Marvel Announces Al Ewing’s ‘USAvengers’, Because Marvel Hates Canada Day
Yesterday, Marvel Comics gave us a hint at the post-Civil War II future of its line, and it seems the rollout of announcements has officially begun with the unveiling of a new Avengers title, USAvengers. Written by Al Ewing, USAvengers is led by Roberto Da Costa, AKA Sunspot, and features some of the Marvel Universe's most patriotic characters including Red Hulk, a new Iron Patriot and a Captain America from a possible future.
Announced via The Washington Post on this fine Canada Day (sorry Canada), USAvengers seems to pick up from Ewing's current work on New Avengers, which also features Sunspot in command of Avengers Idea Mechanics. The full line-up for the new series is Sunspot, Cannonball, Squirrel Girl, Red Hulk, the Captain America of the year 20XX, Pod, and a new Iron Patriot.
The announcement does not mention any artist attached to the project as of yet, nor does it credit artist Paco Medina, who provides the cover art and character designs. (UPDATE: The Washington Post has since credited Medina and confirmed he will be the artist on the series.)
Captain America 20XX has appeared in several of Ewing's Avengers titles, including New Avengers and Avengers: Ultron Forever, and is the adult version of Luke Cage and Jessica Jones' daughter Danielle. The new Iron Patriot is Dr. Toni Ho, a scientist and current supporting character in New Avengers.
The last time we saw Red Hulk, he was depowered by The Incredible Hulk's "Doc Green" persona just prior to Secret Wars, so presumably he will get his powers back somehow, along with that sweet facial hair. Regarding Squirrel Girl, Ewing notes rather curiously that "it was only a matter of time before she was put on a team," though she is already on the New Avengers team that he writes.
Assuming the new team spins out of and replaces New Avengers, there are two very notable absences: Wiccan and Hulkling, two of the publisher's most prominent gay characters. The new team does offer LGBTQ representation with Pod, but the absence of Billy and Teddy is a disappointment. Hopefully it means they're due to turn up elsewhere in the relaunched line.
The design sheets featured at The Washington Post also seems to continue the worrying trend of whitewashing Roberto Da Costa, a problem that has plagued the character for decades.
Check out the full story at The Washington Post for more information about the direction of the book and character design sheets for the team members.