Warning: Contains Potential Spoilers forSuperior Avengers #1!
The latest version of theAvengersis already claiming to be superior to the usual lineup of heroes, with its roster of villains making it one of Marvel’s most surprising teams. While villainous characters have occasionally joined hero teams in the past, with the world now under Doctor Doom’s control, a new wave of villains is stepping into the spotlight, making their mark in Superior Avengers like never before.
Recently teased by Marvel with a new group of variant covers by Kyle Hotz,Marvel’s brand-newSuperior Avengersbring updated variants of famous villains to the spotlight as Doom’s own version of the iconic team. Joining writer Steve Foxe and artist Luca Maresca, Hotz will also provide interior art in sequences that showcase the new characters’ formation as a team.
AsDoom claims to strive for world peace, it’s not only surprising to see these villainous names on his new Avengers roster, but it’s also clear that these aren’t the familiar versions of the characters fans know.
Shocking New Versions of Killmonger, Doctor Octopus, and More Officially Join the Superior Avengers
Superior Avengers #1- Written by Steve Foxe; Art by Luca Maresca & Kyle Hotz; Variant Covers by Kyle Hotz
ThoughDoctor Doom’s lineup of villainous Avengersmay look and sound familiar, they appear to be all-new versions of some of Marvel’s most diabolical supervillains, or at least portrayed in ways never seen before.The Superior Avengers roster includes Killmonger, Abomination, Ghost, Malekith, Doctor Octopus, and Onslaught.Killmonger, Ghost, and Doctor Octopus seem to be entirely new takes on their characters, as they’ve been gender-swapped. Meanwhile, Abomination’s Captain America-style makeover and Onslaught’s gaunt appearance suggest that even the others are significantly different, leaving their true nature a mystery until the series officially releases.
Liars, Killers and Shapeshifters: 10 Iconic Avengers Who Tricked Their Way Onto the Team
Not every Avenger joined the team for the right reasons, and these characters managed to infiltrate Earth’s Mightiest Heroes in clever ways.
Aside from the X-Men villain Onslaught, it’s notable thatevery villain on the new team has had a version of themselves appear in the MCU. The new variant of Ghost stands out as the most direct synergy between movies and comics, with their costume closely resembling the version from the cinematic universe. As thisseemingly evil Avengers teamtakes shape, it remains to be seen how these new characters came to take on these iconic mantles, and how this eclectic group could possibly work together as a new kind of superhero team.
Doctor Doom’s Son Is Assembling Marvel’s Most Surprising Avengers Lineup Ever
Doom’s World Domination Takes an Unexpected Twist
Doom may be taking control of the entire worldafter becoming the Sorcerer Supreme, buthis Superior Avengers are actually being led under the guidance of his adopted son, Kristoff Vernard. Desperate to prove himself to his father, especially at what could be the character’s most pivotal moment, the team’s success or failure could determine Kristoff’s future in the Marvel Universe. Doom publicly established that he was able to do better than the Avengers by himself inOne World Under Doom #1, by Ryan North and R.B. Silva. Now, Kristoff seeks to prove that his Avengers are truly superior.
Doctor Doom Is Leading the Avengers, And Their Shared Enemy Totally Justifies It
Doctor Doom is about to take charge of the Avengers and lead them into their greatest battle yet in order to take down a common foe they all despise.
With Kristoff leading the charge, Marvel has assembled the most surprising group of characters to form their new super-team. While they may not all be the familiar versions of characters readers are used to, it’s still shocking to see this group come together as a new take on the Avengers. Although it’s unclear how Doom’s son manages to unite these villains or how he plans to turn them into potential heroes,it has been revealed that they will face off against another classic Fantastic Four villain, Diablo, and even clash with the real Avengersduring the six-issue limited series.
Superior AvengersReinvents Marvel’s Premier Team & Brings New Blood to Earth-616
Will the Series’ New Characters Survive the Crossover Event?
While there have been many different versions of the Avengers over the years, includingmore sinister groups like the Dark Avengers,Superior Avengersstill manages to bring something fresh to the Marvel Universe. The series finally gives an underutilized character like Kristoff the opportunity to do something big and emerge from Doom’s shadow, andit introduces interesting new takes on villains that have the potential to seriously shake up Earth-616. From a new Killmonger who could become Shuri’s nemesis to an Abomination with a classic superhero look, the series transforms classic characters and what it means to be an Avenger.
WhetherSuperior Avengersinfluences the MCU or not, the limited series could have major consequences in the main Marvel Comics universe–if they can survive their missions under Doom. The heir to Latveria has brought a powerful group together, filled with surprising twists and the latest editions of famous characters, but it remains to be seen if villains like Doctor Octopus and Malekith can put aside their differences to become superheroes side-by-side. As they assemble during Doom’s world domination, unpredictable villains, new and old, are finally getting the chance to prove that they make betterAvengersthan the original team.
Superior Avengers #1will be available on July 27, 2025, from Marvel Comics!
