Every week, a secret cabal of Marvel staffers gathers to discuss the best of the best when it comes to the House of Ideas.
The Marvel Universe can always use more heroes, so it's a good thing there always seems to be new do-gooders popping up to join the fight. While some wait until they've hit adulthood to don a pair of tights and fight crime, many Marvel mainstays get their start as teens and link up with other like-minded folks. So it has been since the Young Allies and X-Men, and so it continues to be with the Runaways, Young Avengers and others.
This week, the Secret Cabal spotlights the heroes of tomorrow who have become the heroes of today, and those still working on it.
For each team you get the quick rundown as well as a special spotlight comic courtesy of Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited.
As always, these picks reflect the personal choices of the Secret Cabal, not the official opinion of Marvel or Marvel.com, and can be considered subjective at best. Enjoy!
10. THE LONERS
First Appearance: RUNAWAYS #1 (2005)
Learn More About Them…here
Notable Members: Darkhawk,
Lightspeed,
Ricochet,
Turbo, Phil Urich
Why They Make the List: "There has never been a another team, teen or otherwise, quite like the
Loners. Technically, they're not even a team—they're a support group. For anybody in their 20's or beyond who have trouble living in the now when they remember their past so fondly, you can relate to the Loners; and for kids and teens who aren't quite there yet, the Loners still have a lot going for them, from Ricochet's dope costume to the amusing way no two members seem able to get along for more than five minutes." – Secret Cabal member Annihilator882
Spotlight Comic: THE LONERS #1—These former costumed heroes try to live normal lives, but it's not so easy!
9. THE SECRET WARRIORS
First Appearance: SECRET INVASION #3 (2008)
Notable Members: Nick Fury, Quake, Druid, Hellfire, Phobos, Slingshot, Stonewall
Why They Make the List: "Despite still being new to the scene in the Marvel Universe, the
Secret Warriors have already made quite the impression. First, they get to hang out with Nick Fury 24/7, which doesn't always look that fun, but you can be sure you'll come out the other side a total badass. Second, they've got training and tactics that guarantee if there some sort of Capture the Flag Game in the Marvel U, they're seriously not taking prisoners. And, of course, with a parentage ranging from questionable heroes like Doctor Druid to unquestionable villains like Mister Hyde, make it a monthly guessing game as to what side they'll ultimately end up on." – Annihilator882
Spotlight Comic: MIGHTY AVENGERS #13—Meet the Secret Warriors!
8. GENERATION X
First Appearance: UNCANNY X-MEN #318 (1994)
Learn More About Them…here
Notable Members: Banshee,
Chamber,
Emma Frost,
Husk,
Jubilee, M, Penance,
Skin,
Synch
Why They Make the List: "
Generation X was a different kind of young X-Team from the
New Mutants or
X-Force. For one thing, they weren't pretty; from a strictly physical standpoint, characters like Skin and Penance simply couldn't blend in with normal society. For the 'pretty' characters like Jubilee and Synch, this meant they had to choose between being accepted and standing by their friends. Beyond that, there was always a darker edge to Generation X, from the mystery of M to the semi-tragic romance of Chamber and Husk. Never did the concept of a 'world that hated and feared them' seem so apt and never did the challenges facing mutants feel to close." – Annihilator882
Spotlight Comic: GENERATION X #63—The kids' world gets turned upside down by a Revolution!
7. THE ORIGINAL X-FORCE
First Appearance: NEW MUTANTS #100 (1991)
Learn More About Them…here
Notable Members: Boom Boom,
Cable,
Cannonball,
Domino,
Feral,
Shatterstar,
Warpath,
Siryn,
Sunspot, Rictor
Why They Make the List: "Aside from Cable and Domino, the first team to call itself X-Force may have been made up mostly of teens—with a couple twenty-somethings thrown in for good measure—but it certainly didn't feel that way. These were 'kids' forced to grow up hard and fast on the front lines of the war between humans and mutants, and that made for exciting adventures with very cool characters. Later on, this X-Force would morph into more of a traditional youth group, road trips and all, but they always stood out." – Annihilator882
Spotlight Comic: X-FORCE #1 (2004)—Cable brings X-Force back together for a crucial mission!
6. POWER PACK
First Appearance: POWER PACK #1 (1984)
Learn More About Them…here
Notable Members: Alex Power, Jack Power, Julie Power, Katie Power
Why They Make the List: "The concept was unlike anything on stands: a family of kids, ranging from age 5-12, who are given powers by a dying alien, and had to defend the world from an impending invasion—welcome to the
Power Pack. These kids went on to face more than anyone their age should face, from the Mutant Massacre, to a New York overrun with demons to alien abductions. They've gone on to their own lives now, trying to be teens, but you never know when the Pack will be back!" – Secret Cabal member RunawayJ
Spotlight Comic: POWER PACK: DAY ONE #1—The origin of Power Pack!
5. THE YOUNG AVENGERS
First Appearance: YOUNG AVENGERS #1 (2005)
Learn More About Them…here
Notable Members: Hulkling,
Patriot,
Wiccan, Hawkeye,
Stature,
Vision,
Speed
Why They Make the List: "For years, the X-Men had all the protégé teams while the
Avengers always just integrated their up-and-comers into the main team, but that all changed in 2005 with the emergence of the Young Avengers. The interesting wrinkle when the kids first appeared on the scene was that they were attempting to fill a void by 'Avengers Disassembled,' but the last thing the adult team wanted following those tumultuous events was a group of youngsters following in their footsteps on the road to possible tragedy. Still, with persistence and pluck, the Young Avengers proved themselves to Earth's Mightiest Heroes and to the Marvel Universe at large, something they continue to do today." – Annihilator882
Spotlight Comic: YOUNG AVENGERS #11—It's a new
Kree/Skrull War with Hulkling and the Young Avengers caught in the middle!
4. THE RUNAWAYS
First Appearance: RUNAWAYS #1 (2003)
Learn More About Them…here
Notable Members: Karolina Dean,
Molly Hayes,
Nico Minoru,
Chase Stein,
Alex Wilder,
Gertrude Yorkes,
Victor Mancha,
Xavin, Klara Prast
Why They Make the List: "Arguably the most unique team of the past 20 years, these kids sprung onto the scene, unconnected to anything in the Marvel U, hitting the ground running, and haven't looked back since. They have gone on to make a name for themselves, attracting the attention of villains like
Ultron and the
Skrulls as well as heroes like Captain America and
Wolverine. They have suffered love, loss, and second chances. Be awesomed by them!" – RunawayJ
Spotlight Comic: RUNAWAYS #9 (2005)—
Cloak takes the Runaways on a field trip to New York City!
3. THE ORIGINAL X-MEN
First Appearance: X-MEN #1 (1963)
Learn More About Them…here
Notable Members: Angel,
Beast,
Cyclops,
Iceman, Marvel Girl,
Professor X
Why They Make the List: "In their original incarnation, the X-Men broke new ground as a group of teenagers who weren't sidekicks to more established heroes, but rather gifted youngsters looking to make it on their own. The school environment provided by Professor Charles Xavier also gave the X-Men a unique environment and different feel. Once the mutant metaphors of being different and even outcast kicked in, it became clear the X-Men would be something special. While it would take a couple decades and some breakout characters for the Children of the Atom to become a true phenomenon, the original five paved a special kind of road." – Annihilator882
Spotlight Comic: X-MEN #14 (1963)—The first encounter between the X-Men and the
Sentinels!
2. THE NEW MUTANTS
First Appearance: MARVEL GRAPHIC NOVEL #4 (1982)
Learn More About Them…here
Notable Members: Cannonball,
Karma, Dani
Moonstar, Sunspot,
Wolfsbane,
Magma,
Magik,
Warlock,
Cypher
Why They Make the List: "Don't call them the
X-Babies! These students represented a more diverse cast than most books at their time of inception and seemed like the most misfit gang ever. But looks can be deceiving! These were Xavier's 'second class,' and most have gone on to either become X-Men themselves or teach the next generation, actually fulfilling their potential. And now they're back, reunited and better than ever! Everything new is
new again!" – RunawayJ
Spotlight Comic: NEW MUTANTS #16 (1983)—The Muties against their archrivals: the Hellions!
1. THE ORIGINAL NEW WARRIORS
First Appearance: THOR #411 (1989)
Learn More About Them…here
Notable Members: Firestar,
Justice,
Namorita,
Night Thrasher,
Nova,
Speedball,
Rage, Turbo
Why They Make the List: "The
New Warriors break the tradition of most younger Marvel teams in that they weren't brought together by any sort of mentor figure and didn't set out to follow in anybody's footsteps; they were a group of somewhat established teen heroes who each had nobody and found each other. The Warriors' unique group identity, which didn't hinge on them being the next X-Men or Avengers, likely contributed to their longevity and the attachment fans still feel to the original group today. Nova and Night Thrasher were never running off to any adults for approval or permission, which made them appealing characters to follow. The Warriors also tackled issues pertinent to young people, from the environment to child abuse, and did so in a way that didn't feel like an afterschool special. During their 75 issues together, the New Warriors made hard choices and tried to change the world—we got to make the easier decision to follow their efforts." – Annihilator882
Spotlight Comic: NEW WARRIORS #1 (2005)—The New Warriors reunite…for a reality TV show?
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