10 Superhero Teams That Should Never Have Worked (But Did)

Superhero comics giants like Marvel and DC have captivated fans for generations with their unparalleled superheroes and engrossing narratives. A significant element of these superhero tales are the supergroups, or teams of heroes. Originally, these teams were composed of characters who typically appeared in separate books, providing readers with a single platform to enjoy all their beloved figures. Over time, these supergroups developed into distinct entities, featuring ensembles such as the Fantastic Four, the Challengers of the Unknown, and the Legion of Superheroes, which often included members not previously starring in their own books. Supergroups play a crucial role within the superhero universe, offering an exciting experience by bringing together the greatest heroes ever created. However, while witnessing these giants collaborate is enjoyable, it’s arguably even more entertaining to observe them when they clash.

Over time, we’ve witnessed an unusual collection of superteams that, surprisingly, manage to function despite their dysfunctional nature. It’s astonishing how they’ve navigated challenges that seemingly would have torn them apart. These ten teams stand out as exceptional instances of groups that, on paper, shouldn’t have been able to work together but did.

10) Doom Patrol

The Doom Patrol, a team of eccentric superheroes, have managed to save the universe multiple times, which speaks volumes about their abilities. Despite their unusual nature and individual struggles, they’ve remarkably functioned as a cohesive unit. It seems implausible for such an unconventional group to work together so effectively. The Doom Patrol stands out among DC’s teams, consisting of individuals bound by mutual traumas, many of which were instigated by their mentor, Niles Caulder, also known as the Chief. Considering the unique challenges each member faces – like Cliff Steele who lost his physical body and now lives in a robot, or Crazy Jane with her multitude of conflicting personalities, it’s hard to imagine this team functioning at all. Yet, they have found solace and strength in their collective struggles, surpassing expectations in ways that few would have predicted.

9) Uncanny X-Force

The Uncanny X-Force team, notorious for being a misfit group with little chance of success, faced even greater challenges. To start, Archangel, who was metamorphosing into Apocalypse, worked covertly against the team. Additionally, Deadpool, known for his unpredictability, posed further complications. Fantomex’s persistent advances towards Psylocke, who was involved with Archangel, created tension within the group. Deathlok, a future serial killer with a hateful disposition, added to the chaos upon joining. Age of Apocalypse Nightcrawler, on the mission to capture refugees from his world, frequently clashed with other team members. Despite these obstacles, Wolverine and Psylocke managed to keep the group united, ultimately proving their worth when others had written them off as failures.

8) Justice League International

The Justice League International, a comic team known for its entertainment value, stands out due to its dysfunctional nature. Watching this motley crew bicker with each other was often the highlight of the Justice League International. Guy Gardner was always stirring up trouble, while Blue Beetle and Booster Gold frequently engaged in reckless behavior. Ice was too innocent for her own good, and Fire was more focused on protecting Ice than completing missions. Elongated Man and Sue Dibny tried to keep everyone focused and took jabs at their teammates. Batman and Black Canary joined the group initially but eventually left due to various reasons. Rocket Red, who didn’t speak English fluently, had trust issues with the rest of the team. Meanwhile, Maxwell Lord plotted insane schemes against the metahuman community, and kept a secret file on their destruction. The Martian Manhunter, who stayed with the group for the amusement of it and perhaps the Choco’s, managed to keep things under control when Shazam or Doctor Fate weren’t around. Despite the numerous opportunities for conflict due to personal issues, the Justice League International somehow managed to work together long enough to defeat their enemies.

7) The Defenders

As a devoted Marvel enthusiast, I must admit that the unconventional band of heroes known as the Defenders is quite an astounding phenomenon. To put it frankly, considering how volatile characters like the Hulk and Namor are, their ability to stay united for such an extended period is almost incomprehensible. The enigmatic Doctor Strange served as a mediator between these two titans, maintaining harmony within this unusual trio. Later on, Silver Surfer joined the fray, further enhancing Strange’s peacemaking efforts. However, even with these additions, it’s hard to fathom how Hulk and Namor could have coexisted for so long without erupting into chaos.

What makes the Defenders unique is their inherent lack of unity that somehow managed to keep them together. They never aimed to be friends, so any conflicts they encountered were not personal. Over time, this group evolved and diversified, welcoming heroes as diverse as Beast, Valkyrie, Knighthawk, and Gargoyle into their ranks. Despite the chaos that swirled around them, the Defenders persevered.

Later iterations of the team even included the trickster Loki, who could have easily exploited his powers for personal gain. Yet, the Defenders somehow managed to survive without constantly succumbing to manipulation. The fact that they stayed together despite the odds is a testament to their resilience and adaptability. It seems that this group of misfits should have disbanded from the outset, but they somehow found a way to endure and thrive.

6) Nightwing’s Outsiders

Following a confrontation between Young Justice, Titans, and a rogue Superman android, resulting in Donna Troy’s demise, Nightwing recognized that one of the main issues with superhero teams was their tendency to view each other as family. In response, he established a new team composed of individuals he believed would only regard each other as colleagues – The Outsiders. Originally, this name belonged to a team Batman had formed who listened to him rather than the Justice League, and Nightwing reintroduced The Outsiders as an alternative to the Titans, to avoid any guilt over potentially putting lives at risk. The team included Arsenal, Jade, Thunder, Grace, Shift, and Indigo. Nightwing intentionally maintained a distance from the rest of the team, refraining from forming bonds with them. To everyone’s surprise, the team functioned effectively despite being led by someone who showed little concern for their well-being, an undercover enemy (Indigo, who was actually a plant by Brainiac), and a member known for her outspoken nature (Grace, who developed relationships with Arsenal and Thunder). Remarkably, they overcame powerful adversaries such as Sabbac and the Fearsome Five.

5) The Second Illuminati

From a movie buff’s perspective, let me share some thoughts on the Illuminati’s two teams. The initial lineup, consisting of Mr. Fantastic, Iron Man, Professor X, Namor, Black Bolt, and Doctor Strange, collaborated remarkably well, given their shared objectives and minimal conflicts. However, the dynamics changed drastically with the second roster, featuring Beast replacing Professor X, Black Panther joining, and Captain America being added. The team had to resort to a mind-wipe on Cap after they realized the extreme measures needed to halt the Incursions. This act of erasing memories led them down a dark path, as they were essentially committing widespread genocide. The internal strife within the group escalated significantly, with Black Panther and Namor frequently clashing, eventually leading to Namor’s departure from the team. Doctor Strange even allied with Doctor Doom in an attempt to halt the Incursions, but ultimately failed repeatedly. Despite their questionable actions and constant bickering, they managed to avoid destroying each other – a feat that speaks volumes about their circumstances.

4) X-Factor Underground

Following “The Muir Island Saga,” X-Factor transformed into a government-backed squad, and their adventures grew increasingly complex. Over time, many of the original members – Havok, Wolfsbane, Strong Guy, Multiple Man, and Random – departed, leaving only Polaris and government liaison Val Cooper. Forge assumed leadership, welcoming Mystique, Sabretooth, Wild Child (a nod to Marvel’s Age of Apocalypse alliance between Sabretooth and Wild Child), and Shard into the team. With personalities like Mystique and Sabretooth on board, team dynamics were strained, and they often clashed, particularly when Sabretooth tried to harm Wild Child. Despite these internal struggles, the team proved effective in combat, largely due to Forge’s strong influence. Although their tenure as a team was brief, they managed to achieve more than anticipated during their covert operations.

3) Legion of Superheroes

Some might wonder why the Legion of Superheroes has appeared. They’re a well-known group that seems ideally suited, but their success was rather peculiar for several reasons. Firstly, they are teenagers from different galaxies with superpowers, all gathered together. This led to personal conflicts, impulsive actions that could have been deadly, relationship issues that weakened their unity, and a high number of team members in action, increasing the risk of accidents. Characters like Brainiac 5, Lone Wolf, Ultra Boy, and Lightning Lad were particularly contentious, and the team frequently argued. Yet, against all odds, they managed to rise above these challenges and become one of the most iconic superhero teams in history.

2) Dark Avengers

Norman Osborn proved to be an exceptional leader beyond what most people anticipated, a fact made clear by the existence of the Dark Avengers. This team, disguised as popular superheroes like Ms. Marvel, Hawkeye, Spider-Man, and Wolverine, was no ordinary group – it consisted of Moonstone, Bullseye, Venom, and Daken. Remarkably, Osborn managed to keep these volatile individuals from clashing lethally, even though Bullseye harbored a desire to eliminate each team member at some point.

The challenges did not end there for Osborn. He had to maintain Ares’ trust, keeping him unaware of the shady dealings that Osborn was involved in, lest he unleash chaos on the entire group. Moreover, the enigmatic Sentry presented a complex web of problems. Despite these hurdles, the Dark Avengers managed to save the world multiple times. Had it not been for the Sentry, they might have even overthrown the traditional heroes. The unity displayed by the Dark Avengers surpassed anyone’s expectations of what could be achieved with such a volatile group.

1) Justice League

Let’s dive into the main issue that suggests the Justice League might not function harmoniously – Batman. Despite his need for companionship, Batman harbors deep-seated mistrust towards others, often anticipating betrayal. Many issues within the Justice League can be traced back to him. Apart from Batman, there are other challenges, particularly when the team expands beyond the Big Seven. Green Arrow has a talent for annoying everyone he interacts with, and Aquaman’s noble demeanor often rubs people the wrong way. Hawkman seems to dislike all except Hawkgirl. Superman serves as an inspiration, but spends most of his time keeping a distance. The Justice League is a collection of powerful egos that, logically, shouldn’t get along, yet they do.

What is your favorite contentious team? Sound off the comments below.

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2025-07-26 17:11