Summary
The Marvel universe is known for itslong list of powerful heroesand intergalactic threats that redefine what it means to have strength in the galaxy. The creators seem to know no bounds when it comes to exploring absurdity and insanity, and the number of heroes that are capable of taking on entire plants alone is basically endless and continues to grow even to this day.
In the midst of all the Gods, Superhumans, and Mutants, there are quite a few outcasts that are not only on the lower side of the power scale, but also at times have actually harmed the Avengers and their fight to save the world. Not strong enough to fight their own battles, or too much of a wildcard to be consistent, several characters over time have shown that they are far more of a hindrance than a help, and proved that powers don’t guarantee a hero.
8Triathlon
A Weak Hero And A Pawn For An Evil Cult
An addition to the team that primarily servedas a means of diversifying the team, Triathlon is an ex-Olympian who leaves a lot to be desired in the power department. His powers were gained through the Triune Understanding, a cult-like organization with a hidden agenda, and only served to triple his physical capabilities.
He often clashed with the Avengers, viewing his role in the team as a token inclusion rather than a position of merit, and the cult managed to manipulate him into becoming a pawn within the team that created division and suspicion throughout. The constant questioning of authority, combined with internal resentment, made him a destabilizing presence during critical fights that often cost lives, and his overall impact on the team was certainly a net negative.
7D-Man
Mentally Unstable And More Of A Burden Than A Help
D-Man is a lesser-known Avenger whose time on the team illustrated perfectly theconsequences that come with bringing inexperienceto critical encounters. A wrestler who gained enhanced strength and stamina from Power Broker, he fought alongside Captain America, but as time went on, he became more of a liability than a boon to the team’s performance.
His mental health took a sharp decline, and he became delusional, eventually isolating himself from the others, until he was found living homeless in his most unstable state. He stands as a reminder for the team and their selection process, where they must take care with their decisions to recruit heroes, as otherwise, they may end up with more drawbacks than benefits in the long run.
6U.S. Agent
Egotistical Nature That Destabilized Missions
U.S Agent has long been one of the most divisive heroes ever to join the Avengers team. A more aggressive replacement for Captain America, hepossessed enhanced strengthand expertise in combat, but lacked the moral judgment and emotional control of his predecessor. A short temper and a black-and-white worldview led to plenty of conflict during sensitive missions and often pitted him against his fellow teammates.
Despite having some real strength in battle, his presence on the team often fractured morale and dynamics within the group, as well as jeopardizing several operations solely due to his actions. He’s a volatile character with a short fuse that could explode at any moment, and in his time spent with the team, he causes significant damage to both the individuals and the organization as a whole.
5Moondragon
Arrogance, Manipulation, And Betrayal
A hero that was far more of a wildcard than anyone could have imagined, Moondragon brought immense psychic power and intelligence to the Avengers, but her arrogance and lack of empathy often made her more of a liability than an ally. Trained by the monks of Titan and possessing both powerful telepathic and telekinetic abilities, she saw herself as intellectually and morally superior to her teammates and the rest of humanity. This inflated sense of control led her to manipulate minds without consent and override others’ free will in the name of her twisted idea of peace.
The most glaring example came when she mentally enslaved an entire planet, believing it was the only way to bring order, much to the disgust of Thor. This act of hubris forced her own teammates to take action against her, stripping her of her powers and removing her from the team immediately. Her complete disregard for boundaries and tendency toward authoritarian control undermined the Avengers' principles and showed that powers like hers could be just as easily used for evil.
4Jack of Hearts
More Than A Few Accidents
Jack of Hearts was a hero who was burdened by uncontrollable power and tragic consequences. Gifted with immense energy absorption and projection abilities due to a mutagenic chemical called Zero Fluid, his powers were not only unstable, but they were outright dangerous. He required containment suits to regulate his energy levels and spent long stretches in isolation, which made it nearly impossible for him to fully integrate with the Avengers or function as a dependable teammate.
Despite his intentions, Jack’s volatility ultimately proved catastrophic. Upon his return to Avengers Mansion, he self-detonated in an act manipulated by Scarlet Witch’s fractured psyche, which resulted in the death of Ant-Man and the beginning of the team’s collapse. Though not malicious, Jack of Hearts remains one of the most destructive presences in Avengers history, showing that even well-meaning heroes can be ticking time bombs.
3Two-Gun Kid
Born In The Wrong Generation
Bringing a Wild West hero into the modern day was never going to turn out great, and Two-Gun Kid proved that in no time. He may have had a sense of honor and an admirable skillset with his firearms, but he was fundamentally out of place ina world of Gods and technology, making him all but useless for a lot of the missions.
His existence on the roster pointed out the misalignment between tradition and practicality, as he often required significant support to cope and struggled to adapt to modern ethics and team dynamics. Judgment was clouded around his inclusion, and while he may have been mostly harmless directly, having a liability on the team was never going to be beneficial and often required extra steps to keep him alive.
2Dr. Druid
Fracturing The Team From Within
Magic and Marvel go hand in hand, but not always for the right reasons. Dr Druid was a mentalist and mystic who is largely remembered for how he undermined the Avengers team during his time as a leader. He was very easily manipulated and fell under the control of Nebrula, who used him to seize control over the Avengers and nearly drove the group into a complete collapse.
He alienated team members, controlled difficult decisions, and ultimately harmed everyone involved in the group at the time, while providing little more than mediocre powers. Once the truth about the influence was revealed, he was dismissed and disgraced, remaining as a stark example of how unchecked ego and mental manipulation can do just as much harm as a villainous attack.
1Starfox
Discomforting And Straight Up Unethical
Starfox is the brother of the infamous Thanos, but his legacy within the Avengers couldn’t be more different, or more controversial. A carefree adventurer gifted with the power to psychically stimulate pleasure in others, Eros was a charismatic and well-intentioned figure who nonetheless raised serious ethical concerns throughout his time on the team. While his combat skills and cosmic heritage gave him physical prowess, it was his unsettling ability to manipulate emotions that ultimately eroded trust among teammates.
Though not malicious by nature, Starfox’s powers blurred lines around consent and autonomy, leading to allegations and scrutiny both within and outside the team that resulted in a lot of stigma surrounding both him as an individual and his involvement on the roster. His presence became more of a liability than an asset, casting a shadow over the Avengers’ moral integrity, and unlike more straightforward threats, Eros challenged the team’s ethical boundaries from the inside, showing a complex and uncomfortable chapter that proved that even heroes can cross lines best left untouched.
