Young Avengers Explained: What Is Marvel’s Teen Superhero Team?

With Avengers: Endgame nearly upon us, many Marvel fans are wondering what the future holds for the MCU. And with the second Endgame trailer fueling speculation that teen archer Kate Bishop is about to make her movie debut, we can’t help but wonder if a full-fledged Young Avengers movie is in the cards.

But who are the Young Avengers, and what connection do they have to Earth’s Mightiest Heroes? Here’s everything you need to know about these underage heroes in training.

Patriot – Eli Bradley is the grandson of Isaiah Bradley, one of the African American soldiers who were used as test subjects for the project that eventually created Captain America. Eli leads his teammates to believe he inherited his grandfather’s powers, when in truth he resorts to using a dangerous drug called mutant growth hormone.

Hawkeye – Wealthy socialite and gifted archer Kate Bishop takes up the mantle of Hawkeye after Clint Barton’s death. After Clint returns, the two Hawkeyes maintain an uneasy coexistence.

Stature – The daughter of Scott Lang, Cassie Lang has inherited his abilities to shrink and grow in size and also command armies of insects. Given her young age, though, her powers are often affected by her emotions.

Time Travel Hints?<\/h2>\r\n\r\nIs it possible there\u2019s more to this reused footage than meets the eye? Given that the conflict in Endgame will probably hinge on the Avengers somehow undoing Thanos\u2019 Decimation, is it possible we\u2019ll see our heroes actually travel back to the events of these earlier movies and revisit their own pasts? Peggy\u2019s line, \u201cSometimes the best we can do is start over,\u201d hints as much.”,”height”:720,”width”:1280,”url”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2019\/03\/14\/3-1552598470179.png”,”styleUrl”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2019\/03\/14\/3-1552598470179_{size}.png”,”credit”:””,”objectRelationName”:””,”objectRelationUrl”:””,”albumName”:”Avengers Endgame Trailer Breakdown: New Suits, New Hawkeye, New Questions”,”relativePosition”:”03″,”albumTotalCount”:13},{“caption”:”

Hawkeye\u0027s Starring Role<\/h2>\r\n\r\nHawkeye is prominently featured in the new trailer, including a flashback shot of Clint training his daughter to be an archer. We can\u2019t help but think of Kate Bishop, a teen heroine who takes up the Hawkeye mantle in the comics. Is this the MCU\u2019s version of Kate? We also see Clint\u2019s emotional reunion with Natasha. All signs point to Hawkeye\u2019s family perishing in the Decimation, making Nat about the closest thing he has left to family.”,”height”:798,”width”:1920,”url”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2019\/03\/14\/4-1552598470183.jpg”,”styleUrl”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2019\/03\/14\/4-1552598470183_{size}.jpg”,”credit”:””,”objectRelationName”:””,”objectRelationUrl”:””,”albumName”:”Avengers Endgame Trailer Breakdown: New Suits, New Hawkeye, New Questions”,”relativePosition”:”04″,”albumTotalCount”:13},{“caption”:”

Black Widow\u0027s Evolving Hair<\/h2>\r\n\r\nWe can\u2019t help but notice how often Natasha\u2019s hairstyle changes in the film. Depending on the shot in question, her hair morphs from red to blonde and is sometimes slicked back, in a ponytail or hanging casually.\u00a0We\u2019re used to Natasha\u2019s hair changing with each new movie, but her hairdresser is working overtime in Endgame.”,”height”:720,”width”:1280,”url”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2019\/03\/14\/5-1552598470188.png”,”styleUrl”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2019\/03\/14\/5-1552598470188_{size}.png”,”credit”:””,”objectRelationName”:””,”objectRelationUrl”:””,”albumName”:”Avengers Endgame Trailer Breakdown: New Suits, New Hawkeye, New Questions”,”relativePosition”:”05″,”albumTotalCount”:13},{“caption”:”

Familiar Imagery<\/h2>\r\n\r\nThe trailer features a couple familiar shots from the Big Game teaser, including an eerie glimpse of New York and a look at Steve running a support group for survivors. This is a touching tribute to the Falcon, as Sam was shown running a support group for military veterans in Winter Soldier.”,”height”:720,”width”:1280,”url”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2019\/03\/14\/6-1552598470192.png”,”styleUrl”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2019\/03\/14\/6-1552598470192_{size}.png”,”credit”:””,”objectRelationName”:””,”objectRelationUrl”:””,”albumName”:”Avengers Endgame Trailer Breakdown: New Suits, New Hawkeye, New Questions”,”relativePosition”:”06″,”albumTotalCount”:13},{“caption”:”

Ant-Man\u0027s Return<\/h2>\r\n\r\nThe trailer includes a new look at Ant-Man after escaping the Quantum Realm and discovering the tragedy that\u2019s unfolded in his absence. The boarded-up house in the background suggests that a decent amount of time has passed since Infinity War. Another key shot\u00a0features Ant-Man in action, jumping on a pencil and bumping into what looks to be a microphone.”,”height”:720,”width”:1280,”url”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2019\/03\/14\/7-1552598470196.png”,”styleUrl”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2019\/03\/14\/7-1552598470196_{size}.png”,”credit”:””,”objectRelationName”:””,”objectRelationUrl”:””,”albumName”:”Avengers Endgame Trailer Breakdown: New Suits, New Hawkeye, New Questions”,”relativePosition”:”07″,”albumTotalCount”:13},{“caption”:”

Tokyo<\/h2>\r\n\r\nHere\u2019s a shot of a Quinjet hovering over Tokyo, which looks to be in much better shape than New York. This is probably where we\u2019ll see Clint masquerading as Ronin.”,”height”:1044,”width”:2560,”url”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2019\/03\/14\/8-1552598470206.png”,”styleUrl”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2019\/03\/14\/8-1552598470206_{size}.png”,”credit”:””,”objectRelationName”:””,”objectRelationUrl”:””,”albumName”:”Avengers Endgame Trailer Breakdown: New Suits, New Hawkeye, New Questions”,”relativePosition”:”08″,”albumTotalCount”:13},{“caption”:”

War Machine and Nebula<\/h2>\r\n\r\nWhile Endgame will focus a great deal on the original Avengers, the trailer also features a couple shots of more recent recruits. One of the coolest shots in the trailer showcases Rocket Raccoon making War Machine his new BFF. It also includes one good look at Nebula in the trailer. It\u2019s hard to tell if this scene is taking place on Titan in the aftermath of the Thanos battle or somewhere else.”,”height”:785,”width”:1689,”url”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2019\/03\/14\/9-1552598470213.png”,”styleUrl”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2019\/03\/14\/9-1552598470213_{size}.png”,”credit”:””,”objectRelationName”:””,”objectRelationUrl”:””,”albumName”:”Avengers Endgame Trailer Breakdown: New Suits, New Hawkeye, New Questions”,”relativePosition”:”09″,”albumTotalCount”:13},{“caption”:”

The New Captain America Costume<\/h2>\r\n\r\nHere we get our first look at the new Captain America costume and shield. It looks similar in color and design to Cap\u2019s Civil War costume, though the new poster shows that it also has some comic book-style chainmail on the armor.”,”height”:720,”width”:1280,”url”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2019\/03\/14\/10-1552598470219.png”,”styleUrl”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2019\/03\/14\/10-1552598470219_{size}.png”,”credit”:””,”objectRelationName”:””,”objectRelationUrl”:””,”albumName”:”Avengers Endgame Trailer Breakdown: New Suits, New Hawkeye, New Questions”,”relativePosition”:10,”albumTotalCount”:13},{“caption”:”

Matching Uniforms<\/h2>\r\n\r\nIn another of the trailer\u2019s big moments, we see most of the Avengers gathered together for a mission and wearing a new set of armored uniforms. We\u2019d assume they were heading off to rescue Tony and Nebula, but both characters are already in the group lineup. Given how similar the design of these suits is to the Ant-Man and Wasp costumes, we\u2019re guessing the Avengers are getting ready to venture into the Quantum Realm. That could be the key to travelling back in time and undoing Thanos\u2019 actions.”,”height”:720,”width”:1280,”url”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2019\/03\/14\/11-1552598470225.png”,”styleUrl”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2019\/03\/14\/11-1552598470225_{size}.png”,”credit”:””,”objectRelationName”:””,”objectRelationUrl”:””,”albumName”:”Avengers Endgame Trailer Breakdown: New Suits, New Hawkeye, New Questions”,”relativePosition”:11,”albumTotalCount”:13},{“caption”:”

Two Different Missions?<\/h2>\r\n\r\nThree Avengers heavy-hitters are conspicuously absent in this scene – Thor, Hulk and Captain Marvel. As the three most powerful members of the team, they may have a completely separate mission. Will they be tasked with confronting Thanos while the rest of the Avengers head into the Quantum Realm?”,”height”:720,”width”:1280,”url”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2019\/03\/14\/12-1552598470229.png”,”styleUrl”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2019\/03\/14\/12-1552598470229_{size}.png”,”credit”:””,”objectRelationName”:””,”objectRelationUrl”:””,”albumName”:”Avengers Endgame Trailer Breakdown: New Suits, New Hawkeye, New Questions”,”relativePosition”:12,”albumTotalCount”:13},{“caption”:”

Carol and Thor<\/h2>\r\n\r\nSpeaking of Carol, the only time we see her in the trailer comes in the humorous final sequence where she bonds with Thor. This appears to be taking place a while after the post-credits scene from Captain Marvel, as Carol is dressed in civilian Earth clothes and wearing makeup and Natasha has her same hairstyle as she did in the Captain Marvel end credits stinger.”,”height”:720,”width”:1280,”url”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2019\/03\/14\/13-1552598470234.png”,”styleUrl”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2019\/03\/14\/13-1552598470234_{size}.png”,”credit”:””,”objectRelationName”:””,”objectRelationUrl”:””,”albumName”:”Avengers Endgame Trailer Breakdown: New Suits, New Hawkeye, New Questions”,”relativePosition”:13,”albumTotalCount”:13}]’data-ads-disabled=’false’data-ad-frequency=’3’data-image-size=’1280w’>Avengers Endgame Trailer Breakdown: New Suits, New Hawkeye, New Questions10+ IMAGESFullscreen ImageArtboard 3 CopyArtboard 3ESC

Not that this stops the Young Avengers from continuing their mission. The original series lasted for 13 issues, culminating in a major Kree/Skrull conflict as Hulkling learned his true origin as a child of both races.

It would be several years before Marvel published a second volume of Young Avengers, in part because Heinberg’s Hollywood commitments made writing a monthly comic difficult. Instead, the Young Avengers appeared in a series of smaller-scale projects, often tied to major Marvel crossovers like Civil War and Secret Invasion. The team also frequently crossed paths with fellow teen superhero group The Runaways during this period. The miniseries Young Avengers Presents helped to flesh out the pasts of several team members.

Unfortunately, following the conclusion of that series in 2014, the Young Avengers team has pretty much been on hiatus. However, Kate Bishop has taken on new life as the star of multiple incarnations of Marvel’s Hawkeye comic.

Young Avengers: Beyond the Comics

As a team, the Young Avengers have yet to appear outside of Marvel’s comics. But individually, these characters have trickled out into other media. Several members are available as playable characters in games like Marvel Future Fight, Marvel Puzzle Quest, LEGO Marvel’s Avengers and LEGO Marvel Super Heroes 2.

Cassie Lang has become the first of these characters to appear in TV and film. She appeared in the Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes episode “To Steal an Ant-Man” and was played by Abby Ryder Fortson in both 2015’s Ant-Man and 2018’s Ant-Man and the Wasp.

Speculation is growing that Marvel will introduce the Young Avengers in an upcoming phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. With Cassie Lang already introduced, Kate Bishop potentially debuting in Endgame and Vision currently undergoing a profound transformation of some sort, several key characters may already be in place as Phase 4 begins. Only time will tell!

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Jesse is a mild-mannered writer for IGN. Allow him to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket by following @jschedeen on Twitter, or Kicksplode on MyIGN.

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