Marvel Releases Full ‘New Warriors’ Line Up For Upcoming Live Action TV Series
US channel Freeform have announced the line up of superheroes who will be appeared alongside Squirrel Girl in their comedic live-action adaptation of Marvel’s New Warriors comic book. The show, which was ordered ‘straight to series’ for 10 x 30 minute episodes is Marvel’s first foray into comedy for a television series.
Marvel’s New Warriors tells the story of 6 teens/young adults, with powers and abilities on the opposite end of the spectrum of the Avengers. Not quite super, not yet heroes, they team want to make a difference in the world … even if the world isn’t ready.
Created by Tom DeFalco and Ron Frenz, New Warriors first appeared in the a 1989 Thor comic book run. Hated by some fans, but adored by other, they proved popular enough to land their own series in 1990 by Fabian Nicieza and Mark Bagley. Like a lot of super-teams, the New Warriors line-up has undergone a number of changes over the years, and it’s the current Zeb Wells and Skottie Young run on which the television series will be based, with the following line up:
Characters clockwise from top: Zack Smith (Microbe), Dwayne Taylor (Night Thrasher), Craig Hollis (Mister Immortal), Doreen Green (Squirrel Girl), Deborah Fields (Debrii) and Robbie Baldwin (Speedball).
Doreen Green (Squirrel Girl)
Superpower: The powers of a squirrel, the powers of a girl (is acrobatic, strong, can fight, can talk to squirrels)
Doreen is a totally empowered fangirl. She is a natural leader—confident and tough, but not innocent. Doreen is bouncy and energetic and her greatest quality is her optimism… She has faith in others and inspires people to believe in themselves. She also takes her pet squirrel, Tippy Toe, everywhere.
Craig Hollis (Mister Immortal)
Superpower: Cannot die. Ever. Maybe. So he says.
The team troublemaker and lothario… Craig is kind of like “The Most Interesting Man Alive,” except he’s more cocky than confident and at times, charmingly grumpy. Although Craig’s superpower seems amazing, he hasn’t made use of it at all—he’s lazy and figures if he has all the time in the world to learn how to fight, what’s the rush?
Dwayne Taylor (Night Thrasher)
Superpower: None
Dwayne is a local celebrity “hero” with his very own YouTube channel. Brilliant, strong, noble, and maybe a bit full of himself, Dwayne is a shameless self-promoter and entrepreneur. But he also deeply believes in justice — at least his version of it. Dwayne hides the fact that he comes from a really rich family because he’s afraid he’ll lose his street cred.
Robbie Baldwin (Speedball)
Superpower: Can launch kinetic balls of energy
Robbie grew up watching Quinjets take off from Avengers Tower and loves the idea of being a hero. He’s an impulsive and immature people-pleaser with a misplaced sense of confidence. Although you would think throwing kinetic balls of energy would be awesome and effective – his are completely out of control.
Zack Smith (Microbe)
Superpower: Can talk to germs
Zack is a shy hypochondriac whose ability nearly makes him a telepath — the germs tell him where you’ve been, what you ate and who you hung out with. It’s impossible to keep secrets around him. He’s a big sweet guy the team takes under their wing, and they help him find and grow his own confidence.
Deborah Fields (Debrii)
Superpower: Low level telekinetic; trickster
Deborah is proud, funny and quick witted. Confidently out as a lesbian, Deborah has experienced deep loss in her personal life as a direct result of super “heroics.” She can take care of herself, or at least says she can. She’s the one who calls people on their BS and has no fear of putting her opinions out there.
Marvel’s New Warriors is due to arrive on Freeform in the US in 2018, so too early for a UK air date yet. Marvel gods Jeph Loeb and Jim Chory (The Punisher, The Defenders) are exec producing, along with Kevin Biegel (Cougar Town, Enlisted, Scrubs) who is also showrunner.
