Marvel Says This Is The Avenger Who Represents Illinois

You probably didn't know, and quite possibly couldn't care less, that there is an Avenger for every state in the United States.

Marvel hasn't made a hundred bazillion dollars by not knowing how to market their product, and tying each character in their universe to one of 50 states (and a couple of foreign countries) is pretty smart thinking.

There's Only 7 Avengers In The Poster Above, So How Does Every State Get One?

Well, that's the thing. Like movie stars, where there are A-list, B-list, C-list, and even D-list actors and actresses, the same goes for the Avengers. You've got your bigshots like the group pictured above, and then you have some far less known, or, "also-ran" superheroes.

According to ScreenRant.com, the first issue of "U.S. Avengers" featured more than 50 variant covers by artist Rod Reis, with one Avenger for each state. The designated heroes ranged from insanely appropriate to downright questionable, but Marvel did its best to give every state in the Union a hero of its very own.

The Avenger Who Represents Illinois Isn't One Of The A-List Avengers, But He's Not D-List Either

Illinois' Avenger has an alter-ego named Dr. Hank McCoy, but he's better known as The Beast.

(Wikipedia) Originally called "The Beast", the character was introduced as a mutant possessing ape-like superhuman physical strength and agility, oversized hands and feet, a genius-level intellect, and otherwise normal appearance and speech. Eventually being referred to simply as "Beast", Hank McCoy underwent progressive physiological transformations, gaining animalistic physical characteristics. These include blue fur, both simian and feline facial features, pointed ears, fangs, and claws.

The cool part is that Kelsey Grammar played The Beast in two X-Men movies.

Let's Take A Look At The Other Avengers Who Represent The Midwest

Wisconsin gets someone called Quasar

Iowa's representative Avenger, Hawkeye, was a pretty easy choice

Indiana gets The Winter Soldier

Kentucky is the home state of Cannonball

Missouri's Avenger is Whizzer

Michigan is the home of Ben Grimm, also known as The Thing

Minnesota is protected by Quake