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The Rangers are a superhero team published by Marvel Comics. The team first appeared in The Incredible Hulk #265 (November 1981) and was created by Bill Mantlo and Sal Buscema.
History
The Rangers began basically by accident. Rick Jones was being held captive by the villainous Corruptor, who had the Hulk under his influence. Rick managed to sent a shortwave radio message to attempt to contact the Avengers. The message never reached the Avengers, but instead five individuals intercepted the message and responded: Shooting Star and Texas Twister, Firebird, the Phantom Rider (Hamilton Slade, then called Night Rider), and Red Wolf II. Although the five Southwestern adventurers were unable to stop the Hulk's rampage, they did enable him to defeat the Corruptor. At the battle's end, Texas Twister suggested that the five of them get together whenever a threat to the Southwest crops up. They agreed and took the collective name of the Rangers. However, because of the geographical separation among the members, the first incarnation of the Rangers didn't last long. The Rangers next appear as a team in the last issue of the crossover Civil War, in which it seems they have been reincorporated as the state superteam for Texas. The original five members have been joined by Armadillo, a reformed supervillain, as well as Living Lightning, a former Avenger. The Rangers appear in The Initiative #2, in which the team assists in protecting the President from HYDRA's attack. There are injuries but no fatallities. Team members hail from Arizona, Texas, and New Mexico.
Membership
FOUNDERS
- Firebird - Bonita Juarez is a pyrokinetic and may be immortal.
- Phantom Rider - Hamilton Slade is the latest Phantom Rider.
- Red Wolf - William Talltrees imbued with the spiritual legacy of Owaydota.
- Shooting Star - Victoria Star uses a pair of specially-designed "star shooters".
- Texas Twister - Drew Daniels has the psychokinetic ability to form tornadoes.
POST-CIVIL WAR RECRUITS
- Armadillo - Antonio Rodriguez, a mutate given super strength and durability by the Power Broker (fired shortly after for drunkenly touching Shooting Star inappropriately)[1].
- Living Lightning - Miguel Santos, an electrical manipulator.
