Who Are The All-New Invaders? « How To Love Comics

When the Invaders were first conceived it was an opportunity to tell superhero stories set in World War II using characters conceived during the time when Marvel was known as Timely Comics. In 2014 the Invaders team returns in the series All-New Invaders, which will see some of the most prominent characters from the Timely Era back together again in present day.

The series will be written by well respected writer James Robinson, who well known for using Golden Age characters. Robinson has a great knack at putting Golden Age characters and concepts, but them in a modern context, while still respecting the characters roots. With All-New Invaders using characters from the Golden Age, Robinson should be in his element and a great comic to work on after his long stint at DC Comics.

For those unfamiliar with the team we introduce to each character. We will go into a little bit of their background, abilities and unique trivia on each member. This will allow you to get a context on each character going into All-New Invaders.

Captain America

This is the one character that probably needs no introduction. As a character with a well received movie, and sequel on the way, many would be familiar with the character. Steve Rogers, aka Captain America, was a man not fit to serve in World War II until he was transformed into a super-soldier by the US Government. As a result, Captain America has heightened strength and agility.

Towards the end of World War II, Captain America was involved in a plane crash that left him frozen in the ocean for decades. He was eventually found in present day by the Avengers and has been a member and often lead ever since.

Captain America’s primary weapon is a rounded shield, that has become highly recognisable among those who read and don’t read comics. The shield itself is made from vibranium, a metal that is almost indestructible.

Cap should be able to bring leadership as well as be a moral compas for the team.

Winter Soldier

WARNING. In order to explain Winter Soldier I am going to have to potentially spoil the upcoming Captain America sequel. If you do not want spoilers then I suggest moving onto Namor.

Winter Soldier is Bucky Barnes, Captain America’s former sidekick. But didn’t Bucky die in World War II? Assumed dead in an aeroplane explosion during World War II, Bucky was intercepted by a Russian Submarine where he was revived, fitted with a cybernetic arm and reprogrammed. He then served the Russians on missions before being put in a suspended state for future use. He was later deprogrammed and even served a as Captain America for a short period before going back to the Winter Soldier name, where he now acts as a super spy.

Apart from the cybernetic arm, which gives him super-human strength, Winter Soldier is proficient with weapons as well as unarmed combat. In All-New Invaders he should be able to give the team an interesting espionage element.

Namor The Sub Mariner

Namor: The First Mutant #11 by Ariel Olivetti

Namor the Sub Mariner Marvel’s oldest character and is one of the oldest heroes to be still used today. Namor is the offspring of a sea captain and an Atlantean princess, which allows him to live on both land and sea. Due to his Atlantean royalty heritage he is now the ruler of the underwater city of Atlantis. It has also means that he is rather stubborn and many of his decisions are based on his inflated hubris.

Namor has not always been a hero and in his early days was a villain to the people who live on the surface. This is due to growing up with a deep hatred for the surface and due to this has acted out against them many time. More often than not he is a hero and in recent times has been a member of the X-Men and is currently part of New Avengers.

Namor’s powers include super strength and agility, flight (he was the first hero to fly) and super speed in water. Namor will be able to contribute to the All-New Invaders as a heavy hitter. Although, due to his hubris he should also create conflict and complications for the team.

The Human Torch

The Human Torch, Jim Hammond, is Marvel’s first superhero who is able to cover himself in flames. Unlike the majority of heroes, The Human Torch is actually an android. He was seen as a menace as he was not able to control his flames but soon became a hero, fighting mostly organised crime.

This Human Torch should not be confused with Johnny Storm, Human Torch from Fantastic Four. They are two entirely separate characters.

The Human Torch has not been used regularly in some time so it will be interesting to see him in All-New Invaders. James Robinson should be able to develop the character in lost of different ways as he is the least developed and least used character in the team.

All-New Invaders #1 is available in comic book stores and digitally from January 22nd. Take a look at a preview here.