Marvel Phase 4 Can Introduce The MCU’s First Aquatic Avenger

Marvel has the perfect opportunity to introduce the MCU’s first aquatic superhero with Stingray in Armor Wars. Stingray played an important role in the 1980s comic book event and feels like a good fit for the MCU version of the story.

If included, Stingray would join a long list of Avengers who are making their big (and small) screen debuts during Phase 4. The Falcon and the Winter Soldier will give audiences U.S. Agent, who in the comics was a key member of the West Coast branch. Monica Rambeau, who was actually Marvel Comics’ first female Captain Marvel, will take flight in WandaVision. Like Monica, She-Hulk is one more 1980s Avenger who will be brought to life on Disney+. Three members who served on the team’s roster in the 1990s – Sersi, Gilgamesh, and Black Knight – will all be appearing in Eternals. These are just a few examples of how much representation Earth’s Mightiest Heroes are getting in Phase 4.

They stand a chance to gain an additional member through Armor Wars. It was recently confirmed by Disney that Armor Wars is a new Marvel TV show coming to its streaming service. As a part of Marvel’s Phase 4 slate, Armor Wars will be the first live-action project to center on Iron Man’s best friend and closest ally, War Machine (Don Cheadle). The series is expected to explore War Machine’s journey as he works to stop Tony Stark’s technology from being misused. This was essentially the plot of the comic, except it was Iron Man who was the central character. Since his mission was to go after characters who supposedly had his armor designs, Armor Wars is likely to pit War Machine against other armored heroes and villains. Among them could be Stingray. Here’s how he could fit into the show.

Stingray In Marvel Comics Explained

Walter Newell aka Stingray was introduced in 1967’s Tales of Astonish #95, which at the time was a double-feature comic that split its focus between Hulk and Namor. When he first appeared, it was as a scientist sent by the government to work on an underwater project. While there, he encountered Namor and became a supporting character in his stories. In 1969, Newell went from oceanographer to superhero by building a winged suit of armor designed for swimming at superhuman speeds and underwater combat. As Stingray, Newell was able to fight with Namor and villains like Tiger Shark. Though he was initially at odds with the Sub-Mariner, he ended up becoming an ally.

Years later, Stingray developed a presence outside the world of Namor and crossed paths with characters such as Iron Man and the Hulk. During “Armor Wars,” he was targeted by Stark, who wrongly believed that Stingray’s armor was based on his designs. After hunting him down and defeating him in battle, Iron Man came to the conclusion that he had falsely accused Newell. Iron Man’s actions drew the ire of SHIELD and the government, who counted Stingray as one of their own.

Stingray aided the Avengers in an important way in the late 1980s, and not just as a superhero. At a time when the Avengers were without a home, he allowed them to use his underwater headquarters, Hydro-Base, as their base. He also joined the team and became a reserve Avenger to be called on when needed. As a member of the group, he played roles in their battles against Kang the Conqueror, Doctor Doom, and more.

Why Stingray Could Be Vital To War Machine’s Phase 4 Story

As an armored superhero, it makes sense that a character like Stingray would appear on the show in some capacity. After all, it seems plausible that given the source material and the concept behind the show, several armored characters will have a presence in Armor Wars. But, it would be a good move for Marvel to avoid them all being too similar to each other. One way to do that is to make each suit unique. A suit like Stingray’s would certainly fit that description. It has wings like Falcon’s, but it was designed for traveling and fighting underwater. The MCU doesn’t have anything like it – yet. That could change in Armor Wars if Marvel introduces Stingray.

As for what his role could be, Walter Newell could be vital to War Machine’s Armor Wars story in the same way that he was to Iron Man’s in Marvel Comics. If Rhodes attacks Stingray and is discovered to be in the wrong, it would add a much-needed element to the show. Marvel’s “Armor Wars” wasn’t a black-and-white story about Iron Man heroically taking down thieves who stole his designs; there were real, meaningful questions about whether Iron Man was right or wrong about what he was doing, not unlike what happened in “Civil War.” Since this is part of what made “Armor Wars” interesting, this is something that the Disney+ series should explore. It can accomplish that with a War Machine vs. Stingray battle. Going after an innocent superhero would naturally alienate him from his friends, and potentially lead to fights with his fellow Avengers.

What Stingray Could Mean For The MCU’s Future

Stingray could fulfill his purpose just by being in one or two episodes of Armor Wars, but that doesn’t have to be the extent of his role. As previously noted, Stingray is one of many Marvel Comics Avengers in Phase 4. Having that many new heroes and not capitalizing on that would be a mistake. At some point in the future, Marvel could create a second Avengers team on Disney+, and make him one of its members. He could also be a guest star in future Marvel shows, such as Secret Invasion. When keeping in mind that Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) will be going up against an untold number of alien adversaries, he’s sure to need superheroes who can assist him in the fight. The big-name characters from the movies may be unavailable, but Secret Invasion could utilize some of Marvel’s small screen characters, with Stingray being one of them. There’s plenty of potential for crossovers in the Disney+ shows, and there’s no reason why Stingray shouldn’t become a recurring MCU hero who makes appearances in multiple shows. He has the potential to be in the movies as well, especially if Marvel does eventually adapt Namor the Sub-Mariner. Stingray and his underwater base could be integrated into Namor’s clash with the surface world if and when he makes it into the MCU.

About The Author