The best superhero teams: the tier list

A great team is more than an addition of heroes: it is a dynamic, tensions, a substitute family. This tier list does not measure the combined power but theteam success as a concept— richness of characters, great runs, imprint on pop culture.

Editorial Ranks, Factsverified. Each team points to a site resource.

Tier S: the four founding teams

THEX-Men(1963) are undoubtedly the richest team: their allegory of difference has fueled decades of great stories. THEAvengers(1963) brings together the greatest Marvel heroes and carries the major events. ThereJustice Leaguebrings together the DC pantheon (Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman). And theFantastic Four(1961), the first Marvel family, literally launched the publisher's modern universe.

Tier A: the major formations

THETeen Titans, especially in their 1980 version of Wolfman and Pérez, rival the X-Men. THEGuardians of the Galaxybrought a cosmic and pop breath. ThereJustice Societyis the very first superhero team in history (1940). And theDefendersform Marvel’s cult “non-team”.

Tier B: teams with strong identity

X-Forceembodies the dark side of mutants. ThereSuicide Squadsends villains on suicide missions. ThereDoom Patrol, especially under the pen of Grant Morrison, is DC's strangest team. And theBirds of Preyimposed a sustainable women's team.

Tier C: safe values

THEThunderbolts(villains pretending to be heroes) are based on a brilliant twist. THEInhumansetAlpha Flightcomplete the selection: good teams, a notch below the formations which define their universe.

To remember

• The criterion is the success of the team concept, not the combined power.
• Marvel and DC dominate the topequally (two teams each).
• A strong team carries events: Avengers and X-Men structure entire sagas.
• Each team refers to a key number or site file.

Frequently asked questions