In a historic moment, a classicFantastic Fourhero has joined theAvengersfor the very first time, taking their place on the roster of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. It’s particularly appropriate that the hero has received the honor now, since2025 marks the fortieth anniversary of their first appearance in Marvel Comics. However, despite being around for so long, the Avengers have chosen a hero that fans assumed would never be extended this particular honor.
It’s been a huge year for new members of the Avengers, with Captain America’s Emergency Response Squad recruiting a variety of specialist heroes for individual missions.
A Classic Fantastic Four Hero Joins the Avengers
The historic moment comes inAstonishing Avengers Infinity Comic #20, by Steve Orlando, Francesco Archidiacono, Carlos Lopez and Travis Lanham. In the story, Sharon Ventura (aka Ms. Marvel, aka She-Thing) helps She-Hulk, Wasp and Photon take on the villainous Arcata. In recent issues, the three heroes infiltrated the Unlimited Class Wrestling Federation to investigate missing competitors. To do so, they needed the help offormer Fantastic Four member Sharon Ventura, who has a long history of competing in the UCWF.
The Unlimited Class Wrestling Federation was introduced in 1985’sThing #28, and allows superpowered beings to compete in official wrestling events.
Sharon is a former stunt performer who met the Fantastic Four’s Thing while he was competing in the UCWF. She sought out superpowers to join the Federation herself, andwas granted superstrength, enhanced speed, and incredible durability by the Power Broker, taking the codename Ms. Marvel. Sharon later served on the Fantastic Four alongside the Thing, the Human Torch and the Inhuman hero Crystal.
Her time on the Fantastic Four exposed Sharon to cosmic rays, causing her to undergo a transformation similar to the Thing…
Sadly, her time on the Fantastic Fourexposed Sharon to cosmic rays, causing her to undergo a transformation similar to the Thing. While she briefly dated the Thing, Sharon was traumatized by her transformation into the new ‘She-Thing’ and left the FF, experimenting with villainy due to her bitterness towards her former life as a hero and even serving time in prison. Thankfully, she eventually regained her human form, returning to the UCWF as a wrestler - a position that allowed the Avengers Emergency Response Squad the access they needed to investigate Arcata’s crimes.
Each of the founding members of the Fantastic Four have joined the Avengers at different times, with Human Torch joining the Uncanny Avengers' human/mutant unity squad, and the Thing joining both the West Coast Avengers and New Avengers.
It’s a New Era for the Avengers, With Some Shocking First-Time Recruits
Elektra, Mister Immortal and Carnage Are Among the New Members
Currently,Astonishing Avengers Infinity Comicis following Captain America’s Emergency Response Squad - a new splinter team intended to act as superhuman first responders.The team has shown itself uniquely willing to recruit new members for any given mission, and Sharon Ventura is only the latest to land a place on the team. Previous issues have seenheroes including Mister Immortal, Elektra and the mutant hero Somnus join the Avengers for the first time.
Meanwhile, the Winter Soldier and Black Widow’s recently assembled New Avengers has given heroes including Clea Strange, Laura Kinney’s Wolverine, andEddie Brock’s Carnage their first official Avengers membership.It’s clear that Marvel is making it a priority to give classic characters their first shot on the Avengers.This is particularly meaningful because of Captain America’s vow"once an Avenger, always an Avenger,“with past members often called on in times of trouble.
After 40 years in Marvel Comics, formerFantastic Fourmember Sharon Ventura (aka Ms. Marvel/She-Thing) has finally joined theAvengers, becoming part of a global network of do-gooders who unite against threats that no single hero could withstand alone.
Fantastic Four
TheFantastic Fouris a superhero franchise centered on Marvel Comics' first family of superheroes. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the team made its comic book debut in 1961 and quickly became a cornerstone of Marvel’s success. The franchise follows four astronauts—Reed Richards, Susan Storm, Johnny Storm, and Ben Grimm—who gain superpowers after being exposed to cosmic radiation. Over the years,Fantastic Fourhas been adapted into several live-action films, animated series, and video games. The films have seen multiple reboots, with varying levels of success, and are now set to be integrated into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), with a new film slated for release in 2025.
