Following rumors of a possible Squadron Supreme project in the works from Marvel Studios, it's starting to feel like the MCU could be getting their own version of the Justice League. Let's breakdown the Squadron Supreme and how they could become a more successful version of DC's biggest team.

Marvel's Squadron Supreme made their first appearance in 1969's The Avengers #69 as the "Squadron Sinister," at a time when DC and Marvel Comics crossovers were the stuff dreams were made of. The characters were a real treat for fans at the time because they were clear pastiches of DC's Justice League of America. Hyperion was an obvious analog of Superman, Nighthawk was a nod to Batman, The Whizzer was the Flash and Doctor Spectrum was Green Lantern. And for the first time ever, there was a possible answer to the question, "What would happen if the Avengers fought the Justice League?"

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Squadron Supreme from Supreme Power

Of course, the Avengers won in that meeting. But the Squadron's appearance was not their last. And over the years, they have bloomed into multidimensional characters, despite their derivative beginnings. Roy Thomas and John Buscema brought back a more noble version of the Squadron Sinister -- now called "Squadron Supreme" -- in 1971's The Avengers #85-86, as heroes from an alternate dimension. Lady Lark -- a Black Canary homage -- and later, Power Princess (Princess Zarda) -- a Wonder Woman analog -- were added to the roster. Throughout the team's history, many other peripheral characters have also joined the ranks.

The Squadron Supreme may have been based on the Justice League, but their world couldn't be more different from the one inhabited by the DC heroes. Long before other more mature takes on Justice League-like characters emerged (like Warren Ellis & Brian Hitch's The Authority, and Garth Ennis & Darick Robertson's The Boys), the Squadron Supreme evolved into gritty, real-world versions of DC's finest characters, giving readers a glimpse into what may happen if the Justice League really existed.

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1985's Squadron Supreme limited series by Mark Gruenwald, Bob Hall and John Beatty, introduced a new Squadron with an extended roster who assumed "supreme authority in all matters pertaining to world security and survival". In 2003, Supreme Power by J. Michael Straczynski and Gary Frank, from Marvel's mature MAX imprint, brought the Squadron Supreme into the 21st century with Supreme Power. This dark take on the Squadron saw Hyperion, an alien raised by the government and used as a weapon, go against his masters, ultimately causing a tectonic blast that measured 10.5 on the Richter Scale, as a threat and show of power to world governments.

In Supreme Power, Hyperion is a world-weary Superman who struggles with morality in relation to his immense power. Nighthawk is African American Bruce Wayne who delivers brutal street justice. Princess Zarda is a hyper-sexual and immensely powerful Wonder Woman who can both suck the life from living beings and give it back at will. And shaking off his hokey name, the Whizzer (mercifully renamed "The Blur" in Supreme Power), is a more ambitiously-driven version of the Flash. While it seems pretty impossible that there is a scenario in which the Justice League could really exist, Supreme Power is probably as close to that reality as you might get.

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Justice League movie full team header

In comparison to the Justice League's often sanitized world, the Squadron Supreme's is grittier, more realistic and potentially, a very exciting backdrop for the "Justice League" movie fans deserve to see. Zack Snyder's wildly controversial 2017 Justice League movie left some fans hugely disappointed, while others are still crying out for the seemingly mythical Snyder Cut to be released. Either way, the movie was a far cry from the incredible success of the Marvel Cinematic Universe's offerings to date.

Thus far, the MCU has delivered a slew of fan favorites, including the highly-praised Avengers franchise. One of the most striking differences between the Snyder's Justice League universe and the MCU's is that the latter features a host of interlinking characters and stories across several movies, all built into a coherent story structure; whereas Justice League was one of a limited number of movies, arguably rushed into production, with very little time allowed for individual character development.

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At this stage, details about the MCU's rumored Squadron Supreme project are scarce. It is unclear whether it will be a movie or a series. And if the MCU is going to apply its tried and tested character development methods to Hyperion and Co., a series would certainly make sense. The alternative is a new string of movie projects or even incorporation into existing properties, which could lead to more extensions of the already vast MCU.

For those who felt cheated or let down by Justice League, an on-screen incarnation of Marvel's Squadron Supreme may be just the antidote that's needed. It would make the impossible happen for fans of the DCEU and the MCU alike, potentially bringing Marvel's incredible storytelling style to DC's most iconic characters -- at least in spirit. The Squadron Supreme isn't quite the Justice League fans know, but they could end up being the Justice League fans love.

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