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From some of the biggest names in Marvel Comics, such as Captain America and Iron Man, to visionaries like the Wasp and renegades like Hawkeye, the Avengers’ leaders have always stood out, but some are better equipped to lead a team than others.
10) Vision
One might think that a synthezoid like The Vision could be a perfect leader, as strategizing could be executed flawlessly with him in charge. However, the problem is that, as a robot, Vision has no empathy and can barely understand human emotions. A leader needs to be someone who does more than make a battle plan. They need to get their team to work together and understand where their weaknesses and strengths lie in terms of teamwork. However, that isn’t why Vision was such a poor leader of the Avengers.
Vision briefly became the Avengers’ leader, and during his tenure, he committed some terrible acts. Vision did some good things, such as creating a system that allows regular members to take time off and enables reserve members to step in when needed. He also formed the West Coast Avengers. Then, it all went wrong. He began to believe that he needed freedom from government oversight and manipulated government agent Henry Peter Gyrich to facilitate this. Vision felt he needed to have a cabinet position and a say in world affairs. Finally, in Ultimate Vision, he crossed the line and connected himself to computers worldwide, beginning a hostile takeover of the world. By the time Vision surrendered, he cost the Avengers their national security clearance and forced them to disband.
9) Hank Pym
Hank Pym was an original Avengers member as Ant-Man. He also served as a member, using the names Giant-Man and Yellowjacket. However, his tenure came to an end as the latter character when he suffered a nervous breakdown and committed several crimes in an attempt to portray himself as a better hero. Eventually, Hank had his redemption and became an ally of the Avengers once again, although it was rarely as a costumed superhero.
In one of his instances of returning as a hero, he assumed the identity of The Wasp to honor his ex-wife, who had died during the Secret Invasion. This led to him forming a Mighty Avengers team with Jocasta, a robot created from Wasp’s brainwaves. During his tenure as Avengers leader, Hank didn’t accomplish much that was notable. Still, he did establish the Avengers Academy, which helped mentor teenagers Norman Osborn had used during his time in control of SHIELD.
8) Black Widow
Black Widow was the leader of the Avengers during a dark time in the team’s existence. This made her the perfect leader, as she was someone who could effectively deal with teammates who had serious issues. Natasha took over in Avengers (Vol. 1) #348 after Captain America quit the team, following their decision to kill the Kree Supreme Intelligence. Captain America was strongly against murder, and since the Avengers crossed that line, he felt he couldn’t work with them anymore.
Black Widow had several moments during her tenure that shattered the team. The team traveled to California and forcibly disbanded the West Coast Avengers, which led to several members rejecting the team outright and forming a new team called Force Works. One of the most devastating moments was when Iron Man betrayed the Avengers in The Crossing, where Tony Stark admitted to always being a double agent. Finally, Widow’s time as leader came to an end when Onslaught killed her entire team, along with the Fantastic Four.
7) Hawkeye
Hawkeye has never played well with others. However, this made the moment when he was offered the leadership position of the West Coast Avengers such a great moment. This gave Clint a chance to prove himself as a leader, and what resulted was an entertaining comic with his team of Avengers working in California. Hawkeye brought together Iron Man (James Rhodes), Mockingbird, Tygra, Vision, Scarlet Witch, and more to become one of the most dysfunctional and entertaining Avengers teams of all time.
However, Hawkeye’s team ultimately fell apart when the regular Avengers arrived and voted to disband his group. This caused most of his teammates to quit on the spot; some formed a spinoff team called Force Works, while others refused to associate with the Avengers at all. However, none of this was Hawkeye’s fault. He did a great job building and running this team, and he proved why he was the perfect person to lead the Thunderbolts years later when they needed someone to help turn their lives around.
6) Iron Man
Iron Man is an original Avengers member, and he has been the leader of the team more than once. Initially, he secretly funded the team, as his teammates at the time were unaware that he was also Tony Stark. He was also there to help facilitate their government deals. He did serve as the permanent chairperson for some significant victories, including overseeing the iconic Korvac Saga. However, the Avengers suffered a substantial beating during that particular battle.
He was at his lowest as the leader, though, when he allowed the National Security Council to take control of the Avengers leadership position and fire half of the heroes on the roster. Iron Man himself finally had to quit the team and surrender his position when he was accused of murder. He also gets points counted off because, after he was no longer the leader, Iron Man betrayed the team and became a full-fledged villain in The Crossing. He also betrayed many of his teammates during both Civil War storylines, losing the trust of many friends.
