Assembling The Avengers

Okay, I'm finally responding to Curtis' challenge below. Let me warn everyone about something, though: I haven't read comics regularly for more than a dozen years. The fact is, I had to dig out my old comics and do some serious research to pull this off at all. So if my team seems a little out-of-date, that's why. Okay, here we go.

Captain America
Cap has always been, and will always be, the heart and soul of the Avengers—all the recent 'Wolverine/changing times/samurai warrior' crap notwithstanding. Without Captain America, there is no 'Avengers'. Period.

Iron Man
If Cap is the heart, then Iron Man is the brains of the Avengers. Not to mention the wallet. But Tony Stark's contributions to the team are far greater than just his seemingly limitless personal fortune. His technical prowess and his ability to deal with even the most monolithic bureaucracies on their own terms make him invaluable to the team.

Hawkeye
Even taking into account Iron Man's superior experience and intellect, Hawkeye is the perfect choice to be Captain America's second in command. He is the classic combination of business and banter, and he almost never misses. He helps keep Cap from getting too serious and maudlin while still getting the job done. And it helps for Cap to know he's not always right.

Binary
True, Carol Danvers was a member of the Avengers for a time. But that was in her previous life (i.e., before she lost her powers and personality to Rogue). As Binary, she has both the temperament and the power level to run with Earth's mightiest heroes.

Stingray
Having a second super-suit on the team may seem redundant, but Stingray would make an extremely valuable team member. First, he's more a pure scientist than Tony, so his perspective would be very helpful. And second, approximately three-quarters of the Earth's surface is covered with water. It would be nice to have someone on the team who's at home under the waves.

Phoenix
(No, not Jean Grey. She's dead. Say it with me: Jean is dead.)
It's no secret that the X-Men produce enough telepaths to export one to every significant superteam on the planet. So why not the Avengers? I think Rachel Summers would make a good addition to this team. She's certainly powerful enough to fit in with this group, and she's got a lifetime's motivation to be heroic.

Valkyrie
Cap, Iron Man, and Hawkeye are long-time avengers, and Carol Danvers and Stingray have associated with the team before. So I thought that bringing in Thor would probably violate the 'new' aspect of this exercise. And I had another thought: if not Thor, then why not another Asgardian? Valkyrie is certainly competent enough as a warrior. Plus, if (when) the writers ever decide to do another stupid "let's kill off one (or more) of the characters" storyline, Val provides a perfectly reasonable way to bring them back later!

Yellowjacket
(No, not Hank Pym. He's already been in the Avengers, what, nineteen different times under five different identities? That's enough.)
After her stint with the Masters of Evil, I seem to recall that Rita DeMara started showing signs of genuine remorse. What better way to serve her penance than in the service of the team she'd wronged? It's not like the Avengers haven't taken in reformed (or even reforming) criminals before.

Okay, that's my suggested roster. Comments?