Marvel.com's Top Ten Teen Heroes

[Ben Morse]

The top ten Marvel teen heroes of all time per your buddies at Marvel.com:

http://www.marvel.com/news/comicstories.2722.Take_10~colon~_Teen_Heroes

Let the opinions fly

[Descartes_Lives]

None of the other Runaways included?

and I don't think we should classify 616 Spidey as a teen anymore. He's been an adult for a while now, and frankly, his better years have been his adult years.


Des.

[Ben Morse]

Opinion duly noted, but the criteria for this list wasn't if they were a teen currently, but if they had been relevant/high profile as teens EVER.

[La Fea]

LMAO love number 11 (though I think Molly knocking Wolverine out of a building > punching the Punisher).

I like the list. I was expecting a list over the ever abundant current teen heroes, but this was cool too (but I fully agree with D_L about the lack of Runaways ;_:).

[Ben Morse]

Nico was close to making the cut. Chase was on my personal list.

[XPac]

Hmmm... I think I would have tried to shoe horn Nova in there personally. But honestly I'm not exactly sure who I'd take out. It's definately a tough list to break into.

[Capt USA]

you can tell this is another one of the Queseda guided list, no Speedball? Darkhawk? heck even Ketch Ghost Rider, but let's have Spidey when he was boring and that nobody who currently reads the comics is old enough to remember, yep, way to go joey Q.


I'm not totally sure anyone ever thought of the human torch as a teen though. Definately doesn't belong on this list. And X-23? really? Not really sure Spidergirl should be on here either, she isn't in 616 timeframe and if you don't limit to 616 then there are lots of others that could be considered also or maybe not.

The rest I agree with, Spidey should probably be number one, but really it was so long ago that he was a teen that it doesn't really seem that good of a selection, I mean most of the people that remember him as a teen probably are addled minded like Joey Q.

[XPac]

you can tell this is another one of the Queseda guided list, no Speedball? Darkhawk? heck even Ketch Ghost Rider, but let's have Spidey when he was boring and that nobody who currently reads the comics is old enough to remember, yep, way to go joey Q.


I'm not totally sure anyone ever thought of the human torch as a teen though. Definately doesn't belong on this list. And X-23? really? Not really sure Spidergirl should be on here either, she isn't in 616 timeframe and if you don't limit to 616 then there are lots of others that could be considered also or maybe not.

The rest I agree with, Spidey should probably be number one, but really it was so long ago that he was a teen that it doesn't really seem that good of a selection, I mean most of the people that remember him as a teen probably are addled minded like Joey Q.

You can't seriously be arguing that Speedball or Darkhawk deserve a spot more than Spider-Man or Human Torch. They were some of the first teenage heroes and crew into comic icons. I like Speedball as much as the next guys, but he's no Spider-Man.

And the fact that there's an Ultimate Spider-Man out there today kind of shows a degree of appreciation for the teenage version of the charater. The New Spectacular Spider-Man cartoon will also be about the teenage version.

[gorthon616]

My only issue with the list is that they should have divided up the heroes into Teen Heroes of the Past and of the Future. The divide between the two is just so big in terms of time that it just feel strange to have them both on the same page. Plus, it would allow spotlights on the new batch of heroes.

[Congo Jack]

...but let's have Spidey when he was boring and that nobody who currently reads the comics is old enough to remember, yep, way to go joey Q.
One of the most ridiculous things I have ever read on the internet.

[Ben Morse]

Hmmm... I think I would have tried to shoe horn Nova in there personally.

I tried. OH, how I tried!

[rick]

you can tell this is another one of the Queseda guided list, no Speedball? Darkhawk? heck even Ketch Ghost Rider, but let's have Spidey when he was boring and that nobody who currently reads the comics is old enough to remember, yep, way to go joey Q.



Gee, thanks kid.

Considering I was buying those boring issues that nobody who reads comics these days remembers when they were new, you managed to make me feel 1000 years old.

But I'll have my revenge against you.

It's all a matter of time. :)

[TotalWorldDomination]

Most of the people on this list are no longer teenagers. Or has marvel reset the universe THAT much... ;)

seriously. Why could'nt we stick to heroes who are CURRENTLY teenagers?

[XPac]

Most of the people on this list are no longer teenagers. Or has marvel reset the universe THAT much... ;)

seriously. Why could'nt we stick to heroes who are CURRENTLY teenagers?

If someone were to ask you who your favorite Avengers are, would you limit that list only to members currently on the team? I wouldn't.

[timbox]

Who is this so-called "Kittie Pryde" person, and how did they end up in X-23's position?

[Ben Morse]

seriously. Why could'nt we stick to heroes who are CURRENTLY teenagers?

That could be a whole other list.

We need to come up with a new one of these every week, man! ;)

[Sanctus]

The list needs Cho. Cho is needed on the list.

[rZi]

Molly deserved better, kitty i thought would be #1

[Butters]

Lame. I was hoping for acknowledgement of the current crop of teen heroes (Young Avengers, Runaways, New X-men).

At any rate, I didn't like the list. I actually wasn't aware that Human Torch was a teen... Why the hell did they put a teenager into space?

X-23 and Spider-Girl? Seriously? Alright, in order to make a greatest characters list, you just have to be modeled after an A-lister. Great.

Kitty Pryde threw a hissy fit over being "demoted to the New Mutants?" I didn't know that. I'm joining the Kitty-hater club. Speaking of which: No New Mutants? No Generation X? Sure, Jubilee was a part of Generation X, but that was not even mentioned. And how about the original 5 X-men, weren't they all teenagers when they debuted?

Bucky. Ok. Why the hell is Bucky on the list? He was more famous for being dead than he was for anything he did as a character. Sure, it is neat that now he is Captain America, but as a teenage hero, he was totally not missed.

Cloak & Dagger belong there, Rick Jones belongs there, and I guess Spider-Man belongs there. I like Patriot, but I am not incredibly sure why he made it over every other teen hero currently in the MU.

[Trey]

Ben, next week do a top 10 villains. Watch the board go crazy. Release the hounds of war!!!

[La Fea]

Molly deserved better,

I agree, but like they said she's not necessarily a teen quite yet. The honorable mention was good enough for me. :)

[Ben Morse]

And how about the original 5 X-men, weren't they all teenagers when they debuted?

My rationale with the original X-Men was that while they started out as teens, just about all their memorable stories occured after they were adults, as opposed to Spidey or the Torch, who have classics on both sides of the equation.

[Butters]

My rationale with the original X-Men was that while they started out as teens, just about all their memorable stories occured after they were adults, as opposed to Spidey or the Torch, who have classics on both sides of the equation.

I guess that is understandable.

Admittedly, I am a fan of teen hero books, so I am being kind of critical.

[Don Quixote]

Patriot? Really? A character who's barely got 20 issues under his belt, including guest appearances, is one of their top 10 teen heroes? Right.

And only Laura from the New X-Men? I'd have picked Hellion. He's long been the most heroic member of the team. See the Nimrod arc for plenty of evidence. Plus, Molly's not a teenager yet.

[La Fea]

Patriot? Really? A character who's barely got 20 issues under his belt, including guest appearances, is one of their top 10 teen heroes? Right.

And only Laura from the New X-Men? I'd have picked Hellion. He's long been the most heroic member of the team. See the Nimrod arc for plenty of evidence. Plus, Molly's not a teenager yet.

That's why she's 11...out of 10. LOL.

I think the Young Avengers are definitely some of the best teen heroes already, even for their short careers. Patriot isn't my favorite, but I think he probably does represent the team best with his leadership and drive (I personally would have went with Hulkling or Hawkeye myself).

[drwho]

Wow, didnt know Marvel deaged Peter too. There is nothing special about Patriot. ;)

[drwho]

Ben, next week do a top 10 villains. Watch the board go crazy. Release the hounds of war!!!

I'd love to see a top 10 writers list if one hasnt been done and they can put Hudlin at the number one spot.

[Don Quixote]

That's why she's 11...out of 10. LOL.

I think the Young Avengers are definitely some of the best teen heroes already, even for their short careers. Patriot isn't my favorite, but I think he probably does represent the team best with his leadership and drive (I personally would have went with Hulkling or Hawkeye myself).

I do like the Young Avengers, but I thought Patriot was the least interesting of the bunch. And his character was actually pretty grating most of the time.

But if I had to choose between the Young Avengers and the New X-Men, it'd be the muties every time. Better characters, better stories, about three times as many issues to develop those characters. And more interesting powers.

[Descartes_Lives]

Nico was close to making the cut. Chase was on my personal list.


This made me do a double take. My name )as in my actual ever-lovin' name) is Nico.

Des.

[La Fea]

I do like the Young Avengers, but I thought Patriot was the least interesting of the bunch. And his character was actually pretty grating most of the time.

But if I had to choose between the Young Avengers and the New X-Men, it'd be the muties every time. Better characters, better stories, about three times as many issues to develop those characters. And more interesting powers.

Yeah, Patriot usually annoys me but that YA Presents issue really changed my mind.

I don't really have a preference between the two teams but I feel like I know who the YA are in a much smaller set of issues (and I think it was generally written in a league beyond the best NXM issue).

I think the New X-Men as individuals have more potential, but I think its a bit farther away from being realized. But I can totally see them becoming stars in the future.

[mikekerr3]

Should make a list for pre-teens, Molly, Layla, Franklin (when he had his power)

[Descartes_Lives]

Wow, didnt know Marvel deaged Peter too. There is nothing special about Patriot. ;)

Why the hell was a druggie hero even included?


Gah.

Des.

[Don Quixote]

Yeah, Patriot usually annoys me but that YA Presents issue really changed my mind.

I don't really have a preference between the two teams but I feel like I know who the YA are in a much smaller set of issues (and I think it was generally written in a league beyond the best NXM issue).

I think the New X-Men as individuals have more potential, but I think its a bit farther away from being realized. But I can totally see them becoming stars in the future.

See, I liked the characters in YA, but I felt the stories were a let down. The Iron Lad/Kang one was pretty cheesy, and then the Skrull/Kree thing didn't grab my attention either. The only thing that kept me reading was the characterisation.

However, my first issue of NXM was 31, and I was instantly hooked, going out the next day to get the Academy X TPBs and back issues of C&C's run. I think if I'd started reading at Academy X #1, I would have had a similar reaction to the teen drama of those stories as I did to the Iron Lad one.

It's each to their own, I guess, but I feel I have a much stronger idea of who the likes of Hellion, Mercury and Surge are than I do Hulkling, Wiccan and Stature. And I see Hellion, in particular, as a much better developed character than the Young Avengers.

[Sanctus]

Why the hell was a druggie hero even included?


Gah.

Des.

It is because he is a young man who, in trying to fit in, made some poor decisions for the right reasons that he is so representative of teenagers in general, whether powered or not, American or not, orphaned or not. Patriot was by far the most interesting character on the YAs. He had a legacy to live up too, a group to lead and a secret to hid. None of the Young Avengers, all of whom I liked with the exception of Stature, had that level of interesting back story.

[Sanctus]

See, I liked the characters in YA, but I felt the stories were a let down. The Iron Lad/Kang one was pretty cheesy, and then the Skrull/Kree thing didn't grab my attention either. The only thing that kept me reading was the characterisation.

However, my first issue of NXM was 31, and I was instantly hooked, going out the next day to get the Academy X TPBs and back issues of C&C's run. I think if I'd started reading at Academy X #1, I would have had a similar reaction to the teen drama of those stories as I did to the Iron Lad one.

It's each to their own, I guess, but I feel I have a much stronger idea of who the likes of Hellion, Mercury and Surge are than I do Hulkling, Wiccan and Stature. And I see Hellion, in particular, as a much better developed character than the Young Avengers.

I would not have picked Laura, but I would not have picked Hellion either. Until he got all freaky (and not in a good way) during the last few arcs leading up to MC, I would have said Josh Foley. He went from Mutant hating to mutant to teacher snogging mutant caught in a love triangle. Not that any of that matters since Cho is infinitely more interesting than any of the NXM.

[TotalWorldDomination]

If someone were to ask you who your favorite Avengers are, would you limit that list only to members currently on the team? I wouldn't.

But age is not a team, it's a status. If they asked who your favorite character with brown hair is and the character in question has not had brown hair as part of there character for the better part of 3 decades, then would you expect them to top a list?

Also lets point out duration is a factor. Mr. Fantastic is my favorite Marvel hero, but if I were asked my favorite avengers he wouldn't register at all. Why? because he's not known for being an avenger, was an avenger for a very short span of time and hasn't been an avenger for years.

That could be a whole other list.

We need to come up with a new one of these every week, man! ;)

I command you give us that list post haste! And add new people to that panel who makes these lists! I don't trust anyone that doesn't put reed and sue at #1 for marriages! ;)

[Don Quixote]

I would not have picked Laura, but I would not have picked Hellion either. Until he got all freaky (and not in a good way) during the last few arcs leading up to MC, I would have said Josh Foley. He went from Mutant hating to mutant to teacher snogging mutant caught in a love triangle. Not that any of that matters since Cho is infinitely more interesting than any of the NXM.

Hellion's evolution from arrogant boy, to mutant with dangerous opinions about the superiority of Homo Superior, to someone with earnest ambitions to be a true superhero. Then to be confronted with all of the hatred humanity has for his kind, and the loss of friends, to emerge as a much better young man, who is willing to risk his life for his friends and teammates, but still values life and the ideals of the X-Men enough to know it's wrong and unacceptable to kill your enemies.

That's why I think he's more deserving than some of those names in that list. But it's all down to opinions, really. And it could all be undone if the character ends up in the hands of the wrong writer. His appearances in the other X-books during MC, and in WWH: X-Men, demonstrated that other writers haven't grasped yet that Hellion's far from being the headstrong boy he was when Kyle & Yost took over the book.

[La Fea]

Hellion's evolution from arrogant boy, to mutant with dangerous opinions about the superiority of Homo Superior, to someone with earnest ambitions to be a true superhero. Then to be confronted with all of the hatred humanity has for his kind, and the loss of friends, to emerge as a much better young man, who is willing to risk his life for his friends and teammates, but still values life and the ideals of the X-Men enough to know it's wrong and unacceptable to kill your enemies.

That's why I think he's more deserving than some of those names in that list. But it's all down to opinions, really. And it could all be undone if the character ends up in the hands of the wrong writer. His appearances in the other X-books during MC, and in WWH: X-Men, demonstrated that other writers haven't grasped yet that Hellion's far from being the headstrong boy he was when Kyle & Yost took over the book.

I really don't like where his character is now (or was before he was stabbed). He went from a pretty interesting character to a pale shadow of his former self.

The next potential Magneto who would make a damn good X-Man and at times, was an excellent friend, was far more interesting than this emo kid that's emerged IMO. I'm really not as much as a fan as I once was.

(BTW did Hellion do much of anything in non-NXM MC books? I only recall him saying things when drawn by Ramos).

[Don Quixote]

I really don't like where his character is now (or was before he was stabbed). He went from a pretty interesting character to a pale shadow of his former self.

The next potential Magneto who would make a damn good X-Man and at times, was an excellent friend, was far more interesting than this emo kid that's emerged IMO. I'm really not as much as a fan as I once was.

(BTW did Hellion do much of anything in non-NXM MC books? I only recall him saying things when drawn by Ramos).

Kyle & Yost talked about post traumatic stress with the NXM kids, after everything that happened with M-Day and the Purifiers. I don't recall if they mentioned Julian in particular, but he's clearly been struggling since the end of Mercury Falling, and there were earlier signs, such as his passiveness for the first couple of issues of the Nimrod arc.

I'm not keen on the long hair, Skottie Young redesign of him, but it does seem to reflect his state of mind of late. I do believe it's intended to be temporary. I think he'll come through this, though, and be even stronger in the long run.

I don't recall if Brubaker gave him anything to do in the Uncanny issues, but Carey wrote a bit in his Blinded By The Light arc just before MC, and he wrote him as the brash, quick to act kid that he hasn't really been for some time. Same as Gage did in WWH: X-Men.

[Capt USA]

You can't seriously be arguing that Speedball or Darkhawk deserve a spot more than Spider-Man or Human Torch. They were some of the first teenage heroes and crew into comic icons. I like Speedball as much as the next guys, but he's no Spider-Man.

And the fact that there's an Ultimate Spider-Man out there today kind of shows a degree of appreciation for the teenage version of the charater. The New Spectacular Spider-Man cartoon will also be about the teenage version.

not more than spiderman, but yes human torch definately. He wasn't portrayed as a teen other than his age.

[Capt USA]

Gee, thanks kid.

Considering I was buying those boring issues that nobody who reads comics these days remembers when they were new, you managed to make me feel 1000 years old.

But I'll have my revenge against you.

It's all a matter of time. :)

I'm not that young either (37 for the record) but I never read a new issue of spidey that involved him as a teen and I've been collecting since 1982. (at that point in time he had been around for 20 years and now it's 45+years and most of his history has been as a 25+ year old, not a teenager, especially when you look at the number of books produced since and have to conclude that over 70% of his stories are post high school related stories)

I agree that Spidey should have been number one on this list, but still think it's ridiculous to think that that his entire schtick is being a hapless teenager.

[Butters]

I would not have picked Laura, but I would not have picked Hellion either. Until he got all freaky (and not in a good way) during the last few arcs leading up to MC, I would have said Josh Foley. He went from Mutant hating to mutant to teacher snogging mutant caught in a love triangle. Not that any of that matters since Cho is infinitely more interesting than any of the NXM.

Glad to see some love for Elixir. Personally, I find his recent strange behavior to be really interesting. I hope he ends up somewhere, I will be bitterly dissapointed if he goes to limbo.

[Ben Morse]

I guess that is understandable.

Admittedly, I am a fan of teen hero books, so I am being kind of critical.

It's all good man, that's what these lists are for. :)

[Monty_Cristo]

I really don't like where his character is now (or was before he was stabbed). He went from a pretty interesting character to a pale shadow of his former self.

The next potential Magneto who would make a damn good X-Man and at times, was an excellent friend, was far more interesting than this emo kid that's emerged IMO. I'm really not as much as a fan as I once was.

(BTW did Hellion do much of anything in non-NXM MC books? I only recall him saying things when drawn by Ramos).

he needs a mentor. i'd suggest Empath. as of right now, i don't see Julian as being worthy of the Hellions name.

[XPac]

But age is not a team, it's a status. If they asked who your favorite character with brown hair is and the character in question has not had brown hair as part of there character for the better part of 3 decades, then would you expect them to top a list?

Also lets point out duration is a factor. Mr. Fantastic is my favorite Marvel hero, but if I were asked my favorite avengers he wouldn't register at all. Why? because he's not known for being an avenger, was an avenger for a very short span of time and hasn't been an avenger for years.



I'd argue whether or not you're currently an Avenger is form of status too. Thor isn't an Avenger... but that doesn't mean many won't argue that he isn't their favorite because he at one time was an Avenger.

Even though Spidey and Human Torch aren't teenagers now, they broke boundries and created legacies while they were teenage heroes. And they deserve credit for that.

For an easier comparrison, think Nightwing and Robin. Sure Dick Grayson is all grown up, but his legacy in still rooted in him being the teenage side kick of Batman.

[AdamYJ]

I'm just glad that Jubilee made the list. She was probably Marvel's most recognizable teen hero during the '90s. She deserves to be on the list for that much.

I figured Spidey would be placed as #1, considering between Ultimate, Spidey Loves MJ, Marvel Age Spidey and Spectacular Spider-Man, Marvel's been on a real "high school Peter" kick. I find it a little odd, considering when I generally think of Spidey at his youngest point, I think of him as a college student (which, honestly, could make him a late teen or an early 20-something). Then again, I grew up with the '90s Spider-Man cartoon. :D

[IronKing]

Oh, it's not current teens. Just...ever. I was hoping for current. X-23 is the only New X-Men on there! I was gonna say.

Don't really agree with most of that. Kitty and Patriot are good, tho.

[La Fea]

Kyle & Yost talked about post traumatic stress with the NXM kids, after everything that happened with M-Day and the Purifiers. I don't recall if they mentioned Julian in particular, but he's clearly been struggling since the end of Mercury Falling, and there were earlier signs, such as his passiveness for the first couple of issues of the Nimrod arc.

I'm not keen on the long hair, Skottie Young redesign of him, but it does seem to reflect his state of mind of late. I do believe it's intended to be temporary. I think he'll come through this, though, and be even stronger in the long run.

I definitely understand where his character has developed to, I just don't really find it all that interesting. Julian deep down inside has been a softie for a while and still maintained his edge. I loved Quest For Magik, but I feel since then Julian's felt like only half of who he is. I really should give it a chance but it kind of dampened my excitement for him. He's actually been in my top 3 since his conception so as a fan myself I'm just a tad disappointed and a little apathetic now.

[Sanctus]

I definitely understand where his character has developed to, I just don't really find it all that interesting. Julian deep down inside has been a softie for a while and still maintained his edge. I loved Quest For Magik, but I feel since then Julian's felt like only half of who he is. I really should give it a chance but it kind of dampened my excitement for him. He's actually been in my top 3 since his conception so as a fan myself I'm just a tad disappointed and a little apathetic now.

I have never been a big Hellion fan (probably because I was a Prodigy Fan) but I respected him before he became all mawkish and maudlin. I also don't believe that given his original personality, all of the death would have made him dark and brooding; that is more likely for Foley. Given his personality, Julian should have become more confident and convinced with each death, that he was needed to save Mutants. He should have been an even bigger a$$-hole but for a good reason. A megalomaniacal cheerleader who could easily become a Magneto or Apocalypse, while if Prodigy went evil, he would be come more of a Sinister (scheming, plotting, understanding that time is on his side).