Chaste

Team Name

Chaste

Base of Operations
Unrevealed

Current Members
None

Former Members

Claw, Flame, Shaft, Spear, Star, Stick, Stone, Trahn, Wing, Izo

Other Members (Honorary, Reserve, etc.)
Elektra

Other Info
Master Izo was one of the founding members of the Hand several hundred years ago, and was a close follower of their leader, Kagenobu Yoshioka. (Yoshioka was a blind martial artist, who used a radar sense to fight and "see" the world). Izo blinded himself in order to see the world in the same way Yoshioka did and develop his radar sense. However, when Yoshioka died, Izo left the Hand because it was growing darker, more dangerous, and devolved into a ninja cult criminal organization, prone to serving a demon known as the Beast. (To learn about the Hand, click on their name above. Also, Master Izo is shown in the third picture posted.)

In order to counter the Hand, Mater Izo founded a rival martial arts group, known as the Chaste. This elite group of warriors base lies atop a mountain in an unknown location and can only be accessed by climbing "The Wall," a sheer cliff. The climb also serves as an entrance exam - those who fail the climb are not considered worthy. However, soon after the team's creation, Master Izo was voted out by his students for his excessive drinking and gambling, which they found disgusting. Therefore, the leadership of the Chaste was then given to Stick. (Click on the highlighted names above to learn more about the team and/or character.)

Chaste members are required to rid themselves of emotions that are considered impure. The warriors have developed astounding mental and physical abilities, and their names are associated with powers or weapons they have mastered. For example, Stick - leader of the Chaste, is known for his use of the bō staff. Stone - Stick's second-in-command, who can withstand any physical attack, as long as he is aware of it in advance. Shaft - uses a bow and arrow. Claw - uses handheld metal blades in combat. Star - uses shuriken (ninja stars). Wing - power of levitation. Flame - Power of pyrokinesis. (To learn about the different Chaste members above, just click on their highlighted names.)

At one point, when Daredevil (Matthew Murdock) had temporarily lost his radar sense, he sought his old master, Stick, to help him recover his abilities. At the same time, the Hand ascertained Stick's whereabouts and launched an attack on him. The blind sensei was able to defend off the four attackers; however, he knew he needed help in the event of another attempt on his life. So, Stick summoned the other six members of the Chaste. Only Stone, Shaft, and Claw arrived (Star, Flame and Wing were presumed to have been killed en route). For this battle, the Hand’s deadliest warrior, Kirigi, had been resurrected. But, Kirigi was defeated by the surviving Chaste warriors. However, soon thereafter, a gang of the Hand's ninjas stormed Matt Murdock's apartment, attacking the Chaste, Daredevil, and Black Widow. Claw was killed in the ensuing battle, and Stick soon realized they were fighting a losing battle. Therefore, Stick joined hands with Shaft, and together they drew the life energy from the attacking ninjas. The Hand's ninjas were all destroyed. Unfortunately, all the energy that was transferred to Stick and Shaft was too much to contain and both warriors were killed. (To learn more about the above highlighted characters, just click on their names. Note: Beware of the form-fitting outfits on Black Widow's bio page.)

After this, Stone would take on the leadership position for the Chaste. He later learned the Hand had kidnapped Elektra's body and was planning to attempt to resurrect her to become the Hand's next greatest warrior. At a church, the Hand was in the final stages of Elektra's resurrection when Stone, Daredevil, and Black Widow arrived to stop the ritual. Once they were there, Daredevil heard Elektra's heart beat, and he attempted to revive her with a variation of an energy transfer once performed by Stick, but Daredevil thought he had failed. However, as the Hand fled form the allies, Stone saw that Daredevil had somehow cleansed Elektra's soul. So afterward, Stone secretly took Elektra's body back to the Chaste's mountain base and completed her resurrection there. (To learn about Elektra, just click on her highlighted name above. Note: Beware of the very form-fitting/revealing outfits worn by Elektra on her bio page.)

Later on, During a future mission, Elektra's dark essence that had been cleansed from her resurrection returned. Thus, the Chaste could not allow Elektra to return to their group because there was no guarantee she could control the impurity that the dark essence carried.

To learn more a tiny bit more about the Chaste, click on the following link, http://marvel.com/universe/Chaste.

Avengers VS X-Men Poll Results

I actually didn't know how this one was going to turn out, but it looks like we have a lot of Avengers fans out there because the Avengers received 7 votes and X-Men only received 3.

Thanks to all those that voted! It was fun to see how this poll turned out!

I hope you're all PUMPED for The Avengers coming out in less than 2 weeks on May 4, 2012!

Hand

Team Name

Hand

Base of Operations
Various

Current Members
Kingpin, White Tiger, Typhoid Mary, Lady Bullseye, Black Lotus, Makro, Yuki, Hobgoblin, Makoto (Daimyo of Eurasia), Takashi (Daimyo of Japan), Yutaka (Daimyo of Africa), Hiroshi

Former Members
Matsu'o Tsurayaba, Psylocke, Revanche, Echo, Wolverine, Izanagi, Bakuto (Daimyo of South America, deceased), Azumi Ozawa, Daredevil, Black Tarantula, Elektra, Kuroyama, Nina McCabe, Kirigi, Gorgon

Other Members (Honorary, Reserve, etc.)
N/A

Other Info
Many years ago, during feudal Japan, a few citizens of Japan fled to the mountainous regions of Iga and Kōga away from the oppressive class system of the time. These people eventually developed ninjitsu (a stealthy martial art perhaps inspired by Sun Tzu's The Art of War). Over a period of centuries, these people refined their art in secluded camps. Students were trained and practiced the art from birth--playing children's games designed to impart expertise in unarmed combat, swordplay, weaponry, camouflage, escape, and evasion. Ninjitsu was also designed to encourage spiritual growth by pushing oneself physically and mentally beyond normal human limits. The ninja were expert in espionage and assassination, and offered their specialized services to samurai warlords and others who could afford them.

By 1588, Kagenobu Yoshioka officially brought these ninjas together and created the "Hand." He stated that "the hand has five fingers, each of which can exist independently of others. Not unlike the five islands that form Japan. However, when the five fingers of the hand come together for a single, unified purpose... the hand becomes an object of unwavering power!" The Hand operated as a secret society of Japanese nationalist samurai not only in Japan, but internationally as well. However, they were soon co-opted by the Snakeroot (an ancient ninja clan which serves a demon known only as the Beast). (To learn about the Snakeroot, click on the highlighted name above.)

Through the centuries, the Hand attempted to spread its dark influence over the world. However, they have constantly clashed and battled with an order known as the Chaste. (To learn about the Chaste, click on the highlighted name above.)

At one point, Elektra had been cast out by the Chaste when it became apparent she was still consumed by grief, hatred, and pain following her father's murder. To prove her worth to Stick, (leader of the Chaste) Elektra planned to infiltrate the Hand and destroy them from within. However, the Hand was ready and they tricked Elektra into killing a previous sensei of hers. At this point, the Hand decided to take advantage of Elektra's fragile psyche and turn her to their dark ways. However, later, Elektra broke free of the Hand and escaped. (Click on the highlighted names above to learn about the characters. Note: Beware of the very form-fitting outfit worn by Elektra on her bio page.)

Years later, the Hand learned that Stick was in New York, helping his old student Daredevil (Matthew Murdock) deal with the temporary loss of his radar sense. Therefore, the members of the Hand attacked. The attack began to overwhelm Stick; however, he eventually managed to defeat his attackers when he and Shaft (another member of the Chaste) drew the life essences from the evil ninjas of the Hand--killing both themselves and the ninjas in the process. (Click on the highlighted names above to learn about the characters.)

Soon after, the Hand knew they were close to victory over their longtime foes. When Elektra had been killed by the assasin Bullseye, the Hand went in and stole her body. Now, with Elektra's body, the Hand took the steps to resurrect her (they hoped that she would replace the recently slain Kirigi as the order's greatest warrior). However, Daredevil, Black Widow, and Stone (the new leader of the Chaste) prevented Elektra from again becoming part of the Hand. (To learn about the different characters above, just click on their highlighted names. Note: Beware of the form-fitting outfits on Black Widow's bio page.)

Due to members of the Hand being practitioners of powerful occult magic and being able to kill a person and bring they back to life as a servant of the Hand, they have come in contact with many powerful superheroes. Of their victims, only Elektra, Psylocke, Northstar, and Wolverine are known to have reversed this brainwashing. In fact, when Wolverine was brainwashed in a combined operation by the Hand and HYDRA, he started to kill superheroes to have them revived and mind-controlled by the Hand. However, he eventually was able to reverse the control, and alongside Elektra fought Gorgon (who at the time had taken over both the Hand and HYDRA.) (Click on the highlighted names above to learn more about the characters and/or team.)

After sometime, the Hand was temporarily left without a leader. Thus, one faction--led by Lord Hiroshi and his lieutenant Lady Bullseye--tried to recruit Daredevil to be their new leader; however, Daredevil refused. After this, the group then went to recruit the Kingpin as their leader. This move, however, prompted Daredevil to go to the Hand and accept their offer on the condition that the Hand would not do business with the Kingpin or Lady Bullseye again. They agreed, and in observance of their new master, the ninjas adorned Daredevil-inspired regalia. (To learn about the above highlighted characters, just click on their names. Also, the Hand ninjas in Daredevil-inspired outfits are shown in the fourth and fifth picture posted. Note: Beware of the very revealing outfit on the Lady Bullseye's bio page.)

As the Hand's leader, Daredevil tried to use the team for a force of justice; however, after some time, he was eventually possessed by the demonic Beast. To stop the Beast-possessed-Daredevil, many different heroes joined forces against him, such as Spider-Man, Wolverine, Iron Fist, and Luke Cage. At one point, even a direct attack from Wolverine failed to kill the now-demonic Daredevil, but eventually Iron Fist was able to heal Daredevil of the demonic "infection" by using his chi-punch to cure Daredevil's soul. (Click on the highlighted names above to learn more about the different characters.)

After the Beast was banished from Daredevil, Kingpin took advantage of the situation and took leadership of the Hand. As leader, he recruited many including Lady Bullseye, Typhoid Mary, Montana, and Hobgoblin as his henchmen. Now, the Kingpin uses the Hand for his criminal purposes. (To learn about the different highlighted characters, just click on their names above.)

To learn more a tiny bit more about the Hand, click on the following link, http://marvel.com/universe/Hand.

In the movie Elektra, I feel that the Hand was portrayed pretty well. However, they did take some names from characters in the Chaste and add them to the Hand roster in the movie, such as Stone. But, overall, I thought they did a pretty good job with the ninjas and what not.

Warren Worthington Jr.

Real Name

Warren Kenneth Worthington Jr.

Occupation
Businessman

Citizenship
U.S.A.

Place of Birth
Unrevealed

Known Relative
Wallace (ancestor, deceased), Warren Worthington Sr. (father, deceased), Dazzler (Burt Worthington) (brother), Kathryn Worthington (wife, deceased), Angel (Warren Worthington III) (son), Unidentified nephew

Group Affiliation
Formerly Worthington Industries, Hellfire Club

Education

Unrevealed

Height
Unrevealed

Weight
Unrevealed

Eyes
Blue

Hair
Black

Powers
None

Abilities
He is undeniably well-educated and wealthy.

Other Info
Warren Kenneth Worthington Jr. is the father of Warren Worthington III (aka the X-Man Angel). He was a very wealthy businessman and had various large corporations on his name. (To learn about Warren's son, Angel, click on the highlighted name above.)

When he found out that his son Warren was a mutant, he enrolled him at Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters. After his son had been at the school for a few weeks, Warren Jr. and his wife Kathryn Worthington decided to make a brief visit to the Xavier's Institute. During their visit, they happened to bump into Magneto (the X-Men villain who had taken over the school at the time). Magneto used his powers to put the Worthingtons in a trance. Luckily, the X-Men defeated Magneto while the Worthingtons were sleeping. could save him and his wife. After the battle, for the safety of the couple, Professor X erased all of their memories about the circumstance and they went on to finish their visit at the school. (Click on the highlighted names above to learn more about the place and/or characters.)

Later, Warren Jr. was killed by agents of the Dazzler (his brother) while his son was out on a date--Warren III was only a teenager. (To learn more about the Dazzler, click on the highlighted name above.)

There is nothing there, but here is link to the bio of Warren Worthington Jr. on Marvel.com, http://marvel.com/universe/Worhington,_Warren_Jr..

In the movie, X-Men: The Last Stand, Warren Worthington Jr. was one of the creators of the "cure" that took away the powers/abilities of mutants. This was made up for the movie and has no connection to what Warren Worthington Jr. did in the comics.

Sentinels

Team Name

Sentinels
 
Base of Operations

Currently Xavier Institute For Higher Learning, Westchester, New York

Current Members
Sentinel Squad O*N*E, Crazy Train, War Machine

Former Members
3.14159, 1701AgL9914 (Wild Sentinel), Bastion, Big Bot, Conscience, Daria (Prime Sentinel), Delilah Fremont (Prime Sentinel), Ekatarina Gryaznova (Prime Sentinel), Machine Man (X-51), Ginny Mahoney (Prime Sentinel), Samuel Mbende (Prime Sentinel), Lao Mei-Ling (Prime Sentinel), Metallak, Mustang (Prime Sentinel), Nimrod, Number Five (Prime Sentinel), Number Two (Mark II), Number Two-B (Mark II), Angie Quail (Prime Sentinel), Sanjit Shaara (Prime Sentinel), Karima Shapander (Prime Sentinel), Source, Jürgen Tiebold (Prime Sentinel), Tri-Sentinel, X-Sentinels

Other Members (Honorary, Reserve, etc.)
Steven Lang (Mark III creator), Master Mold (Mark I), Master Mold (Mark III), Master Mold (Wild Sentinels), Sebastian Shaw (Mark IV-V creator), Bolivar Trask (Mark I creator), Lawrence Trask (Mark II creator)

Other Info
The Sentinel robots were originally created by Doctor Bolivar Trask. Trask intended to use the robots to save humanity from mutants. During a televised debate between Trask and Professor Charles Xavier, Trask revealed the Sentinels' existence and activated the robots. However, Xavier and Trask were soon kidnapped by the rogue Sentinels and brought to their Master Mold. Fortunately for Professor X and Trask, the X-Men arrived to fight off the Sentinels. Trask (now seeing the error in his assumption that all mutants were a threat) sacrificed himself to destroy the Master Mold. (To learn about the above highlighted characters and/or team, just click on their names.)

After finding his father's body, Larry Trask blamed mutants for his father's death. Therefore, he built the Mark II Sentinels in an attempt to carry out his father's original purpose. Larry had previously been given a medallion by his father to block the Sentinel's from sensing his mutant genes. However, Larry too was slain by his creations when they discovered that Larry was a mutant. The second generation Sentinels were eventually tricked into flying into the sun by Cyclops. (Click on the highlighted names above to learn about the characters. Note: Beware of the revealing/form-fitting outfit worn by Emma Frost on Cyclops' bio page.)

Even though two generations of Sentinels had failed in their objective, the technology still lived on. The U.S. government took possession of Trask's plans.

Later on, Loki magically merged three Sentinels into the massive Tri-Sentinel, and sent the robot to annihilate New York City by destroying a nearby nuclear power plant. However, Spider-Man (aided by the Uni-Power) became Captain Universe, and succeeded in destroying the Tri-Sentinel before it could carry out Loki's endeavor. (Click on the highlighted characters' names above to learn more about them. Note: Beware of the revealing outfit worn by Loki in his woman-form, and a revealing outfit on Captain Universe's bio page.)

Sometime later, Project: Wideawake (a government agency headed by Henry Gyrich) purchased Sentinels built by Sebastian Shaw. The project also attempted to recreate Nimrod--an advanced Sentinel that had traveled back in time from Rachel Summers' alternate timeline. (Click on the highlighted names above to learn about the project and/or characters.)

After some time, the Dark Beast--in the service of the psychic entity called Onslaught--reprogrammed a number of government-owned Sentinels. Onslaught and his Sentinels were opposed by the combined forces of the X-Men, the Avengers, and numerous other heroes. (To learn about Dark Beast, Onslaught, and/or the Avengers, click on their highlighted names above.)

During the events of Operation: Zero Tolerance, a number of humans were transformed into cyborg hybrids known as "Prime Sentinels." These Prime Sentinels were led by the robotic humanoid Bastion. The Prime Sentinels succeeded in capturing many of the X-Men. However, the President was convinced by Senator Robert Kelly and Henry Gyrich to suspend Bastion's operations and he was eventually captured by S.H.I.E.L.D.. (Click on the highlighted names above to learn about the operation, characters, and/or team.)

Later, Cassandra Nova (Professor Xavier's twin sister) convinced the last living relative of Bolivar Trask, Donald Trask III, to activate an abandoned Master Mold in Ecuador. Cassandra duplicated Trask's DNA so she could issue orders to the Sentinels. She then used the Master Mold to send two massive, highly adaptive "Wild Sentinels" to destroy the mutant homeland of Genosha, killing most of the 16 million mutants. One of these "Wild Sentinels" was later actually given a conscience by Danger. (Click on the highlighted characters and/or place to learn more about them.)

Following the events of "M-Day", the Office of National Emergency (O.N.E.)--a branch of the Department of Homeland Security--had Sentinels instituted at the Xavier Institute to watch over the X-Men. Many X-Men were uncomfortable with this, particularly, Rachel Summers, who considered it a real-life reminder of the anti-mutant future she originates from. This group of Sentinels are unlike others in that they are armor that require a human pilot. The current Sentinel Squad O*N*E was built with the aid of Tony Stark (Iron Man) and trained by Jim Rhodes (War Machine). (To learn more about the event, group, place, and/or characters above, just click on their highlighted names. Note: Beware of the revealing outfits worn by some on the M-Day bio page.)

To learn more about the Sentinels, click on the following link, http://marvel.com/universe/Sentinels.

In X-Men: The Last Stand, a simulation of a Sentinel was used in the Danger Room for Professor Xavier's mutant students to train and fight against. The only part of the Sentinel that was clearly shown was the robot's decapitated head after Wolverine was thrown by Colossus. However, in X-Men: Days of Future Past, Sentinels are one of the main enemies (these sentinels are shown in the second picture posted above).

Avengers VS X-Men Poll

There is a new crossover storyline coming to Marvel comics in April--AvX...Avengers vs. X-Men! Here are some examples of what I'm talking about on some teaser photos I've seen: Thor vs. Storm, Captain America vs. Cyclops, Iron Man vs. Magneto, Thing vs. Juggernaut, Hulk vs. Emma Frost, Red Hulk vs. Colossus, Archangel vs. Daredevil, She-Hulk vs. Rogue, Spider-Man vs. Iceman, Beast vs. Luke Cage, Black Widow vs. Psylocke, Spider-Woman vs. Gambit, etc. 

Here is the story to Issue #1:

It’s No Longer Coming—It’s Here! Does The Return Of The Phoenix To Earth Signal The Rebirth Of The Mutant Species? That’s What The X-Men Believe! Unfortunately, The Avengers Are Convinced That Its Coming Will Mean The End Of All Life On Earth! The Stage Is Set For The Ultimate Marvel Showdown...

So, my question is who do you think will win when the Avengers and the X-Men go head-to-head? (They don't have to necessarily be the 1-on-1's I've listed above. In fact I've seen promos of Wolverine vs. Captain America, and Thing vs. Namor, so they could be ANY Avenger vs. ANY X-Man.) Therefore, vote in the poll and let us know who you think will win! And if you have time, in the "Comment" section below, please leave the reasoning behind your decision so we all can know.  

Avengers

Team Name

Avengers

Base of Operations

Stark Tower, midtown Manhattan; Infinite Avengers Mansion, created by Hank Pym and exists in Underspace; formerly Avengers Mansion (a.k.a. Avengers Embassy), 890 Fifth Avenue, Manhattan, New York; a deep space monitoring station in the asteroid belt between the planets Mars and Jupiter; Avengers Headquarters, Manhattan; Avengers Compound, Palos Verdes, California; Avengers Island (a.k.a. Hydrobase); Avengers Park, Manhattan; Avengers Emergency Headquarters, somewhere outside New York City.

Current Members

Luke Cage, Captain America (Bucky Barnes), Amadeus Cho, Iron Man (Anthony Stark), Jocasta, Mockingbird (Bobbi Morse), Ms. Marvel (Carol Danvers), Quicksilver (Pietro Maximoff), Hawkeye (Clint Barton), Spider-Woman (Jessica Drew), Spider-Man (Peter Parker), Stature (Cassandra Lang), Thor, Vision, Giant-Man (Ant-Man/Giant-Man/Goliath/Yellowjacket, Henry Pym), Wolverine (James Howlett)

Former Members

Ant-Man (Scott Lang), Ares, Beast (Hank McCoy), Black Knight (Dane Whitman), Black Panther (T'Challa), Black Widow (Natasha Romanova), Captain America (Steve Rogers), Captain Britain (Kelsey Leigh), Captain Marvel (Monica Rambeau), Crystal (Crystalia Maximoff), Darkhawk (Chris Powell), Demolition Man (Dennis Dunphy), Doctor Druid (Anthony Druid), Doctor Strange (Stephen Strange), Echo (Maya Lopez), Falcon (Sam Wilson), Firebird (Bonita Juarez), Firestar (Angelica Jones), Gilgamesh, Hellcat (Patsy Walker), Hercules (Heracles), Hulk (Bruce Banner), Human Torch (Jim Hammond), Invisible Woman (Susan Richards), Iron Fist (Danny Rand), Jack of Hearts (Jonathan Hart), Justice (Vance Astrovik), Living Lightning (Miguel Santos), Machine Man (X-51/Aaron Stack), Mantis, Mister Fantastic (Reed Richards), Moon Knight (Marc Spector), Moondragon (Heather Douglas), Quasar (Wendell Vaughn), Rage (Elvin Holiday), Scarlet Witch (Wanda Maximoff), Scarlet Witch (Loki), Sandman (William Baker), Sentry (Robert Reynolds), Sersi, She-Hulk (Jennifer Walters), Silverclaw (Lupe Santiago), Spider-Woman (Julia Carpenter), Starfox (Eros), Stingray (Walter Newell), Sub-Mariner (Namor McKenzie), Swordman (Jacques Duquesne), Thing (Benjamin Grimm), Thunderstrike (Eric Masterson), Tigra (Greer Nelson), Triathlon (Delroy Garrett Jr.), Two-Gun Kid (Matt Hawk), U.S.Agent (John Walker), War Machine (James Rhodes), Wasp (Janet Van Dyne), Wonder Man (Simon Williams)

Other Members (Honorary, Reserve, etc.)

Moira Brandon, Captain Marvel (Mar-Vell), Charlie-27, Deathcry, Iron Man (alternate-timeline teenage Tony Stark), Rick Jones, Magdalene, Major Victory (Vance Astro, alternate future Vance Astrovik), Marrina (Marrina Smallwood), Martinex (Martinex T'Naga), Masque (Whitney Frost, bio-duplicate, deceased), Nikki (Nicholette Gold), Starhawk (Aleta Ogord), Starhawk (Stakar Ogord), Swordsman (Phillip Jarvert), Whizzer (Bob Frank), Yellowjacket (Rita DeMara), Yondu (Yondu Udonta)

Other Info
The five founding members of the Avengers first banded together when Loki tricked the Hulk into destroying a railway line. So, the Hulk's friend, Rick Jones, radioed the Fantastic Four for help; however, Loki instead relayed the information to Thor to draw him out in the open so he could battle him. Unknown to Loki, Iron Man, Wasp, and Ant-Man (Hank Pym) also received the radio signal and arrived at the scene in an attempt to reason with the Hulk. Not falling for the trick, Thor confronted Loki and exposed his scheme to the others. The heroes then teamed-up and defeated Loki. Afterward, the group agreed they worked well together and wanted to formalize their team. The Wasp suggested the name "Avengers" and thus the legend was born. (Click on the highlighted names above to learn more about the characters. Note: Beware of the low-cut outfit worn by the female-version of Loki on his bio page.)

Iron Man provided the group with financing and high-tech equipment in his dual identity as rich industrialist Tony Stark, donating his Manhattan residence to serve as their headquarters--Avengers Mansion. Stark's butler, Edwin Jarvis, stayed on as the mansion's principal servant and chief of staff, becoming a valued friend, confidant, and adviser to the group. In addition, the team drew up a charter and by-laws to govern their operations. Also, the Avengers tried to receive A-1 security clearance from the federal government; however, they encountered resistance from the team's first National Security Council liaison, Special Agent Murch, and from the general public--mostly due to the uneasily feelings concerning the uncontrollable Hulk. Due to this, the Hulk ended up quitting the team. Fortunately for the Avengers, the team's image improved dramatically when they discovered (and recruited) the long-lost World War II hero, Captain America. A born leader, the living legend was given retroactive "founding member" status in place of the Hulk. Thanks largely to Cap's presence, the team eventually won its A-1 security status and rapidly became the most respected super-hero team of its generation. (To learn about the highlighted characters above, just click on their names.)

The team fought many battles against a variety of villains. Eventually, due to the high stress of being under constant attack (and for other personal reasons), most of the Avengers decided to take a leave-of-absence for a time. This left Captain America alone to lead a roster of unlikely new recruits, all former criminals: Hawkeye, Quicksilver, and Scarlet Witch. The new roster ("Cap's Kooky Quartet") proved their worth by defeating the Swordsman (Jacques Duquesne), Power Man, and Doctor Doom. (Click on the names above to learn more about the highlighted characters. Note: Beware of the revealing outfit worn by Scarlet Witch on Quicksilver, and her own, bio pages.)

Over the coming years, the Avengers membership proved very fluid. Thor, Iron Man, Hank Pym, and Wasp all returned for further tours of duty. Also, the four returning founders would all serve stints as team leader. New recruits during the team's early years included Hercules, the Black Panther, Vision, and the Black Knight. The alien hero Captain Mar-Vell became one of the team's staunchest allies during the cosmic Kree-Skrull War. The Black Widow even joined the team after years as an unofficial ally. (To learn about the highlighted characters and/or war above, just click on their names. Note: Beware of the form-fitting outfit worn by the Black Widow on her bio page.)

Eventually, the paranoid and combative federal agent Henry Peter Gyrich had become the team's new government liaison. He imposed reductions and modifications of the team's membership, during which time Falcon and Ms. Marvel joined; however, he was eventually reassigned. After a few more liaisons though, a humbled Gyrich later redeemed himself by serving admirably as the Avengers liaison to the United Nations. Meanwhile, the team continued to add new members such as such as Wonder Man, Tigra, and She-Hulk to the team. (Click on the highlighted names above to learn more about the characters. Note: Beware of the really revealing/form-fitting outfits worn by Ms. Marvel, Tigra, and She-Hulk on their bio pages.)

The group's expansion accelerated after they opened a second headquarters on the West Coast in Los Angeles. Hawkeye was sent their to be the new team's chairman. The West Coast Avengers consisted of famous heroes including War Machine, Thing, Mockingbird, and Moon Knight. Unfortunately, the West Coast expansion team gradually deteriorated under later leaders and was shut down after major losses of resources and personnel. Regardless, the original eastern roster continued to grow including heroes such as the Sub-Mariner, Mister Fantastic, Invisible Woman, Spider-Man, Thunderstrike, and Captain Britain. (To learn more about the the characters listed above, just click on their highlighted names.)

The group suffered setbacks, going through many changes of leadership and several changes of headquarters, losing various members and even disbanding more than once (most notably following a disastrous conflict with and Onslaught). In addition, there were some Avengers' allies who even refused membership into the Avengers. Some of the more notable ones are the Silver Surfer, Archangel, Iceman, Doc Samson, and Songbird. (To learn more about the characters above, just click on their highlighted names above.)

After a time when the Avengers was disbanded, a random gathering of heroes during a massive super-criminal prison (known as the Raft) breakout sparked the reformation of the "New Avengers." Iron Man and Captain America invited Spider-Man, Luke Cage, and Spider-Woman to join them as "New Avengers" and to capture the escaped criminals. Leading intelligence agency S.H.I.E.L.D. was reluctant to sanction a new Avengers team; however, Captain America reminded them that his "full champion license" status with the government gave him the authority to assemble any team he required for any given mission, so he required no approval from the authorities to reassemble the Avengers. Iron Man offered the top floors of his new Stark Tower skyscraper to serve as the team's high-tech headquarters (staffed again by ever-faithful Jarvis). (To learn more about the the characters listed above, just click on their highlighted names.)

On their many adventures to find runaway criminals, the New Avengers were able to capture Electro and track down Sauron to the Savage Land. In fact, the New Avengers teamed-up with Wolverine to oppose an illegal Vibranium mining operation run by Sauron's Savage Land Mutates. After the mission, the team recruited Wolverine--whose espionage background and ruthless attitude were seen as assets for the team. (Click on the highlighted characters, place, and/or item above to learn more about them.)

The Avengers also tracked down another Raft escapee, the Silver Samurai, to Japan where they ended up fighting against both Hydra and the Hand. Shortly afterward, Spider-Woman freed Madame Hydra. When the Avengers interrogated her, she revealed that long before the Avengers had recruited her, she had lost her powers. At that time, Hydra approached her with the chance to regain her abilities provided she become a double agent for them within S.H.I.E.L.D. When Nick Fury learned about this, he agreed to reinstate Spider-Woman into S.H.I.E.L.D. provided that she play a double agent for him. (Click on the highlighted characters, place, and/or item above to learn more about them.)

Soon after this, Professor X and Dr. Strange called a meeting with the Avengers and the X-Men to determine the fate of the Scarlet Witch. This, ultimately, is what triggered the events of M-Day where the world's mutant population was mostly de-powered. (Click on the highlighted characters, team, and/or event to learn more about them. Note: Beware of the revealing outfits worn by some on the M-Day bio page.)

Later, when the passage of the Superhuman Registration Act happened, the superhuman community was split. One side, led by Iron Man, approved and upheld the law that required the registration of superhumans. The other half was led by Captain America who rebelled against the new registration law. The superhuman "Civil War" made many Avengers take sides against one another. In the end, however, the Pro-registration side emerged victorious when Captain America was assassinated. (To learn about the Act above, just click on the highlighted name.)

More recently, after the Skrulls' Secret Invasion, Norman Osborn's Dark Reign, and the Siege on Asgard, the Avengers were reassembled, organized by the resurrected Captain America and backed by three splinter teams. Earth's mightiest heroes were whole again and ready to lead the universe into a new Age of Heroes. (Click on the highlighted names above to learn about the race, events, and character.)

To learn more about the Avengers, click on the following link, http://marvel.com/universe/Avengers.

In the movies, the Avengers seem to be connected with S.H.I.E.L.D. and Nick Fury. But, in the comics this in not the case. However, I'm sure the movie is going to be awesome anyway!

X-Men

Team Name
X-Men

Base of Operations
in San Francisco, California; formerly Xavier Institute For Higher Learning, Westchester, New York; Reaver's base, Northern Territory, Australia; Mutant Research Center, Muir Island, Scotland; Magneto's Island, Bermuda Triangle

Current Members:
Angel (Warren Worthington III), Armor (Hisako Ichiki), Colossus (Piotr Rasputin), Cyclops (Scott Summers), Dazzler (Alison Blaire), Emma Frost, Gambit (Remy LeBeau), Husk (Paige Guthrie), Iceman (Robert Drake), Magneto, Namor, Nightcrawler (Kurt Wagner), Northstar (Jean-Paul Beaubier), Pixie, Professor X (Charles Xavier), Psylocke (Elisabeth Braddock), Rogue (Anna Marie), Storm (Ororo Munroe), Wolverine (James Howlett)

Former Members
Banshee (Sean Cassidy), Beast (Henry McCoy), Bishop (Lucas Bishop), Cable (Nathan Summers), Cannonball (Sam Guthrie), Chamber (Jonothon Starsmore), Changeling (Kevin Sidney), Dark Beast (Henry McCoy), Darwin (Armando Munoz), Forge, Havok (Alex Summers), Hepzibah, Joseph, Jubilee (Jubilation Lee), Juggernaut (Cain Marko), Karma (Xi'an Coy Manh), Lady Mastermind (Regan Wyngarde), Lifeguard (Heather Cameron), Lockheed, Longshot, Maggott (Japheth), Marrow (Sarah), Marvel Girl (Rachel Summers/Grey), Mimic (Calvin Rankin), Moonstar (Danielle Moonstar), Mystique (Raven Darkhölme), Omega Sentinel, Petra, Phoenix (Jean Grey), Phoenix (Phoenix Force), Polaris (Lorna Dane), Revanche (Kwannon), Cecilia Reyes, Sabretooth (Victor Creed), Sage (Tessa), Shadowcat (Katherine Pryde), Slipstream (Davis Cameron), Stacy X (Miranda Leevald), Sunfire (Shiro Yoshida), Sway (Suzanne Chan), Thunderbird (John Proudstar), Thunderbird (Neal Shaara), Vulcan (Gabriel Summers), Warpath (James Proudstar), Xorn (Kuan-Yin Xorn), Xorn (Shen Xorn)

Other Members (Honorary, Reserve, etc.)

Anole, Ariel, Blindfold, Bling, Boom-Boom, Joanna Cargill, Cipher, Cloak, Tom Corsi, Cypher, Dagger, Danger, Dust, Fantomex, Fiz, Sharon Friedlander, Gentle, Graymalkin, Hellion, Indra, Ink, Legion (David Haller), Loa, Moira MacTaggert, Magik (Amanda Sefton), Magik (Illyana Rasputin), Magma (Amara Aquilla), Match, Mercury, Multiple Man (James Madrox), Omerta (Paulie Provenzano), Onyxx, Prodigy, Rockslide, Alysande Stuart, Siryn (Theresa Rourke), Stepford Cuckoos, Sunder, Sunpyre (Leyu Yoshida), Sunspot (Roberto DaCosta), Surge, Trance, Warlock, Wolf Cub, Wolfsbane (Rahne Sinclair), Wraith (Hector Rendoza), X-Man (Nate Grey)

Other Info
Under a cloud of increasing anti-mutant sentiment, Professor Xavier created a safe haven at his Westchester Mansion where he could train young mutants to use their powers for the betterment of mankind. Aided by F.B.I. agent Fred Duncan, Xavier spent months recruiting his early students--Cyclops, Iceman, Angel, Beast and Marvel Girl (Jean Grey), dubbing them "X-Men" because each possessed an "extra" ability normal humans lacked. (To learn about the original X-Men and/or the X-Mansion, click on the highlighted names above. Note: Beware of the woman in revealing and/or form-fitting outfits on Cyclops and Jean Grey's bio pages. Also, the original X-Men are shown in the first picture posted.)

The X-Men made their public debut when the thwarted Magneto's seizure of the Cape Citadel missile base. The U.S. military was grateful, and the youngsters were initially regarded as heroes. Over the coming years, Magneto would battle the X-Men--sometimes leading his Brotherhood of Evil Mutants. In addition, the X-Men battled such threats as the immovable Blob, the untouchable Unus, the alien Lucifer, the enigmatic Stranger, the unstoppable Juggernaut, and the giant mutant-hunting Sentinel robots. (To learn about the highlighted characters and/or teams above, just click on their highlighted names.)

Later on, after the supposed tragic death of Professor X during a battle Grotesk (it was actually the shape-shirting mutant named Changeling under Professor X's orders to impersonate him), the X-Men briefly disbanded. However, when the real Xavier came out of hiding (requiring seclusion to prepare for the forthcoming invasion), the team regrouped and repelled the alien Z'Nox and his attack on Earth with the help of the Fantastic Four. Afterward, Polaris and Havok joined the team and they all eventually befriended Avia of the Savage Land's Nhu'Gari race, and fought the likes of African mutant Deluge (alongside young future member Storm), the mutant slave-runner Krueger, the criminal Dazzler (Angel's uncle, Burt Worthington), and the Secret Empire. (Click on the highlighted names above to learn about the characters, places, and/or teams. Note: Beware of the EXTREMELY revealing outfits on Storm's bio page.)

When the sentient island Krakoa captured most of Xavier's students, he hastily assembled a second squad of X-Men. Traveling the world, he recruited Nightcrawler in Germany, Wolverine in Canada, Banshee in Ireland, Storm in Kenya, Sunfire in Japan, Colossus in Russia, and Thunderbird in America. Led by Cyclops, these all-new, all-different X-Men were able to rescue their predecessors. (To learn more about the above highlighted characters, click on their names above.)

Sometime later, when Jean Grey was touched by the cosmic Phoenix Force, which replicated Jean's form and absorbed a portion of her consciousness. (Jean was secretly placed by the Phoenix Force within a cocoon-like pod in stasis at the bottom of Jamaica Bay.) Then it took her place in the X-Men. Soon after, the X-Men battled foes such as the Juggernaut, Magneto, Emperor D'Ken of the intergalactic Shi'ar Empire, the eccentric assassin Arcade, the prehistoric mutant Sauron, and the Hellfire Club. Ultimately, Jean's psyche did resurface and convinced the Phoenix Force to sacrifice itself to save the universe. Believing Jean to be dead, Cyclops quit the team, leaving Storm to lead them in his absence. (Click on the highlighted names above to learn about the different characters, race, and/or team. Note: Beware of Jean Grey's form-fitting outfit on the Phoenix Force's bio page. And beware of the revealing outfits worn by women on the Hellfire Club's bio page.)

The X-Men soon welcomed more new members, including Kitty Pryde, Rogue, and Rachel Summers. When the X-Men were believed dead after an encounter with the alien Brood, Xavier formed a new team of students dubbed the New Mutants. However, after the X-Men returned, Xavier continued to mentor both teams. The New Mutants even served temporarily as X-Men to save the team from the inter-dimensional media mogul Mojo. (To learn about the highlighted

Eventually, the real Jean Grey revived and was reunited with the original X-Men members. Together they established X-Factor (supposedly a business dedicated to hunting and capturing dangerous mutants, but secretly a group formed to protect, recruit and mentor mutants in need of guidance--like Xavier before them). The X-Men seemingly died battling the Adversary in Dallas, but they secretly survived and relocated to the Australian Outback. Here the X-Men battled threats such as the cyborg Reavers and Master Mold. Afterward, while seeking the missing X-Men, Forge and Banshee helped form an ad-hoc team of X-Men to defend Muir Island from the Reavers. However, then this team fell under the thrall of the psychic Shadow King, it took the combined efforts of the X-Men and X-Factor to defeat him. Afterwards, the members of X-Factor rejoined the X-Men which then split into two teams, Blue and Gold. (Click on the names above to learn about the different highlighted characters and/or teams. Also, part of the Blue and Gold teams is shown in the third picture posted above.)

Some time later, when Xavier and the X-Men were publicly outed as mutants by Xavier's genetic twin--Cassandra Nova--the Xavier Institute became overwhelmed with an influx of young mutants seeking safety and education. To cope with the large student body, Professor X decided to recruit some new faculty members into the Institute, including former Alpha Flight member Northstar and a reformed Juggernaut. (Click on the different highlighted names above to learn about the characters and/or teams. Note: Beware of the revealing outfit worn by one member on the Alpha Flight's bio page.)

Following an all-out assault on Manhattan by Xorn posing as Magneto, Xavier left the X-Men to help the true Magneto rebuild Genosha after it was devastated by a Sentinel attack. Therefore, Cyclops and Emma Frost became co-headmasters of the Institute and reorganized the X-Men into three separate teams: leading one team themselves in an effort to improve the X-Men's standing with the public; a second team was led by Havok; and a third team (X-Treme Sanctions Executive) led by Storm, acting as a global mutant police force until its license was revoked in the wake of "M Day"--the vast majority of mutants were suddenly de-powered. (To learn about the characters, team, and/or event, click on the highlighted names above. Note: Beware of the revealing outfits worn by some on Emma Frost, X-Treme X-Men, and M-Day's bio pages.)

Following the events of the M-Day, the X-Mansion became home to a refugee camp housing the 198--the world's remaining powered mutants. Despite the new stresses placed upon them, the X-Men continued to engage in field missions, including combating a newly resurgent Apocalypse. (To learn about the 198 and/or Apocalypse, click on the highlighted names above.)

More recently, the student population at the Xavier Institute has significantly dropped after a series of attacks by Purifiers (a religious cult led by Reverend William Stryker). However, after a mass escape attempt by the mutant refugees was resolved peacefully, tensions between the government and the X-Men decreased significantly. (Click on the highlighted names above to learn about the Purifier and/or Stryker.)

To learn more about the X-Men, click on the following link, http://marvel.com/universe/X-men.

Obviously, the X-Men movie series has messed up the order of the different X-Men joining the team. However, I think they did a great job with the movies--they are awesome!