7 Underrated 1990s Avengers You Forgot Were Awesome

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The Avengers‘ popularity has really gone up and down over the years. While they’re incredibly popular now thanks to the Marvel movies, that wasn’t always the case. The X-Men started gaining more attention in the late 1970s, which led to a decline in the Avengers’ readership. Although the Avengers had some strong stories in the 1980s, the X-Men consistently outsold them, and by the 1990s, the Avengers were significantly less popular. The 1990s were a mixed bag for the team – they started strong, faced a slump mid-decade, but finished with a surge in popularity in 1998 and 1999.

Even after the Avengers disbanded, the team still included some fantastic, yet often overlooked, heroes. These seven members really stood out and helped make a difficult period much more exciting, and deserve to be remembered for their contributions.

7) Justice

I always had high hopes for the New Warriors – they felt like Marvel’s future! But looking back, it’s a little sad that only two of them really made it to the major leagues. I was really excited when Justice, who started out as Marvel Boy and has telekinetic powers, joined the Avengers during that awesome Kurt Busiek and George Perez run. And it was great to see him team up with his girlfriend, Firestar, on the Avengers too! It felt like a good moment for both of them after starting with the New Warriors.

Justice always wanted to be part of the team, and he finally achieved that dream. He was a bright-eyed, enthusiastic hero, and consistently a highlight whenever he appeared. Although he eventually lost his place as Busiek’s run continued, becoming overshadowed by more prominent characters, Justice initially brought a welcome energy to the team.

6) Firestar

Firestar, a mutant with the ability to control fire, originally joined the Avengers to be with her then-boyfriend, Justice. While she didn’t join on her own merit, it proved to be a fortunate turn of events. Her powers were dangerously unstable, and the Avengers’ tech team designed a special suit to keep her alive.

Firestar was a strong member of the Avengers, and her initial hesitation about joining actually made her a compelling teammate. It demonstrated she could perform at a high level with the best of them, proving to fans she was truly capable.

5) White Vision

The upcoming film VisionQuest will feature a white version of the Vision character. However, fans who read Avengers comics in the 1990s are already familiar with him. Previously, in the 1980s, Vision went rogue and attempted world domination, but the Avengers managed to stop him. Afterward, he was reconstructed with a new white form and without any emotions.

When he returned to the team, he became their logical, unemotional core, much like Spock. This created tension and conflict with his former friends, adding drama to the storylines. Despite his changed personality, he remained a powerful force, and it was compelling to see this new take on a well-known hero. This new, white version of Vision is a fascinating character development; his combination of logic and power made every appearance engaging.

4) Hercules

Hercules became an Avenger in the 1980s, providing the team with brute strength alongside Thor. He continued as a member throughout the 1990s, and as other powerful heroes like Thor and Iron Man departed, he rose to become one of the team’s key players during a period known as the ‘Leather Jacket Era.’ Hercules is a consistently entertaining character, and his presence helped elevate a team that was lacking major star power at the time.

In the 1990s, the character became more serious and determined, doing whatever was necessary to succeed, which was a refreshing change from his previously cheerful portrayal. The artwork by Avengers artist Steve Epting also helped, as he redesigned the character with a clean-shaven look and a new hairstyle, making him one of the most attractive Avengers during a period when striking visuals were less common.

3) Crystal

The Inhumans haven’t always been the most popular characters, but Marvel has consistently tried to make them work. For years, Crystal was their most well-known member. She had a notable romantic life, dating the Human Torch and later marrying Quicksilver, with whom she had a child. After their separation, she became an Avenger.

Crystal’s time with the Avengers included an unexpected love triangle with Black Knight and Sersi, which added some exciting drama. This personal storyline, along with her struggles with relationships, was a surprisingly strong element in a comic that wasn’t performing exceptionally well. Plus, her powerful elemental abilities made her a key asset to the team. While often overlooked, Crystal’s Avengers run was more impactful than those of any other Inhuman member.

2) Black Knight

Black Knight is a powerful but often overlooked Marvel hero who never quite reached his full potential. He became an Avenger in the 1980s, initially staying on the sidelines, but took on a bigger role in the 1990s. During “Operation: Galactic Storm,” he famously defeated the Supreme Intelligence, becoming a key figure for the team at that time. He was also involved in a complicated love triangle and faced off against an alternate version of himself in “The Proctor Saga.”

He was a fantastic teammate and a true leader, really embodying the spirit of Captain America. For a while, he was the team’s Captain America, guiding them in fights and serving as the story’s central figure. It’s a shame Black Knight isn’t remembered more, because his time as a hero was genuinely great.

1) Sersi

While Gilgamesh joined the group first (back in Avengers #300), Sersi was arguably the most effective Eternal. She was incredibly powerful, possessing super strength, the ability to withstand almost any damage, control over cosmic energy, and flight. But her true strength lay in her ability to change the very structure of matter.

During a period we called the ‘Leather Jacket Era,’ Sersi really stood out on the team, and I quickly became a fan. It was around this time she got her fantastic red and black costume, which looked great with the Avengers’ leather jackets, and it felt like she was on the verge of becoming a major character. Sadly, the Avengers comic wasn’t very popular then, so that didn’t quite happen, but we all hoped it would. Sersi feels like a forgotten hero, and I’d love to see her become an Avenger again.

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2025-11-01 00:21