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After 2008, almost everyone became familiar with the Avengers. They made superhero films a billion-dollar business. However, the Avengers were not that powerful in the comic books. Their human flaws are what make them compelling characters. Still, they are not the strongest team, not in the comics anyway. The Avengers come together to fight threats that one member could not stop, and they did not always succeed. If you really want to go there, the Avengers lost in Avengers: Infinity War. Many other comic book teams are stronger than the Avengers.
This is not to disparage the Avengers. They are a household name and have made a new generation of casual readers and fans. However, the Fantastic Four, Eternals, and even the Justice League are more powerful than the Avengers. Even the Ultimates, the modernized version of the Avengers in an alternate universe, are technically more powerful than the Avengers.
Need proof? Check out this list of 12 comic book teams that are stronger than the Avengers.
1. The X-Men
Objectively, I think the X-Men are stronger than the Avengers. I don’t just mean when it comes to strength either. The X-Men were feared and hated by the world. Even during the infamous Krakoa Saga, the X-Men had to assert their stance as equals on a global stage. While the Avengers have had their crises, they have never had to fight for respect and simultaneously fight a world that hates like the X-Men did. It’s one of the reasons why the Uncanny Avengers comic exists.
2. The Fantastic Four
OK, the Fantastic Four can’t succeed on the Silver Screen for some reason. But they are the First Family of Marvel comics, and the first comic released under the Marvel name in the 1960s. They are stronger than the Avengers because they are explorers who risk their lives often in the name of science. The Fantastic Four go to other dimensions for their sake.
Their greatest foes are Galactus, Devourer of Worlds, and Doctor Doom. Also, they fight threats as a family, not as a collection of strangers who only unite when threats to Earth necessitate it.
3. Eternals
Even though the 2021 film was underwhelming for MCU fans, that doesn’t change the fact that the Eternals are stronger than the Avengers. The Eternals are an ancient humanoid race; they are only robots in the MCU. Even Thanos is an Eternal in the comic books. They were created one million years ago by the Celestials as the hermit protectors of Earth.
Due to the realities of plot armor and fan popularity, the Eternals probably would not win a decisive fight against the Avengers. However, the Eternals are still much more powerful.
4. Thunderbolts
In 1996, the Avengers were thought dead after the “Onslaught” event. Baron Zemo convinces several other villains to disguise themselves as new superheroes to gain the trust of S.H.I.E.L.D. and world governments. Zemo wants to extend his reach as a villain globally. In Thunderbolts #1 in that same year, the last page reveals that the Thunderbolts were really the Master of Evil in disguise.
Even though it was 30 years ago, I still remember that shocking revelation like it was yesterday. In a pre-Internet world, this reveal had comic book fans buzzing for years. The book would depict how the villains grew into becoming real superheroes, even though they began with evil intent. The Thunderbolts took the place of the Avengers for a while, but were impostors the whole time.
5. Justice League
Even before the rise of the MCU, the Avengers were cool, but mostly to comic book fans. Unless you read comics, played video games, or watched the cartoons, no one knew who the Avengers were. While I love the Avengers, they are known for having too many members with no superpowers, like Hawkeye, Black Widow, and Tony Stark. Bucky Barnes has enhancements, no powers. Even Ant-Man can’t do much without Pym Particles.
Although the Avengers have more fan appeal, the Justice League is stronger than the Avengers. With heavy hitters like Superman, Wonder Woman, Martian Manhunter, Green Lantern, Cyborg, Shazam, and the Flash, the Justice League has more members with much stronger abilities. Besides Batman or Green Arrow, most Justice League members are overpowered in abilities.
Justice League: The New 52 Omnibus Vol. 2 is a 1,256-page hardcover. The Justice League do battle with the Crime Syndicate, an evil version of the Justice League from another dimension. Also, Darkseid battles the Anti-Monitor with the Justice League caught in the middle. This run features writing by Geoff Johns and art by Jason Fabok and Ivan Reis.
Buy it now on Amazon for $82.
6. The Guardians of the Galaxy
In the comic books, the Guardians of the Galaxy protect the entire galaxy. Drax in the comic books was originally a living weapon whose only goal was to kill Thanos. In 2006, the Guardians, Nova, and several other cosmic characters were part of the “Annihilation” crossover. A celestial armada called the Annihilation Wave was crossing galaxies and destroying or taking them over.
The MCU version of the Guardians was included because they were a part of this comic event. The Guardians defend the Earth from celestial threats more often than the Avengers do.
Annihilation Modern Era Epic Collection: Annihilation Day is a 472-page paperback that collects several tie-in events. Get it now on Amazon for $37.
7. Strikeforce Morituri
Strikeforce Morituri is a 1986 military science fiction space opera that is also a forgotten comic book gem. On Earth-1287 in the year 2069, an alien race known as The Horde invaded Earth. They are space barbarians who cannibalize the technologies of every species they encounter. The Horde begins stripping Earth of resources, attacking, and killing humans.
An experimental process that gives 5% of the population superpowers has been developed. However, anyone who gains powers will die within 12 months. Soldiers volunteer without knowing whether or not they will survive the process or help win the war against the Horde. Even though they exist in another dimension, the members of Strikeforce Morituri are much stronger than the Avengers.
8. The Authority
In the comics, the Avengers follow the rules. In 1999, The Authority was the hottest comic book team. Led by Jenny Sparks, who controls electricity, the Authority was a group of antiheroes who would defend the world by any means necessary. They were gritty superheroes who did not ask for permission or worry about PR before taking action.
Team members Apollo, a Superman analog, and Midnighter, a Batman analogue, were lovers. Jack Hawksmoor could talk to and get powers from cities. The Doctor was a powerful shaman with a heroin addiction. The Authority was no role models and were willing to die and fight dirty for an even crueler world.
9. The Ultimates
The Ultimates are a modern reimagining of the traditional 616 Avengers. Captain America was more of a jingoistic soldier. The Hulk was an uncontrollable monster and a cannibal. Tony Stark was a post-human who was the subject of experiments before his birth. Thor was either a Norse God or an insane man with powerful weapons. Nick Fury was a highly manipulative spy who manipulated the Ultimates for the benefit of defending the world and himself when needed.
This is the version of the Avengers that was the main inspiration for the MCU. Samuel L. Jackson was the model for Nick Fury and was hired because of this comic. The Ultimates are stronger than the Avengers and, narratively, more realistic too.
10. Squadron Supreme
The Squadron Supreme are analog versions of the Justice League. Hyperion is Superman, Power Princess is Wonder Woman, the Whizzer is the Flash, Doctor Spectrum is Green Lantern, and so on. The Squadron comes from Earth 712, destroyed by an alien invasion. The Squadron rebuilds the planet under the Utopia Program.
Guns are outlawed, citizens are under mind control, and the Squadron rules as benevolent Authoritarians. They do what the Avengers would never do to stop crime and protect the world.
11. The Paradigm
Irredeemable is a 2009 comic about a Superman-like hero, the Plutonian, who loses his mind. He kills almost 4 million people, destroys cities, and takes over the world. He was allied with an Avengers-like team, The Paradigm. Members include Qubit, a genius who controls machines, Volt, who flies and controls electricity, Kaidan, who gains powers from the spirits of Japanese folklore, Gilgamos, a 2,000-year-old warrior, and so on.
The Paradigm and the Earth endure many sacrifices to stop The Plutonian. They are stronger than the Avengers, who might not have prevailed against the Plutonian.
12. Green Lantern Corps
The Green Lantern Corps are celestial space cops who patrol the universe. There are over 7,200 Green Lantern members and counting. They include Hal Jordan, John Stewart, Guy Gardner, Jessica Cruz, Simon Baz, Sojourner Mullein, Tomar-Re, Kilowag, and many more. There is a living, sentient planet known as Mogo that is a Green Lantern.
The Green Lanterns all wield power rings that create energy constructs as weapons. The stronger their willpower, courage, and imagination, the more powerful their power rings are. Just on sheer numbers and abilities, the Green Lantern Corps is much stronger than the Avengers.
Stronger Than the Avengers
The Avengers, in my opinion, are the coolest superhero team out there. They look the part. Also, they have so many non-powered humans in their ranks that readers get more drama from their stories. However, realistically speaking, the Avengers are not the strongest superhero team in comics.
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Allen Francis is a full-time writer, prolific comic book investor and author of The Casual’s Guide: Why You Should Get Into Comic Book Investing. Allen holds a BA degree from Marymount Manhattan College and has decades of experience in comic investing and personal finance. Before becoming a writer Allen was an academic advisor, librarian, and college adjunct for many years. Allen now focuses on comic book reviews, collectible investments, and helping others collect and enjoy comics.
