Debuting in November of 2006, the Gears of War franchise introduced the war-ravaged planet of Sera where humans fight to survive against the subterranean species known as the Locust and, later, the Swarm. The story currently spans seven games, 24 comic books and eight novels.
Since books can carry more information than a few hours of a video game, the publications contain a slew of colorful characters who do not have a presence within the games themselves. Many have been slated to appear, but for whatever reason, they did not make the final cut.
Teresa And Maralin Wallin
Images from https://gearsofwar.fandom.com/wiki/
Twin daughters to fan-favorite Dizzy, Teresa and Marylin were born only a few months after the Hammer Strikes left their parents stranded outside the walls of Ephyra. They are briefly mentioned in a scene in Gears of War 2, but they make their first official appearance in the second book of the franchise, Jacinto's Remnant.
The sisters were meant to be included in Gears of War 3 during the Locust siege on Anvil Gate but were ultimately cut from the final game. Their models, however, had been rendered in anticipation, leaving them a viable option to appear in any potential game in the series, even if only as NPCs.
Alex Brand
Images from https://gearsofwar.fandom.com/es/wiki/Alexandra_Brand
Confident, sarcastic, cigar-smoking Alexandra Brand made her debut in "Barren," issue #2 of the Gears of War comics. She had been part of Chairman Prescott's birthing initiative but was forced to take a frontline role when she was found to be barren. She served with Foxtrot squad, and on a couple different occasions, did work with Marcus Fenix and Delta Squad.
Unlike most book characters, Alex actually has appeared in a Gears game, however, unlike other in-game characters, she does not appear anywhere in the story. Alex is only available as a multiplayer download in Gears of War: Judgement. This isn't a fair representation of the character, but since the model exists, she can be slightly aged up and dropped into the Swarm War, gracing Sera with her sass.
Milton Reeve
[Image creator note : fanart of character does not exist online]
Hesketh was the last operational maximum security prison in Jacinto, housing Sera's worst criminals. Nicknamed "The Slab," Marcus Fenix was sent there after abandoning his post, and subsequently, where he met Milton Reeve. According to Karen Traviss' novel The Slab, Reeve was a contract assassin before becoming an inmate for life. He was then charged with protecting Marcus while in prison.
Shortly before the events of the first Gears of War, Reeve got locked in the Slab's psych ward along with Marcus by a Locust Drone. Believing Marcus needed to survive to fight while also not wanting to be re-imprisoned himself, Reeve shoved Marcus into a self-locking cell before attempting escape through an abandoned elevator shaft. His fate is currently unknown, which would make him a perfect surprise for Marcus to find during the Swarm War.
Drew Rossi
Images from https://gearsofwar.fandom.com/wiki/Drew_Rossi
Light-hearted jokester and renowned "ladies man," Sgt. Drew Rossi was introduced in Gears of War: Aspho Fields. He was instrumental in several operations throughout the books, including aiding Dom's plan to bust Marcus from the Slab. He served as the commanding officer of Bravo Squad and later Echo before becoming the second-in-command of the Pelruan Garrison on Vectes.
In Coalition's End, Rossi became one of many Gears to accompany Colonel Victor Hoffman to the fortress city of Anvil Gate in Kashkur. However, he made no appearance — nor was there a plan for one — in any Anvil Gate scene in Gears 3. Still, many veteran Gears of the final siege resettled into New Ephyra before the Swarm War, so it is not outside the realm of possibility to see an older Rossi dropped into the theoretical Gears 6.
Donneld Mathieson
Images from https://gearsofwar.fandom.com/wiki/Donneld_Mathieson
This one is a unique situation. Lt. Mathieson was introduced in Aspho Fields as a prominent member of CIC, and by Gears of War: Anvil Gate, he had replaced Lt. Anya Stroud as the voice of Control. That is what makes his situation unique. The character of Donneld Mathieson was technically in a Gears game, but only as a disembodied voice in Gears 3.
Mathieson was confined to a wheelchair after losing his legs in battle against the Locust. However, during the events of Coalition's End, he was gifted rudimentary prosthetics by Gorasnayan engineers (with help from Baird), allowing him to walk once more. Giving him a face and body in-game would not only give life to a favored character but also representation for wounded veterans as well as non-verteran persons with amputations.
Nat Barber
Images from https://gearsofwar.fandom.com/wiki/Nat_Barber
Lt. Barber, like many others, first appeared in Aspho Fields. He was a crew chief for the King Raven helicopters, most notably for KR-8-0, piloted by Major Gill Gettner. Aboard the Raven, Barber was tasked with providing cover fire for wounded Gears in need of standard evacuation or casevac from war zones. Barber would later join Delta aboard the CNV Sovereign in Coalition's End, but never made an appearance in-game.
Considering how many times Gears were aboard King Ravens, it is incredible that Barber was never seen or heard in any Gears game. He is described as an open and honest soul by Sgt. Bernadette Mataki and served as something of a balance for Gettner's more abrasive personality. The banter between these characters would provide some levity in stressful combat situations.
Gill Gettner
Images from https://gearsofwar.fandom.com/wiki/Gill_Gettner
You can't have Barber without Gettner. First seen in the epilogue for Aspho Fields, Gettner is a typical King Raven pilot. She is one of a handful of serving female Gears, and she takes no lip from anyone, not even the chairman. Despite her vitriolic front, Gettner had a heart for her fellow Gears and would never leave one behind.
By Coalition's End, Gill Gettner joined the rapid response team aboard the Sovereign. However, much like her crew chief, Gettner never made an appearance in-game. In the books, Gettner never actually leaves her Raven to engage in infantry combat, which would make for an exciting chance at an epic battle against flying enemies.
Mel Sorotki
Images from https://gearsofwar.fandom.com/wiki/Mel_Sorotki
Lt. Sorotki is a Raven pilot who often worked with Marcus and Delta Squad flying KR-239. He was positive all the time, using a "feedback technique" to trick his mind into always being happy. Eventually, he claims, he simply became "stuck" like like that, even in the most harried situations.
Mel was supposed to appear in Gears 3, but his scene was left on the cutting room floor. There is a clever retcon thanks to the books that allowed Sorotki to be "in" the first and second games as the pilot who flies Delta out of a couple tight spots, but he is never specifically mentioned
Padrick Salton
Images from https://gearsofwar.fandom.com/wiki/Padrick_Salton
No character is as hyped up as Private Padrick Salton. Born on Sera's South Islands, Pad was a passionate cook, rugged-tempered soldier, and a master marksman. He served in the waning years of the Pendulum Wars for at least twenty years before the Locust emergence, shortly after which Pad fell into a dark depression when his spotter was killed. He became a nomadic scout, relaying emergence holes and spying against the Locust hoard.
Sometime before the events of Gears 1, Pad went missing after discovering a Reaver nest. For three years, his fellow Gears wondered what happened, periodically recalling fond memories. Finally, in Coalitions's End, Pad's fate is revealed: alive, well, and living with the Pesangas near Anvil Gate. He was missed in Gears 3, but there is still time to bring him to life.
Bai Tak
Images from https://gearsofwar.fandom.com/wiki/Bai_Tak
There was a missed opportunity to introduce many pivotal characters via Gears 4's Prologue. Specifically, the raid on Aspho Point, where Hoffman led a platoon of Gears to retrieve the Hammer of Dawn satellite data. In Aspho Fields, the Pesanga troops were instrumental in taking out enemies without being detected.
One particular Pesanga stood out: Sergeant Bai Tak. He served with Hoffman during Anvil Gate and was a conscience-clearer for his superior. He would lose his life saving that of Dom Santiago. Sadly, neither he nor any other Pesanga were anywhere to be seen in the Gears 4 flashback. It may require going back in time, but Bai would be well worth it.