latino human rocket Nova; the Miles Morales version of Spider-Man (from the Oscar-winning Into The Spider-Verse, although Universal's ownership of the licence will probably nix the use of this groundbreaking character); a next-gen Wasp (as a teen genius with bipolar disorder); a Mexican Falcon, a Hispanic Power Man and new East Indian hero Pinpoint; the Vision's LGBTQIA daughter Viv, and many more.
The Champions was formed as a reaction to their disillusionment with the tactics and moral centre displayed by the Avengers. Utilising social media and a liberal agenda, the team determine that anyone can be one of the Champions, and extend their progressive branding and protection to other young people across the globe - superpowered or not - engaged in everything from protest to environmental activism.
That’s peak 2019, right there - but the concept needs a delicate touch to avoid preachiness and worse, accusations of hypocrisy. That’s something Marvel don’t yet have a consistent handle on… but it looks like they’re beginning to try.