Marvel Bringing Back a Forgotten Team That's Been On Ice for 12 Years

A sad day for Marvel fans intersects with a good one. The sorrow comes with the decision to end the Ultimates universe, a staple of greatness for Marvel fans everywhere that is at least working to go out with a bang with a new version of a longtime Avenger heading its way, after writer Deniz Camp chose to also clear the air of any speculation on why Ultimates has met its demise.

The elation from fans, however, will likely tie to a recent tease based upon the events of Imperial, orchestrated by the skillful hand of writer and artist Jonathan Hickman. As empires from across the cosmos clash for supremacy, Hulkling and Wiccan (Wanda Maximoff’s son, Billy) find themselves in need of assistance — that help potentially coming from none other than the Young Avengers.

Imperial - Marvel
Courtesy of Marvel Comics

Writer: Jonathan Hickman
Artists: Iban Coello, Federico Vicentini, Federico Blee

The thread spans from Imperial #3 to Imperial #4, after Wiccan is injured and Hulkling is no longer in power, and Wiccan uses his star-emblazened communicator to summon help from America Chavez, who shows up as he’s bleeding out from a Skrull attack. By now, the ties that bind should begin leading your imagination to the very obvious and aforementioned: it seems only a matter of time now before the Young Avengers are together again in the Imperial series.

“Right behind you, America.” – Wiccan

The reunion of Wiccan, Hulkling and Chavez serves as the possible genesis event for the group’s return, and one that could certainly usher in the appearance of other members of the superhero faction. At one point, it was a group that boasted a collection that included not only Wiccan, Hulkling and Chavez, but also Iron Lad, Kid Loki, Noh-Varr and Speed (whom Billy knows quite well); and the list doesn’t stop there, with Hawkeye, Patriot, Prodigy, Stature and Vision on it as well.

The MCU’s Been Quietly Building Toward Young Avengers

the MCU's America Chavez, as depicted in Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness 2021
America Chavez, as depicted in the MCU’s Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness in front of a cosmic background

In other words, that’s some serious firepower that could be headed to the Imperial series, but for good reason. The events that have transpired, and the aggressiveness of the Skrulls in their attempt to win the war, but it’s been awhile since the Young Avengers all stepped onto the same battlefield together — their last appearance having been in 2013’s Young Avengers series (Kieron Gillen, Jamie McKelvie) — more than a decade apart before being hinted at strongly in Imperial #4.

And for anyone following the MCU, they’ve seen Wiccan’s reveal on Agatha: All Along after what transpired at Westview during Disney+’s WandaVision (where Speed was hinted), America Chavez made her explosive debut as co-star alongside Dr. Strange and opposite Scarlet Witch in Dr Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, and then there’s the fact Kate Bishop has been making appearances since her first in the Hawkeye television series back in 2021; and most recently in Marvel Zombies.

Things are lining up perfectly for the reintroduction of the Young Avengers and not simply on pull lists everywhere but also, maybe, on a screen near you, and it should serve as a nice dose of mouthwash to rinse the sour cinematic taste of The New Mutants from everyone’s palate.