What makes superheroes even better? When they work with another superhero. Their differences, similarities, and personalities make the dynamic between them captivating. It increases when a group of them comes together as one. There have been many superhero teams throughout comic book history. Many within Marvel and DC and others are getting more attention outside of the big two. Yet two superhero teams cast a long shadow over the rest. That’s the Justice League and The Avengers. Each member of each team is a crucial part for specific reasons. Each is vital due to the expertise and knowledge they bring. The stark differences between each member are what makes the teams great because it gives each team a nice balance. The Justice League, though, tends to be more diverse due to the different intelligent beings that are a part of the team. There are aliens, cyborgs, goddesses, Atlanteans, and humans on a pretty consistent lineup. So, if an opportunity came up where the Justice League may have to take a peek at a different, marvelous universe for recruits, which Marvel character would be a great candidate?
The Justice League is a well-rounded bunch. They indeed bring in a vast circle of expertise over many topics. The Avengers tend to overlap in some cases. The lineup for the Avengers was mostly all human. Cap and Stark had their grasp on the militaristic threats. Stark and Banner were science bros. Cap, Black Widow, and Hawkeye all come from military and espionage backgrounds. Thor was the one that really stood out. The Justice League tends to have more reach. Superman, Green Lantern, and Martian Manhunter make the cosmos safer. The globe has more protectors because of Superman, Cyborg, and Wonder Woman. Green Lantern shares knowledge of alien life elsewhere in the universe. The mythical world is represented because of Wonder Woman and Aquaman. The seas have their vanguard with Aquaman. Batman protects the streets and looks for the litter guys. Cyborg monitors technological and militaristic threats. Batman and Wonder Woman watch the corporate side of villainy. Martian Manhunter defends against psychic threats. The team has money because of Batman. They have access to thousands of years of battle experience because of Wonder Woman’s godly lineage. They can even manipulate time and enter different realities from The Flash. Needless to say, the Justice League covers many factors solely off their default lineup. Power, speed, wisdom, intellect, wealth, technology, and experience come from this particular lineup. When a threat comes up, at least one League member knows the essence of its nature, informs the rest of the team, and finally goes out to stomp out the enemy.
Another aspect the Justice League has over the Avengers is their godly appeal. Over the years, the Justice League has been their exclusive pantheon. Many stories portray them as godly figures. One of the core members is a legitimate goddess. Another member is a modern-day Poseidon, even taking the same trident in many incarnations. Superman has been portrayed as something godly in many outings since his debut. And even though Batman is a mortal with no powers, the way he is written and drawn and how he tackles various threats, there’s still a divine aura to him. He is the god of the Underworld due to his appearance and the territory he operates. The Flash takes cues from Hermes. DC writers create a mythical, subliminal undertone when they tackle these characters. Not all the time, but when the undertones are present, it leaves room for analysis to find the connections between Justice League members and mythical gods in other pantheons. Justice League members are more significant than life because of their insane power levels and their insane feats and capabilities. The Marvel recruit needs to reflect that.
Yet, despite the near full circle of defense Justice League has, there is one area where they lack—the supernatural field. The closest members that could offer this type of expertise are Wonder Woman and Batman. But Batman is limited to this field, and with all her power, Wonder Woman doesn’t necessarily have the ability to counter it stride for stride. Sure, the Justice League has received help from supernatural allies before. Doctor Fate, Zatanna, and John Constantine are just a few of the characters that have led a hand in the League. Yet, Doctor Fate is responsible for more important things than Lex Luthor’s plan to take away powers from metahumans or the union of the League of Doom. He must uphold fate and order, concepts that go beyond petty evil and good. His alliance with the League is inconsistent. Constantine and Zatanna are members of their version of a supernatural Justice League.
On the other hand, though, having a supernatural member could lead to some complications. Since that field is linked to magic, it could jeopardize their most powerful teammate, Superman. Superman is vulnerable to magic. For this reason, it could be very tricky for the team to include a supernatural character. Simply by protecting the world, Superman is endangered by one of his own teammates. So, if there were one Marvel character the Justice League would recruit, it would be a character based on the supernatural, without going too far magic, and has the knowledge and the means to combat it stride for stride.
Of Marvel’s vast roster, the one character that could fit this strict mold is Ghost Rider. A supernatural force empowers Ghost Rider. Most of his battles are with supernatural enemies. He has fought demons, vampires, ghosts, fallen angels, and evil human beings. His expertise in the paranormal is high and beneficial, of course. If an enemy comes from the supernatural, Ghost Rider will have some grasp on their nature. And more importantly, it has the means and power to fight and overcome these enemies. He has hellish flames, which are versatile, his enchanted chain, and his infamous Penance Stare. A group of superpowers that none of the other Justice League members don’t come close to having. So not only are they getting a character with expertise in a field they come short in, but they are also getting a brand-new set of superpowers. Now, the inclusion of Ghost Rider is a double-edged sword. While he closes the circle, he is a huge weakness to Superman and Martian Manhunter. When it comes to Superman, Ghost Rider’s power isn’t magic per se. Ghost Rider’s power is its own thing, in a way. So, Superman may have some resistance to it. As for Martian Manhunter, he is fully susceptible to Ghost Rider’s power. If there is one member that will be the most vulnerable to Ghost Rider’s inclusive, it’s obviously Manhunter. Yet, the Justice League is adaptable, smart, and strategic. Plus, Manhunter himself is smart. There will be ways that keep the Rider and Martian apart in a fight. And since Ghost Rider has extreme prejudice for the sinful and a soft spot for the innocent – which Martian Manhunter is – Ghost Rider could find a way to keep his flames safe for Manhunter. And Ghost Rider does have a hellish divinity to him. He is the demon among Gods, be it a benevolent demon.
Superheroes have a great responsibility towards fairness and morality. They not only fight crime, but also put community interests first.
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it reflects the richness of both universes and the dynamics that arise from their varying compositions.
Great point — Ghost Rider would bring a darker, supernatural edge the Justice League has never really had before