The Avengers are one of the most recognizable superhero teams in comics, but not all their members are quite as memorable. Many obscure heroes and even ex-villains have served on the Avengers over the years.
As part of the iconic team, heroes like Iron Man, Captain America, and Hawkeye have made a name for themselves by saving the world from all kinds of evil. However, not all Avengers members have been so lucky. Some Avengers are better known for their work with other teams, leading many fans to forget they were ever an Avenger, and some even less fortunate members have been forgotten altogether.
10 The Forgotten One Has An Ironic Name
Having a name like the 'Forgotten One' isn't a good idea if the aim is to leave a Legacy. The Forgotten One is an Eternal who's spent millions of years roaming the Earth. They've been mistaken for Hercules, Samson, and Gilgamesh. However, under the false identity of Gilgamesh, this overlooked hero served with the Avengers for a short time before dying due to injuries sustained in battle with Blastaar. Despite his great feats of strength throughout his history and his noble sacrifice for the Avengers, the Forgotten One has been largely... well, forgotten.
9 Lionheart Had A Rough Time As A Superhero
Lionheart didn't have a great time as a superhero. Kelsey Leigh was a school teacher and a single mother when she put herself in extreme danger to save Captain America. After this heroic act, she was chosen to take on the mantle of Captain Britain.
She was offered a choice between the Sword of Might and the Amulet of Right. She chose the sword, which resulted in her being separated from her children. She served with the Avengers for a short time before returning home to England, falling out with Excalibur, and fading into obscurity.
8 Even A Name Change Didn't Make Triathlon Memorable
After a long run under the moniker of Triathlon, he eventually changed his name to 3-D Man. However, he joined the Avengers as Triathlon, where the disgraced Olympic athlete was the spokesperson of the Triune Understanding. This was a religious cult that gave him his powers.
The Avengers recruited Triathlon to try and improve their PR image. During his time on the team, Triathlon decided to abandon the Triune Understanding and stopped the leader from becoming a God, and when the Avengers' image improved, Triathlon left the team. He did briefly return to act as an instructor for Tony Stark's 50 State Initiative, and he popped up again as one of Doctor Doom's Avengers; however, he hasn't been seen since.
7 Stingray Has Been Overshadowed By More Famous Se-Dwellers
Stingray is an oceanographer who first suited up to capture the Sub-Mariner. However, Walter Newell went on to become one of Namor's most important allies. He's worked with the Avengers and The Fantastic Four many times over the years, mainly when the teams needed an undersea expert. Unfortunately, Stingray has been overshadowed by the more famous Namor, so many Avengers fans don't remember him, even though he was the caretaker for the Avengers' Hydro-Base. This base is now defunct, and Stingray remains in the shadow of his better-known underwater ally.
6 Living Lightning Is Better Off Forgotten
Miguel Santos, aka Living Lightning, was created to add some diversity to the Avengers, which is never the best start for a well-rounded character. He's had a handful of cameos over the years, but he's been largely forgotten by both the Avengers and their fans. This is probably for the best considering some of his unfortunate storylines.
During a membership drive for the Great Lakes Avengers, Miguel mistakenly thought the GLA was a gay and lesbian association, and accidentally came out to Flatman. This mix-up is a pretty insensitive portrayal of a gay character, so it's no surprise Marvel hasn't tried to remind readers of his existence.
5 Jack Of Hearts Was Peak '70s Nostalgia
Jack of Hearts burst onto the scene in the 1970s with a complicated backstory and a silly-looking costume. He's managed to hang onto a following of dedicated fans, but most readers have completely forgotten him. Jack Hart received his powers and learned he had alien parents in 1976, and he quickly became known for his erratic use of said powers and his bad temper. He worked with the Avengers on several missions, but never managed to master his powers. Increasingly isolated, Jack detonated himself. Unfortunately for him, Scarlet Witch resurrected him, only to detonate him again.
4 The Two-Gun Kid Is An Inspiration
The Two-Gun Kid met the Avengers during a strange time-travel adventure (of course), involving Kang the Conquerer. The Old West gunslinger worked to bring justice to the American West, but after meeting the Avengers, he became great friends with Hawkeye and joined the team in the present for many adventures. While having a gunslinger from the past seems like an odd choice for the Avengers, the Two-Gun Kid's place on the team and heroic actions across many time periods have inspired several modern heroes. It's just a shame he didn't have the same impact on readers.
3 Moondragon Has Been A Hero And A Villain
Moondragon is an intergalactic telepath who's been both a hero and a villain throughout her time in comics. Her links to the Avengers are questionable at best, thanks to her belief that she's better than anyone she's intellectually superior to. One memorable and questionable choice she made involved her taking over a whole planet, believing this was the best way to achieve peace. She turned against the Avengers and sided with Korvac, but was corrupted by the Dragon of the Moon. Despite her troubled history with the Avengers, she went on to join the Guardians of the Galaxy before disappearing from continuity.
2 Mantis Wasn't Always A Guardian In Marvel Comics
Mantis is a beloved hero thanks to her appearances in the MCU with the Guardians of the Galaxy; however, many fans of her movie appearances have no idea she's enjoyed a long history with the Avengers in the comics.
Mantis has played a vital role in many of the Avengers' adventures. Her coming was predicted by the Priests of Pama, who trained her from birth to prepare her for the role of mother of the Celestial Messiah. Her transcendence was a key part of the Kree-Skrull War and the Avengers' struggles against Thanos. It remains to be seen whether her role in the Guardians of the Galaxy on the big screen will ever draw on her history in Marvel Comics.
1 Silverclaw Left With Her Creators in the '90s
Silverclaw was created by Kurt Busiek and George Perez during their now legendary '90s run on the Avengers. Unfortunately for her, when her creators moved on from the series, she was promptly forgotten. Silverclaw was born in Costa Verde and was initiated into the local mythology by her father. The Avengers' butler, Edwin Jarvis, saw her village on a television piece about a children's charity and sponsored the local orphanage Silverclaw grew up. Silverclaw can shape-shift into various jungle animals, making her a formidable fighter. However, despite her skills, she's been largely overlooked since the '90s, and nobody really knows what she's up to these days.