One thing I've really enjoyed about Civil War and what I've seen of The Initiative is that it's bringing back the characters who I always thought of as being part of Marvel's forgotten generation. To me, the forgotten generation is the group of heroes not old enough to be peers of even Spider-Man or Human Torch, but not young enough to be peers of The Runaways or Young Avengers. The forgotten generation is either college aged now or has just finished college. Most of them were created in the 90's and were set up to be important heroes, but interest in them faded and a lot of them became background characters or just faded away completely. I really like these characters because they were around when I was growing up and just getting into comics. Recently they've been popping back up in Civil War and The Initiative as well as other places. I'm starting this thread to discuss these characters, where we last saw them, and what there place might be in the 50 State Initiative (if any). I'm probably going to do a lot of writing but I hope it encourages additions, updates, arguments, and whatever else from all of you. Without further ado the heroes and villains of the forgotten generation: I consider these guys to be the major heroes of this generation:
Cloak and Dagger: I think that Cloak and Dagger really started this generation and have best represented its promise. They became heroes through the major issue that surrounded kids of that day (drugs) and they overcame it to stand shoulder to shoulder with Marvel's greatest heroes. Somehow they've managed to never completely fade off like others of the generation. They had their own title, helped out during Maximum Carnage, were members of the short-lived Marvel Knights team, and were just recently key members of Cap's Secret Avengers in Civil War. I haven't heard whether they have or will register now that the war's over or if they'll do anything in the Initiative (anyone?), but registration seems unlikely for these two. They have the independent spirits of runaways.
Darkhawk: This guy's my personal favorite. Chris Powell found an amulet that allowed him to switch bodies with a super powered android called Darkhawk. For most of his ongoing series he was the eldest son of a single mother household and this appealed to me and really the times. He was a reserve member of the New Warriors (who I'll talk about soon) and the West Coast Avengers. Hints were given that he was meant to be a great hero. An alternate future referred to him as a savior known as "The Powell." Then his ongoing series ended and the only time we ever saw 'Hawk was in books where all of the heroes would be getting together for one reason or another. "Hawk would be silently standing in the background. He's made a comeback ever since Runaways Vol. 2 with the hero support group Excelsior (now The Loners). He was also in Marvel Team-Up which was great (even if it wasn't continuity). We'll see him even more in The Loners six issue mini-series. Though he hasn't been tied to the Initiative yet, Stark made comments in Civil War Files that suggest that 'Hawk and the rest of The Loners would support registration (given their stance on young, inexperienced heroes), so my best guess is The Loners will become an Initiative team for the west.
Sleepwalker: I wish I knew more about old Sleepy. From the issues I do have he was an interesting character. Trapped in the mind of college student Rick Sheridan (which is why I consider him part of the generation), Sleepwalker had a good heart and would often take up the cause of the poor and helpless as well as fight mystical threats. He helped out during the Infinity Gauntlet crisis and all the other Infinity sagas for that matter. Then, like 'Hawk, when his series ended Sleepwalker sort if ended. Recently, though, he was part of the same Marvel Team-Up as 'Hawk and he's seen on the cover of Avengers: Initiative #1. This makes me think he registered and will be part of the Initiative in some capacity.
Alright, now on to The New Warriors. The Warriors were the essential team to this generation. They represented its independent spirit and dealt with many problems the '90's cared about: child abuse, enviornmentalism, and even the Iraqi conflict (the first one). The team obviously had a rebirth first as a reality show team and more recently with causing the Stamford Incident that sparked Civil War. I'm going to take the characters one by one and tell you what's happening.
Night Thrasher: He founded the Warriors believing his rich parents had been killed by criminals. He lead the team for most of its life but sometimes stepped back to focus on his education and financial responsibilities. He adopted the heroes Rage and Microbe and always stayed involved with the superhuman community. Unfortunately he was killed during the Stamford Incident and will probably stay dead (at least for a long time).
Nova: He's a Warrior that's always managed to stick around because he existed before the New Warriors and will probably exist long after. He's always been split on his responsibilities of being an earth and cosmic hero at once. He was always impulsive and had a long romance with Namorita. Recently he's been occupied with the Annihilation saga. Now it's over, though, he'll come back to earth as a space savior and the sole bearer of the Nova Force. Considering some of his best friends just died he probably will resist registration. Previews have suggested their will be a bit of a fight between Nova and the Initiative.
Speedball: *Possible Spoilers* He was always the heart of the New Warriors. Whenever the team was on the verge of collapsing or giving up he'd keep them together. After the Warriors completely disbanded he reformed the team with all new members. Speedball was the most enthusiastic about the reality show and took on most of the blame for the Stamford incident since he spurred the team on to attack the powerful villains. If you read Frontline and Thunderbolts you know now he's taken on new powers and is repenting for Stamford by causing himself pain. He's taken on the identity of Penance and works with the Initiative as a member of the hero-hunting Thunderbolts.
Namorita: Most of the time she was the female lead of the team. She did lead the team for a short time. She had an on and off romance with Nova and was always dealing with her aggressive Atlantean nature. She too died in the Stamford Incident and her memory will probably spark a war between the Initiative and Atlantis.
Justice: I always felt Justice was one of the most interesting of the Warriors. After he killed his own father in self-defense we got to see the issue of child abuse and super powers play out. He had a long, serious relationship with Firestar which has an ambiguious status. For awhile he was a reserve member of the Avengers. An alternate future version of him is Major Victory the leader of the intergalactic team The Guardians of the Galaxy where he took on Captain America's legacy. Justice registered and will be involved with training heroes for the Initiative along with War Machine.
Firestar: She started off her career by going to Emma Frost's Mass. Academy. She then joined the New Warriors and quickly fell in love with Justice. She later became a reserve Avenger with Vance. Because of Civil War she decided she couldn't be a hero and a student at the same time, so she decided to retire her Firestar identity. As far as I know that decision will last.
Silhouette: She was Night Thrasher's longtime girlfriend who broke his heart by taking off with his brother Bandit. She was always a dedicated hero trying to shrug off the villainous activities of her father and brother (Midnight's Fire). Recently she was part of Cap's Secret Avengers. I think I see her on the cover of Avengers: The Initiative #1 so I'm guessing she registered and will be in the Initiative.
Rage: He was a reserve Avenger before being recruited to the New Warriors. His mutation makes him seem older than he actually is (is more close to the Runaways age). He was adopted by Night Thrasher and began going to a private school. Recently we saw him being part of a lawsuit against a website that was giving out New Warriors secret identities. He's on the cover of Avengers: The Initiative #1 so he will probably register and be involved.
Turbo: There were two Turbos: Mickey and Mike. Mickey co-founded the Excelsior support group and is a member of The Loners just like Darkhawk. We can assume she'll be involved with whatever Initiative activities The Loners are. Mike tragically died at the hands of the Dire Wraith queen Volx who wanted the turbo armour.
Aegis: He was a street hero who was made practically invulnerable by the golden breast plate of Aegis. Speedball recruited him to the Warriors when he was reforming the team. Recently we saw Aegis resisting the Registration Act. Multiple Man helped him flee custody. He's on the cover of Avengers: The Initiative so I guess he will register and become an Initiative hero.
Bandit: Night Thrasher's troubled older brother. He had run off with Thrasher's ex Silhouette. The last time we saw him he was manipulating the Guild of Thieves and Assassins as well as Gambit's ex-wife Belladonna. I haven't heard anything about him returning for the Initiative but if he does I bet he'll be seducing women.
Bolt: Bolt was a mutant with electricity powers and, unfortunately, the Legacy Virus. He joined the New Warriors when Speedball reformed the team hoping to do some good. He later worked as a mutant liberator and tragically met his end at the hands of Weapon X's Agent Zero.
Debrii: I don't know too much about her, but she joined the team when it was formed for the reality show. Recently we saw her in Civil War and I think she's on the cover of Avengers: Initiative so we might see her as a registered hero.
Helix: He mutated and gained his powers after contracting Jackal's "Carrion Virus." Initially he fought the New Warriors then became a member. Last we saw of him he left the team to find out more about his past. I have heard nothing about him returning.
Hindsight Lad: Powerless and obnoxious, this kid kept applying for New Warriors membership. He eventually got it after aiding the team in their time traveling crisis. He mostly dealt with tactical advice for the team. Recently he was outing the secret identities of the New Warriors to try and get them back for the Stamford incident. Now being powerless and disliked by the superhero community it's doubtful he'll be involved in the Initiative.
Microbe: Microbe's dad had created a failed cure for cancer through Night Thrasher's company. Microbe himself was discovered to have the power to talk to bacteria and was adopted by Thrasher after his father's death. He joined the New Warrior's during the reality show and was tragically killed during the Stamford Incident.
Powerhouse: He's a member of the Power family (The Power Pack). He joined the Warriors to aid them during their time traveling crisis. The Power Pack is actually a continuity problem these days. Stark mentions in the Civil War Files that there were conflicting reports that the Power Pack either grew up like Powerhouse and Julie Power (in the Loners) or if they're still kids like in their ongoing series. Who knows what the answer is. If they did grow up though you'll probably see Powerhouse register like his sister Julie will with The Loners.
Slapstick: Slapstick was a kid that turned into a cartoon like hero to fight off alien invasion. He became a reserve member of the New Warriors. Recently he helped a bunch of other former Warriors hunt down Hindsight Lad for giving up their identities. I have no idea if we'll see him further, but he's hilarious and I hope we see him again.
Timeslip: She was a mutant who was able to transport her current conciousness into herself at any point in her past then she developed that into limited time travel. She was intrumental in the New Warriors time traveling crisis. She later seemed to be depowered by queen Volx. Recently, though, she was seen in the chaos of Civil War so maybe she still has her powers and will be seen in the Initiative. Only time will tell.
Ultra Girl: Yet another member I don't know too much about. She joined the Warriors during the time travel crisis, though, and recently she was a member of Cap's Secret Avengers in Civil War even going toe-to-toe with Iron Man. Odds are we'll see her some more but it's a toss up whether she'll register or not.
Okay, The Slingers. They were a young team of college heroes that came about when Black Marvel gave them four costumes and identities Spider-Man wore when he was accused of murder. They were active for awhile then faded into the background. Members:
Ricochet: A mutant with a malicious father, he had superhuman agility and something like spider-sense. Recently he became a member of the young hero support group Excelsior and now is a member of what that group became: The Loners. He will probably be involved with whatever Initiative activities The Loners are part of.
Hornet: A young man with a disabled right arm, he became proficient with mechanics. This made him perfect to wear and use the mechanised Hornet armor. He stayed active as a hero but was tragically killed by Wolverine when Hydra was controlling the mutant's mind.
Prodigy: A college wrestler who gained powers from the Prodigy costume which included strength, agility, limited invulnerability, and the power to glide. He was the first to openly refuse to register and was captured by Iron Man because of this. The fact that he was so openly against registration makes it unlikely he'll join the Initiative, but you never know.
Dusk: The only female member of the team. I believe she had the power of teleportation. I'm not sure what became of her so it's possible she'll be part of the Initiative. ...Maybe?
Generation X was the young mutant team of their day. Before them it was The New Mutants/ X-Force and now it's the New X-Men. It was thought that Generation X members may eventually become X-Men but suprisingly most of them didn't. Their school closed and book ended and most of them disappeared. Here are the members:
Chamber: A mutant from the UK who was pretty moody considering his psionic powers blew a big hole in his face and chest and accidently crippled his girlfriend. He joined the Mass. Academy and Generation X and had an on again off again relationship with Husk. His career highlight came when he beat Omega Red all by himself. Last we saw him he refused to join Excalibur. We did see an imposter pretending to be him to infiltrate The Loners which could mean that The Loners may meet and try to recruit the real Chamber in the near furture. Otherwise, who knows if he'll be back for the Initiative.
Jubilee: For awhile she was a young member of the X-Men and practically Wolverine's sidekick. Then she joined her fellow young mutants in Generation X. Pretty high profile since she was in the X-Men cartoon. Recently she was depowered during "M-Day" and began counseling other depowered mutants. Her work as a counselor could make her instrumental in the Initiative. Odds are she'll continue to work with the X-Men in some capacity.
Husk: As the younger sister of New Mutant turned X-Man, Cannonball, she joined the Mass. Academy and Generation X. She had the stragne power of being able to turn her body into any substance underneath her skin. She had an on-again off-again relationship with Chamber and then one with Angel when she joined the X-Men. She's still working with the X-Men and will probably be part of any Intitiative activities they are.
Skin: He was a young mutant who had the very strange power of having a lot of extra skin he could stretch out to help him in various ways. He was killed by a religious, anti-mutant group known as The Church.
M: Monet St. Croix was a rich young mutant with powers of strength, flight, invulnerability, etc. (she's like Superman). She joined Generattion X and had a relationship with Synch. After the school closed she became a model and now works with X-Factor Investigations. Since X-Factor openly came out against the Registration Act it's unlikely that she'll work with the Initiative.
Synch: He was a young mutant who could duplicate the power of other mutants by "taking on their auras." He joined Generation X and had a relationship with M. Synch died trying to disarm a bomb impanted in the school by Emma Frost's elder sister Adrienne.
Penance (not the new Speedball identity): M's twin sister who because of their brother's magic became mute and develped a monstrous red body. Later it was discovered that the twin sisters could merge. They used this form to defeat their brother. I'm not sure what happened to Penance after this or if she'll be back. Recently, I've heard she'll be appearing in The Loners book under the name Hollow, but I haven't been able to confirm this. Anybody?
There were also other minor members like Mondo who I don't know too much about.
Psionex was a group of super-powered youths bent on using their gifts for their own gain. Their criminal activities put them in direct confrontation with the New Warriors. When the New Warriors series ended the members of Psionex scattered.
Impulse: Was the leader of the group. He had enhanced strength, speed, and agility. He hasn't been seen since Psionex disbanded and it's unknown if he'll ever be back.
Mathemaniac: He was a college student who used advanced mathematics to develop psionic powers. I've heard he was part of Baron Zemo's Tunderbolts Army during Civil War and the Grandmaster conflict, but I don't remember seeing him. If he was it's likely he'll be forced into the Initiative. If not... who knows.
Pretty Persuasions: She was an exotic dancer given powers by Genetech. She could stimulate the pleasure center of a person's brain causing them to be paralyzed. After Psionex she went back to exotic dancing and was part of Baron Zemo's Thuderbolts Army during Civil War. She will most likely be forced into the Initiative as a former villian.
Coronary: Genetech gave this young man psionic powers and a crystaline body. He was a member of Baron Zemo's Thunderbolts Army during Civil War and is on the cover of Avengers: The Initiative so he's likey to be part of the program.
Asylum: This is a tragic tale. Henrique Gallante was an abused child who became a drug addict. He developed mutant powers which let him control darkforce and teleport (kind of like an evil Cloak). He'd battled the New Warriors under the name Darkling then disappeared into the darkforce to find answers. When he came back he joined up with Psionex as Asylum. Recently he was a member of Baron Zemo's Thunderbolts Army during Civil War. He's on the cover of Avengers: The Initiative so I assume he'll be part of that.
The Folding Circle is tied in with New Warriors continuity. When Night Thrasher's father was stationed in the Vietnam War, he and his platoon stumbled upon the ancient temple of the mystic well. The platoon made a deal with the evil sorcerer Tai who was guarding the well. Tai made a deal with the platoon members. They would marry women from the temple and gain success and power because of this. They will also have superpowered children who would be sacrificed to the well so Tai could gain eternal power. The Folding Circle are the super-powered children of the platoon members. Just like their fathers, the members of the folding Circle are selfish and use their powers for their own ends. They battled with the New Warriors and then fled once they realized that Tai wanted to kill them. Members:
Midnight's Fire: The brother of New Warrior Silhouette. His powers were enhanced speed, strength, agility, and sensory perception. He was also skilled in hand-to-hand combat and often acted as Night Thrasher's rival. He hasn't been seen since he and his team fled Tai. Who knows if he'll return.
Blodstrike: Huge guy with super-strength. Recently he was a member of Baron Zemo's Thuderbolts Army during Civil War and can be seen on the cover of Avengers: The Initiative.
Smiling Tiger: Had sharp claws, enhanced agility, and resembled a mutated tiger-man. Recently he was in Baron Zemo's Thunderbolts Army with Bloodstrike during Civil War and will probably follow his teammate into the Initiative.
Silk Fever: This young woman had fire powers and flight. She hasn't been seen since Folding Circle fled Tai. Who knows if she'll be back.
I'm just going to mention some of the odds and ends. Some of the loose characters from the generation.
Jack Flag: *Possible Spoilers* Jack Flag was a member of Captain America's hotline service and Jack and his brother took this duty very seriously. Eventually the crime fighting got his brother crippled and a second injury was dealt when his parents were cheated out of their life savings by the Serpent Society. Jack and his brother worked hard at creating a hero identity for Jack so he could infiltrate the Society. As Jack Flag he did so and gained some enhanced abilities from chemicals in Mr. Hyde's lab. Eventually he became one of Cap's partners and took over for Cap along with Free Spirit after it looked like Cap's abilities had faded. Eventually we lost track of good old Jack but recently he appeared in the Thunderbolts resisting registration. He battled the Thuderbolts and after initially doing way he ended up getting stabbed in the back and crippled by Bullseye. His future as a hero looks dismal.
Free Spirit: Cathy was a graduate student who participated in an experiment that was unfortunately run by Superia. Superia subliminally taught her to hate all men and gave her peak human abilities like Captain America. After breaking free from Superia, Cathy became Free Spirit and became Cap's partner along with Jack Flag. As far as I know, though, she hasn't been seen in a long time and there's no indication we'll see her again.
Portal: Portal was primarily a Darkhawk character. He was a young Native American man from the same tribe as the hero Puma. He was also a mutant born with the ability to teleport anywhere even other dimensions. When he initially discovered the power he fled from his tribe, Puma, and the Avengers into other worlds. When he came back to earth he took on the identity of Portal and started a tense friendship/rivalry with Darkhawk. The last time we saw him he helped 'Hawk fend off a Mahari invasion. He hasn't been seen since and who knows if he'll return.
Lodestone: This girl only called Andrea had vast magnetic powers. She was a slave to the Bazin crime organization and was used to fight Darkhawk. Last she was seen she was taken into custody by the military on Althea Island. It's uncertain she'll return.
Thor Girl: Thor Girl was a alien girl named Tarene who was transformed into an Asgardian goddess after becoming an ally of Thor. It was thought that she lost her powers after Odin's death, but recently she registered as a hero during Civil War. She will be part of the Initiative.
Alright, I want to wrap this up, so... lightning round!
Shard: Dead after letting Bishop absorb her energy to beat Fitzroy.
Wildchild: Missing assumed depowered on "M-Day."
Marvel Boy: Free of government control and wanting to take on the world from his new Kree capitol: The Cube.
Phantom Blonde: Hasn't been seen since the second She Hulk series.
Squirrel Girl: Member of the Great Lakes Champions and in the Initiative.
Triathlon: Said to be missing after Civil War #7 but is on the cover of Avengers: The Initiative so we'll see.
Wildstreak and Silverclaw: Fought registration but could be part of the Initiative now the war is over.
Living Lightning: Was a member of Cap's Secret Avengers but is on the cover of Avengers: The Initiative.
Bantam: Killed by Thunderclap during the Civil War.
Spider-Woman (Mattie Franklin): Is about to join The Loners and will be apart of their Initiative activities.
Steel Spider: Refusing to register and will probably be getting a visit from the Thunderbolts soon.
Shoc: Does anyone even remember this guy?
Okay, I'm done I promise. But I will update when we find out for sure what some of these guys are involved in, but until then please feel free to discuss these characters, add characters I missed, correct me, or anything. Please. It took me a long time to do this. And, upon reflection... I wonder why. Anyway, can't wait to see how the Initiative pans out.
She's great. So I'm going to put my faith in the cast, writing team, and in Sam Raimi all who have not disappointed me yet. In any event, I'll tell you what I think afterwards.
This is mostly because of the writer Danny Fingeroth who I have mixed feelings about. Danny was a longtime group editor for Marvel Comics and the sole writer for Darkhawk's ongoing series. I respect Danny for his wonderful work as a group editor for the Spider-Man books and for the first 38 or so issues of Darkhawk which I cherish as some of my favorite work from 1990's Marvel Comics. But the last twelve issues of Darkhawk and this limited series really show off Danny's considerable weaknesses as a writer. 
Now for those of you who don't know, Civil War was a massive comic event spanning throughout the Marvel Comics Universe. It centered around the question of Superhero Registration: Should heroes need to register with and be trained by the government to protect and serve? When Superhero Registration became law after a battle between heroes and villains went awry causing a tragedy, the heroes of the Marvel Universe had to choose between registering like good citizens or defying the law in favor of their own freedom. Those who chose to register fell behind the leadership of Iron Man and those who rebelled followed Captain America's lead (yes, Captain America was defying the American government for freedom). Eventually the two sides would clash with each other and the entire issue would be explored in many directions with none-too-subtle allusions to the question of sacrificing freedom for security in today's world (I mean just imagine if the Dept. of Homeland Security had x-ray vision).
Captain Marvel's Return: This was kind of ridiculous, I'll give the critics that. I mean, how many people REALLY remember Captain Marvel in the first place? He died in 1982 and most of his hero career fell in the 1970's. And when he died it was almost poetic. It was the saga of a warrior being forced to die in bed, helpless. Now they pluck him out of time and bring him back from the dead in the middle of Civil War? Why? He didn't even contribute much to the storyline of Civil War. He just came back and then showed up in one panel of Civil War #7. There seems to be no reason or context for it and yet they did it. Oh well, he's back. Let's see what they do with him.