Hyperion

Where does the line fall between hero and villain?  We have seen Marvel and DC play with this concept when the ramifications and collateral damage come around to make a hero question their motives.  Hulk is a mindless rage monster who causes all sorts of havoc, destruction, and fear, yet he is still considered a hero.  Whereas some villains do minor lawbreaking and they seem to be thrown into jail instantly.  This is a glaring inconsistency at best. I guess it all comes down to branding, crowd support, and if you have a facial scar...since the later instantly demonizes you.

Hyperion is a character of complexity within the Marvel Universe.  He was first introduced as a villain for the Avengers, then the character was developed in multiple ways by Marvel in both comics and other mediums.  Roy Thomas and Sal Buscema developed Hyperion as a member of their Squadron Sinister, which was a super team based on popular DC heroes from the Justice League.  The Squadron included Hyperion (Superman), Nighthawk (Batman), Whizzer (Flash), and Doctor Spectrum (Green Lantern).

The Squadron would later reappear as an alternate version from a reality where they were a heroic team akin to the Avengers named the Squadron Supreme.  This time, Roy Thomas would work with older brother John Buscema and introduce new members like Warrior Woman (Wonder Woman), Amphibian (Aquaman), and Skrullian Skymaster (Maritan Manhunter).  By doing a bit of a role reversal, the Avengers probably got a glimpse into a reality where their exploits could be seen as equal parts destructive and supportive.

The Squadron Sinister was introduced in Avengers #69 which also included the first appearance of Grandmaster (who was brilliantly portrayed by Jeff Goldblum in Ragnarok).  This is one of the rarer, of what I would call, key early Avengers book.  With only 10 copies on the census graded at 9.8, it is very likely that any subsequent sale may continue to push up the Fair Market Value (FMV) for this book.  The cover is also graced by one of the villains that I hope to be developed by the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) in Kang the Conqueror.  Great first appearances, a wonderfully showy cover, and a rarity among itself, I would say that Avengers #69 would be a great addition to any collector's trove.

There appear to be many links that could lead to a future inclusion of Hyperion or one of his teammates.  Hyperion's history includes ties to the Eternals, along with his role in both the Squadrons Sinister and Supreme.  We know that Hyperion typically comes with the inclusion of alternate realities.  We also know that a Multiverse is coming when Dr. Strange makes a return to film.  Could an Earth dominated by "faux" heroes like the Squadron Supreme be introduced, and set up as a challenge for the next super team?  Will the Black Widow film reveal that Hyperion was the reason for the Tunguska blast in the early 1900s?  Then was detained and experimented on to create a Soviet group of heroes (where did Red Guardian get his powers?).  That is what is great, and terrible, about this unknown era of speculation.  It is like Schrodinger's Speculation...that it is all correct and all wrong at the same time.

Do you want to see Marvel introduce more super-villain teams?  Who is your favorite character from the Squadron Supreme?  Drop your comments and join the speculation!

 

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