DC Comics vs Marvel Comics: The Evil Teams Shadowing the Justice League and The Avengers

Unlike Marvel Comics, which boasts the iconic Evil Avengers through the Evil Justice League, DC Comics also has its counterparts, the Crime Syndicate of America (CSA). This evil team serves as a dark reflection of the Justice League, comprising twisted versions of various superheroes. Let's delve into the origins and significance of these teams and explore how they have been depicted in various comic series.

The Crime Syndicate of America (CSA)

The Crime Syndicate of America (CSA) is a quintessential evil team that mirrors the structure of the Justice League but with a sinister twist. This group is composed of supervillains who are evil versions of acclaimed heroes in the DC Universe. Some of its most notable members include:

Ultraman: The evil counterpart of Superman Owlman: The evil side of Batman Superwoman: The anti-Wonder Woman Johnny Quick: The contrary Flash Power Ring: The opposite of Green Lantern

The Crime Syndicate is frequently featured in storylines that explore the themes of morality and heroism, with their twisted versions of justice often presenting a stark contrast to the traditional ideals upheld by the Justice League. These villains have appeared in a variety of comic books, such as America After America and other special series.

WildStorm’s “The Americans”

While DC Comics didn’t directly adapt the structure of the Evil Avengers with the Crime Syndicate, WildStorm did create an eerie parody of The Avengers with their team, "The Americans." This misfit gang of supervillains was an obvious takeoff on the iconic team, filled with some of the darkest tropes of American culture. Their first and last appearance was notorious for their malicious act: invading a hospital to murder a newborn baby. The irony of fighting for authority made them a one-time occurrence.

Among the members of "The Americans," one prominent character is Midnighter. In one memorable scene, he prepares to deal with the twisted version of Captain America, portrayed by the Commander. Every member of "The Americans" was a skewed version of the Avengers, including Thor, Ant-Man, Iron Man, The Wasp, and even a Grey Furry Beast Character named S.S. who lost his head rather quickly.

The Champions of Angor The Justifiers

Another significant team in DC Comics' history is the Champions of Angor, which served as the DC version of the Avengers. Initially, this team consisted of relatively few members based on characters such as the Wasp, Quicksilver, Wanda, and Thor. Over time, and particularly in the context of DC's multiverse, the roster of the Champions expanded and evolved.

In the context of Earth-8, the Champions of Angor became known as the Justifiers, with an expanded roster that now included the armored Tin Man and several new members. This Earth-8 version of the team was further modernized and rebranded into the Retaliators, with a roster that included:

American Crusader Cap Wundajin Thor Blue Jay Ant-Man Deadeye Hawkeye Behemoth (Hulk) Kite Falcon Ladybug Spiderwoman Machinehead (Iron Man) Major Max Captain Marvel (Shazam) Blue Jay Wanda (Silver Sorceress) Captain Speed (Quicksilver) Stuntmaster Daredevil Red Dragon (Black Widow)

The Earth-8 universe is also home to intriguing teams such as the Zen-Men, the X-Men, and the Future Family Fantastic Four. The evil counterpart of this team in Earth-8, known as Lord Havok, is a character adaptation of Doctor Doom and played a significant role in storytelling, particularly in the Countdown to Final Crisis series.

Conclusion

Both DC Comics and Marvel Comics have their own dark counterparts to the iconic heroes and villains. While Marvel features the Evil Justice League to balance the Avengers, DC has the Crime Syndicate of America and the Morphed Teams from Wildstorm and DC. These characters and teams add an intriguing layer to the universe, providing readers with a different perspective on the themes of morality and heroism. The Retaliators, with their diverse roster, serve as a modern and complex continuation of the Champions of Angor, bringing the DC Multiverse into a new era.