The Marvel and DC universes are full of famous superhero teams, but some are much more successful than others. Both companies have created quite a few groups that, frankly, aren’t very good. This isn’t meant as a criticism of the heroes themselves! In fact, intentionally creating weaker teams is a common trope in superhero stories. After following the most powerful heroes for so long, it can be fun to read about the misadventures of teams that are… well, a little bit silly.
When we talk about ‘joke’ teams in comics, we’re usually referring to groups made up of less powerful or skilled characters – think heroes who aren’t exactly top-tier. These teams often appear in lighter, more humorous stories. Groups like the Inferior Five and the Great Lakes Avengers fit this description – they have heroic intentions but lack the abilities or experience of teams like the Justice League or the Avengers. Both Marvel and DC have a history of these kinds of underdog groups, and we’re going to highlight 10 of the best ones.
10. The Legion of Substitute Heroes
Most comic fans are familiar with the Legion of Super-Heroes, a team of heroes from the future. However, even with a huge number of members, not everyone has what it takes to be a core Legionnaire. Luckily, those heroes have a place on the Legion of Substitute Heroes. While they’re all eager and well-intentioned, their superpowers are… less than impressive. With powers like Night Girl’s strength only working in the dark and Chlorophyll Kid’s ability to rapidly grow plants, it’s a bit of a mystery how someone like Bouncing Boy ever became a full-fledged hero.
9. Brute Force
Believe it or not, Marvel Comics actually created a team of animal heroes with cybernetic enhancements! Called Brute Force, they debuted in a short comic series in the early 1990s. While the idea was unique, the series didn’t gain much traction after its initial run. They later appeared in a digital comic on Marvel Unlimited and had a cameo in a Deadpool issue. Ultimately, the concept of crime-fighting animals with robotic parts proved too strange for most comic book fans.
8. Hero Hotline
Okay, so imagine this: you need a superhero, but it’s a Tuesday and Superman’s busy. That’s where the Hero Hotline comes in! It’s basically a company that employs superheroes – you call, they send someone to fix your problem, 24/7. Now, let’s be real, these aren’t your A-list Justice League types. We’re talking…unique individuals. Like, they have a psychic turtle named Marie, and a guy named Zeep who’s literally a living sponge. Seriously! It’s a totally bizarre, corporate-fueled concept, but you gotta admit, having heroes on demand is actually pretty useful.
7. Mercs for Money
It’s no surprise Deadpool ended up leading a comical team! Wade Wilson, seeing people imitate him, decided to start a business based on his reputation, initially inspired by Luke Cage’s Heroes for Hire. He had to change the name due to legal issues and landed on “Mercs for Money,” a group of unpredictable mercenaries. Their brightly colored, yet uniquely-styled, Deadpool-inspired uniforms really made them stand out. While the team didn’t last long, they were definitely entertaining.
6. Inferior Five
I admit it, I have a fondness for the Inferior Five. This team has been around for a long time, usually appearing when DC wants to playfully highlight how bad they are. They’re the children of the heroic Freedom Brigade, but unfortunately, they all inherited a complete lack of ability. With a clumsy leader like Merryman and the incredibly awkward Awkwardman, they were destined to be a joke. Still, there’s something endearing about them, and it’s always fun to see them make an appearance.
5. X-Statix
With so many mutant teams in the Marvel Universe, it was inevitable that one would be a bit… unusual. That team is X-Statix, a group of younger mutants who were more interested in becoming famous and rich than being traditional heroes. The team featured some truly bizarre members, like a mutant whose sweat was acid and a resurrected pop star originally envisioned as a reanimated Princess Diana. Despite its oddities, X-Statix was a surprisingly successful series and still has a dedicated fanbase.
4. Section 8
Section 8 is a truly bizarre team of heroes (if you can call them that) originating in the Hitman comic series and based in Gotham City. While they think they’re fighting for justice, they’re actually a dysfunctional group of flawed individuals – think criminals, people with substance abuse issues, and those with… unusual tendencies. One member, Dogwelder, lives up to his name in a disturbing way. They’re definitely humorous, but their brand of humor isn’t for all readers. Luckily, they mostly appear in stories written by Garth Ennis, keeping the citizens of Gotham relatively safe from their antics.
3. Nextwave
The comic series Nextwave: Agents of H.A.T.E. remains popular for good reason. It’s one of the funniest and most outrageous titles Marvel has ever published. The series follows a group of capable heroes recruited by the anti-terrorist group H.A.T.E., who soon discover H.A.T.E. is secretly working with the villainous Beyond Corporation. While the heroes are skilled, the bizarre and unbelievable scenarios they face make the whole series delightfully absurd. For a comedic team, Nextwave truly stands out.
2. Captain Carrot and the Zoo Crew
Captain Carrot and the Zoo Crew are often considered one of the most entertaining teams in the DC Universe. They’re a playful take on classic ‘funny animal’ comics, offering cartoonish versions of DC’s famous heroes. The team includes Captain Carrot, along with characters like Rubberduck, Pig-Iron, Fastback, and Yankee Poodle – all with names based on animal puns. They don’t typically appear in the main DC Universe, existing instead on Earth-26. However, Captain Carrot often lends a hand when there’s a crisis affecting multiple universes, and has even joined the Justice Incarnate team.
1. Great Lakes Avengers
It’s safe to say the Great Lakes Avengers are the funniest superhero team ever. Despite the name, they’re hardly top-tier heroes and have actually fought the real Avengers over using it! But what they lack in power, they make up for in spirit. With members like Mr. Immortal, Big Bertha, Flatman, and even Squirrel Girl at one point, you’re always guaranteed a fun story whenever they appear.
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2026-04-24 17:41