5 Strongest Marvel Heroes Never Join the Avengers
The Avengers have been protecting Earth since 1963. Over the years, they have welcomed countless superheroes into their ranks. Yet there are some truly powerful heroes at the highest level who have never joined the team. We’re taking a look at the strongest Marvel heroes never join Avengers to see who’s missing from the list.
While big names like Storm, Clea Strange, and Beta Ray Bill have indeed become members recently, many other famous powerhouses have been left out. For this list, we’re sticking to the main timeline of Earth-616. We’re also leaving out teams like the Secret Avengers or the Young Avengers, since these groups differ somewhat from the main group.
SILVER SURFER, ALSO KNOWN AS NORRIN RADD
The Silver Surfer used to work for Galactus. Today, he is one of the most powerful beings in the entire universe. He can go head-to-head with Thor or the Hulk. He possesses cosmic consciousness and can teleport, walk through walls, and control energy and matter. He is truly powerful.
He has also been living on Earth for a long time. He was an important part of the Defenders, alongside figures like Doctor Strange and Namor. He even fell in love with a human woman named Dawn Greenwood. Although he has fought the Avengers many times, he has never officially joined them.
The strange thing is that Captain America actually asked him to join them in 1982. This happened in “Avengers” No. 216 by Jim Shooter, Alan Weiss, and Dan Green. The Surfer declined. He explained to them that he had to walk his destined path alone. That actually makes sense.
He feels immense guilt because he helps Galactus feed on planets. Even though he works alongside other outcasts on the Defenders, he simply doesn’t consider himself good enough to be a hero on the Avengers.
JEAN GREY, ALSO KNOWN AS PHOENIX
Jean Grey is one of the original X-Men. She has never been an Avenger, although she has teamed up with them during major events such as King in Black and Judgment Day. She is an extremely powerful telepath and can move objects with her mind. When she possesses the Phoenix Force, she is essentially a deity capable of altering reality.
You might think she should have joined them, especially since other X-Men like Beast and Wolverine have done so. But the Avengers are actually quite afraid of the Phoenix Force. They’ve fought against it several times, for example in stories like Avengers vs. X-Men. It makes sense that they would keep their distance from a cosmic power capable of destroying everything. Besides, Jean was dead for a very long time in the comics. She’s also just so powerful that it’s hard for the writers to find a way to integrate her into the team.
ADAM WARLOCK
Adam Warlock is the guy who’s constantly fighting Thanos. He’s the “Avatar of Life.” He’s basically perfect. He possesses incredible energetic powers, can read minds, use magic, and see into the future. Compared to most heroes, he’s in a league of his own.
Although he stood by the Avengers’ side during the Infinity Gauntlet, to be honest, he usually has much bigger things on his mind. He’s concerned with the fate of the entire universe. Why would he join the Avengers? They have different goals, and he’s a bit more flexible than they are when it comes to moral issues. Plus, he’s something of a “pet project” for writer Jim Starlin. You almost never see him without Starlin being involved in the story.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Captain Ultra
Griffin Gogol possesses a vast array of powers. He has super strength, can pass through matter, and has a powerful voice. But everyone considers him a joke. He lacks the “edge” needed to be an Avenger. He was so furious about being rejected that he actually attacked them in 2011.
Man-Thing
Ted Sallis protects reality, but has never been part of the Avengers. Blade, however, once brought along a smaller version named “Boy-Thing” as a sidekick.
Combo Man
Rick Wilder was a strange hero from 1996. He was created to sell snacks. Basically, he’s a mix of various heroes. He has all their powers, but technically speaking, he’s just a promotional character.
Virtue
Ethan Edwards is a Skrull who behaves very much like Superman. He possesses amazing healing powers. After the Secret Invasion event, he began to hate the Avengers.
Excalibur
Faiza Hussain wields King Arthur’s sword. It can kill anything, even gods. She was part of a team in another reality but never made it onto the Avengers team on Earth-616.
Iceman
Bobby Drake is an Omega-level mutant. He is super-strong. Although Storm, Wolverine, and Rogue have all been on the Avengers at one time or another, no one has ever invited Iceman.
Gladiator
He is the leading figure of the Shi’ar Empire. He is one of the strongest characters in the entire Marvel Universe. However, since he is usually just a supporting character, he never receives an invitation.
Ghost Rider
Johnny Blaze, the original Ghost Rider, never joined. The new Ghost Rider, Robbie Reyes, has recently joined, though.
Franklin Richards
He is the son of the Fantastic Four. He can alter reality with his mind. He’s probably the strongest hero of all time, but he’s still a child. It would be strange to recruit a pre-teen into the Avengers.
IKARIS OF THE ETERNALS
The Eternals are supposed to protect humanity, but only a few of them have ever been part of the Avengers. Only Sersi, Gilgamesh, and Starfox have actually been on the team. Ikaris is the most important one who hasn’t joined yet. He’s like Superman. He’s immortal, super-strong, and can fly. Even the MCU made a joke about this when his family laughed at the idea that he could lead the team after Iron Man died.
The Eternals aren’t particularly popular in the comics, which is one reason they aren’t being considered. Furthermore, Iron Man considers them troublemakers. They have these strange, unheroic rules that they must follow due to their biology. The Avengers generally only agree to recruit the “evil” Eternals or those who have left their own group.
FASTFORWARD, ALSO KNOWN AS BURIED ALIEN
In 1985, the Flash from DC Comics apparently died in a major event called Crisis on Infinite Earths. A few years later, a speedster appeared in Marvel Comics. He couldn’t remember much. He knew he was fast, his name sounded like “Buried Alien,” and he wore red and yellow. Eventually, he called himself Fastforward.
Since the ’80s, he’s barely appeared in the comics. That’s really strange, because technically, he’s the fastest character in the entire Marvel Universe. He actually won a race against Quicksilver and the others. It makes sense that a 1980s joke character who was merely a copy of the Flash never joined the team. Still, it’s pretty strange that the “fastest living hero” was never asked if he wanted to become an Avenger. These are our favorites among the strongest heroes who haven’t joined yet. Let us know who you think should be on this list!
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