We've seen team books for years since the very first issue of Avengers and Justice League, but what about the opportunity to put together a dream team? Never mind publishers, and never mind one-shot issues...what if we could put together a lasting team that would work together for a long time against common foes? Well, let's pick the cream of the crop for all spots:
The Powerhouse: Superman
While there might be other heroes who could fill this role (Hulk, Thor, Sentry, or Captain Marvel all come to mind), Superman is the one who would keep a pure head through it all. He doesn't kill, and doesn't try to kill, which would make him an interesting foil for some of the other members of the team who have no problem killing.
Plus DC knows how to handle this character by making him strong while still giving him stories that challenge him.
Plus DC knows how to handle this character by making him strong while still giving him stories that challenge him.
The Tactician: Captain America
He is the kind of hero who inspires others to follow him and truly is fearless in the battlefield. He's watched more than one friend die under his leadership (even though Hawkeye eventually came back) and that keeps a level head on all his decisions.
While he might not have the technological know-how of Batman or Iron Man, there's no doubt just having him on the team would make all the other heroes feel just a little bit better.
The Brains: Hank Pym
Considered the smartest man in the Marvel Universe, this guy has something to prove and really is quite the brillian hero. Pym brings a lifetime of mistakes to the team, yes, but he also brings a solid head thanks to the recent death of the Wasp.
I would have to say Hank would serve as a valuable member of the team for other reasons as well. He could fight as himself or any of a half dozen other heroes as the need arose. Also, his recent creation of a multi-dimensional home base for the Avengers (very reminiscent of Doctor Who's Tardis) would help him get the team where they needed to be quickly.
Considered the smartest man in the Marvel Universe, this guy has something to prove and really is quite the brillian hero. Pym brings a lifetime of mistakes to the team, yes, but he also brings a solid head thanks to the recent death of the Wasp.
I would have to say Hank would serve as a valuable member of the team for other reasons as well. He could fight as himself or any of a half dozen other heroes as the need arose. Also, his recent creation of a multi-dimensional home base for the Avengers (very reminiscent of Doctor Who's Tardis) would help him get the team where they needed to be quickly.
The Weapons Master: Deathstroke
Not necessarily the man you'd consider for a team player, Deathstroke would have a ruthless edge to him and the ability to back it up. He could easily hold his own against just about any villain the team would face and could keep his cool in an outnumbered situation.
Of course, there would be clashes. This is the first member of the fantasy team (but not the last) who would kill without second thought. This would lead to numerous clashes with Superman's Boy Scout image. Also, Slade's past would make him a hard man to trust. The team would never know when he might just be leading them into a trap...and I can easily see where there would be some huge redemption storyline in there somewhere to finally prove himself a team player.
Not necessarily the man you'd consider for a team player, Deathstroke would have a ruthless edge to him and the ability to back it up. He could easily hold his own against just about any villain the team would face and could keep his cool in an outnumbered situation.
Of course, there would be clashes. This is the first member of the fantasy team (but not the last) who would kill without second thought. This would lead to numerous clashes with Superman's Boy Scout image. Also, Slade's past would make him a hard man to trust. The team would never know when he might just be leading them into a trap...and I can easily see where there would be some huge redemption storyline in there somewhere to finally prove himself a team player.
The Stealth: Batman
Come on, you didn't think I'd forget Batman, did you? And I'm talking Bruce Wayne here. While not the heaviest hitter on the team, you'd be hard-pressed to find someone more likely to get into a locked building and grab the bad guy without any of his goons noticing.
Batman would also bring gadgets to the table. Those moments when stealth wouldn't be enough, he could bring some firepower that would even the odds. Add his aversion to killing people as well, and you have someone to back Superman when things get a little tense in a few encounters. The difference would be that Batman wouldn't be afraid to trade punches with any team member who got out of line (can I get a witness, Guy Gardner?).
Come on, you didn't think I'd forget Batman, did you? And I'm talking Bruce Wayne here. While not the heaviest hitter on the team, you'd be hard-pressed to find someone more likely to get into a locked building and grab the bad guy without any of his goons noticing.
Batman would also bring gadgets to the table. Those moments when stealth wouldn't be enough, he could bring some firepower that would even the odds. Add his aversion to killing people as well, and you have someone to back Superman when things get a little tense in a few encounters. The difference would be that Batman wouldn't be afraid to trade punches with any team member who got out of line (can I get a witness, Guy Gardner?).
The Loose Cannon: Deadshot
Because every team needs someone to keep things interesting, I'd throw Deadshot in there. I know the natural choice would be Wolverine, but he's not on this team anywhere. Deadshot has a death wish, and is completely crazy.
The beauty of this is Lawton's uneasy history with Deathstroke. Both men tried to kill each other before, and you can see where the temptation would always be there in a fight to leave Slade dying or even to shoot him in the back himself. Plus the fact that there's no way on Earth you can tell me it wouldn't be cool seeing him walk solo into a room full of Hydra or A.I.M. goons and throwing down.
Because every team needs someone to keep things interesting, I'd throw Deadshot in there. I know the natural choice would be Wolverine, but he's not on this team anywhere. Deadshot has a death wish, and is completely crazy.
The beauty of this is Lawton's uneasy history with Deathstroke. Both men tried to kill each other before, and you can see where the temptation would always be there in a fight to leave Slade dying or even to shoot him in the back himself. Plus the fact that there's no way on Earth you can tell me it wouldn't be cool seeing him walk solo into a room full of Hydra or A.I.M. goons and throwing down.
The Heart: Wonder Woman
Every team needs that person that keeps them grounded. She has to be strong enough to hold her own but at the same time human enough to reach out to that person who's been hurt due to a battle and try to help them.
Wonder Woman would bring the advantage of a second powerhouse to the team, while not being an exact copy of Superman.
She's also got the warrior princess thing going for her, which brings the supernatural element to the team where they can fight demons and mythic creatures galore.
Every team needs that person that keeps them grounded. She has to be strong enough to hold her own but at the same time human enough to reach out to that person who's been hurt due to a battle and try to help them.
Wonder Woman would bring the advantage of a second powerhouse to the team, while not being an exact copy of Superman.
She's also got the warrior princess thing going for her, which brings the supernatural element to the team where they can fight demons and mythic creatures galore.
The Speedster: Barry Allen
Every team needs a speedster, and Barry Allen is the easy choice. Quicksilver is awesome, Wally West is cool, but Barry's the man who has done it all and lived (and died...and lived) to tell about it.
The Flash does things with his speed powers no other hero had ever done, and his ability to tap into the Speed Force gives him limitless opportunities to "boost" when he needs it.
The thing that he also adds to the team is brains. He's a scientist, and while he's not on the same level as Hank Pym, he could still contribute a lot by being able to do the equations about 70,000 times faster than Hank.
Every team needs a speedster, and Barry Allen is the easy choice. Quicksilver is awesome, Wally West is cool, but Barry's the man who has done it all and lived (and died...and lived) to tell about it.
The Flash does things with his speed powers no other hero had ever done, and his ability to tap into the Speed Force gives him limitless opportunities to "boost" when he needs it.
The thing that he also adds to the team is brains. He's a scientist, and while he's not on the same level as Hank Pym, he could still contribute a lot by being able to do the equations about 70,000 times faster than Hank.
The Comedy Relief: Deadpool
Because somebody's got to throw the witty one-liners during a fight, I nominate Deadpool for the job. He's got an incredible healing factor that will keep him going no matter what, and he's a whole lot of crazy.
He almost qualifies for the "Loose Cannon" spot on the team, but his personality makes him a little too fun for the bad spot.
Wade would be an interesting foil for Batman's very grim attitude. Seeing the two of them teamed up to sneak into a base would make for a lot of fun, especially as Batman would attempt to sneak past the guards while Wade would just jump into them and start shooting.
Because somebody's got to throw the witty one-liners during a fight, I nominate Deadpool for the job. He's got an incredible healing factor that will keep him going no matter what, and he's a whole lot of crazy.
He almost qualifies for the "Loose Cannon" spot on the team, but his personality makes him a little too fun for the bad spot.
Wade would be an interesting foil for Batman's very grim attitude. Seeing the two of them teamed up to sneak into a base would make for a lot of fun, especially as Batman would attempt to sneak past the guards while Wade would just jump into them and start shooting.
The Archer: Hawkeye
Seems like this position has become a staple in recent teams, so we added an archer here. Hawkeye wins the spot simply because he's one bad dude. He has all the trick arrows of Green Arrow, but he can move beyond that. When his bowstring breaks, Clint has proven he can pick up just about anything handy and beat the tar out of any villain lurking nearby.
Clint also has a lot of leadership experience that would make him a good secondary leader. Given his past with the Thunderbolts, he's proven he can even manage villains and turn them into heroes, so the presence of Deadshot and Deathstroke wouldn't phase him.
One interesting note, archers never fare well in team books. Both Green Arrow and Hawkeye have been killed in explosions (though both have come back thanks to the intervention of supernatural friends).
Seems like this position has become a staple in recent teams, so we added an archer here. Hawkeye wins the spot simply because he's one bad dude. He has all the trick arrows of Green Arrow, but he can move beyond that. When his bowstring breaks, Clint has proven he can pick up just about anything handy and beat the tar out of any villain lurking nearby.
Clint also has a lot of leadership experience that would make him a good secondary leader. Given his past with the Thunderbolts, he's proven he can even manage villains and turn them into heroes, so the presence of Deadshot and Deathstroke wouldn't phase him.
One interesting note, archers never fare well in team books. Both Green Arrow and Hawkeye have been killed in explosions (though both have come back thanks to the intervention of supernatural friends).
The Mysterious Presence: Deadman
Come on, I dare you to name me a better spy for the team? The guy can go just about anywhere without being seen or heard, then report back as needed.
Of course, he couldn't be seen or heard by his friends either, so that could be awkward at meetings...unless he had a body to possess. For that position, I nominate Rick Jones as permanent Deadman host body. Why not? He's been everyone else's sidekick.
Of course, he couldn't be seen or heard by his friends either, so that could be awkward at meetings...unless he had a body to possess. For that position, I nominate Rick Jones as permanent Deadman host body. Why not? He's been everyone else's sidekick.
So that's my dream roster. Yes, it would be a fairly large and volatile team, but imagine how this team could build over time. Deadshot and Deathstroke already have bad blood between them, so the constant contact with each other could lead to cool confrontations. How about a Wonder Woman/Captain America love connection (after she rejects Tony Stark's guest appearance in the magazine, of course). Hey, my line up definitely couldn't be worse than the Luke Cage angst-fest we're forced to sit through now in every issue of New Avengers.
There are a lot of possibilities here, but we'll never know how it would have worked. Who do you think I should have dropped and added?
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