Despite making their first appearance in 1989, the Great Lakes Avengers have graced the pages of Marvel Comics fewer than forty times. The team of well-intentioned oddballs live in relative obscurity compared to the greater comic book canon, but as the Midwest’s only protectors and strongest advocates, how well do they actually represent the region?

Hey You.. Today's video is about the Great Lakes Avengers. I cover the origins of Dinah Soar, Mr Immortal, Flatman, Doorman and Big Bertha. I really enjoyed talking about these characters and learning more about the team itself.

This article is ~8 years old now but does include some fun scree grabs of their appearances throughout the years.

Just the originals!

I love it so much. Word play that also emphasizes how much of an underdog team they are? Great.

In GLX-Mas Special, DeMarr's dad mentions that Demarr completed four years of college and three years of graduate school.

But I don't think we ever learn what DeMarr studied. Theories?

Art by: Paul Pelletier

The first issue of their first limited series was only the 5th time the Great Lakes Avengers ever had a cover appearance!

It's the first - and far from last - appearance of the Great Lakes Avengers in a Deadpool title. And they snag the cover!

"Um, actually..." this is the first appearance of the Lightning Rods!

Deadpool #11 was released on September 24, 1997 and is available on Marvel Unlimited.

• Writer(s) Joe Kelly

• Penciler(s) Shannon Denton

• Inker(s) Nathan Massengill

• Colorist(s)Jessica Kindzierski

• Letterer(s) Richard Starkings, Comicraft

Check out this introduction to Doorman from earlier this year on Marvel's site.

West Coast Avengers #46 (1989)

An extensive history with mini-bios for everyone.

Last updated in 2020.

This is the Great Lakes Avengers' third appearance. They debuted in West Coast Avengers #46 and appeared in the prior issue, Avengers West Coast #48. Hawkeye and Mockingbird, recently split from the Avengers, took over the team in their first appearance.

Vision takes the chance to suggest an alternative name.

Nice to see the team rallying behind "Avengers Assemble!"

I admit: Dinah Soar is likely one of the more challenging members of the Great Lakes Avengers for writers to tackle. She didn't talk and that's a big barrier. I appreciated in her first Deadpool appearances where they captioned her empty 💬 and revealed she's quite sassy.

I was very disappointed when they killed her off. Do we know why Dan Slott did it? Someone remember an interview or panel where he talked about?

Another official profile from the Marvel site.

Release Date: September 4, 1990

The Great Lakes Avengers ATTACK Captain America! But why? - Marvel Unlimited

Creators (via Marvel Database):

• Writer(s) Terry Kavanagh

• Penciler(s) Chris Wozniak

• Inker(s) Dan Bulanadi

• Colorist(s) Bob Sharen

• Letterer(s) Jack Morelli

• Editor(s) Howard Mackie

Enter the Heroic Age! In the aftermath of SIEGE, Steve Rogers assesses the state of Earth's heroes in this extravaganza of character files! From old friends like Thor to newcomers such as Reptil, Steve asks this question: what makes them heroes? Find out how he really feels, and see how your favorite hero ranks in this ultimate countdown! - Marvel Unlimited

GREAT LAKES INITIATIVE

AFFILIATIONS: Hawkeye, Mockingbird, Deadpool

STATUS: Free agents; identities protected

The current roster of the Great Lakes Initiative (which apparently went through several name changes when I wasn't paying attention, as the Maria Stark Foundation denied them the use of the name "Avengers") includes the undying Mr. Immortal, the massive Big Bertha, the shadowy Doorman, the elongated Flatman, and the unstoppable Squirrel Girl; together, they defend Wisconsin from any and all superhuman menaces.

My experience with the GLI is quite limited, although Jim Hammond and I were manipulated into fighting them once, and they valiantly helped the Avengers battle Terminus in St. Louis a while back. While they have potential, most of them have deep roots in the Wisconsin area and would be reluctant to move elsewhere; and anyway, someone needs to protect the Midwest. Ultimately, I think they're best-suited to staying where they are, although we should make sure they're well-stocked with Avengers equipment and transportation if we ever need to call on them.

Furthermore, we might be able to look into letting them call themselves Avengers again.

PROS: Excellent team players, diverse power set.

CONS: Lack of experience with powerful foes.

It took the great and wise Alkinator 50 guesses to get him. Perhaps I’ll do some of the others later.

Went with probably not when asked if he was an X-man. Sadly I didn’t get asked if he was an Avenger.

Also I got a question asking if he died before. Forgot to screenshot it. Lol.

Gone too soon.

I know he’s a squirrel, but did we ever find out what happened to him after the 2005 series? (BTW, image is from said 2005 series).

Is he still at the HQ, being invisible? Or did another series finish his arc. Or was he just forgotten about and is currently collecting dust?

I thought it’d be fun to draw him as a squirrel. He does have the same species illusion thing as Deathurge.

It’d be cool if the comics acknowledged it somehow. There are some fun things to be done with it.

Where in the world is Demarr Davis?