Champions (comics)
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The Champions were a short-lived Marvel Comics superhero team, which first appeared in The Champions #1 (October 1975).
The team’s full title is The Champions of Los Angeles and is noteworthy as Marvel's first team to be based on the West Coast; most of Marvel’s heroes are based in the company’s home of New York City.
Originally, writer Tony Isabella wanted The Champions to be a two-man group consisting of former X-Men, Angel and Iceman, but editor Len Wein insisted the team contain at least five members and Isabella added several previously-established heroes: Russian spy Black Widow (who served as the team’s leader), the Greek god Hercules and the supernatural avenger Ghost Rider. Another Russian hero, Darkstar, joined after participating on an attempt to kidnap the Black Widow.
The Champions lasted only seventeen issues, despite art from future superstar John Byrne. The group briefly reunites in 1998’s X-Force/Champions Annual '98, teaming-up with Marvel's then-current West Coast team. They have not appeared again since in present contuinity.
In Uncanny X-Men #332 (1996), Iceman calls the team an embarrassment and remarks, “Do you know how hard it is to find supervillains in Los Angeles?”. The Champions are also referred to in New Avengers #4 (2005), where they are cited as an embarrassment when Spider-Man stating that he would refuse to join the Champions, although the offer is not actually made (instead, Captain America holds a Champions-license with S.H.I.E.L.D., meaning that he can assemble any team of heroes to his own parameters).
Giant-Size Hulk #1 (2006) includes a flashback to an earlier time in which the Champions fight the Hulk, a battle that almost costs the life of Jennifer Walters (who later becomes the heroine She-Hulk), who the Hulk was trying to transport to a hospital. Learning of their mistake the Champions, they show remorse, but the Hulk wants nothing of it. Hercules later expresses a need for a time in which they can make amends.
Other \"Champions\" teams
- Nova once teamed up with Powerhouse and a few other heroes to form the Champions of Xandar.
- [Heroic Publishing] has another, different superteam, currently known as The League of Champions.
External links
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