Blade & 9 Other Marvel Comics Heroes You Didn’t Know Were Avengers

by

Many Marvel Comics enthusiasts recognize Blade as a relentless vampire slayer who dedicates his existence to tracking down and annihilating bloodsuckers. What some of these fans might not be aware of is that Blade was part of the Avengers, and he even joined multiple iterations of the team throughout his life. The Avengers were one of Marvel’s pioneering super-teams, established in 1963. Although the original lineup includes well-known characters such as Iron Man, Thor, Ant-Man, Wasp, and Hulk, the team has seen numerous members come and go over the years. In fact, there have been individuals that some might find surprising among their ranks, like Blade.

As a cinephile delving into the Marvel universe, I’d like to shed light on some lesser-known Avengers characters who have left an indelible mark. From the shadowy Blade and the wisecracking Deadpool to the enigmatic Yondu and beyond, these characters add depth and diversity to the team. If you’ve been following the Marvel Cinematic Universe closely, you might have already encountered them, but for those who are just starting their journey, keep an eye out for these intriguing characters that make the Avengers roster even more captivating!

10) Blade

Initially appearing as a horror character separate from Marvel’s superhero team, Blade gradually transitioned into mainstream popularity following his debut in comic books and the release of the Wesley Snipes movie in the 90s. In 2013, he joined the Mighty Avengers under an assumed identity (Ronin), a role previously held by Hawkeye. As the team became aware of his true identity, Black Panther invited Blade to join the regular Avengers, contributing to numerous missions. A notable storyline during this time featured Black Panther assigning Blade the role of sheriff within the Vampire Nation after the United Nations granted them official recognition.

9) Deadpool

One enjoyable scene in the comic series featuring Deadpool and Wolverine occurred when Deadpool sought membership in the Avengers, but was declined due to team limitations. Contrary to this, Deadpool did become an official member of the Avengers in Marvel Comics, joining the Avengers Unity Division following the conflict between the Avengers and X-Men in 2015. Captain America aimed to use this collaboration to facilitate mutant acceptance, while Deadpool leveraged his popularity to fund the team financially. However, events took a turn for the worse with the emergence of “Secret Empire,” where a fascist assumed control over Captain America’s body, leading Deadpool to align with this altered Avengers group. Deadpool was even ordered to kill Agent Coulson by the fake Captain America. Later, in “Fall of X,” Deadpool re-joined the revamped Avengers Unity Division.

8) Agent Venom

Flash Thompson, originally known for tormenting his peers in high school, transformed into a selfless hero after seeking redemption. He found his calling during wartime, but was left wheelchair-bound afterward. Years later, when given the Venom symbiote by the U.S. government, he donned the mantle of Agent Venom. In 2012, Captain America tapped him to join the Secret Avengers, where he proved a steadfast team member. Subsequently, he was inducted into the main Avengers as an emissary alongside the Guardians of the Galaxy, embarking on numerous thrilling deep-space missions in his role representing Earth’s Mightiest Heroes.

7) Moon Knight

moon knight’s history with mental health struggles has often made him an unreliable team player within superhero groups like the West Coast Avengers. Despite his initial involvement, Captain America has typically distanced himself from Moon Knight due to Marc Spector’s tendency towards violence and his classification as more of an antihero. However, when Steve Rogers established the Secret Avengers, a covert team tasked with handling sensitive operations that the regular Avengers couldn’t manage, Moon Knight proved a suitable fit. Nevertheless, in recent years, Moon Knight has developed into a foe for the Avengers, turning against them after aligning himself with Khonshu, who was secretly engaged in a conflict against Mephisto.

6) Yondu

Yondu is a character who’s been part of Marvel Comics for decades, but wasn’t particularly famous until his introduction in the Guardians of the Galaxy films. In the comics, he was an initial member of the Guardians, debuting in 1968. Although he shares some similarities with his movie version, they are not the same character. Within the comics, Yondu teamed up with characters like Charlie-27 and Martinex to create the Guardians of the Galaxy. This group assisted the Avengers during the Korvac Saga and played a crucial role in defeating the cosmic-powered ocean-human being. Due to this extended storyline, the Guardians, including Yondu, were bestowed honorary Avenger status.

5) Havok

Alex Summers, also known as Havok, is Cyclops’ sibling. He has been part of various mutant groups such as X-Men, X-Factor, the Brotherhood, and even the Starjammers, not to mention a cosmic team. However, following the events of “Avengers vs. X-Men”, he also became an Avenger. After this significant crossover concluded, Captain America recognized that more needed to be done to assimilate mutants into society without them being feared or hated. In response, Cap assembled a team called the Uncanny Avengers, which included both mutants and non-mutants. To lead this team, he invited Havok, who is a mutant, to take charge.

4) Ares

Ares, known as the God of War, was part of Norman Osborn’s villainous version of the Avengers team, called the Dark Avengers. However, this doesn’t make him an authentic Avenger because the team consisted solely of villains. During this time, Ares was secretly working for both sides as a double agent, but his cover was blown when Sentry killed him after Norman found out about it. Interestingly, Ares had previously been a member of another team called the Mighty Avengers before joining the Dark Avengers. This membership came about during the Civil War, with Iron Man threatening to expel him from the U.S. as an immigrant. As an official Avenger, Ares fought in significant events like World War Hulk and Secret Invasion.

3) Sandman

In the realm of Marvel Comics, Sandman was typically portrayed as a villain throughout much of his career. In issue #329 of “Avengers,” the team underwent a transformation, functioning under a charter supported by the United Nations instead of the U.S. government. Captain America unveiled this revamped team, and he made two surprising introductions as provisional Avengers – the former adversaries Rage and Sandman. These once nefarious individuals were seeking redemption, and Sandman demonstrated his heroic potential after years spent working with the Sinister Six. However, he eventually left the team following a request for assistance in a domestic conflict. Captain America explained that the Avengers were designed for greater tasks due to their affiliation with the United Nations.

2) Mantis

In Marvel Comics, the character Mantis is portrayed quite distinctly from her movie counterpart. She made her debut in the Avengers issue #112 back in 1973. During this time, she aided the disgraced Swordsman and assisted him in regaining his self-esteem. Together, they joined the Avengers team. However, after around two years, the Swordsman perished, causing Mantis to embark on an interstellar adventure. She reappeared as part of the West Coast Avengers later on. Subsequently, in 2001, Mantis returned in “The Avengers: Celestial Quest,” where she sought aid due to her mind disintegrating and losing herself. Noticing her predicament, the Avengers agreed to help restore her.

1) Iron Fist

Danny Rand, known as Iron Fist, is among Marvel’s street-level superheroes. Alongside Luke Cage, he founded Heroes for Hire. As anticipated, he also utilized his powers as a member of the Avengers. Subsequently, he joined the New Avengers, where Luke Cage was also present. This team was created as a rebellious counterpart to Iron Man’s squad and the Superhero Registration Act. Given Rand’s wealth, he assisted in funding the team, and by having an excellent lawyer, he managed to dodge arrest due to legal loopholes. Later on, Iron Fist collaborated with the Avengers following their defeat of Norman Osborn and the Dark Avengers, and again during the Avengers vs. X-Men narrative.

https://comicbook.com/comics/news/hulk-greatest-fights-other-heroes-marvel-comics/embed/#

Read More

2025-08-20 04:41