Jurassic League is on the horizon and fans are clamoring to see how their favorite DC superhero will appear in the reimagined world. However, Marvel fans are doubtless feeling left out. Though Marvel's other worlds often take place in other times, the number of times the Earth's Mightiest Heroes have become dinosaurs is dismally low. Given the obvious need for this storyline, here are the Avengers not as "The Savage Avengers" of old, but as the dinosaurs they should be. Marvel, this is a totally free idea whenever it's needed.
Captain America: The Four-Ton Shield
The Star-Spangled Man with a Plan must be a true American dinosaur, and Pachyrhinosaurus perotorum are found in Alaska, which counts. Ceratopsians have imposing shield-like frills like that of Triceratops. Pachyrhinosaurus is unique in that it doesn't have a facial horn. This means that the four-ton beast is a perfect saurian version of Steve Rogers' signature shield. These creatures are theorized to have charged to attack, which is perfect for Cap's telltale "lead from the front line" style.
Iron Man Would Naturally Be The Smartest Armored Dinosaur
The most intelligent dinosaurs were roughly as smart as a songbird, so representing a super-genius is a bit difficult, to say the least. However, Tarchia teresae, "the big-brained one," receives the "close enough" distinction. An armored dinosaur from the Late Cretaceous, the Mongolian beast was armored and had a larger-than-average brain cavity. This makes it relatively intelligent. These aspects make the bold beast the perfect shell-covered genius playboy billionaire philanthropist.
Bruce Banner And The Hulk Would, Naturally, Be A Mixed-Up Brute
Brontosaurus is its own genus now, but the original ten-ton beast was a piecemeal assemblage of at least three different species. Given that Brontosaurus is a sauropod, it was an unintelligent creature with a hulking mass and fame known far and wide. Since it's multiple creatures living in the same body with a massive frame, a tiny brain, and a propensity for leaving giant craters in its wake, the original Brontosaurus excelsus is a brilliant representation of the not-so-jolly Green Giant, The Incredible Hulk.
Wolverine's Claws Make His Scaly Interpretation A Slice of Cake
Many dinosaurs compete for the part of Wolverine. His gruff demeanor seems very ceratopsian for those who watched The Land Before Time as children. His short stature brings to mind the dinosaurs of Haţeg Island, dwarfed beyond all recognition. Ultimately, though, the X-Man, Avenger and member of the Fantastic Four is best represented by his claws. Where one speaks of dinosaur claws, one speaks of Therizinosaurus cheloniformis. Named "Scythe Lizard," the beast boasted three-foot claws at the end of massive arms. Though initially believed to be a theropod like the T-Rex, its status as a herbivore was discovered and it was reclassified accordingly. An aggressive mutant theropod with signature claws could be nobody but Howlett himself, the Wolverine.
Thor Brings The Hammer… If Not The Brains
Two things define Thor: Blonde, flowing hair over the armor representing his warrior status and his hammer, Mjolnir. Never has the hulk of a man been known for his brains, though, so Ankylosaurus magniventris' less-than-stellar brain capacity is fine. Wielding a famous hammer-shaped tail and the armor of a warrior, the beast is a perfect representation of the god of thunder. What's more, thunder abilities would hardly fossilize. Thus, there is always the distinct possibility of the creature hewing to Thor's shocking abilities. One can hope, at least.
Mr. Fantastic's Prehistoric Version Is A Bit Of A Stretch
Technically, the creature of choice for Reed Richards isn't a dinosaur. It's an ancient long-extinct subaquatic reptile of gargantuan proportions. However, when a stretching character matches an ancient creature as well as Mr. Fantastic matches Elasmosaurus platyurus, exceptions are made. The plesiosaur had a long neck for reaching into clouds of fish. This stretchiness evokes Reed Richard's own abilities perfectly.
The Scarlet Witch Is A Ceratopsian With A Twist
Another shield-headed dinosaur, Mercuriceratops gemini is absolutely perfect for Wanda Maximoff. Its distinctive M-shaped frill echoes her own headdress, and its species distinction, "gemini," means "twin." This is perfect for a twin and mother of twins like Wanda. Almost all paleoart of Mercuriceratops includes a bright interpretation of the creature's frill. Much like the mystical style of the Scarlet Witch, this four-ton beast is interpreted as being both powerful and fashionable. Science cannot yet deny that it had the ability to bend reality, either, which is probably another win.
Ghost Rider As All Dinosaurs At The End Of The Cretaceous.
See, when the asteroid struck, a good number of dinosaurs ignited in flame and turned into blazing skeletons. Too soon? Too soon.
Ultimately, the great variation in species of dinosaurs is almost great enough to match Marvel's multiverse. With new species discovered every year, the time for the emergence of The World's Scaliest Heroes is nigh. Saving the day can only be better in the context of million-year-old, saurian Avengers.