The Marvel comics have an ever-expanding catalog of young heroic characters. Their flagship hero, Spider-Man has been their most successful and popular character since his introduction in 1962. The Wall-Crawler set the path for more teen heroes to follow. The 21st Century has been a boom period for young heroes, as well as teen teams, in comics, especially at Marvel.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe has dominated pop culture for well over a decade. These teen heroes have slowly started to make their way into the MCU. The Young Avengers is arguably Marvel's greatest ensemble of young heroes and the seeds have been planted for an MCU adaptation in the near future.
10 Patriot/Elijah Bradley Was A Founding Member
Patriot was introduced in Young Avengers #1 as a new's generation's Captain America. Elijah Bradley was a founding member of the Young Avengers team and played a similar role to Steve Rogers in The Avengers. Elijah is the Grandson of Isaiah Bradley, who became a superhero after surviving an experiment involving the recreation of the Super Soldier Serum.
Elijah and Isaiah made their MCU debut in the second episode of The Falcon and The Winter Soldier. In this episode, it was revealed that Isaiah had been experimented on and gained powers as in the comics. In the comics, Elijah leads everyone to believe that he inherits his powers from his Grandfather. However, he uses and abuses Mutant Growth Hormone. His addiction to the drug becomes his greatest downfall. This could be explored in later episodes of the show, or in an MCU adaptation of Young Avengers.
9 Falcon/Joaquin Torres Is A Half-Human Half-Bird Hybrid
Joaquin Torres was introduced in Sam Wilson's run as Captain America in 2015. He appeared in Captain America: Sam Wilson #3. In this issue, Sam Wilson was investigating the disappearance of Joaquin and found him at Malus's New York lab. Torres had suffered from an experiment involving Wilson's sidekick Redwing, an actual Falcon. This turned him into a half-human half-bird hybrid.
After this, Wilson would care for Torres and train him to use his new abilities to become a hero. The pair would work together throughout the series as the new Captain America and Falcon. Torres appeared in the first episode of The Falcon and The Winter Soldier. On the show, Torres and Wilson are working together, with Torres already taking an interest in the Falcon gear and gadget. It seems the natural progression would be for him to take the mantle of Falcon if and when Sam becomes Captain America.
8 Speed/Tommy (Shepherd) Maximoff Was Introduced In Wandavision But His Story Might Not Be Over
WandaVision introduced twins Tommy and Billy also known as Speed and Wiccan to the MCU. They are the kids of Wanda Maximoff and Vision. Their appearance was abruptly cut short when Westview was freed from Wanda's control and they disappeared from existence. However, the end credits of the last episode gave hope that they will return to the universe at some point.
In the comics, the Twins are crucial members of the Young Avengers team. Initially neither know that they are twins. Tommy Shepard is Speed and his abilities based on Quicksilver, Wanda's Twin brother. His super-speed was showcased in the show and proved useful in battle. If the Twins do return it is unclear if they will be aware of their relationship as in the comics, or whether they will work together to be reunited with their mother. It seems as though Wanda is trying to find them, meaning either scenario could work.
7 Wiccan/Billy Maximoff (Kaplan) Takes After His Mother
Initially, the Younger Avengers was comprised of younger analogs of established Avengers members. For example, Patriot was the Captain America of the team. When readers first meet Billy, his appearance was more inspired by Thor than either of his parents. He had a winged headpiece and wielded a staff similar to Thor's hammer, and went by the name Asgardian.
It was revealed Billy was a powerful sorcerer like his mother rather than an Asgardian. Like his brother Tommy, his powers and their usefulness were illustrated in WandaVision. Wiccan is most known for his relationship with Hulkling in the comics. Their relationship is a huge step in LGBTQ representation and has made history in the comics. Here is hoping it can do the same on-screen.
6 Stature/Cassie Lang Will Get Her Own Moment In The Spotlight
In 2015 audiences were introduced to an 8-year old Cassie Lang in the Ant-Man. The daughter of a former convicted thief turned superhero, Scott Lang. One of the most heartwarming moments of Avengers: Endgame is when the father and daughter are reunited after Scott's 5 years absence in the quantum realm. In that movie, Cassie had grown up and become a teenager.
Cassie Lang is due to return in Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania. However, Emma Fuhrmann who played Cassie in Endgame will not return. Kathryn Newton was re-cast to play Cassie for the third movie in the franchise. Disappointing news for Fuhrmann especially considering her impressive performance in Endgame. Despite this, it does show that Marvel has plans to move forward with Stature in the MCU, something which Newton has backed up in interviews.
5 Ms. Marvel/Kamala Khan Is One Of The Most Popular Marvel Characters
Kamala Khan has proven to be one of the most popular characters in Marvel history. The character has made a huge impact in her short tenure. Since debuting in 2013 she has been the lead in various animated TV shows/movies and the Avengers video game, with a live-action Ms. Marvel heading to Disney Plus this year, with Iman Vellani cast as the titular character.
As Ms. Marvel, she has been able to represent a demographic who had never been able to see themselves as a hero. This is a critical motif in Khan's story, as she has never had a hero like her to look up to, therefore doubts she can be that hero. Carol Danvers plays a huge part in her journey, meaning it is likely the two will cross paths in the future and that Ms.Marvel could be the Captain Marvel equivalent for the Young Avengers.
4 Ironheart/Riri Williams (Or Others) Could Fill The Space Tony Stark Left Behind
Tony Stark's death left a gaping hole in the MCU. There are several characters in the universe and from the comics who could precede Iron Man soon. A concept that has been explored already in Spider-Man: Far From Home and will likely be developed in both the Amour Wars and Ironheart series' coming to Disney Plus. An example of this concept from the comics is Riri Williams as Ironheart.
Ironheart is another new character from the previous decade who has proven to be a fan favorite in her solo series and a part of the Young Avengers. Dominique Thorne has been cast to play Riri in the Disney Plus show. It would be interesting to see Morgan Stark play a part in these series or in a Young Avengers adaptation. Another route they could go for Young Avengers is Iron Lad, with Harley (the kid from Iron Man 3) taking this role rather than Nathaniel Richards from the comics.
3 Hawkeye/Kate Bishop Could Change The Public Perception Of The Role
Disney Plus' Hawkeye series is due to be released later this year and will focus on Clint Barton (Jeremy Renner) and Kate Bishop (Hailee Steinfeld). This series has been a long time coming as Clint has been around since Phase 1 of the MCU yet has never had a chance to shine in a story of his own. The introduction of Kate brings an interesting development for the Hawkeye alias and the future of the MCU. It provides the opportunity for her to be the Young Avengers' Hawkeye.
Marvel has been known for having iconic characters passing the torch on to aspiring new heroes, the comic series Marvel Generations is a prime example of this. Barton and Bishop were a part of that series, which illustrated their strong connection, which was reminiscent of a father-daughter relationship. It seems as the show will follow this path as well, with Barton perhaps wanting the quiet life of retirement, yet feeling nervous for Kate, relating her to his children.
2 Miss America/America Chavez Is One Of Marvel's Trailblazing Characters
America Chavez is one of Marvel's trailblazing characters. As a Latino Lesbian, Chavez represents multiple demographics that were not seen in comics for years and are still absent on screen. She was born in the Utopian Parallel, which is Marvel's equivalent to DC's Themyscira. She was raised by her two mothers Amalia and Elena Chavez before they sent her to Earth 616 to save her life from the destruction of their home.
America Chavez is one of a kind in our world and the world of Marvel as she is the sole survivor of her universe. Xochitl Gomez has been announced to play Chavez in Doctor Strange: Multiverse Of Madness. The Multiverse element of the movie could introduce her and her home. Hopefully, this movie will at as a jumping-off point for the character in the MCU with more projects coming her way, both solo and team-ups.
1 Spider-Man/Peter Parker Didn't Really Become An Avenger
Spider-Man led the way for young superheroes in comics and similar the MCU adaptation of the character has done the same for the MCU. Peter Parker has been absent from Marvel's teen teams with Miles Morales or Gwen Stacy often taking his place, mostly due to the real-life timeline of Marvel comics.
For the longest time, Spider-Man was the only teen superhero. By the time there was enough to form teams, Peter Parker was old enough to be considered a valuable member of adult teams such as The Avengers and Fantastic Four. However, the MCU's version is a teen, with his experience working with The Avengers, the mentoring from Iron Man, and the fact he shares some of Stark and Rogers's best traits, Parker would be the perfect leader for an MCU Young Avengers.