Founding Members
Hawkeye
Alter Ego: Clinton "Clint" Barton
Notable Aliases: Goliath, Golden Archer, Ronin
Team Affiliations: The Avengers, Avengers Academy, The Defenders, Great Lakes Avengers, Avengers Idea Mechanics, Secret Avengers, S.H.I.E.L.D., Thunderbolts, West Coast Avengers, Wild Pack, World Counter-terrorism Agency
First Appearance: Tales of Suspense #57 (September, 1964) note ; Avengers #63 (April, 1969) note ; Captain America #179 (November, 1974) note ; New Avengers #27 (April, 2007) note
Trained by criminals and inspired by heroes, Clint Barton has grown from a troubled youth into one of the greatest heroes on Earth. The world knows him best as Hawkeye: Earth's Mightiest Marksman. A member of the Avengers for many years, he has left the team on occasion because of team friction. But he always returns, ready to face any threat.
Mockingbird
Alter Ego: Barbara "Bobbi" Morse Barton
Notable Aliases: Agent 19, the Huntress
Team Affiliations: The Avengers, West Coast Avengers, Secret Avengers
First Appearance: Astonishing Tales #6 (June, 1971) note ; Marvel Super Action #1 (January, 1976) note ; Marvel Team-Up #95 (July, 1980) note
Barbara "Bobbi" Morse is an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. and has served on several Avengers teams.
War Machine
Alter Ego: James Rupert "Rhodey" Rhodes
Notable Aliases: Iron Man, Iron Patriot, Commander Rhodes, Hulk Machine, Iron Man 2.0, Rhodey, Shellshock, The Pilot
Team Affiliations: The Avengers, West Coast Avengers, Secret Avengers
First Appearance: Iron Man #118 (January, 1979) note ; Iron Man #170 (May, 1983) note ; Iron Man #284 (July, 1992) note ; Gambit #13 (May, 2013) note
War Machine is a superhero originating from Marvel Comics. James "Rhodey" Rhodes is Tony Stark's personal pilot and one of the playboy's oldest friends. Rhodes also known as Rhodey has often donned the Iron Man mantle when the burden has been too much for his friend, but has also established his own identity as the War Machine and Iron Patriot.
Wonder Man
Alter Ego: Simon Williams
Notable Aliases: Mr. Muscles, Hal Canutt
Team Affiliations: The Avengers, West Coast Avengers, Mighty Avengers, Uncanny Avengers
First Appearance: The Avengers #9 (October, 1964)
Simon Williams was made into a being of pure ionic energy by Baron Zemo, becoming the impossibly powerful Wonder Man. Meant to aid the Masters of Evil in their campaign against the Avengers, Wonder Man found himself sympathizing with the heroes and joined their team instead. He has remained an Avengers mainstay ever since, despite his constant insecurities and battles with his own mortality.
Tigra
Alter Ego: Greer Grant Nelson
Notable Aliases: The Cat, Greer Sorenson, the Werecat, the Were-Woman
Team Affiliations: The Avengers, West Coast Avengers, Secret Avengers
First Appearance: The Claws of the Cat #1 (November, 1972) note ; Giant-Size Creatures #1 (July, 1974) note
Greer Nelson (née Grant) first appeared, as The Cat in the comic, of the same name. She later became Tigra through a mystic ritual that bound the soul of one of the Cat People, to her own.
Recruits
Iron Man
Alter Ego: Anthony Edward "Tony" Stark
Notable Aliases: Crimson Dynamo, Cobalt Man, Mark One
Team Affiliations: The Avengers, A.I. Army, Department of Defense, Force Works, New Avengers, Guardians of the Galaxy, The Illuminati, Mighty Avengers, S.H.I.E.L.D., Stark Industries, Stark Resilient, Thunderbolts
First Appearance: Tales of Suspense #39 (March, 1963)
Tony Stark was the arrogant son of wealthy, weapon manufacturer Howard Stark. Tony cared only about himself, but he would have a change of heart after he was kidnapped by terrorists and gravely injured. Pressured to create a weapon of mass destruction, Stark instead created a suit of armor powerful enough for him to escape. Tony uses his vast resources and intellect to make the world a better place as The Invincible Iron Man. Stark's super hero identity led him to become a founding member of the Avengers.
The Thing
Alter Ego: Benjamin Jacob "Ben" Grimm
Notable Aliases: Blackbeard the Pirate, Angrir: Breaker of Souls, Dr. Josiah Verpoorteen, El Morrito
Team Affiliations: West Coast Avengers, New Avengers
First Appearance: The Fantastic Four #1 (November, 1961)
Ben Grimm, better known as the Thing, is the original quintessential tough-guy of the Marvel Universe. But, because of his transformation, he's also the tragic member of the Fantastic Four. Ben was an ace test-pilot until exposure to intense cosmic radiation mutated him into a rock-skinned monster with immense superhuman strength. Ben's exterior is much harder than stone which gives him a rather gruff disposition; but deep down, he has a heart of gold.
Ant-Man
Alter Ego: Dr. Henry "Hank" Pym
Notable Aliases: Giant-Man, Goliath, Yellowjacket, Wasp, Scientist Supreme, Ultron
Team Affiliations: The Avengers, West Coast Avengers, Mighty Avengers, Secret Defenders, The Defenders, Avengers Academy, Secret Avengers, Avengers A.I., The Illuminati
First Appearance: Tales to Astonish #27 (January, 1962) note ; Tales to Astonish #35 (September, 1962) note ; Tales to Astonish #49 (November, 1963) note ; The Avengers #28 (May, 1966) note / The Avengers #59 (December, 1968) note ; Secret Invasion: Requiem #1 (February, 2009) note / Avengers: Rage of Ultron #1 (April, 2015) note
Hank Pym is a scientific genius, a founding member of the Avengers, the creator of Pym Particles and of Ultron, and a modern-day superhero who suffers from a Bipolar disorder. He has acted under many memorable identities such as Ant-Man, Giant Man, Goliath, Yellowjacket, and the Wasp. He is also the Earth's Scientist Supreme, as decreed by Eternity.
Moon Knight
Alter Ego: Marc Spector
Notable Aliases: Steven Grant, Jake Lockley, Fist of Khonshu, Mr. Knight
Team Affiliations: West Coast Avengers, Secret Avengers
First Appearance: Werewolf by Night #32 (August, 1975)
Moon Knight, Marc Spector, Steven Grant, and Jake Lockley: four different aspects of the same man who was resurrected by Khonshu (the Egyptian Lunar-God of Vengeance and Justice) to serve as his "avatar." Those unjust mortals who prey upon the innocents traveling at night, with powers that come from the moon, beware the Vengeance of the Moon Knight!
Firebird
Alter Ego: Bonita Juárez
Notable Aliases: La Espirita
Team Affiliations: West Coast Avengers, Secret Avengers
First Appearance: The Incredible Hulk Vol 2 #265 (November, 1981)
Bonita Juarez was raised as a devout catholic in Buena Vista in New Mexico. Bonita Juarez gained superpowers when she was hit by a ball of cold fire that came out of the sky. The fireball contained extraterrestrial radiation that gave Bonita energy-wielding powers. Initially fearful that this was the devil's work, Juarez eventually believed that the fireball was from the Firebird, a creature of Native American lore. Taking the creature's name, she became a costumed hero, eventually joining the West Coast Avengers.
- Amicable Exes: With Hank Pym, her former West Coast Avenger's teammate.
- Braids, Beads and Buckskins: Averted with her initial costume, a yellow unitard with red boots and gloves, and Firebird-themed shoulder pads and tiara. Played straight with her later second uniform (see above).
- Taken to near-ridiculous extremes during her short tenure on Omega Flight, with her costume being made up almost entirely of buckskin-tassels and a giant fur-cape.
- Heritage Disconnect: In her early appearances, from her Native American roots. Later stories would have her rediscover her Native American heritage.
- Magical Native American: Downplayed somewhat, as her Catholic upbringing is more often brought up in reference to her heritage.
- Out of Focus: For much of The '90s, despite being a recurring member of the team. Kurt Busiek rectified this in his run.
- Twofer Token Minority: Hispanic and Native American.
- Who Wants to Live Forever?: Firebird has at least experienced hints that her powers may include some form of immortality, as she has survived exposure to radiation and been able to fly in space on her own, but she is clearly uncomfortable with the notion that she may never actually die.
The Wasp
Alter Ego: Janet "Jan" van Dyne
Notable Aliases: Giant-Woman, Winsome Wasp
Team Affiliations: The Avengers, Avengers Unity Squad, Agents of Wakanda, Lady Liberators, West Coast Avengers, Mighty Avengers, The Defenders
First Appearance: Tales to Astonish #44 (June, 1963)
Genetically altered by Dr. Henry Pym, Janet van Dyne gained the ability to alter her size, fly at rapid speeds and fire bio-electric energy "stings". Calling herself "the Wasp", she became Pym's superhero partner. Later, she became a founding member and the first female member of the Avengers.
Scarlet Witch
Alter Ego: Wanda Maximoff
Team Affiliations: The Avengers, Uncanny Avengers
First Appearance: The X-Men #4 (March, 1964)
The world knows Wanda Maximoff as the Scarlet Witch, with probability manipulation and reality-warping abilities. Younger twin sister of Quicksilver, mother to Wiccan and Speed, and ex-wife of the Vision; Wanda has taken on many roles throughout her life but will forever be known for causing the Decimation.
The Vision
Notable Aliases: Victor Shade
Team Affiliations: The Avengers, Avengers A.I., All-New, All-Different Avengers
First Appearance: The Avengers #57 (October, 1968)
Vision is an artificial intelligence, a "synthezoid" created by the villain Ultron and an Avenger who possesses the power to alter his density at will. Having gained a modicum of humanity, Vision is always afraid he may one day lose touch with it.
U.S. Agent
Alter Ego: John F. Walker
Notable Aliases: Jack Daniels, Super-Patriot, Captain America
Team Affiliations: West Coast Avengers, Dark Avengers, Mighty Avengers, Doctor Doom's Avengers
First Appearance: Captain America #323 (November, 1986) note ; Captain America #333 (September, 1987) note ; Captain America #354 (June, 1989) note
John Walker had his strength enhanced in hopes of being a hero for his country like his fallen brother. After a tenure upholding the mantle of Captain America, Walker re-established himself as U.S.Agent where he went on to have extensive service as a member of, and even leader to, the Avengers.
Human Torch (Android)
Notable Aliases: Jim Hammond, The Torch
Team Affiliations: West Coast Avengers, The Avengers
First Appearance: Marvel Comics #1 (October, 1939)
The original Human Torch, who fought in the second World War and was a member of the Invaders, is an artificial human created by Professor Phineas T. Horton. He is also (publishing-wise) the first ever Marvel super-hero!
Quicksilver
Alter Ego: Pietro Maximoff
First Appearance: The X-Men #4 (March, 1964)
Team Affiliations: The Avengers, Uncanny Avengers
Quicksilver is a superhuman with the ability to travel at speeds far beyond the average human. He is the older twin brother of the Scarlet Witch. After he and his sister left the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, they became members of the Avengers. Although Quicksilver's loyalties and reliability have long been erratic, his love for his sister has proven constant.
Machine Man
Alter Ego: Aaron Stack (legal name), Z2P45-9-X-51 (model number)
Notable Aliases: Agent Stack, Clanky, Jack Kubrick, Machine Manwoman, Machiney Machine Sentinel, Metal Human, Metal Demon, Mister Machine, robot-face, Sentinel Supreme, Sir MacHinery, X-51
Team Affiliations: The Avengers, West Coast Avengers, Secret Avengers
First Appearance: 2001: A Space Odyssey #8 (July, 1977)
The sole surviving robot of a government project, X-51 also had the benefits of humanity by being raised as a son by Dr. Abel Stack. Dubbed "Machine Man", he became a superhero and later an Avenger until being corrupted by Sentinel technology and developing a strong dislike for humans.
Living Lightning
Alter Ego: Miguel Santos
Notable Aliases: Lightning, Relampago Vivo
Team Affiliations: West Coast Avengers, Secret Avengers
First Appearance: Avengers West Coast #63 (October, 1990)
Miguel Santos became Living Lightning, a being of electric energy after investigating one of his terrorist father's illegal experiments to seize control of the country. After a brief career as a misguided villain, Living Lightning became a member of the Avengers until eventually retiring from the team to enroll in college. Living Lightning remains active as a hero, balancing college work with heroism and is currently a member of the Rangers.
- Coming-Out Story: During his tenure in the West Coast Avengers, Miguel dated women. Later, though, Miguel was approached by members of the Great Lakes Avengers, who hoped to recruit them for their team. When he heard the team's acronym (GLA), Miguel mistook them for the Gay/Lesbian Alliance and inadvertently revealed that he was gay to GLA member Flatman. Followed by...
- Straight Gay: Miguel does not display any stereotypical gay tendencies.
- Camp Gay: ...except for a brief moment in Avengers: No Surrender, when he calmly tells the Grandmaster:Lightning: "Oh, honey. I don't play."
- Flight: Lightning has the ability to transform his body into electrical plasma, in which form he can fly at sub-light speed.
- One-Steve Limit: By the time of Avengers: No Surrender, he's changed his name simply to "Lightning", as he kept getting mistaken for the Living Laser.
- Shock and Awe: Lightning has the ability to transform his body into electrical plasma, in which form he can fly at sub-light speed, generate electrical power as shocks or bolts, and surround himself with a protective electrical force field.
- Super-Speed: Lightning has the ability to transform his body into electrical plasma, in which form he can fly at sub-light speed.
Spider-Woman II
Alter Ego: Julia Eugenia Cornwall Carpenter
Notable Aliases: Arachne, Madame Web
Team Affiliations: The Avengers, West Coast Avengers, Secret Avengers
First Appearance: Secret Wars Vol. 1 #6 (October, 1984, in the shadows); Secret Wars Vol. 1 #7 (November, 1984, full appearance)
Julia Carpenter is the second heroine to take up the mantle of Spider-Woman, later changing her name to Arachne. After the events of the Grim Hunt she became the new Madame Web and is currently a watcher and guardian of the Spyders.
Darkhawk
Alter Ego: Christopher "Chris" Powell
Notable Aliases: The Powell, Falconer, Edge-Man
Team Affiliations: West Coast Avengers
First Appearance: Darkhawk #1 (March, 1991)
As a teenager, Chris Powell discovered an amulet allowing him to don the alien armor of Darkhawk. Belonging to an ancient sect of Shi'ar assassins known as the Fraternity of Raptors, it provides immense protective and fighting power to its wearer along with access to its Datasong which grants the ability to access memories and possible future outcomes of events.
