With The X-Men making their debut in the MCU soon, Marvel Studios have a pantheon of characters who were not done justice by 20th Century Fox. One set of characters related to the X-Men who never saw any love from Fox (aside from a few blink and you’ll miss it references in X2 and Deadpool 2) is a Canadian super-team, who I believe have serious potential to become the MCU’s next Guardians of the Galaxy, the Alpha Flight.

Who Are The Alpha Flight?

alpha_flight_guardiansFirst appearing in Uncanny X-Men #120 and making their full debut an issue later, the Alpha Flight are a Canadian superhero team created by Department H, a fictional branch of the Canadian Government, inspired by the arrival of the Fantastic Four. The team usually consists of Guardian, Northstar, Aurora, Puck, Sasquatch, Shaman, and Snowbird. They were initially conceived for Wolverine’s origin. Due to the surprise popularity of the characters, Marvel Comics launched an Alpha Flight solo series in 1983. The series continued until 1994, lasting 130 issues. 

The Alpha Flight are a truly unique set of superhero characters as none of them are particularly well-known or popular. Northstar made international news as one of the first LGBT Marvel superheroes back in 2012. Apart from Northstar, however? The team is mostly unknown or forgotten. This is actually a wonderful opportunity for Marvel Studios, and Kevin Feige in particular, who could make the Alpha Flight the next Guardians of the Galaxy.

Alpha Flight: The Next Guardians of the Galaxy?

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Since James Gunn’s first Guardians of the Galaxy hit theatres in 2014, every single studio in Hollywood has been trying to replicate the style, flair, and originality of the motion picture. With the Alpha Flight, Marvel already has a group of characters who are, by no stretch of the imagination, a little out there. The very idea of a group of Canadian-exclusive superheroes is rather funny, and throw in the origin ties to Wolverine, and you may have a huge hit on your hands. Heck, they even have a loveable grumble in Puck!

With the X-Men, audiences expect some form of cultural commentary and insight. They expect themes of racial inequality and the like. However, with the Alpha Flight? Marvel Studios could explore funny and unique scenarios for Mutant characters who are not in the public eye. The Alpha Flight really could be something significantly special for the studio…

Investing in Alpha Flight

As of right now, both of Alpha Flight’s key appearances (Uncanny X-Men #120 and #121) are rather affordable. Mycomicshop.com has a whole variety of grades (ranging from 9.2 - 2.0) for anywhere between $1,400 (USD) and $95 (USD). So, based on that information alone, the Alpha Flight are not in any form of high demand. However, that could all change with one very quick rumour or Reddit theory. Interestingly, in February, a 9.8 grade sold for its highest figure ever - a whopping $5,750 (USD). Make of that whatever you will. Perhaps it was Kevin Feige himself, driving numbers up?

Sure, the Alpha Flight may not be the first characters you think of when you remember Disney’s acquisition of Fox, but they may be making their mark on the Marvel Cinematic Universe before you know it.