5 Reasons Why Marvel’s A-Force Deserves a Spot in the MCU

by

Reflect on this: It’s 2019 (seems like ages ago, doesn’t it?), and we’re all sitting in a crowded movie theater watching Avengers: Endgame. All the characters who turned to powder in Infinity War come back, Captain America uses Mjolnir (the crowd goes wild), and for just a moment, Captain Marvel takes command as Scarlet Witch, The Wasp, Nebula, Gamora, Mantis, Okoye, Valkyrie, Shuri, and even Pepper Potts all join the attack on Thanos.

Isn’t it incredible? You may have even thought, “Wow, this is akin to an all-female version of the Avengers!” Interestingly enough, true fans already knew that there had been an all-female Avengers team in the comics; they were called A-Force.

Despite being discontinued in 2016, the comic book series A-Force experienced two significant revivals. The first was during the 2015 comic book crossover event known as “Secret Wars,” which should not be confused with the 1985 version, but may or may not be connected to the upcoming movie adaptation. The second revival occurred in 2016 with the “Civil War II” storyline. Ever since that pivotal scene in “Endgame,” I’ve longed for A-Force to make an appearance in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Here’s why.

First Off, The MCU Now Has A Significant Number Of Female Characters That Could Be Used For An A-Force Series Or Movie

The primary team within A-Force was made up of a few key individuals: She-Hulk serving as the head, joined by Medusa, Captain Marvel, Dazzler, Nico Minoru, and Singularity.

By the way, aside from Dazzler and Singularity, it might surprise you to learn that most of the other characters I’ve mentioned are actually part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe already. Nico Minoru was featured in the series “Runaways”, Captain Marvel starred in two films, She-Hulk had a solo series (which was quite enjoyable), and Medusa made an appearance in the television series “Marvel’s Inhumans”.

One of the most challenging aspects (introducing new characters) has largely been dealt with. However, imagine if the higher-ups chose not to incorporate Singularity (even though her story plays a significant role) or Dazzler into the mix. They still have many other members from the comic book team who are already well-established in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, or projects closely related to it.

Indeed, Jessica Jones, Loki, America Chavez, Hawkeye, Ms. Marvel, Sharon Carter, Domino, Black Widow, and X-23 are some characters who have previously belonged to the team known as A-Force. Now, I’ve heard that Jessica Jones might be making a comeback soon; Krysten Ritter has hinted she’s ready.

Although Domino and Medusa, from Deadpool 2 and Marvel’s Inhumans respectively, haven’t returned to the franchise after their first appearances, it’s worth noting that Anson Mount, who played Black Bolt in Inhumans, reappeared in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. This suggests that characters could potentially make a comeback, so anything is possible.

It Could Also Give New Life To Characters Like She-Hulk, Hawkeye, And X-23

Is there a chance we’ll see another season of She-Hulk? It seems unlikely. As for the Young Avengers film hinted at in The Marvels, while there might be potential, a release date remains uncertain. As for X-23, she could possibly appear in Avengers: Doomsday, however, the X-23 movie appears to have been shelved (though it came close).

Wouldn’t it be an excellent time to reshine these characters with a new project, perhaps centered around A-Force? Despite my personal fondness for the lighthearted and humor-filled She-Hulk series, I understand that many viewers had mixed feelings about it, and I prefer not to delve into the specific reasons behind those criticisms at this moment.

Despite some reservations due to the tone of the She-Hulk show, I strongly believe that people could embrace a straightforward approach in her as a team leader. The reason being, I feel that the show’s humor might have deterred some viewers (although it was intended to be lighthearted). A-Force would be an excellent fit, considering She-Hulk has a rich narrative, particularly when handling matters with Medusa, who similarly claims leadership rights.

I too found the “Hawkeye” series quite enjoyable. I thought Kate Bishop was fantastic and appreciated her appearance in “The Marvels.” However, I’m curious as to when they plan to delve deeper into her character. It strikes me that an “A-Force” TV show or movie could align well with her persona, and such a production would provide a coherent explanation for Kamala Khan’s Nick Fury moment in “The Marvels,” if Ms. Marvel were positioned as a recruiter.

Concerning X-23, I’m quite fond of Dafne Keen, and her presence in “Deadpool & Wolverine” was delightful. Therefore, featuring her prominently in an all-female team like A-Force could be exciting, given her popularity and the valuable contribution she’d make to the team. Frankly, let’s expedite the production process for this idea as soon as possible!

It Would Also Be A Great Way To Introduce X-Men Characters Like Storm And Jubilee

Currently, it’s unclear exactly how the MCU intends to integrate the X-Men, as appearances by actors from previous Fox films in “Avengers: Doomsday” with Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen and Rebecca Romijn don’t necessarily mean they are playing their original X-Men characters.

In other words, is it possible they are a parallel universe’s counterpart to the team we know from the MCU? We’ve seen Patrick Stewart as Professor X and Kelsey Grammer as Beast in movies like “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” and “The Marvels”, respectively. However, it remains uncertain if these versions will be the ones that join the team in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Why don’t we consider incorporating some fresh faces into the X-Men storyline? I think it would be exciting to see these characters join A-Force, since Storm, Jubilee, Phoenix, Emma Frost, Rogue, Shadowcat, and Psylocke have already been part of the team. By having them as members of A-Force, we could delve deeper into their backgrounds and explore their roles within the team.

It’s not necessarily a straightforward method, but if the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) doesn’t simply declare that the X-Men from the Fox movies are now part of the MCU, I believe they will eventually need to cast new actors for these roles. Introducing a group like A-Force could serve as an excellent platform for this transition.

It Would Feel Completely Different, And Yet Similar To What We’ve Gotten So Far In The MCU

Here’s an interesting aspect of A-Force: while they share some resemblances with previous Marvel Universe characters we’ve seen in the MCU, they also offer a unique twist. I believe this duality could make them stand out effectively.

Example: Dazzler is an unpredictable figure, and there isn’t anyone quite like her on a team within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) yet. It’s also fascinating to see the differences between She-Hulk and Medusa; their contrasting leadership styles create an engaging tension.

This version maintains the original meaning while using more natural, easy-to-read language.

In the world of superheroes, there’s a debate similar to Captain America vs Iron Man on the role of independent contractors versus government control. This argument echoes with She-Hulk and Medusa, as they have different perspectives despite making an excellent team. I enjoy such contrasting dynamics, and it would be intriguing to witness this dynamic unfold within a team setting.

To be frank, it’s worth noting that the Avengers, as currently depicted, leans heavily towards male characters. Although there are female members, the core team is primarily male, which creates a distinct dynamic compared to a predominantly female team. Using sports as an analogy, consider the difference between watching NBA basketball versus WNBA basketball. Both have teamwork at their core, but in the NBA, you often see one player dominating the court or performing impressive dunks. In contrast, the WNBA showcases a more collaborative and dynamic team play, making for an interesting contrast. Similarly, I’d like A-Force to embody this same concept: similar yet distinctly different.

Plus, All-Female Teams Just Rule

Ultimately, there’s nothing I adore more than all-woman teams. I made this clear when I defended the 2016 Ghostbusters film recently, and I’ll make it known again. Long live all-woman teams!

To clarify, I’m not suggesting that only women should appear in a hypothetical A-Force film or series. However, what I’d prefer is a fully female team, rather than one that’s mostly female with a few male characters sprinkled in. It doesn’t have to be set in an alternate universe like the original comics; it could simply be an all-female team in the main timeline.

frankly, after witnessing countless narratives centered around masculinity, I crave a refreshing change. Of course, there’s an audience that might shy away due to perceived challenges to their masculinity, if I had to speculate. But as a movie critic, I yearn for stories that resonate with diverse experiences and perspectives.

Given that point, if the tale is engaging and brimming with action, taking it quite seriously, I believe many viewers might find themselves drawn to it, as it would simply prove irresistible to miss.

But what do you think? Could A-Force work in the MCU? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Read More

2025-04-09 03:08