5 Reasons You Should Be Reading Avengers Academy

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The digital-exclusive series titled “Avengers Academy” is part of Marvel’s Infinity Comic line and has been published weekly online since 2024. Interestingly, in June 2025, Marvel made the first six issues available as physical comic books for the first time for this specific title. This provides an opportunity for fans to explore the buzz surrounding it, and hopefully encourages readers to check out the series online to catch up on this thrilling saga. With a total of 46 episodes published so far, and the story continuing to unfold, it’s possible that no other Marvel title deserves a wider audience more than this reboot of “Avengers Academy“.

The initial iteration of ‘Avengers Academy’ commenced in 2010 following the Skrull Invasion and the Initiative led by Norman Osborn. The Avengers established this institution to recruit young superheroes and instill in them the essence of heroism. However, there was a hidden agenda – these students were potential future villains, a fact unknown to any of them. This original team disbanded when Arcade kidnapped them for one of his lethal games, resulting in the death or severe injury of three members – Mettle, Juston, and Reptil. The novelty with the new squad is that these children were not merely spectators, but because Carol Danvers perceived they would play crucial roles in preserving the world’s future.

Reading “Avengers Academy” is highly recommended for a number of reasons, as it stands out as one of the top comics published by the company at present.

1) A Genuine Sense Of Family

One standout feature of the Avengers Academy team is that it avoids the turmoil and conflict often found among comic book teams. Initially, one member, Red Goblin, sought solitude because he was hesitant to reveal that he was Normie Osborn, grandson of Norman Osborn. But once he confided in Moon Girl about his true identity, he found a sense of belonging and the students gradually formed a bond stronger than mere classmates. Over time, many of them grew closer, with at least two pairs entering romantic relationships, and a few others experiencing an awkward mutual attraction.

These young adults have formed a collective not just for honing heroic skills, but also for understanding their role within society. They are incredibly inclusive, extending warmth to those who appear out of place, such as Blackheart, son of Mephisto, and even their adversaries in the Sinister Six. Their actions are guided by compassion; they aid anyone in need, trusting those that others have abandoned. This team, a group of Marvel Comics’ most diverse misfits, stands out for its all-encompassing character today.

2) Fantastic Inclusion & Representation

This comic series, known as the Marvel Voices Infinity, emphasizes diversity and representation in its stories. Remarkably, this inclusivity is tastefully executed without objectification, and each character emerges as a genuine individual with authentic emotions such as confusion, longing to belong, and a desire to express their true selves. Among these characters, Escapade identifies as transgender and develops strong feelings for Bloodline, who later reciprocates these feelings. In time, Bloodline finds the courage to come out to her family about her sexuality.

In simpler terms, the comic book characters Kid Juggernaut and Captain America of the Railways are depicted as individuals exploring their sexual identities. Kid Juggernaut is in a relationship with a news reporter named Marcus Wetherell from the Daily Bugle. Meanwhile, Captain America of the Railways has feelings for Kid Juggernaut but they aren’t reciprocated, and he is also dating Mysteriant, who is a character with a complex past and strong self-assurance about their sexuality. The relationships are portrayed in a relatable and authentic manner, suggesting that these young characters often struggle to navigate their emotions and actions. Overall, the writing is well done and engaging.

The series also delves deep into exposing prejudice and intolerance in America. A particular plotline features Red Skull’s daughter, Sin, transforming into a social media influencer to manipulate bigots within society for a destructive assault on a community center for young individuals identifying as LGBTQ+. This center is where Captain America of the Railways is actively involved. The narrative weaves in a story about Steve Rogers and his World War II comrade, a gay war veteran who faces rejection from the nation he fought for. The storytelling was exceptional, addressing an essential topic with sensitivity.

Additionally, there’s an instance where Mephisto transforms his son, Blackheart, into a human, after banishing him. Despite the mistrust from adults and even an attack by Doctor Strange, members of the Avengers Academy embrace him wholeheartedly. Their belief is that everyone deserves a shot at redemption. This series stands out for its focus on inclusivity, with few comics currently surpassing it in this regard.

3) The New Sinister Six

Each superhero squad requires formidable adversaries, and in the case of Avengers Academy, it introduces a new Sinister Six, but not as you might expect. This team doesn’t consist of typical villains; instead, there is only one true antagonist among them, and surprisingly, this character undergoes a redemptive journey within the series. The main figure is Mysteriant, the nephew of the original Mysterio. He possesses illusion technology and employs it for robberies, specifically targeting the wealthy to aid the less fortunate. For instance, he steals expired drugs from a pharmaceutical warehouse and delivers them to Night Nurse to help those in need on the streets. Remarkably, Captain America of the Railways assists him in these endeavors.

Curt Connors’ offspring, often referred to as Lizard Boy, finds himself with the group since he struggles to find his place elsewhere. Willow-Wisp serves on the team, but he’s more of a troublesome teenager who tries to avoid causing harm to innocent people. Apostate is a vampire character introduced in the comics before the Sinister Six, and she develops a relationship with Bloodline. Rhinoceress is a young woman who was given up by her parents when they discovered her extraordinary size as a child; now, she does whatever it takes to stay alive. Lastly, Squid Kid leads the team, resembling Doctor Octopus in intelligence and possessing tentacles, making him a villainous counterpart.

In a different rendition: Yet, this team unites against their common foe only once. Many among them part ways with Squid Kid once they perceive him as a morally questionable individual. Rhinoceress remains a villain yet shows a peculiar kindness, offering words of encouragement to Kid Juggernaut at a nightclub. Mysteriant stands out for his repeated assistance to the Avengers Academy in combating evil forces. Interestingly, even an older Squid Kid assists Moon Girl in another realm, acknowledging that he should have heeded her advice when they were younger. This group of villains is unique because none of them are truly wicked at heart.

4) Moon Girl & Devil Dinosaur

When Disney+ launched the animated series “Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur,” they chose to portray the characters differently than how Marvel Comics had depicted them. In this version, Lunella Lafayette is not the aloof and condescending super genius who looks down on everyone else as she was in the comics for years. Instead, she’s a timid and perplexed girl who aspires to be a hero and aid people, but finds it difficult to connect with those around her. Yet, through her journey, she learns to adapt, rehabilitates villains, and works towards a more harmonious world.

In the comic book series titled “Avengers Academy“, Marvel introduces a refreshing take on Moon Girl, which has been quite captivating for many years. Similarly to his animated counterpart, Devil Dinosaur remains as mischievous and cheerful as ever. It’s evident that this portrayal of the character leans more towards the animated version rather than past comic book iterations. Placing Moon Girl in a team she feels comfortable with, where she doesn’t see herself superior to others, was a brilliant move for this series. This could be the stepping stone that elevates Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur to A-list superhero status.

5) Avengers Academy Is The New Young Avengers

One compelling reason to dive into Avengers Academy right away is that it echoes the enchantment of The Young Avengers comics Marvel has produced since they initially captivated audiences. These two stories share notable similarities: both introduce fresh characters who embark on a journey to become heroes, and in Avengers Academy, Captain America and Kid Juggernaut can be seen as modern-day counterparts to Hulkling and Wiccan from The Young Avengers series.

Although Cassie Lang, Kate Bishop, and America Chavez didn’t have romantic ties to each other, they frequently appeared together in Bloodline and Escapade. Red Goblin and Kid Loki exhibit similar attitudes, with Kid Loki having been a part of Avengers Academy, as well as Wiccan and time-displaced versions of Tommy (Speed) and Billy (Wiccan). Additionally, characters like Captain America and Blackheart both display a rebellious side, as seen in Young Avengers’ Patriot.

In contrast to the Young Avengers, where there’s a notable tension among characters like Patriot and the female members, this isn’t as prevalent in Avengers Academy. While Captain America and Red Goblin have a mildly antagonistic dynamic, it’s more playful than hostile. Instead, the series focuses more on the young Avengers exploring their identities and growing up. Similar to how Young Avengers revolutionized Marvel’s approach to superhero teams, particularly in terms of diversity, Avengers Academy is following suit by offering a fresh perspective. If you enjoyed the Young Avengers, I highly recommend adding Avengers Academy to your reading list as well.

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2025-06-26 21:41