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).
The
other week we told you how Marvel and Freeform where teaming up to bring
Squirrel Girl and
The New Warriors to the small screen with a new 30 minute comedy TV series. Now thanks to
USAToday, we know all the characters that will be making up the team. These guys will also be showing up together in comic book form as well.
"Marvel's New Warriors" is a new comedic live-action adaptation of the popular Marvel comic featuring young adult heroes. This marks Marvel's first foray into comedy for a television series. "Marvel's New Warriors" is about six young people with powers living and working together. With powers and abilities on the opposite end of the spectrum of The Avengers, the New Warriors want to make a difference in the world ... even if the world isn't ready. Not quite super, not yet heroes, "Marvel's New Warriors" is about that time in your life when you first enter adulthood and feel like you can do everything and nothing at once - except in this world, bad guys can be as terrifying as bad dates. The network has ordered ten 30-minute episodes slated to debut in 2018.
"The New Warriors" were created by Tom DeFalco and Ron Frenz when they first appeared in "The Mighty Thor" comic book series in 1989. They proved to be so popular that one year later, they were featured in their own series by Fabian Nicieza and Mark Bagley. Since then, "The New Warriors" and their lineup have undergone many changes including the fresh and innovative take by Zeb Wells and Skottie Young on which the television series is based.
The series is co-produced by Marvel Television and ABC Signature Studios. Marvel's Jeph Loeb ("Marvel's The Punisher," "Marvel's The Defenders"), and Jim Chory ("Marvel's The Punisher," "Marvel's The Defenders") serve as executive producers. Kevin Biegel ("Cougar Town") serves as showrunner and executive producer.
Doreen Green (Squirrel Girl) - Squirrel Girl is the spunky fangirl and "wonderful heart of the show" with acrobat skills, superhuman strength and a cool squirrel tail, Biegel says. (She can also talk to critters including her sidekick, Tippy Toe.) “She is openly hopeful and earnest and sweet and optimistic, but smart and very determined that she can make a difference, too. She knows she’s great and if you’re not going to get on board with her, she’ll leave you in the dust.”
Craig Hollis (Mister Immortal)
The squad’s resident troublemaker and lothario, this guy can’t die — or at least that’s what he says — and is equally cocky and grumpy. “Craig is a little more jaded and saying things aren’t as rosy and the world isn’t as hopeful as you make it out to be,” says Biegel.
Dwayne Taylor (Night Thrasher)
The masked dude is a local celebrity with his own YouTube channel but no actual superpowers. His parents were killed when he was younger, though he worries about his family’s wealth ruining his street cred. “Dwayne is the one who’s enterprising and really trying to figure out the business side of this entire thing,” Biegel says, “but at the same time he really does care about justice.”
Robbie Baldwin (Speedball)
A guy whose childhood was spent watching Quinjets take off from Avengers Tower, Speedball has the knack — though maybe not the greatest aim — for tossing kinetic balls of energy. Although immature and impulsive, “Robbie has these noble aspirations, but can’t quite figure out which one to pursue," Biegel says.
Zack Smith (Microbe)
A big guy with a sizable heart, Microbe communicates with germs, giving him telepathic-like qualities, though he leans on his pals to find extra confidence. “Zack literally is just looking for a connection: ‘Hey, maybe I can find a group of people I can hang out with,’ which is totally part of who you are in your 20s,” Biegel says.
Deborah Fields (Debrii)
Not only is she a low-level telekinetic trickster who has experienced serious personal loss due to the actions of superheroes, Deborah is also a proud, witty lesbian. “It’s not all about ‘Hey, I relate to the show because I want to have a squirrel tail,' but ‘Hey, this is the story about someone who’s out as a lesbian and maybe it’s not that easy,’" Biegel says.
The fact this is being done as a comedy means it doesn't hold much appeal to me personally, but I am glad to see
Night Thrasher is on the team, and I can only hope this motives Hasbro to give us a 6" Marvel Legends version of the character in the near future.
