7 Forgotten Avengers Who Deserve Way More Credit

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The Avengers are famous for bringing together Earth’s most powerful heroes. Joining the team is a huge achievement, and it’s often launched heroes to incredible popularity. While being an Avenger can lead to stardom, not every hero manages to stay in the spotlight. Many join the team because a writer likes the character or Marvel wants to promote them, but sometimes these heroes don’t last and are eventually forgotten. Still, quite a few Avengers have made a significant impact on the team’s history during their time as members.

These heroes once played vital roles with the Avengers, but they’ve been largely forgotten. Some were incredibly powerful fighters who significantly impacted battles, while others previously led the team before stepping down. Despite their past contributions, they don’t receive the recognition they deserve.

7) Justice

The New Warriors were seen as the next generation of superheroes, but not many of its members achieved major success. Justice, a mutant with telekinetic powers (originally known as Marvel Boy), and Firestar both eventually joined the Avengers. Justice was thrilled to be on the team and quickly became the youngest, most enthusiastic member. Early issues of Avengers (Vol. 3) highlight his positive contributions. He was particularly instrumental in defeating Ultron during the “Ultron Unlimited” storyline, discovering that vibranium from Antarctica could weaken the android. In fact, he was the key to saving the Avengers – and potentially all of humanity – from destruction. While he hasn’t had much impact since leaving the team, his contribution during that crisis was vital.

6) Photon

Photon became an Avenger in the 1980s, originally as Captain Marvel II, stepping into the role of Earth’s cosmic defender after Mar-Vell. A powerful member with control over energy, she was a key player in many of the team’s victories. She even made history as one of the first Black women to lead a major superhero team, serving as Avengers chairman. Many longtime fans remember her fondly from the acclaimed Roger Stern era of Avengers, and she was often the difference between the team’s success and failure, consistently using her energy powers to save the day.

5) Wonder Man

With Wonder Man heading into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it’s perhaps unfair to call him a forgotten hero, though he hasn’t been in the spotlight much lately. While he’s been a powerful member of the Avengers for years, his impact on the team isn’t necessarily about his own actions, but rather his connections with other heroes. His memories were actually used to create Vision’s mind, and he’s been crucial to Scarlet Witch’s story. He also shared a close friendship with Beast, providing some memorable moments. Simon Williams consistently plays important, yet subtle, roles, and the Avengers’ history would be significantly different without him.

4) Havok

The first volume of Uncanny Avengers delivered some of the best Avengers stories of the 2010s, and featured a surprisingly effective, though now overlooked, leader: Havok. Cyclops’ brother, and former leader of the X-Men and X-Factor, led the Avengers Unity Squad and successfully guided them in defeating the Apocalypse Twins. They overcame significant challenges, even saving the world after a reality-bending time travel adventure (issues #7-22 are particularly great!). While things didn’t go perfectly at first, Havok ultimately redeemed himself and saved the day. Though the situation eventually fell apart, he deserves recognition for his leadership and for saving the world as an Avenger.

3) Captain Universe

During Jonathan Hickman’s run with the Avengers, Captain Universe became a vital member of the team, single-handedly saving them from disaster on their very first mission. The Enigma Force, which had previously inhabited various heroes, settled into the body of a woman in a coma named Tamara, revealing its true form as a physical representation of the universe itself. With seemingly limitless power, she defeated Ex Nihilo and Abyss, turning them into allies who helped the Avengers fight against the Builders and Thanos during the Infinity storyline. She provided the Avengers with the crucial resources they needed to succeed when everything seemed lost, and her actions are ultimately why the multiverse still exists.

2) Sunspot

Sunspot was a key member of the X-Men during Jonathan Hickman’s run, playing a crucial role in establishing the team and their fight to save reality. Interestingly, he rarely used his superpowers, relying instead on his intelligence and vast wealth. He even used his purchased organization, AIM, to form his own version of the Avengers. While he contributed significantly to the team, many fans have forgotten he was ever an X-Man.

1) Hyperion of Earth-13034

During Jonathan Hickman’s run on the Avengers, the team faced an enormous threat – the potential destruction of the entire multiverse. Among the incredibly powerful heroes assembled was Hyperion, a Superman-like character from Earth-13034. Despite his strength, Hyperion couldn’t save his home world from being destroyed by Incursions. He was then brought to the main Marvel universe (Earth-616) by AIM and became an Avenger. He formed a strong friendship with Thor, and the two often worked together as a formidable team. Hyperion’s contributions were often overlooked, but he was vital to the Avengers’ success, preventing them from failing on numerous occasions.

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2026-01-24 00:15