Avengers Regional Teams

[DiscipleofBob]

After pondering various team combinations in the Marvel Draft thread, I got to thinking about other possible lineups.

I know the 50 States Initiative tried putting a superhero team for every state. Don't think they ever finished cataloguing all 50 teams and their members. But that seems to take things to an extreme.

So here's what I'm asking of the forum. If the Avengers (being the most widespread of superhero teams in the Marvel universe) divided itself into regions since they probably aren't going to stop all the world's super problems in Manhattan, what would their team composition be?

Assume the following:

• The following regions get Avengers' teams: United States East Coast, United States West Coast (figure the two combined can take the western hemisphere), Avengers Europe, Avengers Africa, and Avengers Asia. Maybe also a separate team on a space station to handle incoming extraterrestrial threats.
• The teams should contain members native to the region, or at least experienced enough in said region that they wouldn't be too out of place.
• The teams should be 5 to 7 people at least, with more if necessary.
• The teams should be comprised of superheroes. Supervillains should be reasonably reformed and not guaranteed to betray the team. Antiheroes and gray morality villains are welcome as long as they don't overwhelm the good.
• The teams should contain the following roles: The Leader (obvious), The Lancer (Powerful, but either lacks the leadership capabilities of the team leader or just didn't make the cut), The Tank (a powerhouse meant to frontline missions), The Techie (because someone needs to invent and maintain those wonderful toys), The Scientist (likely the same person as the techie, but with the added talent of analyzing threats and powers on a scientific level of understanding, not just building a bigger gun), The Scrapper (Someone to fight enemies on a smaller level, like thieves and muggers, without destroying a few city blocks in the process), The Sorcerer (someone to deal with magical threats), The Mentalist (because telepaths can be a pain if you don't have a counter), and at least one Hot Girl (because team morale and that's how you sell the comic). These roles can overlap where possible, and other members can be added who don't fit the role. Heck, if you see an important hole that should be filled by a different role or think one role is completely unnecessary, don't feel the need to include it.
• If you need to break canon, say, to bring back a character who's currently dead or something, feel free. This is just a creative exercise anyway.

Okay, now that the basic format is out of the way, these are the incomplete ones I've come up with so far.

Do not, I repeat DO NOT take the following partial lineups to mean that any team you suggest has to include these members or in these positions. Put what you think would be best. In fact, if you want to avoid bias, maybe you should post your lineups before reviewing the following:

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AVENGERS EAST COAST
Captain America - Team Leader, since he was raised in this city and has been operating in it longer than any of the other Avengers.
Wolverine - The Lancer, respects the Cap and that's the only reason he's a team player here.
Mr. Fantastic - The Techie and The Scientist
Invisible Woman - The Hot Girl, because she's likely going to stay with her husband.
Thing - The Tank
Human Torch - Might as well just round out the Fantastic Four here.

AVENGERS WEST COAST
Iron Man - Team Leader, separated from East Coast because his company is far enough spread that it isn't confusing, it spreads the leadership roles of the original Avengers a bit better, and it avoids any post-Civil War tension with Captain America.
Spider-Man - The Lancer/The Scrapper, moved to the West Coast after New York City became too hairy what with all his old enemies knowing his secret identity now.
Hulk - The Tank, All that Arizona and Nevada desert gives Hulk plenty of abandoned land to let off some steam and leap around.
Hank Pym The Techie and the Scientist.

AVENGERS EUROPE
Dr. Strange - Team Leader and The Sorcerer, since he has the brains and power to back up his authority, and his calm composure is definitely a must in heavy situations.
Thor - The Lancer and The Tank, while he could be leader, I think his personality might be a too far removed to relate with his more grounded allies, and I think he'd be happier just fighting his own battles and not directing others.
Cable - The Techie, I could be wrong but I thought at least at some point Cable had his own small country in Eastern Europe.
Nightcrawler - The Scrapper

AVENGERS AFRICA
Black Panther - Team Leader, since such a team would obviously be based in Wakanda.
Storm - The Hot Girl, not that she isn't powerful and very useful in many other aspects, she just doesn't quite fit the roles listed above.

AVENGERS ASIA
Black Widow - The Scrapper and possible Team Leader, not sure if ex-Russian agent Black Widow is team leader material, but she's definitely got the covert ops and combat experience to be useful here.
Colossus - The Tank
Iron Fist - Another Scrapper with some Sorcerer and healer qualities to boot.

AVENGERS IN SPACE

[Prime32]

Put Sunfire on the Asian team; his powers are pretty cool and none of the other suggestions for that team can fly. Or Sunpyre, if you want a "Hot" Girl.

EDIT: And while I'm thinking along those lines... For the space team:
Captain Universe (pick a random B-lister as a host) - The Leader, and a "Rookie Red Ranger"
Beta Ray Bill - The Lancer + Sorcerer
ROM, Spaceknight - The Techie
Venom (Eddie Brock) - The Scrapper, plus some aspects of The Mentalist
Frankie "Nova" Raye - The Hot Girl, plus an insurance policy against Venom

[Xondoure]

Shouldn't west and east asia have separate teams? I mean sure we don't know a lot about what goes down over that part of the globe but you'd think with their populations there's got to be enough world threatening events to keep two teams busy.

[Mx.Silver]

[*]The following regions get Avengers' teams: United States East Coast, United States West Coast (figure the two combined can take the western hemisphere), Avengers Europe, Avengers Africa, and Avengers Asia. Maybe also a separate team on a space station to handle incoming extraterrestrial threats..

Now admittedly I'm not terribly familiar with the comics, but that list seems to be a bit awkward. I mean, Asia is the biggest continent on the planet, both in terms of land area and population, to the point where one team would struggle to cover it. This is before we have to consider that, since Australasia/Oceania lacks a resident team, the Asia team would usually be stuck having to cover that region as well which, although it's fairly small for a continent, is still pretty big. This does seem a little odd when you consider that North America has two teams, both of them based in the same country (which I'd imagine might pose logistical problems if they're also meant to be covering South America was well).

[DiscipleofBob]

Shouldn't west and east asia have separate teams? I mean sure we don't know a lot about what goes down over that part of the globe but you'd think with their populations there's got to be enough world threatening events to keep two teams busy.

Probably. Russia has a bunch of supervillains on their payroll (Crimson Dynamo, Omega Red, etc.), China at least at some point was ruled by the Mandarin, and Japan probably has Uatu-knows how many giant robots and tentacle monsters attack every week. But personally I was having enough trouble thinking up enough heroes for one team, much less two. The only middle-eastern characters I can think of off the top of my head are Dust and that one bionic arm drill sergeant from the Initiative.

EDIT: Mostly the team demographics were based on the fact that 90% of superhuman-related crises occur in North America and probably almost all in New York, which I'm sure has nothing to do with Marvel comics being based there. [/sarcasm]

In all seriousness, if someone can figure out enough characters, and not just random C and D listers, to fill some extra teams for Asia, I'm all for it.

[Fjolnir]

Probably. Russia has a bunch of supervillains on their payroll (Crimson Dynamo, Omega Red, etc.), China at least at some point was ruled by the Mandarin, and Japan probably has Uatu-knows how many giant robots and tentacle monsters attack every week. But personally I was having enough trouble thinking up enough heroes for one team, much less two. The only middle-eastern characters I can think of off the top of my head are Dust and that one bionic arm drill sergeant from the Initiative.

EDIT: Mostly the team demographics were based on the fact that 90% of superhuman-related crises occur in North America and probably almost all in New York, which I'm sure has nothing to do with Marvel comics being based there. [/sarcasm]

In all seriousness, if someone can figure out enough characters, and not just random C and D listers, to fill some extra teams for Asia, I'm all for it.

Well the Russians would keep their STABLE former soviet supers on the payroll, as would china. Godzilla used to be a marvel property so he's probably got Japan covered along with various giant robots. Also HYDRA is headquartered somewhere in Asia so there is probably a disproportionately high SHIELD presence as well. So you figure a good team of 5-10 heroes is what's needed.

[Tyndmyr]

Now admittedly I'm not terribly familiar with the comics, but that list seems to be a bit awkward. I mean, Asia is the biggest continent on the planet, both in terms of land area and population, to the point where one team would struggle to cover it. This is before we have to consider that, since Australasia/Oceania lacks a resident team, the Asia team would usually be stuck having to cover that region as well which, although it's fairly small for a continent, is still pretty big. This does seem a little odd when you consider that North America has two teams, both of them based in the same country (which I'd imagine might pose logistical problems if they're also meant to be covering South America was well).

It's historical...there actually was a West Coast Avengers back when they were split up over the morality of killing villains or letting them die. IIRC, Hawkeye, Mrs Marvel, etc were all west coast.

[Jallorn]

This is a great resource.

Also, I might stick Luke Cage as Team Leader of Avengers Asia, since I don't really think Black Widow is quite leader material, and Iron Fist is on the team.

Also, I think Pym would be more useful in Europe, since Stark can cover the Techie and Scientist angles at least as well. That would leave West Coast with a very small number of members, however, so add She-Hulk, as she would be good to have in case Hulk gets out of control, and as she's a Hot Girl.

As for Avengers Africa, it might be neat if Storm actually set up a second school for mutants there, closely tied to the X-Men of course. This would, of course, attract some of the X-Men. Maybe Psylocke, as the Scrapper and Mentalist, Colossus as the Tank since Luke can serve that role on Avengers Asia, and maybe a revived Forge as Techie, although that could be messy with his one-time romance with Storm. More likely bring in Beast, although he's more of a scientist than Techie, and T'Challa can fill the Scientist role pretty well.

[Rhydeble]

sooooo. Burn south america burn? seriously, the US does NOT need two teams. maybe Avengers New York (where everything A-list happens) and one for the rest of North America, with another Avengers South America.

[DMfromTheAbyss]

Still no love for the Great Lakes Avengers..

No seriously they existed.

Mr. Immortal, Squirrel girl...

What?! why is everyone looking at me like that ;)

On a serious note Every continent should get at least 2 teams. I think the population of Supers could handle that many.. specially if we only need a few A listers per team and have some B's and C's to fill out. (like they often do with super teams)

Would Avengers Europe have Dr. Doom.. he runs a country.. but is a villian.. how would that work?

[DiscipleofBob]

Maybe it's that I don't know Luke Cage, but I don't really see him doing well outside of his home "urban" environment. He doesn't seem like the international type to me.

I'd agree that Storm would probably attract a lot of mutant characters, though which ones is the question. I still think Colossus would do better in Asia due to his heritage, and I'd put Psylocke too since even if she wasn't raised there, her body was, and I think she has enough knowledge from her new body to be able to pass there. Otherwise put her in Europe with the rest of Excalibur/Avengers Europe. Bishop could go to Africa too if he wasn't too busy being psychotic in the canon right now.

And for those aching for another Asia team and/or a South America team, I'm all for it.

Now who would you put in said teams, because I really can't think of many A-Listers who'd work off the top of my head.

Dr. Doom would probably be the primary adversary for Avengers Europe, which might be reason enough for Reed Richards to migrate to Europe instead, though Thing and Torch would probably stay in the states.

No one really takes the Great Lakes Avengers seriously. They can operate as usual and no one really cares.

[Man on Fire]

at least one Hot Girl (because team morale and that's how you sell the comic)

Women Rights movement Anybody who is tired of pandering to 13-years old boys demographics would like to have a word with you.

And this is not how you make a team. It's a common mistake, but making tem solely based on roles and functions is going to give you a boring team. You make a team based on relationships you can get from the characters, interesting interactions and rivarlies, history they share together, things like that. You do not make it on the basis of functions, such things rarerly work (see...pretty much any Rob Liefeld team).

Oh, and last thing Marvel Universe needs are more Avengers. Mu needs fresh teams, not multiple books with the same characters over and over and over again. bring some new characters and some new creators, not 4 books written by Bendis with the same people in each of them.

[MCerberus]

No one really takes the Great Lakes Avengers seriously. They can operate as usual and no one really cares.

Until they Avengers Europe brings in a Dr. Doom specialist.
The one that can defeat him.
Squirrel Girl.

[DiscipleofBob]

Women Rights movement Anybody who is tired of pandering to 13-years old boys demographics would like to have a word with you.

And this is not how you make a team. It's a common mistake, but making tem solely based on roles and functions is going to give you a boring team. You make a team based on relationships you can get from the characters, interesting interactions and rivarlies, history they share together, things like that. You do not make it on the basis of functions, such things rarerly work (see...pretty much any Rob Liefeld team).

Oh, and last thing Marvel Universe needs are more Avengers. Mu needs fresh teams, not multiple books with the same characters over and over and over again. bring some new characters and some new creators, not 4 books written by Bendis with the same people in each of them.

I'm pretty sure one DOES make a team by filling needed roles. That's basic teambuilding 101 in any field. Relationships don't actually matter if a team in any field is lacking a vital role. In this case, lacking a science expert, mentalist, or magic specialist could mean being unprepared for a particular threat and failure.

If your concern that I'm secretly writing the next Marvel comic book, I assure you I'm in no such position. This is only a thought exercise. If you have better ideas for teams, please post them.

I'm serious by the way, I'm really interested to see what other people come up with to come up with superhero teams. If you want to use different criteria to do so be my guest.

[DiscipleofBob]

Figured out a team for South America: the Imperfects from the video game one-shot.

The plot basically has the Imperfects become good guys at the end of the game anyway, and Paragon's from South America anyway.

Spoiler

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Paragon
Hazmat
Solara
Brigade
Wink
Fault Zone
Johnny Ohm
Wink

[Man on Fire]

I'm pretty sure one DOES make a team by filling needed roles. That's basic teambuilding 101 in any field. Relationships don't actually matter if a team in any field is lacking a vital role. In this case, lacking a science expert, mentalist, or magic specialist could mean being unprepared for a particular threat and failure.

First, that's assuming anybody has anything to say in who is in the team. Neither Avengers or JLA were created by some higher authority who choosed these people and ordered them to fight evil together, they were group of individuals who respond to the same threat, joined forces and decided to stick together.

Original Defenders were even worse - they were cursed to have to work together, while every single one of them was a) terrible team player and b) so strong he could solo most of the teams without need for any roles.

Second, even when somebody calls the shoots, many teams are made just by taking pople who are at hand at the moment, Star-Lord's Dirty Half-Dozen was made out of goys who were captured by Kree and they could use them. And they worked so well that, with few additions, they became Guardians of The Galaxy.

And even if that authority who picks up members can choose whoever they want, they may make picks based on characters' history. Jessica Drew (Spider Woman) and Carol Darvens (MS. Captain Marvel) share a lot of history together and were always close, it is logical that they can make better team than Blue Marvel and Moon Knight, who can serve the same functions and are probably better at it, but never even meet one another and will need time to get used to each other and may, in fact, never do.

Third, another thing you should keep in mind is, if the team isn't mind-blowingly anticlimatic. Midnight Sons and Legion of Monsters for example, are team that gained small following cult, because team made of vampires, demons and monsters are set in one theme. You need something that connects the characters. X-Men are mutants, God Squad is made out of gods or godlike beings, Runaways are kids who found out their parents are bad guys, Secret Warriors were personally chosen by Nick Fury, Alpha Team are all Canadians, Dead Avengers are dead, Nextwave are nobodies and failures nobody gives a damn about, something must be there.

Fourth, I'm looking at it from the perspective of a reader and fan. And you know what? I cannot name a single team made with the field roles in mind, that I like. teams made on relationships? X-Factor (Putting "fun" in "disFUNctional"), Guardians of the Galaxy, Demon Knights, Dead Avengers, Runaways, Young Avengers, Annihilators, first and second God Squad, Midnight Sons, Kyle and Yost's New X-Men and their X-Force (and those would be impossible on your system, most of the initial roster had the same or very similiar powers), Uncanny X-Force (you know team is messed up when Deadpool is a voice of conscience), Secret Avengers, The Authority, Morrisson's Doom Patrol, Whedon's X-Men, New Mutants...

Fifth, I'm not saying you should make team based only on pre-existign relationship,s that would be stupid. You can pick up whoever you want, but have in mind what interactions between those characters may grow up from it. For me team made of Thor, Nightcrawler, Cable and Doctor Strange, because I don't see any way you can have interesting interactions between those people.