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Avengers (comics)
Encyclopedia
The Avengers is a fictional team of superhero
es, appearing in magazines published by Marvel Comics
. The team made its debut in The Avengers #1 (Sept. 1963), and was created by writer-editor Stan Lee
and artist/co-plotter Jack Kirby
, following the trend of super-hero teams after the success of DC Comics
' Justice League of America.
Labeled "Earth's Mightiest Heroes", the Avengers originally consisted of Iron Man (Tony Stark)
, Ant-Man (Dr. Henry Pym)
, Wasp (Janet Van Dyne)
, Thor
, and the Hulk (Bruce Banner)
. The original Captain America
was discovered by the team in issue #4, trapped in ice, and he joined the group when they revived him. The rotating roster has become a hallmark of the team, although one theme remains consistent: the Avengers fight "the foes no single superhero can withstand". The team, famous for its battle cry of "Avengers Assemble!", has featured humans, mutants
, robots, gods, aliens, supernatural beings, and even former villains. An animated television series, The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes
, premiered on October 20, 2010. A feature film is set to be released May 4, 2012.
with penciler and co-plotter Jack Kirby
. This initial series, published bi-monthly through issue #6 (July 1964) and monthly thereafter ran through issue #402 (Sept. 1996), with spinoffs including several annuals
, miniseries
and a giant-size quarterly sister series that ran briefly in the mid-1970s.
Other spinoff series include West Coast Avengers
, initially published as a four-issue miniseries in 1984, followed by a 102-issue series (Oct. 1985 – Jan. 1994), retitled Avengers West Coast with #47; and the 40-issue Solo Avengers
(Dec.1987 – Jan. 1991), retitled Avengers Spotlight with #21.
Between 1996 and 2004 Marvel relaunched the primary Avengers title three times. In 1996, the "Heroes Reborn
" line, in which Marvel contracted outside companies to produce four titles, included a new volume of The Avengers. Taking place in an alternate universe
with a revamped history unrelated to mainstream Marvel continuity, The Avengers vol. 2 was written by Rob Liefeld
and penciled by Jim Valentino
, and ran 13 issues (Nov. 1996 – Nov. 1997). The final issue, which featured a crossover with the other "Heroes Reborn" titles, returned the characters to the main Marvel Universe
.
Relaunched with a new first issue, The Avengers vol. 3 ran 84 issues (Feb. 1998 – Aug. 2004). To coincide with what would have been the 500th issue of the original series, Marvel changed the numbering, and The Avengers #500-503 (Sept.–Dec. 2004), followed by the one-shot Avengers Finale (Jan. 2005), became the "Avengers Disassembled
" storyline and final issues. In January 2005, a new version of the team appeared in the ongoing title The New Avengers, followed by The Mighty Avengers, Avengers: The Initiative
, and Dark Avengers
. Avengers vol. 4 debuted in 2010.
god Loki
, who seeks revenge against his brother Thor. Using an illusion, Loki tricks the Hulk into destroying a railroad track. He then diverts a radio call by Rick Jones
for help to Thor, whom Loki hopes will battle the Hulk. Unknown to Loki, the radio call is also answered by Ant-Man, the Wasp, and Iron Man. After an initial misunderstanding, the heroes unite and defeat Loki after Thor is lured away by an illusion of the Hulk and suspects Loki when he realises it is an illusion. Ant-Man states the five work well together and suggests they form a combined team; the Wasp names the group "the Avengers" because it sounded "dramatic".
The roster changes almost immediately; by the beginning of the second issue, Ant-Man has become Giant-Man and, at the end of the issue, the Hulk leaves once he realizes how much the others fear his unstable personality. Feeling responsible, the Avengers try to locate and contain the Hulk, which subsequently leads them into combat with Namor the Sub-Mariner. This would result in the first major milestone in the Avengers' history: the revival and return of Captain America
. Captain America joins the team, eventually becoming field leader. Captain America is also given "founding member" status in the Hulk's place. The Avengers go on to fight foes such as Captain America's wartime enemy Baron Zemo
, who forms the Masters of Evil
, Kang the Conqueror
, Wonder Man
, and Count Nefaria
.
The next milestone came when every member but Captain America resigned and were replaced by three former villains: Hawkeye
, the Scarlet Witch
, and Quicksilver
. Although lacking the raw power of the original team, "Cap's Kooky Quartet" (as they were sometimes jokingly called), proved their worth by fighting and defeating the Swordsman
; the original Power Man; and Doctor Doom
. They are soon rejoined by Henry Pym (who changes his name to Goliath) and the Wasp, along with Hercules
, the Black Knight
, and the Black Widow, although the last two do not obtain official membership status until years later.
When writer Roy Thomas
commenced, there was a greater focus on characterization. The Black Panther
joins the team, followed by the Vision
. Thomas also established that the Avengers are headquartered in a New York City
building called Avengers Mansion
, provided courtesy of Tony Stark (Iron Man's real identity), who also funds the Avengers through the Maria Stark Foundation, a non-profit organization
. The mansion is serviced by Edwin Jarvis
, the Avengers' faithful butler, and also furnished with state-of-the-art
technology and defense systems, including the Avengers' primary mode of transport: the five-engine Quinjets.
and fight in the Kree-Skrull War
, an epic battle between the alien Kree
and Skrull
races and guest-starring the Kree hero Captain Marvel. The Avengers also briefly disband when Skrulls impersonating Captain America, Thor, and Iron Man use their authority as founders of the team to disband it. The true founding Avengers, minus the Wasp, later reform the team in response to complaints from Jarvis.
The Vision and the Scarlet Witch fall in love, although the relationship is tinged with sadness as the Vision believes himself to be inhuman and unworthy of her. Writer Steve Englehart
then introduces Mantis
, who joins the team along with the reformed Swordsman. Englehart linked her origins to the very beginnings of the Kree-Skrull conflict in a time-spanning adventure involving Kang the Conqueror and the mysterious Immortus
, who are revealed to be past and future versions of each other. Mantis is revealed to be the Celestial Madonna, who is destined to give birth to a being that will save the universe. This saga also reveals that the Vision's body had only been appropriated, and not created, by Ultron, and that it had originally belonged to the 1940s Human Torch. With his origins now clear to him, the Vision proposes to the Scarlet Witch. The Celestial Madonna saga ends with their wedding, presided over by Immortus. Englehart's tenure also coincided with the debut of George Pérez
as artist.
After Englehart's departure (and a seven-issue stint by Gerry Conway
) Jim Shooter
began as writer, generating several classic adventures, including "Bride of Ultron
", the "Nefaria Trilogy", and "The Korvac
Saga", featuring nearly every Avenger who joined the team up to that point. New members added during this time include the Beast
, a resurrected Wonder Man
, Captain America's former partner the Falcon
, and Ms. Marvel.
Shooter also introduced the character of Henry Peter Gyrich
, the Avengers' liaison to the United States National Security Council
. Gyrich is prejudiced against superhumans and acts in a heavy-handed, obstructive manner, insisting that the Avengers follow government rules and regulations or else lose their priority status with the government. Among Gyrich's demands is that the active roster be trimmed down to only seven members, and that the Falcon
, an African American
, be admitted to the team to comply with affirmative action
laws. This last act is resented by Hawkeye, who because of the seven-member limit loses his membership slot to the Falcon. The Falcon, in turn, is unhappy to be the beneficiary of what he perceives to be tokenism
, and decides to resign from the team, after which Wonder Man rejoins.
The first major development was the breakdown of Henry Pym, with his frequent changes of costume and name being symptomatic of an identity problem and an inferiority complex
. After abusing his wife, failing to win back the confidence of the Avengers with a ruse and being duped by the villain Egghead
, Pym is jailed. Writer Roger Stern
later resolves this by having Pym outwit Egghead and defeat the latest incarnation of the Masters of Evil singlehandedly, thereby proving his innocence. Pym reconciles with the Wasp, but they decide to remain apart. Pym also retires from superheroics, but returns some years later.
Stern developed several major storylines, such as "Ultimate Vision" in which the Vision takes over the world's computer systems in a misguided attempt to create world peace; the formation of the West Coast Avengers
; and "Avengers Under Siege" which involves the second Baron Zemo and the Masters of Evil taking over the mansion and severely injuring Jarvis and Hercules, "War on Olympus" in which Hercules' father Zeus blames the Avengers for his son's injuries and brings them to Olympus for trial and "Heavy Metal" in which the Super Adaptoid organizes several other robotic villains for an assault on the team. New members during the 1980s included an African American Captain Marvel named Monica Rambeau
(who became the team's new leader); She-Hulk
; Tigra
, Namor, Starfox and Hawkeye's wife, Mockingbird
, while Henry Pym emerges from retirement to join the West Coast Avengers. Stern also created the villain Nebula, who claimed, falsely, to be the granddaughter of Thanos. The team also relocated for a period to a floating island off the coast of New York called Hydrobase. The Avengers moved their base of operations to Hydrobase after the "Under Siege" storyline was completed in The Avengers #277 (March 1987) where Avengers Mansion was severely damaged. The move to Hydrobase was undertaken in The Avengers #278 (April 1987). Hydrobase was later sunk during the "Acts of Vengeance" crossover in issue #311 (Dec. 1989).
The Avengers titles were then embroiled in the major crossover event "Acts of Vengeance
" wherein Loki assembles many of Marvel's arch-villains (with his inner circle consisting of Doctor Doom, Magneto
, Kingpin
, Mandarin
, Wizard
, and Red Skull
) in a plot to destroy the team. Loki orchestrates a mass breakout of villains from prison facility the Vault
, as part of his Acts of Vengeance scheme, but he ultimately fails in his goal to destroy the Avengers.
This decade coincided with a speculators' boom, followed by an industry-wide slump and Marvel filing for bankruptcy
in 1997. During this period the U.S. government revokes the Avengers' New York State charter in a treaty with the Soviet Union. The Avengers then received a charter from the United Nations and again the Avengers split into two teams with a substitute reserve team backing up the main teams.
Bob Harras
and Steve Epting
took over the title, and introduced a stable lineup with ongoing storylines and character development focused on the Black Knight, Sersi
, Crystal
, Quicksilver, Hercules and the Vision. Their primary enemies in this run include the mysterious Proctor and the Shi'ar
warrior Deathcry. During this period, the team finds themselves facing increasingly murderous enemies, and are forced to question their rule against killing.
This culminated in "Operation: Galactic Storm
", a 19-part storyline that ran through all Avengers-related titles and showcases a conflict between the Kree and the Shi'ar Empire
. The team splits when Iron Man and several dissidents execute the Supreme Intelligence
against the wishes of Captain America. After a vote disbanding the West Coast Avengers
, Iron Man forms a proactive and aggressive team called Force Works
. During the team's first mission Wonder Man is apparently killed again (his atoms are actually only temporarily scattered). Force Works later disbands after it is revealed that Iron Man has become a murderer via the manipulations of the villain Kang.
Together with the Fantastic Four
and others, many of the Avengers apparently died stopping the gestalt psychic entity Onslaught
, although it is later revealed that Franklin Richards
preserved these heroes in a pocket universe. Believing the main team gone, the Black Widow disbands the Avengers, with only butler Jarvis remaining to tend to the Mansion.
Marvel contracted out The Avengers and three related titles—Captain America, Fantastic Four, and Iron Man—to former Marvel artists Jim Lee
and Rob Liefeld
, two of the founding creators of Image Comics
. The previous continuity of the Marvel Universe
was set aside as the heroes were "reborn" in the pocket universe. While The Avengers was relaunched as a new series, the "Heroes Reborn
" line ended after a year as planned and the license reverted to Marvel.
and penciler George Pérez
launched a new volume of the series with The Avengers vol. 3, #1 (Feb. 1998). Busiek also concurrently wrote the limited series
Avengers Forever
, a time-travel story that explored the history of the Avengers and resolved many outstanding questions. New members during this run included Ms. Marvel, the revived Wonder Man, Justice, Firestar
, Silverclaw
, and Triathlon
. Busiek's run included many of the Avengers' traditional villains such as the Grim Reaper
, Ultron
, Count Nefaria
, and Kang the Conqueror
.
dealt with the aftermath of Busiek's Kang arc, as the Avengers are granted international authority by the United Nations
. Members joining during this period included Jack of Hearts
and the second Ant-Man. Chuck Austen
followed as writer, and added a new Captain Britain
to the team. Writer Brian Michael Bendis then rebooted the title with the "Avengers Disassembled
" storyline. Titled "Chaos", the story featured the deaths of some members and a loss of credibility for the team. The culprit is revealed to be the Scarlet Witch
, who has gone insane after agonizing over the memory of her lost children and who subsequently loses control of her reality-altering powers. With the team in disarray and Avengers Mansion ruined, the surviving members agree to disband.
A new Avengers team briefly formed following the events of House of M
, coming together as the result of a massive jailbreak at The Raft prison facility. This New Avengers lineup was composed of Iron Man, Captain America, Luke Cage
, Wolverine
, Ronin, Spider-Man
, Spider-Woman
, and Sentry.
In the company-wide "Marvel Civil War
" story arc, Marvel superheroes were split over compliance with the U.S. government's new Superhuman Registration Act requiring all superpowered persons to register their true identifies with the federal government and become agents of same. The New Avengers disbanded, with a rebel underground opposed to the act forms in a series retaining The New Avengers in its trademark
ed cover logo and New Avengers in its copyright
indicia
. Luke Cage
led this underground Avengers team in that series. The team consists of himself, Echo, Ronin, Spider-Man
, the Jessica Drew Spider-Woman
, Wolverine
, Iron Fist, and Doctor Strange
. During the long-term infiltration of Earth
by the shape-shifting alien race the Skrulls, we learn that Drew had been abducted and replaced by the Skrull queen Veranke
. After the Skrulls' defeat, Drew, among other abducted and replaced heroes, was rescued. During the company-wide story arc "Dark Reign
" Echo and Iron Fist leave the team and the Avengers gain Ms. Marvel
, the Bucky Barnes Captain America
, and Mockingbird
.
At the start of the "Heroic Age" storyline, the New Avengers become an officially recognized team given independence from Stark's more traditional Avengers by Captain Steve Rogers
, primarily due to Cage's distrust of a government backed superhero group. Captain America leaves the team to solely serve the main Avengers, Iron Fist rejoins the team, and Jewel and Thing
are also added to the roster. Steve Rogers
has an occasional presence and Victoria Hand
is added with his backing, causing controversy among the other members due to her previous ties to Norman Osborn.
program, taking up residency in New York City
with the roster of Ares
, the Black Widow, Iron Man, the Sentry, the Wasp
, Wonder Man
, and leader Ms. Marvel
(Carol Danvers).
All but Ares and the Sentry leave this team (except for the Wasp, who died in the Secret Invasion
) as it is taken over by Norman Osborn and the team migrates to the Dark Avengers
book. In the pages of The Mighty Avengers, Hank Pym, assuming the Wasp identity of his fallen ex-wife, leads a new team of Avengers, claiming the name for his team as he is the only founding Avenger on any of the three active Avengers rosters. His team operates under a multi-national umbrella group called the Global Reaction Agency for Mysterious Paranormal Activity (GRAMPA). This team features the roster of Hercules
, Amadeus Cho, Stature
, the Vision, Jocasta
, U.S. Agent
, Quicksilver
, and Hank Pym. Scarlet Witch
(actually Loki in disguise) is a recurring character. Iron Man and Hulk were briefly with them during their battle with Chthon.
", Norman Osborn
assumes control of the formerly S.H.I.E.L.D.-sponsored Avengers, now under the auspices of his own agency, H.A.M.M.E.R. He retains Ares and Sentry from the previous team, and recruits Marvel Boy
to pose as Captain Marvel and Daken
to pose as his father, Wolverine
, and brings Moonstone, Bullseye, and Venom from his previous Thunderbolts
team to impersonate Ms. Marvel, Hawkeye, and Spider-Man, respectively.
" story arc, which ended the "Dark Reign
" storyline, all four of the then-current Avengers series (consisting of The Mighty Avengers, New Avengers, Dark Avengers, and Avengers: The Initiative
) were canceled, and a new ongoing series titled Avengers was launched in May 2010. Brian Michael Bendis and John Romita, Jr.
, serve as regular writer and artist respectively. The full Avengers roster was revealed in issue #1 as: Thor
, Hawkeye
, Spider-Man
, Wolverine
, Captain America
, Spider-Woman
, Iron Man
, and team leader Maria Hill
. At the Avengers' first team meeting, Steve Rogers comments on an unidentified hero who is missing from the meeting.
The launch marked the beginning of what Marvel calls the "Heroic Age
", after seven years of grim storylines, including a superhero "civil war
" that pitted Iron Man against Captain America & Spider-Man, and the death of Captain America. According to Marvel Comics editor-in-chief Joe Quesada
, "Heroes will be heroes again... They've gone through hell and they're back to being good guys—a throwback to the early days of the Marvel Universe, with more of a swashbuckling feel". A second title called Secret Avengers
was released in May 2010, written by Ed Brubaker
with Mike Deodato
as regular artist. The second volume of the New Avengers series was relaunched in June 2010, written by Bendis and drawn by Stuart Immonen
. A fourth title called Avengers Academy
was also launched in June 2010, replacing Avengers: The Initiative. Christos Gage
serves as writer, with Mike McKone
as artist.
During an international meeting between Steve Rogers and MI13, Captain Britain was offered a job with the Avengers. Captain Britain
accepted despite mixed reactions from his MI13 teammates.
Noh-Varr
is asked to help the Avengers by building a time machine to save the future. After that crisis is over, Noh-Varr is officially invited to join the Avengers.
The Hulk
makes arrangements with Steve Rogers
for Red Hulk
to join the Avengers, just in time for him to assist the team in tracking down the Hood
as he begins to search for the Infinity Gems
to serve as a new 'power source'.
, Venus, the 3-D Man
, Gorilla-Man
, the Human Robot
, Jimmy Woo
, Namora
and Jann of the Jungle
, the team exists in an alternate timeline
that is erased by the time-manipulating Immortus
. A version of the group
without the 3-D Man and Jann exists in mainstream continuity, and eventually reforms in the present day.
to hunt the last remnants of the Third Reich and consisting of Fury himself, Dominic Fortune
, Dum Dum Dugan
, Namora
, Silver Sable
, Sabretooth
, Kraven the Hunter
, and Ulysses Bloodstone
. A second miniseries penned by Chaikin shows this group assisted by The Blonde Phantom
, Eric Koenig
and a brand new character Brittish wizard and spy Powell McTeague. This time they are fighting against a cult based on the Nazi party which employs several agents, including Baron Blood
and Brain Drain
.
Universe, the Avengers are named "The Ultimates
", and were formed by Nick Fury
to protect America against superhuman threats.
A Black Ops team called the "Avengers" debuted sometime after the Ultimatum storyline. This version was a project headed up by Nick Fury and Tony Stark's brother Gregory Stark
in order to bring Captain America back. It's known members consisted of War Machine
, Hawkeye
, Black Widow II (Monica Chang), The Spider (a Spider-Man clone created by Gregory Stark from the DNA of Spider-Man and Professor X), Tyrone Cash (who was the original Hulk before Bruce Banner), Red Wasp, and Nerd Hulk (an intelligent clone of Hulk created by Gregory Stark from Bruce Banner's stem cells).
, Gertrude Yorkes
's future self traveled back in time. In this future, she is the leader of the Avengers under the name Heroine. This lineup of the Avengers features an Iron Woman, a heroic Scorpion, the "Fantastic Fourteen", and "Captain Americas".
A second team of zombified Avengers appears in Marvel Zombies Return. This team is an ersatz
Justice League brought together to find food and kill any resistance (zombified or uninfected) and is led by the Sentry
(a parallel for Superman). Also on the team are the zombified Moon Knight
(paralleling Batman), Namor (paralleling Aquaman), Quasar
(paralleling Green Lantern), Quicksilver
(paralleling the Flash), Thundra (paralleling Wonder Woman), and Super-Skrull
(paralleling the Martian Manhunter). They are also joined by the zombie Giant-Man of the original Zombiverse, who is trying to power a dimensional teleporter, but are all killed by Spider-Man
's New Avengers, composed of himself along with Iron Man, Sandman, War-Machine, and the zombified Hulk and Wolverine.
.
Superhero
A superhero is a type of stock character, possessing "extraordinary or superhuman powers", dedicated to protecting the public. Since the debut of the prototypical superhero Superman in 1938, stories of superheroes — ranging from brief episodic adventures to continuing years-long sagas —...
es, appearing in magazines published by Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
. The team made its debut in The Avengers #1 (Sept. 1963), and was created by writer-editor Stan Lee
Stan Lee
Stan Lee is an American comic book writer, editor, actor, producer, publisher, television personality, and the former president and chairman of Marvel Comics....
and artist/co-plotter Jack Kirby
Jack Kirby
Jack Kirby , born Jacob Kurtzberg, was an American comic book artist, writer and editor regarded by historians and fans as one of the major innovators and most influential creators in the comic book medium....
, following the trend of super-hero teams after the success of DC Comics
DC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
' Justice League of America.
Labeled "Earth's Mightiest Heroes", the Avengers originally consisted of Iron Man (Tony Stark)
Iron Man
Iron Man is a fictional character, a superhero in the . The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee, developed by scripter Larry Lieber, and designed by artists Don Heck and Jack Kirby, first appearing in Tales of Suspense #39 .A billionaire playboy, industrialist and ingenious engineer,...
, Ant-Man (Dr. Henry Pym)
Henry Pym
Dr. Henry "Hank" Pym is a fictional character that appears in publications by Marvel Comics. Created by editor and plotter Stan Lee, scripter Larry Lieber and penciler Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in Tales to Astonish #27...
, Wasp (Janet Van Dyne)
Wasp (comics)
The Wasp is a fictional character, a superheroine in the Marvel Comics universe and founding member of The Avengers. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in Tales to Astonish #44 ....
, Thor
Thor (Marvel Comics)
Thor is a fictional superhero who appears in publications published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Journey into Mystery #83 and was created by editor-plotter Stan Lee, scripter Larry Lieber, and penciller Jack Kirby....
, and the Hulk (Bruce Banner)
Hulk (comics)
The Hulk is a fictional character, a superhero in the . Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in The Incredible Hulk #1 ....
. The original Captain America
Captain America
Captain America is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Captain America Comics #1 , from Marvel Comics' 1940s predecessor, Timely Comics, and was created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby...
was discovered by the team in issue #4, trapped in ice, and he joined the group when they revived him. The rotating roster has become a hallmark of the team, although one theme remains consistent: the Avengers fight "the foes no single superhero can withstand". The team, famous for its battle cry of "Avengers Assemble!", has featured humans, mutants
Mutant (Marvel Comics)
In comic books published by Marvel Comics, a mutant is an organism who possesses a genetic trait called an X-gene that allows the mutant to naturally develop superhuman powers and abilities...
, robots, gods, aliens, supernatural beings, and even former villains. An animated television series, The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes
The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes
The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes is an American animated television series by Marvel Animation in cooperation with Film Roman based on the Marvel Comics superhero team the Avengers. The show debuted on Disney XD in Fall 2010 starting with a 20 part micro-series. A second season has been...
, premiered on October 20, 2010. A feature film is set to be released May 4, 2012.
Publication history
The titular team debuted in The Avengers #1 (Sept. 1963), using existing characters created primarily by writer-editor Stan LeeStan Lee
Stan Lee is an American comic book writer, editor, actor, producer, publisher, television personality, and the former president and chairman of Marvel Comics....
with penciler and co-plotter Jack Kirby
Jack Kirby
Jack Kirby , born Jacob Kurtzberg, was an American comic book artist, writer and editor regarded by historians and fans as one of the major innovators and most influential creators in the comic book medium....
. This initial series, published bi-monthly through issue #6 (July 1964) and monthly thereafter ran through issue #402 (Sept. 1996), with spinoffs including several annuals
Annual publication
An annual publication, more often called simply an annual, is a book or a magazine, comic book or comic strip published yearly. For example, a weekly or monthly publication may produce an Annual featuring similar materials to the regular publication....
, miniseries
Miniseries
A miniseries , in a serial storytelling medium, is a television show production which tells a story in a limited number of episodes. The exact number is open to interpretation; however, they are usually limited to fewer than a whole season. The term "miniseries" is generally a North American term...
and a giant-size quarterly sister series that ran briefly in the mid-1970s.
Other spinoff series include West Coast Avengers
West Coast Avengers
The West Coast Avengers is a fictional group of superheroes that appear in publications published by Marvel Comics. The team first appear in The West Coast Avengers #1 and was created by Roger Stern and Bob Hall.- Publication history :...
, initially published as a four-issue miniseries in 1984, followed by a 102-issue series (Oct. 1985 – Jan. 1994), retitled Avengers West Coast with #47; and the 40-issue Solo Avengers
Solo Avengers
Solo Avengers was an American comic book series, published by Marvel Comics, and was a spin-off from the company's superhero team title Avengers. It ran for 20 issues until it was renamed Avengers Spotlight with issue 21...
(Dec.1987 – Jan. 1991), retitled Avengers Spotlight with #21.
Between 1996 and 2004 Marvel relaunched the primary Avengers title three times. In 1996, the "Heroes Reborn
Heroes Reborn
"Heroes Reborn" was a 1996-1997 crossover story arc among comic-book series published by the American company Marvel Comics. During this one-year, multi-title story arc, Marvel temporarily outsourced the production of several of its most famous comic books to the studios of its popular former...
" line, in which Marvel contracted outside companies to produce four titles, included a new volume of The Avengers. Taking place in an alternate universe
Parallel universe (fiction)
A parallel universe or alternative reality is a hypothetical self-contained separate reality coexisting with one's own. A specific group of parallel universes is called a "multiverse", although this term can also be used to describe the possible parallel universes that constitute reality...
with a revamped history unrelated to mainstream Marvel continuity, The Avengers vol. 2 was written by Rob Liefeld
Rob Liefeld
Rob Liefeld is an American comic book writer, illustrator, and publisher. A prominent artist in the 1990s, he has since become a controversial figure in the medium....
and penciled by Jim Valentino
Jim Valentino
Jim Valentino is an American writer, penciler, editor and publisher of comic books.-1970s - 1992:Valentino began his career in the late 1970s creating small press and mostly autobiographical comics. The early-mid 1980s saw normalman which first appeared as a back-up story in Aardvark-Vanaheim's...
, and ran 13 issues (Nov. 1996 – Nov. 1997). The final issue, which featured a crossover with the other "Heroes Reborn" titles, returned the characters to the main Marvel Universe
Marvel Universe
The Marvel Universe is the shared fictional universe where most comic book titles and other media published by Marvel Entertainment take place, including those featuring Marvel's most familiar characters, such as Spider-Man, the Hulk, the X-Men, and the Avengers.The Marvel Universe is further...
.
Relaunched with a new first issue, The Avengers vol. 3 ran 84 issues (Feb. 1998 – Aug. 2004). To coincide with what would have been the 500th issue of the original series, Marvel changed the numbering, and The Avengers #500-503 (Sept.–Dec. 2004), followed by the one-shot Avengers Finale (Jan. 2005), became the "Avengers Disassembled
Avengers Disassembled
"Avengers Disassembled", referred to in some participating series as "Disassembled", is a crossover event between several Marvel Comics series. The general idea is that the major heroes are assaulted, not just physically, but emotionally...
" storyline and final issues. In January 2005, a new version of the team appeared in the ongoing title The New Avengers, followed by The Mighty Avengers, Avengers: The Initiative
Avengers: The Initiative
Avengers: The Initiative was a comic book series from Marvel Comics. Written by Dan Slott and Christos Gage with artwork initially by Stefano Caselli, Steve Uy and Harvey Tolibao, the series dealt with the aftermath of Marvel's Civil War crossover Avengers: The Initiative was a comic book series...
, and Dark Avengers
Dark Avengers
Dark Avengers was an American comic book series published by Marvel Comics. It is part of a series of titles that have featured various iterations of the superhero team the Avengers...
. Avengers vol. 4 debuted in 2010.
1960s
The first adventure features the Asgardian tricksterTrickster
In mythology, and in the study of folklore and religion, a trickster is a god, goddess, spirit, man, woman, or anthropomorphic animal who plays tricks or otherwise disobeys normal rules and conventional behavior. It is suggested by Hansen that the term "Trickster" was probably first used in this...
god Loki
Loki (comics)
Loki is a fictional character, a supervillain that appears in publications by Marvel Comics. He is the adoptive brother and archenemy of the superhero Thor. He is based on the being of the same name from Norse mythology...
, who seeks revenge against his brother Thor. Using an illusion, Loki tricks the Hulk into destroying a railroad track. He then diverts a radio call by Rick Jones
Rick Jones (comics)
Richard Milhouse "Rick" Jones is a fictional comic book character in the .-Publication history:Rick Jones first appeared in The Incredible Hulk #1, as a sidekick to the Incredible Hulk...
for help to Thor, whom Loki hopes will battle the Hulk. Unknown to Loki, the radio call is also answered by Ant-Man, the Wasp, and Iron Man. After an initial misunderstanding, the heroes unite and defeat Loki after Thor is lured away by an illusion of the Hulk and suspects Loki when he realises it is an illusion. Ant-Man states the five work well together and suggests they form a combined team; the Wasp names the group "the Avengers" because it sounded "dramatic".
The roster changes almost immediately; by the beginning of the second issue, Ant-Man has become Giant-Man and, at the end of the issue, the Hulk leaves once he realizes how much the others fear his unstable personality. Feeling responsible, the Avengers try to locate and contain the Hulk, which subsequently leads them into combat with Namor the Sub-Mariner. This would result in the first major milestone in the Avengers' history: the revival and return of Captain America
Captain America
Captain America is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Captain America Comics #1 , from Marvel Comics' 1940s predecessor, Timely Comics, and was created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby...
. Captain America joins the team, eventually becoming field leader. Captain America is also given "founding member" status in the Hulk's place. The Avengers go on to fight foes such as Captain America's wartime enemy Baron Zemo
Baron Zemo
Baron Zemo is the name of two fictional characters, both supervillains, in various Marvel Comics comic books, notably Captain America and the Avengers...
, who forms the Masters of Evil
Masters of Evil
The Masters of Evil is a name for a number of fictional supervillain teams that appear in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The first version of the team appeared in The Avengers #6 , with the lineup continually changing over the years....
, Kang the Conqueror
Kang the Conqueror
Kang the Conqueror is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in Avengers #8 , and was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby...
, Wonder Man
Wonder Man
Wonder Man is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Stan Lee and artists Don Heck and Jack Kirby, he first appeared in The Avengers #9 .-Publication history:Wonder Man debuted in the superhero-team title The Avengers #9 Wonder...
, and Count Nefaria
Count Nefaria
Count Nefaria is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in Avengers #13 and was created by Stan Lee and Don Heck.- Fictional character biography :...
.
The next milestone came when every member but Captain America resigned and were replaced by three former villains: Hawkeye
Hawkeye (comics)
Hawkeye , also known as Goliath and Ronin, is a fictional character that appears in the comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Tales of Suspense #57 and was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Don Heck. Hawkeye joined the Avengers in Avengers Vol. 1 #16 Hawkeye...
, the Scarlet Witch
Scarlet Witch
The Scarlet Witch is a fictional comic book character that appears in books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in X-Men #4 and was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby...
, and Quicksilver
Quicksilver (comics)
Quicksilver is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in X-Men #4 and was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby...
. Although lacking the raw power of the original team, "Cap's Kooky Quartet" (as they were sometimes jokingly called), proved their worth by fighting and defeating the Swordsman
Swordsman (comics)
Swordsman is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics universe. His first appearance was in Avengers Vol.1 #19 and was created by Stan Lee and Don Heck. The Swordsman was introduced as an enemy of Hawkeye and the Avengers...
; the original Power Man; and Doctor Doom
Doctor Doom
Victor von Doom is a fictional character who appears in Marvel Comics publications . Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in Fantastic Four #5 wearing his trademark metal mask and green cloak...
. They are soon rejoined by Henry Pym (who changes his name to Goliath) and the Wasp, along with Hercules
Hercules (Marvel Comics)
Hercules is a fictional character that appears in publications by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in Journey into Mystery Annual #1 and was created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist/co-plotter Jack Kirby....
, the Black Knight
Black Knight (Dane Whitman)
Dane Whitman is a fictional comic book superhero in the Marvel Comics universe, the company's third person to bear the name Black Knight. Created by writer Roy Thomas and artist John Buscema, he first appeared in The Avengers #47 Dane Whitman is a fictional comic book superhero in the Marvel Comics...
, and the Black Widow, although the last two do not obtain official membership status until years later.
When writer Roy Thomas
Roy Thomas
Roy William Thomas, Jr. is an American comic book writer and editor, and Stan Lee's first successor as editor-in-chief of Marvel Comics. He is possibly best known for introducing the pulp magazine hero Conan the Barbarian to American comics, with a series that added to the storyline of Robert E...
commenced, there was a greater focus on characterization. The Black Panther
Black Panther (comics)
The Black Panther is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics universe. Created by writer-editor Stan Lee and penciller-co-plotter Jack Kirby, he first appeared in Fantastic Four #52...
joins the team, followed by the Vision
Vision (Marvel Comics)
The Vision is the name of three fictional characters that appear in comic books published by Marvel Comics.-Publication history:The first Vision was created by the writer-artist team of Joe Simon and Jack Kirby in Marvel Mystery Comics #13 The Vision is the name of three fictional characters that...
. Thomas also established that the Avengers are headquartered in a New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
building called Avengers Mansion
Avengers Mansion
In the fictional Marvel Comics universe, Avengers Mansion has traditionally been the base of the Avengers. The enormous, city block-sized building is located at 890 Fifth Avenue, Manhattan, New York City.-Creative origin:...
, provided courtesy of Tony Stark (Iron Man's real identity), who also funds the Avengers through the Maria Stark Foundation, a non-profit organization
Non-profit organization
Nonprofit organization is neither a legal nor technical definition but generally refers to an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals, rather than distributing them as profit or dividends...
. The mansion is serviced by Edwin Jarvis
Edwin Jarvis
Edwin Jarvis is a fictional supporting character in the Marvel Comics titles, The Avengers, Iron Man, and Spider-Man.-Publication history:...
, the Avengers' faithful butler, and also furnished with state-of-the-art
State of the art
The state of the art is the highest level of development, as of a device, technique, or scientific field, achieved at a particular time. It also refers to the level of development reached at any particular time as a result of the latest methodologies employed.- Origin :The earliest use of the term...
technology and defense systems, including the Avengers' primary mode of transport: the five-engine Quinjets.
1970s
The adventures increased in scope as the team cross into an alternate dimension to battle the Squadron SupremeSquadron Supreme
The Squadron Supreme is a fictional superhero team that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The Squadron Supreme first appeared in Avengers #85 - 86 The Squadron Supreme is a fictional superhero team that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The Squadron Supreme first...
and fight in the Kree-Skrull War
Kree-Skrull War
The "Kree-Skrull War" is a story arc that was written by Roy Thomas, and drawn by Sal Buscema, Neal Adams, and John Buscema. The story was originally published in the Marvel Comics comic book title Avengers #89 - 97 ....
, an epic battle between the alien Kree
Kree
The Kree, also known as the Ruul, are a scientifically and technologically advanced militaristic alien race in the fictional Marvel Universe. They are native to the planet Hala in the Large Magellanic Cloud...
and Skrull
Skrull
The Skrulls are a fictional race of extraterrestrial shapeshifters that appear in publications by Marvel Comics.-Publication history:The Skrulls first appeared in Fantastic Four #2 and were created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby....
races and guest-starring the Kree hero Captain Marvel. The Avengers also briefly disband when Skrulls impersonating Captain America, Thor, and Iron Man use their authority as founders of the team to disband it. The true founding Avengers, minus the Wasp, later reform the team in response to complaints from Jarvis.
The Vision and the Scarlet Witch fall in love, although the relationship is tinged with sadness as the Vision believes himself to be inhuman and unworthy of her. Writer Steve Englehart
Steve Englehart
Steve Englehart is an American novelist. In his earlier career he was a comic book writer best known for his work at Marvel Comics and DC Comics, particularly in the 1970s...
then introduces Mantis
Mantis (Marvel Comics)
Mantis is a fictional character, a superhero in the Marvel Universe, and former member of the Avengers.-Publication history:Mantis first appeared in Avengers #112 , drawn by Don Heck...
, who joins the team along with the reformed Swordsman. Englehart linked her origins to the very beginnings of the Kree-Skrull conflict in a time-spanning adventure involving Kang the Conqueror and the mysterious Immortus
Immortus
Immortus is a fictional character in the Marvel Universe. He is the future self of Kang the Conqueror, and first appeared in Avengers #10, and was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby....
, who are revealed to be past and future versions of each other. Mantis is revealed to be the Celestial Madonna, who is destined to give birth to a being that will save the universe. This saga also reveals that the Vision's body had only been appropriated, and not created, by Ultron, and that it had originally belonged to the 1940s Human Torch. With his origins now clear to him, the Vision proposes to the Scarlet Witch. The Celestial Madonna saga ends with their wedding, presided over by Immortus. Englehart's tenure also coincided with the debut of George Pérez
George Pérez
George Pérez is a Puerto Rican-American writer and illustrator of comic books, known for his work on various titles, including Avengers, Teen Titans and Wonder Woman.-Biography:...
as artist.
After Englehart's departure (and a seven-issue stint by Gerry Conway
Gerry Conway
Gerard F. "Gerry" Conway is an American writer of comic books and television shows. He is known for co-creating the Marvel Comics vigilante The Punisher and scripting the death of the character Gwen Stacy during his long run on The Amazing Spider-Man...
) Jim Shooter
Jim Shooter
James Shooter is an American writer, occasional fill-in artist, editor, and publisher for various comic books. Although he started professionally in the medium at the extraordinarily young age of 14, he is most notable for his successful and controversial run as Marvel Comics' ninth...
began as writer, generating several classic adventures, including "Bride of Ultron
Jocasta (comics)
Jocasta is a fictional, comic book superhero appearing books published by Marvel Comics. A member of the Avengers, the character is a robot created by the villain Ultron.-Publication history:Jocasta first appears in The Avengers Jocasta is a fictional, comic book superhero appearing books published...
", the "Nefaria Trilogy", and "The Korvac
Korvac
Michael Korvac is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in Giant-Size Defenders #3 Michael Korvac (often called Korvac or The Enemy) is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character...
Saga", featuring nearly every Avenger who joined the team up to that point. New members added during this time include the Beast
Beast (comics)
Beast , Dr. Henry Philip "Hank" McCoy, is a comic book character, a Marvel Comics superhero and a member of the mutant team of superheroes known as the X-Men...
, a resurrected Wonder Man
Wonder Man
Wonder Man is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Stan Lee and artists Don Heck and Jack Kirby, he first appeared in The Avengers #9 .-Publication history:Wonder Man debuted in the superhero-team title The Avengers #9 Wonder...
, Captain America's former partner the Falcon
Falcon (comics)
The Falcon is a fictional comic book superhero in comic books published by Marvel Comics.Created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist Gene Colan, and introduced in Captain America #117 , the character is mainstream comics' first African-American superhero...
, and Ms. Marvel.
Shooter also introduced the character of Henry Peter Gyrich
Henry Peter Gyrich
Henry Peter Gyrich is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Avengers Vol. 1 #165 and was created by Jim Shooter and George Pérez.-Fictional character biography:...
, the Avengers' liaison to the United States National Security Council
United States National Security Council
The White House National Security Council in the United States is the principal forum used by the President of the United States for considering national security and foreign policy matters with his senior national security advisors and Cabinet officials and is part of the Executive Office of the...
. Gyrich is prejudiced against superhumans and acts in a heavy-handed, obstructive manner, insisting that the Avengers follow government rules and regulations or else lose their priority status with the government. Among Gyrich's demands is that the active roster be trimmed down to only seven members, and that the Falcon
Falcon (comics)
The Falcon is a fictional comic book superhero in comic books published by Marvel Comics.Created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist Gene Colan, and introduced in Captain America #117 , the character is mainstream comics' first African-American superhero...
, an African American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
, be admitted to the team to comply with affirmative action
Affirmative action
Affirmative action refers to policies that take factors including "race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation or national origin" into consideration in order to benefit an underrepresented group, usually as a means to counter the effects of a history of discrimination.-Origins:The term...
laws. This last act is resented by Hawkeye, who because of the seven-member limit loses his membership slot to the Falcon. The Falcon, in turn, is unhappy to be the beneficiary of what he perceives to be tokenism
Tokenism
In the arts, employment, and politics, tokenism is a policy or practice of limited inclusion or artistic and/or political representation of members of a traditionally marginalized group, usually creating a false appearance of inclusive practices rather than discrimination, intentional or not...
, and decides to resign from the team, after which Wonder Man rejoins.
1980s
Inferiority complex
An inferiority complex, in the fields of psychology and psychoanalysis, is a feeling that one is inferior to others in some way. Such feelings can arise from an imagined or actual inferiority in the afflicted person...
. After abusing his wife, failing to win back the confidence of the Avengers with a ruse and being duped by the villain Egghead
Egghead (comics)
Egghead is the name of two fictional Marvel Comics villains. The original first appeared in Tales to Astonish #38. He is also the arch-nemesis of super-hero Henry Pym. The second first appeared in Dark Reign: Young Avengers #1.-Elihas Starr:...
, Pym is jailed. Writer Roger Stern
Roger Stern
Roger Stern is an American comic book author and novelist.-Early career:In the early 1970s, Stern and Bob Layton published the fanzine CPL , one of the first platforms for the work of John Byrne...
later resolves this by having Pym outwit Egghead and defeat the latest incarnation of the Masters of Evil singlehandedly, thereby proving his innocence. Pym reconciles with the Wasp, but they decide to remain apart. Pym also retires from superheroics, but returns some years later.
Stern developed several major storylines, such as "Ultimate Vision" in which the Vision takes over the world's computer systems in a misguided attempt to create world peace; the formation of the West Coast Avengers
West Coast Avengers
The West Coast Avengers is a fictional group of superheroes that appear in publications published by Marvel Comics. The team first appear in The West Coast Avengers #1 and was created by Roger Stern and Bob Hall.- Publication history :...
; and "Avengers Under Siege" which involves the second Baron Zemo and the Masters of Evil taking over the mansion and severely injuring Jarvis and Hercules, "War on Olympus" in which Hercules' father Zeus blames the Avengers for his son's injuries and brings them to Olympus for trial and "Heavy Metal" in which the Super Adaptoid organizes several other robotic villains for an assault on the team. New members during the 1980s included an African American Captain Marvel named Monica Rambeau
Monica Rambeau
Monica Rambeau is a fictional character, a comic book superheroine in the Marvel Comics universe. Initially known as Captain Marvel, the character became a leader of the Avengers...
(who became the team's new leader); She-Hulk
She-Hulk
She-Hulk is a Marvel Comics superheroine. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist John Buscema, she first appeared in Savage She-Hulk #1 ....
; Tigra
Tigra
Tigra is a fictional American comic book superheroine in the Marvel Comics universe. Introduced as the non-superpowered crime fighter The Cat in Claws of the Cat #1 , she was co-created by writer-editor Roy Thomas, writer Linda Fite, and penciller Marie Severin...
, Namor, Starfox and Hawkeye's wife, Mockingbird
Mockingbird (Marvel Comics)
Mockingbird is a fictional character, a superhero in the who first appears in the Ka-Zar story in Astonishing Tales #6 written by Gerry Conway and pencilled by Barry Smith...
, while Henry Pym emerges from retirement to join the West Coast Avengers. Stern also created the villain Nebula, who claimed, falsely, to be the granddaughter of Thanos. The team also relocated for a period to a floating island off the coast of New York called Hydrobase. The Avengers moved their base of operations to Hydrobase after the "Under Siege" storyline was completed in The Avengers #277 (March 1987) where Avengers Mansion was severely damaged. The move to Hydrobase was undertaken in The Avengers #278 (April 1987). Hydrobase was later sunk during the "Acts of Vengeance" crossover in issue #311 (Dec. 1989).
1990s
John Byrne eventually took over writing both titles and revamped the comics to allow members to be active when available and reserve when not available and merged the two separate Avengers teams into one team with two bases. Byrne's contributions included a revamping of the Vision, and the discovery that the children of the Scarlet Witch and the Vision are actually illusions. The loss of the Scarlet Witch's children and the Vision (who is disassembled by government agents in retaliation for the "Ultimate Vision" storyline) drives her insane, although she eventually recovers and rejoins the team. This story also revealed that the Scarlet Witch's powers include wide-range reality manipulation and she is what the time-traveling Immortus refers to as a "nexus being" setting the stage for 2004's eventual "Chaos" and "Avengers Disassembled" storylines. This played out in the "Darker than Scarlet" storyline which ran in Avengers West Coast from issues #51-62 (Nov. 1989 – Sept. 1990).The Avengers titles were then embroiled in the major crossover event "Acts of Vengeance
Acts of Vengeance
"Acts of Vengeance" is a comic book crossover storyline that ran through several titles published by Marvel Comics from December 1989 to February 1990.-Publication history:...
" wherein Loki assembles many of Marvel's arch-villains (with his inner circle consisting of Doctor Doom, Magneto
Magneto (comics)
Magneto is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. He is the central villain of the X-Men comic, as well as the TV show and the films. The character first appears in X-Men #1 , and was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby...
, Kingpin
Kingpin (comics)
The Kingpin is a fictional character, a supervillain in the . Kingpin is one of the most feared and powerful crime lords in the Marvel Universe. The character is a major adversary of Daredevil, the Punisher, and Spider-Man...
, Mandarin
Mandarin (comics)
The Mandarin is a fictional character, a Marvel Comics supervillain and the archenemy of Iron Man.In 2009, Mandarin was ranked as IGN's 81st Greatest Comic Book Villain of All Time.-Publication history:...
, Wizard
Wizard (Marvel Comics)
The Wizard , also known as the Wingless Wizard, is a fictional character, a comic book supervillain in the Marvel Comics universe...
, and Red Skull
Red Skull
The Red Skull is a name shared by several fictional characters, all supervillains from the Marvel Comics universe. All incarnations of the character are enemies of Captain America, other superheroes, and the United States in general....
) in a plot to destroy the team. Loki orchestrates a mass breakout of villains from prison facility the Vault
Vault (comics)
The Vault is the widely used nickname of a fictional defunct prison facility for technological-based superhuman criminals in Marvel Comics' Marvel Universe. The prison's full official name is the United States Maximum Security Installation for the Incarceration of Superhuman Criminals.It first...
, as part of his Acts of Vengeance scheme, but he ultimately fails in his goal to destroy the Avengers.
This decade coincided with a speculators' boom, followed by an industry-wide slump and Marvel filing for bankruptcy
Bankruptcy
Bankruptcy is a legal status of an insolvent person or an organisation, that is, one that cannot repay the debts owed to creditors. In most jurisdictions bankruptcy is imposed by a court order, often initiated by the debtor....
in 1997. During this period the U.S. government revokes the Avengers' New York State charter in a treaty with the Soviet Union. The Avengers then received a charter from the United Nations and again the Avengers split into two teams with a substitute reserve team backing up the main teams.
Bob Harras
Bob Harras
Robert "Bob" Harras is an American comics writer and editor, who was editor-in-chief of Marvel Comics from 1995 to 2000 and currently serves as editor-in-chief of DC Comics.-Career:...
and Steve Epting
Steve Epting
Stephen "Steve" Epting is an American comic book penciller.-Early life:Epting's influences include Alex Raymond, Stan Drake, Jim Holdaway, Joe Kubert, John Buscema, Al Williamson and José Luis García-López....
took over the title, and introduced a stable lineup with ongoing storylines and character development focused on the Black Knight, Sersi
Sersi
Sersi is a fictional character, a Marvel Comics superheroine and an Eternal.-Publication history:Sersi was created by Jack Kirby and first appeared in The Eternals #3 . Although the comic book was published by Marvel Comics, the Eternals were not treated as part of the Marvel universe, but as a...
, Crystal
Crystal (comics)
Crystal is a fictional character, a superhero in the . She is a member of the Inhumans and the younger sister of Medusa....
, Quicksilver, Hercules and the Vision. Their primary enemies in this run include the mysterious Proctor and the Shi'ar
Shi'ar
The Shi'ar are a fictional species of aliens in the Marvel Comics universe. The Shi'ar Empire also called the Aerie, is a vast collection of alien species, cultures and worlds situated close to the Skrull and Kree Empires, and alongside them, is one of the three main alien empires...
warrior Deathcry. During this period, the team finds themselves facing increasingly murderous enemies, and are forced to question their rule against killing.
This culminated in "Operation: Galactic Storm
Operation: Galactic Storm
"Operation: Galactic Storm" was a 19-part comic book crossover storyline which ran through Marvel Comics' Avengers related titles - Avengers, Avengers West Coast, Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, Wonder Man and Quasar - between March and May 1992.The storyline, which involves the Avengers...
", a 19-part storyline that ran through all Avengers-related titles and showcases a conflict between the Kree and the Shi'ar Empire
Shi'ar
The Shi'ar are a fictional species of aliens in the Marvel Comics universe. The Shi'ar Empire also called the Aerie, is a vast collection of alien species, cultures and worlds situated close to the Skrull and Kree Empires, and alongside them, is one of the three main alien empires...
. The team splits when Iron Man and several dissidents execute the Supreme Intelligence
Supreme Intelligence
The Supreme Intelligence is a fictional organic computer featured in several Marvel Comics stories.-Fictional character biography:The Supreme Intelligence, also known by the honorific title Supremor, was created more than a million years ago on the planet Kree-Lar by the extraterrestrial race known...
against the wishes of Captain America. After a vote disbanding the West Coast Avengers
West Coast Avengers
The West Coast Avengers is a fictional group of superheroes that appear in publications published by Marvel Comics. The team first appear in The West Coast Avengers #1 and was created by Roger Stern and Bob Hall.- Publication history :...
, Iron Man forms a proactive and aggressive team called Force Works
Force Works
Force Works was a Marvel Comics superhero team. It first appeared in the comic book series Force Works #1 . The title was written by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning and initially drawn by Tom Tenney....
. During the team's first mission Wonder Man is apparently killed again (his atoms are actually only temporarily scattered). Force Works later disbands after it is revealed that Iron Man has become a murderer via the manipulations of the villain Kang.
"Heroes Reborn"
Fantastic Four
The Fantastic Four is a fictional superhero team appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The group debuted in The Fantastic Four #1 , which helped to usher in a new level of realism in the medium...
and others, many of the Avengers apparently died stopping the gestalt psychic entity Onslaught
Onslaught (comics)
Onslaught is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in X-Man #15 , and was co-created by writers Scott Lobdell, Mark Waid, and artist Andy Kubert....
, although it is later revealed that Franklin Richards
Franklin Richards
Franklin Richards is a fictional comic book character appearing in books published by Marvel Comics, usually as a supporting character in Fantastic Four.Franklin is an Omega-Level mutant with vast psionic and reality-manipulating powers...
preserved these heroes in a pocket universe. Believing the main team gone, the Black Widow disbands the Avengers, with only butler Jarvis remaining to tend to the Mansion.
Marvel contracted out The Avengers and three related titles—Captain America, Fantastic Four, and Iron Man—to former Marvel artists Jim Lee
Jim Lee
Jim Lee is a Korean-American comic book artist, writer, editor and publisher. He first broke into the industry in 1987 as an artist for Marvel Comics, illustrating titles such as Alpha Flight and Punisher War Journal, before gaining a great deal of popularity on The Uncanny X-Men...
and Rob Liefeld
Rob Liefeld
Rob Liefeld is an American comic book writer, illustrator, and publisher. A prominent artist in the 1990s, he has since become a controversial figure in the medium....
, two of the founding creators of Image Comics
Image Comics
Image Comics is a United States comic book publisher. It was founded in 1992 by high-profile illustrators as a venue where creators could publish their material without giving up the copyrights to the characters they created, as creator-owned properties. It was immediately successful, and remains...
. The previous continuity of the Marvel Universe
Marvel Universe
The Marvel Universe is the shared fictional universe where most comic book titles and other media published by Marvel Entertainment take place, including those featuring Marvel's most familiar characters, such as Spider-Man, the Hulk, the X-Men, and the Avengers.The Marvel Universe is further...
was set aside as the heroes were "reborn" in the pocket universe. While The Avengers was relaunched as a new series, the "Heroes Reborn
Heroes Reborn
"Heroes Reborn" was a 1996-1997 crossover story arc among comic-book series published by the American company Marvel Comics. During this one-year, multi-title story arc, Marvel temporarily outsourced the production of several of its most famous comic books to the studios of its popular former...
" line ended after a year as planned and the license reverted to Marvel.
"Heroes Return"
Writer Kurt BusiekKurt Busiek
Kurt Busiek is an American comic book writer notable for his work on the Marvels limited series, his own title Astro City, and his four-year run on Avengers.-Early life:...
and penciler George Pérez
George Pérez
George Pérez is a Puerto Rican-American writer and illustrator of comic books, known for his work on various titles, including Avengers, Teen Titans and Wonder Woman.-Biography:...
launched a new volume of the series with The Avengers vol. 3, #1 (Feb. 1998). Busiek also concurrently wrote the limited series
Limited series
A limited series is a comic book series with a set number of installments. A limited series differs from an ongoing series in that the number of issues is determined before production and it differs from a one shot in that it is composed of multiple issues....
Avengers Forever
Avengers Forever
Avengers Forever is a twelve-issue comic book limited series published from December 1998 to November 1999 by Marvel Comics. The series was written by Kurt Busiek and Roger Stern and drawn by Carlos Pacheco and Jesus Merino.-Publication history:...
, a time-travel story that explored the history of the Avengers and resolved many outstanding questions. New members during this run included Ms. Marvel, the revived Wonder Man, Justice, Firestar
Firestar
Firestar is a fictional mutant superhero in the . Debuting in 1981 on the NBC animated television series Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends, she has the ability to generate and manipulate microwave radiation, which allows her to generate intense heat and flames, and to fly...
, Silverclaw
Silverclaw
Silverclaw , is a fictional character, a superhero in the Marvel Comics universe. The character is a reserve member of the Avengers and regards Edwin Jarvis as an uncle figure.-Publication history:...
, and Triathlon
Triathlon (comics)
Delroy Garrett, Jr. is a fictional superhero published by Marvel Comics. He is the second character to use the name 3-D Man.-Publication history:Triathlon first appeared in Avengers vol...
. Busiek's run included many of the Avengers' traditional villains such as the Grim Reaper
Grim Reaper (comics)
Grim Reaper is a fictional character, a comic book supervillain in the Marvel Comics universe. He first appeared in The Avengers #52 May , by Roy Thomas and John Buscema.-Fictional character biography:...
, Ultron
Ultron
Ultron is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Avengers #54 , and was created by writer Roy Thomas and artist John Buscema...
, Count Nefaria
Count Nefaria
Count Nefaria is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in Avengers #13 and was created by Stan Lee and Don Heck.- Fictional character biography :...
, and Kang the Conqueror
Kang the Conqueror
Kang the Conqueror is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in Avengers #8 , and was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby...
.
"Avengers Disassembled"
Successor writer Geoff JohnsGeoff Johns
Geoff Johns is an American comic book writer, best known for his work for DC Comics, where he has been Chief Creative Officer since February 2010, in particular for characters such as Green Lantern, The Flash and Superman...
dealt with the aftermath of Busiek's Kang arc, as the Avengers are granted international authority by the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
. Members joining during this period included Jack of Hearts
Jack of Hearts
Jack of Hearts is a fictional character, a superhero in the Marvel Comics universe.-Publication history:Jack of Hearts first appeared in the black & white magazine Deadly Hands of Kung Fu #22 , and was created by writer Bill Mantlo and illustrator Keith Giffen...
and the second Ant-Man. Chuck Austen
Chuck Austen
Chuck Austen is an American comic book writer/artist, TV writer and animator. In the comics industry, he is known for his work on War Machine, Elektra, Action Comics, and the X-Men franchise, and in television, he is known for co-creating the aniamted TV series Tripping the Rift.-Early life:Austen...
followed as writer, and added a new Captain Britain
Lionheart (comics)
Lionheart , formerly called Captain Britain, is a fictional character, a Marvel Comics superhero. She first appeared in The Avengers vol.3, #77 .-Fictional character biography:...
to the team. Writer Brian Michael Bendis then rebooted the title with the "Avengers Disassembled
Avengers Disassembled
"Avengers Disassembled", referred to in some participating series as "Disassembled", is a crossover event between several Marvel Comics series. The general idea is that the major heroes are assaulted, not just physically, but emotionally...
" storyline. Titled "Chaos", the story featured the deaths of some members and a loss of credibility for the team. The culprit is revealed to be the Scarlet Witch
Scarlet Witch
The Scarlet Witch is a fictional comic book character that appears in books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in X-Men #4 and was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby...
, who has gone insane after agonizing over the memory of her lost children and who subsequently loses control of her reality-altering powers. With the team in disarray and Avengers Mansion ruined, the surviving members agree to disband.
New Avengers
House of M
House of M is an eight-issue comic book limited series and crossover storyline published by Marvel Comics in 2005. Written by Brian Michael Bendis and illustrated by Olivier Coipel, its first issue debuted in June 2005 as a follow-up to the events of the Planet X and Avengers Disassembled...
, coming together as the result of a massive jailbreak at The Raft prison facility. This New Avengers lineup was composed of Iron Man, Captain America, Luke Cage
Luke Cage
Luke Cage is a fictional character, a superhero appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Archie Goodwin and artist John Romita, Sr., he first appeared in Luke Cage, Hero for Hire #1...
, Wolverine
Wolverine (comics)
Wolverine is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Born as James Howlett and commonly known as Logan, Wolverine is a mutant, possessing animal-keen senses, enhanced physical capabilities, three retracting bone claws on each hand and a healing...
, Ronin, Spider-Man
Spider-Man
Spider-Man is a fictional Marvel Comics superhero. The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee and writer-artist Steve Ditko. He first appeared in Amazing Fantasy #15...
, Spider-Woman
Spider-Woman
Spider-Woman is the codename of several fictional characters in comic books published by Marvel Comics.-Publication history:Marvel Comics' then-publisher Stan Lee, said in 1978, shortly after Spider-Woman's debut in Marvel Spotlight #32 Spider-Woman is the codename of several fictional characters...
, and Sentry.
In the company-wide "Marvel Civil War
Civil War (comics)
Civil War is a 2006-2007 Marvel Comics crossover storyline built around a self-titled seven-issue limited series written by Mark Millar and penciled by Steve McNiven, which ran through various other titles published by Marvel at the time...
" story arc, Marvel superheroes were split over compliance with the U.S. government's new Superhuman Registration Act requiring all superpowered persons to register their true identifies with the federal government and become agents of same. The New Avengers disbanded, with a rebel underground opposed to the act forms in a series retaining The New Avengers in its trademark
Trademark
A trademark, trade mark, or trade-mark is a distinctive sign or indicator used by an individual, business organization, or other legal entity to identify that the products or services to consumers with which the trademark appears originate from a unique source, and to distinguish its products or...
ed cover logo and New Avengers in its copyright
Copyright
Copyright is a legal concept, enacted by most governments, giving the creator of an original work exclusive rights to it, usually for a limited time...
indicia
Indicia (publishing)
Indicia is the plural of the Latin word indicium, meaning distinguishing marks.In magazine publishing, indicia refers to a piece of text traditionally appearing on the first recto page after the cover, which usually contains the official name of the publication, its publication date, information...
. Luke Cage
Luke Cage
Luke Cage is a fictional character, a superhero appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Archie Goodwin and artist John Romita, Sr., he first appeared in Luke Cage, Hero for Hire #1...
led this underground Avengers team in that series. The team consists of himself, Echo, Ronin, Spider-Man
Spider-Man
Spider-Man is a fictional Marvel Comics superhero. The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee and writer-artist Steve Ditko. He first appeared in Amazing Fantasy #15...
, the Jessica Drew Spider-Woman
Spider-Woman (Jessica Drew)
Spider-Woman is a fictional character, a superheroine in the Marvel Comics Universe. The character first appeared in Marvel Spotlight #32 , and 50 issues of an ongoing series titled Spider-Woman followed...
, Wolverine
Wolverine (comics)
Wolverine is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Born as James Howlett and commonly known as Logan, Wolverine is a mutant, possessing animal-keen senses, enhanced physical capabilities, three retracting bone claws on each hand and a healing...
, Iron Fist, and Doctor Strange
Doctor Strange
Doctor Stephen Strange is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was co-created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, and first appeared in Strange Tales #110 ....
. During the long-term infiltration of Earth
Secret Invasion
"Secret Invasion" is a comic book crossover storyline that ran through a self-titled eight issue limited series and several tie-in books published by Marvel Comics from April through December 2008....
by the shape-shifting alien race the Skrulls, we learn that Drew had been abducted and replaced by the Skrull queen Veranke
Veranke
Veranke is a fictional character created by Marvel Comics who serves as the queen of the Skrull empire in the Marvel Universe. She plays a significant role in the events of Secret Invasion as she leads her empire to invade and conquer Earth....
. After the Skrulls' defeat, Drew, among other abducted and replaced heroes, was rescued. During the company-wide story arc "Dark Reign
Dark Reign (comics)
"Dark Reign" is a 2008–2009 crossover comic book storyline published by Marvel Comics. It deals with the aftermath of the "Secret Invasion" storyline, which led to a shift of power in the Marvel Universe toward Norman Osborn. The title "Dark Reign" refers to Osborn's rise to national power and the...
" Echo and Iron Fist leave the team and the Avengers gain Ms. Marvel
Ms. Marvel
Ms. Marvel is the name of a fictional character appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Roy Thomas and designed by artist Gene Colan, the non-powered Carol Danvers debuted as a member of the United States Air Force in Marvel Super-Heroes #13 and as Ms. Marvel—a...
, the Bucky Barnes Captain America
Captain America
Captain America is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Captain America Comics #1 , from Marvel Comics' 1940s predecessor, Timely Comics, and was created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby...
, and Mockingbird
Mockingbird (Marvel Comics)
Mockingbird is a fictional character, a superhero in the who first appears in the Ka-Zar story in Astonishing Tales #6 written by Gerry Conway and pencilled by Barry Smith...
.
At the start of the "Heroic Age" storyline, the New Avengers become an officially recognized team given independence from Stark's more traditional Avengers by Captain Steve Rogers
Captain America
Captain America is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Captain America Comics #1 , from Marvel Comics' 1940s predecessor, Timely Comics, and was created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby...
, primarily due to Cage's distrust of a government backed superhero group. Captain America leaves the team to solely serve the main Avengers, Iron Fist rejoins the team, and Jewel and Thing
Thing (comics)
The Thing is a fictional character, a founding member of the superhero team known as the Fantastic Four in the Marvel Comics universe. He was created by Jack Kirby and Stan Lee in The Fantastic Four #1...
are also added to the roster. Steve Rogers
Captain America
Captain America is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Captain America Comics #1 , from Marvel Comics' 1940s predecessor, Timely Comics, and was created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby...
has an occasional presence and Victoria Hand
Victoria Hand
Victoria Hand is a fictional character in the Marvel Universe. She was created by Brian Michael Bendis and Mike Deodato. Her first appearance was in The Invincible Iron Man #8, by the creative team of Matt Fraction and Salvador Larroca, although her subsequent appearance in Dark Avengers #1, by...
is added with his backing, causing controversy among the other members due to her previous ties to Norman Osborn.
Mighty Avengers
In response to the Civil War, Iron Man reforms the official team under the aegis of the government's Fifty State InitiativeFifty State Initiative
The Fifty State Initiative, often referred to as simply The Initiative, is a fictional governmental plan that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics, in particular those related to The Avengers...
program, taking up residency in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
with the roster of Ares
Ares (Marvel Comics)
Ares is a fictional character, a deity in the Marvel Comics Universe based on the Greek god of the same name. He first appears in Thor #129 and was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby....
, the Black Widow, Iron Man, the Sentry, the Wasp
Wasp (comics)
The Wasp is a fictional character, a superheroine in the Marvel Comics universe and founding member of The Avengers. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in Tales to Astonish #44 ....
, Wonder Man
Wonder Man
Wonder Man is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Stan Lee and artists Don Heck and Jack Kirby, he first appeared in The Avengers #9 .-Publication history:Wonder Man debuted in the superhero-team title The Avengers #9 Wonder...
, and leader Ms. Marvel
Ms. Marvel
Ms. Marvel is the name of a fictional character appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Roy Thomas and designed by artist Gene Colan, the non-powered Carol Danvers debuted as a member of the United States Air Force in Marvel Super-Heroes #13 and as Ms. Marvel—a...
(Carol Danvers).
All but Ares and the Sentry leave this team (except for the Wasp, who died in the Secret Invasion
Secret Invasion
"Secret Invasion" is a comic book crossover storyline that ran through a self-titled eight issue limited series and several tie-in books published by Marvel Comics from April through December 2008....
) as it is taken over by Norman Osborn and the team migrates to the Dark Avengers
Dark Avengers
Dark Avengers was an American comic book series published by Marvel Comics. It is part of a series of titles that have featured various iterations of the superhero team the Avengers...
book. In the pages of The Mighty Avengers, Hank Pym, assuming the Wasp identity of his fallen ex-wife, leads a new team of Avengers, claiming the name for his team as he is the only founding Avenger on any of the three active Avengers rosters. His team operates under a multi-national umbrella group called the Global Reaction Agency for Mysterious Paranormal Activity (GRAMPA). This team features the roster of Hercules
Hercules (Marvel Comics)
Hercules is a fictional character that appears in publications by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in Journey into Mystery Annual #1 and was created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist/co-plotter Jack Kirby....
, Amadeus Cho, Stature
Cassandra Lang
Stature is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics universe. She is the daughter of the late Scott Lang . Cassie Lang is a member of the Young Avengers and The Initiative...
, the Vision, Jocasta
Jocasta (comics)
Jocasta is a fictional, comic book superhero appearing books published by Marvel Comics. A member of the Avengers, the character is a robot created by the villain Ultron.-Publication history:Jocasta first appears in The Avengers Jocasta is a fictional, comic book superhero appearing books published...
, U.S. Agent
U.S. Agent
U.S. Agent is a fictional comic book superhero appearing in books published by Marvel Comics, usually those starring Captain America and the Avengers. He was created by Mark Gruenwald and Paul Neary in Captain America vol...
, Quicksilver
Quicksilver (comics)
Quicksilver is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in X-Men #4 and was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby...
, and Hank Pym. Scarlet Witch
Scarlet Witch
The Scarlet Witch is a fictional comic book character that appears in books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in X-Men #4 and was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby...
(actually Loki in disguise) is a recurring character. Iron Man and Hulk were briefly with them during their battle with Chthon.
Dark Avengers
After the events of "Secret InvasionSecret Invasion
"Secret Invasion" is a comic book crossover storyline that ran through a self-titled eight issue limited series and several tie-in books published by Marvel Comics from April through December 2008....
", Norman Osborn
Green Goblin
The Green Goblin is a fictional character, a supervillain who appears in the comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, and first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #14 ....
assumes control of the formerly S.H.I.E.L.D.-sponsored Avengers, now under the auspices of his own agency, H.A.M.M.E.R. He retains Ares and Sentry from the previous team, and recruits Marvel Boy
Marvel Boy
Marvel Boy is the name of several fictional comic book characters in the Marvel Comics universe, including predecessor companies Timely Comics and Atlas Comics.-Martin Burns:...
to pose as Captain Marvel and Daken
Daken
Akihiro, also codename as Daken is a fictional comic book supervillain appearing in books published by Marvel Comics. Daken is the mutant son of Wolverine and his deceased wife Itsu...
to pose as his father, Wolverine
Wolverine (comics)
Wolverine is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Born as James Howlett and commonly known as Logan, Wolverine is a mutant, possessing animal-keen senses, enhanced physical capabilities, three retracting bone claws on each hand and a healing...
, and brings Moonstone, Bullseye, and Venom from his previous Thunderbolts
Thunderbolts (comics)
The Thunderbolts are a Marvel Comics superhero team, which consists mostly of former supervillains. The group first appeared in The Incredible Hulk #449 , and was created by Kurt Busiek and Mark Bagley.-Publication history:...
team to impersonate Ms. Marvel, Hawkeye, and Spider-Man, respectively.
"Heroic Age"
After the conclusion of the "SiegeSiege (comics)
Siege is a fictional character, owned by Marvel Comics, who exists in the Marvel Universe.-Creative origins:John Kelly was initially created by Dwayne McDuffie and Gregory Wright as a pseudo-preview of their then-upcoming relaunch of Deathlok as well as to provide existing in-continuity backstory...
" story arc, which ended the "Dark Reign
Dark Reign (comics)
"Dark Reign" is a 2008–2009 crossover comic book storyline published by Marvel Comics. It deals with the aftermath of the "Secret Invasion" storyline, which led to a shift of power in the Marvel Universe toward Norman Osborn. The title "Dark Reign" refers to Osborn's rise to national power and the...
" storyline, all four of the then-current Avengers series (consisting of The Mighty Avengers, New Avengers, Dark Avengers, and Avengers: The Initiative
Avengers: The Initiative
Avengers: The Initiative was a comic book series from Marvel Comics. Written by Dan Slott and Christos Gage with artwork initially by Stefano Caselli, Steve Uy and Harvey Tolibao, the series dealt with the aftermath of Marvel's Civil War crossover Avengers: The Initiative was a comic book series...
) were canceled, and a new ongoing series titled Avengers was launched in May 2010. Brian Michael Bendis and John Romita, Jr.
John Romita, Jr.
John Salvatore Romita, Jr. is an American comic book artist best known for his extensive work for Marvel Comics from the 1970s to the 2000s...
, serve as regular writer and artist respectively. The full Avengers roster was revealed in issue #1 as: Thor
Thor (Marvel Comics)
Thor is a fictional superhero who appears in publications published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Journey into Mystery #83 and was created by editor-plotter Stan Lee, scripter Larry Lieber, and penciller Jack Kirby....
, Hawkeye
Hawkeye (comics)
Hawkeye , also known as Goliath and Ronin, is a fictional character that appears in the comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Tales of Suspense #57 and was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Don Heck. Hawkeye joined the Avengers in Avengers Vol. 1 #16 Hawkeye...
, Spider-Man
Spider-Man
Spider-Man is a fictional Marvel Comics superhero. The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee and writer-artist Steve Ditko. He first appeared in Amazing Fantasy #15...
, Wolverine
Wolverine (comics)
Wolverine is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Born as James Howlett and commonly known as Logan, Wolverine is a mutant, possessing animal-keen senses, enhanced physical capabilities, three retracting bone claws on each hand and a healing...
, Captain America
Bucky
Bucky is the name of several fictional characters, masked superheroes in the Marvel Comics universe. The original, James Buchanan "Bucky" Barnes was created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby as a sidekick character in Captain America Comics #1 , published by Marvel's 1940s predecessor, Timely Comics...
, Spider-Woman
Spider-Woman
Spider-Woman is the codename of several fictional characters in comic books published by Marvel Comics.-Publication history:Marvel Comics' then-publisher Stan Lee, said in 1978, shortly after Spider-Woman's debut in Marvel Spotlight #32 Spider-Woman is the codename of several fictional characters...
, Iron Man
Iron Man
Iron Man is a fictional character, a superhero in the . The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee, developed by scripter Larry Lieber, and designed by artists Don Heck and Jack Kirby, first appearing in Tales of Suspense #39 .A billionaire playboy, industrialist and ingenious engineer,...
, and team leader Maria Hill
Maria Hill
Maria Hill is a fictional character of the Marvel Universe. She was the former director of the planetary defense/intelligence service S.H.I.E.L.D..-Introduction:...
. At the Avengers' first team meeting, Steve Rogers comments on an unidentified hero who is missing from the meeting.
The launch marked the beginning of what Marvel calls the "Heroic Age
Heroic Age (comics)
"The Heroic Age" is a 2010 comic book branding that ran through a number of books published by Marvel Comics. It began in May 2010, marking a major change in the status quo of the Marvel Universe after the events of the "Siege" crossover event, much as "The Initiative" and "Dark Reign" dealt with...
", after seven years of grim storylines, including a superhero "civil war
Civil War (comics)
Civil War is a 2006-2007 Marvel Comics crossover storyline built around a self-titled seven-issue limited series written by Mark Millar and penciled by Steve McNiven, which ran through various other titles published by Marvel at the time...
" that pitted Iron Man against Captain America & Spider-Man, and the death of Captain America. According to Marvel Comics editor-in-chief Joe Quesada
Joe Quesada
Joseph "Joe" Quesada is an American comic book editor, writer and artist. He became known in the 1990s for his work on various Valiant Comics books, such as Ninjak and Solar, Man of the Atom...
, "Heroes will be heroes again... They've gone through hell and they're back to being good guys—a throwback to the early days of the Marvel Universe, with more of a swashbuckling feel". A second title called Secret Avengers
Secret Avengers
Secret Avengers is an American comic book series published by Marvel Comics featuring a fictional black ops superhero team of the same name. Written by Ed Brubaker, the series depicts a new version of Marvel's premiere super hero team, the Avengers, which operates under the guidance and leadership...
was released in May 2010, written by Ed Brubaker
Ed Brubaker
Ed Brubaker is an Eisner Award-winning comic book writer and cartoonist. Brubaker first early comics work was primarily in the crime fiction genre with works such as Lowlife, The Fall, Sandman Presents: Dead Boy Detectives and Scene of the Crime...
with Mike Deodato
Mike Deodato
Mike Deodato , sometimes credited as Mike Deodato Jr., is the professional pseudonym of Brazilian comic book artist Deodato Taumaturgo Borges Filho.-Biography:...
as regular artist. The second volume of the New Avengers series was relaunched in June 2010, written by Bendis and drawn by Stuart Immonen
Stuart Immonen
Stuart Immonen is a Canadian comic book artist. He is best known for his work on Nextwave, Ultimate X-Men, The New Avengers and Ultimate Spider-Man...
. A fourth title called Avengers Academy
Avengers Academy
Avengers Academy is a Marvel Comics comic book series that debuted in June 2010 as part of the "Heroic Age". The series is written by Christos Gage, with artwork by Mike McKone and tells the story of a group of young super-powered persons who were selected to join a training academy for the...
was also launched in June 2010, replacing Avengers: The Initiative. Christos Gage
Christos Gage
Christos N. "Chris" Gage is an American comic book writer and screenwriter.-Early life:Gage is the son of author and journalist Nicholas Gage. He was born in New York, and grew up in Athens, Greece, and then North Grafton, Massachusetts...
serves as writer, with Mike McKone
Mike McKone
Michael "Mike" McKone is a British comic book artist.-Career:McKone's first published works for the major companies included DC Comics' Justice League of America and Justice League International for DC Comics and The Punisher War Zone for Marvel Comics...
as artist.
During an international meeting between Steve Rogers and MI13, Captain Britain was offered a job with the Avengers. Captain Britain
Captain Britain
Captain Britain , briefly known as Britannic, is a fictional character, a superhero appearing in the comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Chris Claremont and Herb Trimpe, he first appeared in Captain Britain Weekly, #1...
accepted despite mixed reactions from his MI13 teammates.
Noh-Varr
Noh-Varr
Noh-Varr is a fictional character created by Grant Morrison and J.G. Jones and appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. He first appears in Marvel Boy #1 . He appeared in the Civil War: Young Avengers/Runaways and the New Avengers: Illuminati limited series...
is asked to help the Avengers by building a time machine to save the future. After that crisis is over, Noh-Varr is officially invited to join the Avengers.
The Hulk
Hulk (comics)
The Hulk is a fictional character, a superhero in the . Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in The Incredible Hulk #1 ....
makes arrangements with Steve Rogers
Captain America
Captain America is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Captain America Comics #1 , from Marvel Comics' 1940s predecessor, Timely Comics, and was created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby...
for Red Hulk
Thunderbolt Ross
General Thaddeus E. "Thunderbolt" Ross is a fictional character appearing in books published by Marvel Comics, usually as an adversary of the Hulk, sometimes as a supervillain. Ross is a United States military officer, the father of Betty Ross, ex-father in-law of Glenn Talbot and the father in-law...
to join the Avengers, just in time for him to assist the team in tracking down the Hood
Hood (comics)
The Hood is a fictional character, a supervillain, and a crime boss in the . Created by writer Brian K. Vaughan and artists Kyle Hotz and Eric Powell, the character first appeared in The Hood #1 .-Publication history:...
as he begins to search for the Infinity Gems
Infinity Gems
Infinity Gems, sometimes referred to as the Soul Gems, are six immensely powerful gems featured in the fictional Marvel Universe. Whoever holds all six gems in the Infinity Gauntlet gains omnipotence, omniscience, omnipresence, and God-like power, and has absolute dominion over the universe...
to serve as a new 'power source'.
Roster
- Captain AmericaCaptain AmericaCaptain America is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Captain America Comics #1 , from Marvel Comics' 1940s predecessor, Timely Comics, and was created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby...
(Steve Rogers) - HawkeyeHawkeye (comics)Hawkeye , also known as Goliath and Ronin, is a fictional character that appears in the comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Tales of Suspense #57 and was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Don Heck. Hawkeye joined the Avengers in Avengers Vol. 1 #16 Hawkeye...
(Clint Barton) - Maria HillMaria HillMaria Hill is a fictional character of the Marvel Universe. She was the former director of the planetary defense/intelligence service S.H.I.E.L.D..-Introduction:...
- Iron ManIron ManIron Man is a fictional character, a superhero in the . The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee, developed by scripter Larry Lieber, and designed by artists Don Heck and Jack Kirby, first appearing in Tales of Suspense #39 .A billionaire playboy, industrialist and ingenious engineer,...
(Tony Stark) - ProtectorNoh-VarrNoh-Varr is a fictional character created by Grant Morrison and J.G. Jones and appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. He first appears in Marvel Boy #1 . He appeared in the Civil War: Young Avengers/Runaways and the New Avengers: Illuminati limited series...
(Noh-Varr) - QuakeDaisy JohnsonDaisy Johnson is a fictional, superpowered secret agent in the Marvel Comics universe. A member of the international espionage agency S.H.I.E.L.D., she was created by writer Brian Michael Bendis and artist Gabriele Dell'Otto, and first appeared in Secret War #2...
(Daisy Johnson) - Red HulkThunderbolt RossGeneral Thaddeus E. "Thunderbolt" Ross is a fictional character appearing in books published by Marvel Comics, usually as an adversary of the Hulk, sometimes as a supervillain. Ross is a United States military officer, the father of Betty Ross, ex-father in-law of Glenn Talbot and the father in-law...
(General Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross) - Spider-WomanSpider-Woman (Jessica Drew)Spider-Woman is a fictional character, a superheroine in the Marvel Comics Universe. The character first appeared in Marvel Spotlight #32 , and 50 issues of an ongoing series titled Spider-Woman followed...
(Jessica Drew) - Storm (Queen Ororo Iqadi T'Challa)
- VisionVision (Marvel Comics)The Vision is the name of three fictional characters that appear in comic books published by Marvel Comics.-Publication history:The first Vision was created by the writer-artist team of Joe Simon and Jack Kirby in Marvel Mystery Comics #13 The Vision is the name of three fictional characters that...
("Victor Shade")
1950s Avengers
A short-lived team of superheroes in the 1950s called themselves the "Avengers". Consisting of Marvel BoyMarvel Boy (Robert Grayson)
Marvel Boy , also known as The Uranian, is a fictional character, a superhero in the , one of several to use the name Marvel Boy. He was created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist Russ Heath, and first appeared in Marvel Boy #1 Marvel Boy (Robert Grayson), also known as The Uranian, is a...
, Venus, the 3-D Man
3-D Man
-Publication history:Although his adventures take place in the 1950s, the character was created by Roy Thomas in the 1970s in the anthology series Marvel Premiere...
, Gorilla-Man
Gorilla-Man
Gorilla-Man is the name of three fictional characters appearing in the Marvel Comics universe. Ken Hale first appeared in Men's Adventures #26 , while Arthur Nagan first appeared in Mystery Tales #21 , and Franz Radzik first appeared in Tales to Astonish #28 .-Ken Hale:200px|thumb|left|Cover art...
, the Human Robot
M-11 (comics)
M-11 is a fictional robot in the Marvel Comics universe. Originally known as the Human Robot, the character was given the name "M-11" in the 2006 to 2007 Agents of Atlas miniseries as an allusion to its first appearance in Menace #11 from Marvel Comics' 1950s predecessor, Atlas Comics.-Publication...
, Jimmy Woo
Jimmy Woo
Jimmy Woo is a fictional, Chinese-American secret agent in the Marvel Comics comic-book universe. Created by EC Comics great Al Feldstein and artist Joe Maneely, the character first appeared in Yellow Claw #1 Jimmy Woo is a fictional, Chinese-American secret agent in the Marvel Comics comic-book...
, Namora
Namora
Namora is a fictional character, a superhero in the . She is from Atlantis and is the daughter of an Atlantean father and a human mother. She is the cousin of Namor the Sub-Mariner.-Publication history:...
and Jann of the Jungle
Jann of the Jungle
Jann of the Jungle is a fictional comic book jungle girl protagonist created by writer Don Rico and artist Jay Scott Pike in the anthology title Jungle Tales #1 , published by Marvel Comics' 1950s predecessor, Atlas Comics....
, the team exists in an alternate timeline
Parallel universe (fiction)
A parallel universe or alternative reality is a hypothetical self-contained separate reality coexisting with one's own. A specific group of parallel universes is called a "multiverse", although this term can also be used to describe the possible parallel universes that constitute reality...
that is erased by the time-manipulating Immortus
Immortus
Immortus is a fictional character in the Marvel Universe. He is the future self of Kang the Conqueror, and first appeared in Avengers #10, and was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby....
. A version of the group
Agents of Atlas
Agents of Atlas is a fictional superhero team in comic books published by Marvel Comics. It is composed of characters originally appearing in unrelated stories published in the 1950s by Marvel's predecessor company, Atlas Comics....
without the 3-D Man and Jann exists in mainstream continuity, and eventually reforms in the present day.
1959 Avengers
The New Avengers vol. 2, #10 revealed another 1950s Avengers team, formed by Nick FuryNick Fury
Colonel Nicholas Joseph "Nick" Fury is a fictional World War II army hero and present-day super-spy in the Marvel Comics universe. Created by artist Jack Kirby and writer Stan Lee, Fury first appeared in Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos #1 , a World War II combat series that portrayed the...
to hunt the last remnants of the Third Reich and consisting of Fury himself, Dominic Fortune
Dominic Fortune
Dominic Fortune is a fictional comic book character, owned by Marvel Comics.Created by Howard Chaykin and based on the Scorpion, Chaykin's character for the failed Atlas/Seaboard Comics company, Dominic Fortune was originally a 1930s costumed, fortune-seeking adventurer.-Publication history:Dominic...
, Dum Dum Dugan
Dum Dum Dugan
Timothy Aloysius Cadwallader "Dum Dum" Dugan is a fictional character in the . He is an officer of S.H.I.E.L.D. and is one of the most experienced members of Nick Fury's team, known for his marksmanship with rifles and for his impressive physique...
, Namora
Namora
Namora is a fictional character, a superhero in the . She is from Atlantis and is the daughter of an Atlantean father and a human mother. She is the cousin of Namor the Sub-Mariner.-Publication history:...
, Silver Sable
Silver Sable
Silver Sable is a fictional character from Marvel Comics, a female mercenary, hunter of war criminals, the leader of the Wild Pack, and CEO of Silver Sable International...
, Sabretooth
Sabretooth (comics)
Sabretooth is a fictional character, a Marvel Comics supervillain created by writer Chris Claremont and artist/co-writer John Byrne. The character first appeared in Iron Fist #14...
, Kraven the Hunter
Kraven the Hunter
Kraven the Hunter is a fictional character, a supervillain and enemy of Spider-Man appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Kraven's name is Sergei Kravinoff. He also appears as Xraven, with white-grey skin and red eyes, possessing the powers of X-Men. He is the half-brother of Dmitri...
, and Ulysses Bloodstone
Ulysses Bloodstone
Ulysses Bloodstone is a fictional character, an immortal monster-hunter in the Marvel Universe.-Publication history:John Warner has explained the development of Ulysses Bloodstone: "Len Wein and Marv Wolfman came up with the spark that would become Bloodstone—the premise of a man who fights...
. A second miniseries penned by Chaikin shows this group assisted by The Blonde Phantom
Blonde Phantom
The Blonde Phantom is a fictional masked crime fighter in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist Syd Shores for Marvel predecessor Timely Comics, she first appeared in All Select Comics #11 , during the 1940s period fans and historians call the Golden...
, Eric Koenig
Eric Koenig
Eric Koenig is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics Universe.- Publication history :Eric Koenig's first appearance was in Sgt. Fury and the Howling Commandos vol. 1 #27 , and he was created by Stan Lee and Dick Ayers....
and a brand new character Brittish wizard and spy Powell McTeague. This time they are fighting against a cult based on the Nazi party which employs several agents, including Baron Blood
Baron Blood
Baron Blood is the name of several fictional characters that appear in comic books published by Marvel Comics.-Publication fistory:The original version first appears in Invaders #7 and was created by Roy Thomas and Frank Robbins....
and Brain Drain
Brain Drain (comics)
Brain Drain is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in Invaders #2 Brain Drain is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in Invaders #2 Brain Drain is a fictional...
.
Avengers Next
In the alternate future timeline known as MC2, the Avengers have disbanded and Avengers Mansion is now a museum. An emergency forces Edwin Jarvis to sound an alert, and a new generation of heroes form a new team of Avengers. Most of the new Avengers are children of established Marvel superheroes.Ultimate Marvel
In the Ultimate MarvelUltimate Marvel
Ultimate Marvel is an imprint of comic books published by Marvel Comics, featuring reimagined and updated versions of the company's superhero characters, including Spider-Man, the X-Men, the Avengers, and the Fantastic Four. The imprint was launched in 2000 with the publication of the series...
Universe, the Avengers are named "The Ultimates
Ultimates
The Ultimates is a fictional group of superheroes that appear in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The team was created by writer Mark Millar and artist Bryan Hitch, and first appeared in The Ultimates #1 , as part of the company's Ultimate Marvel imprint...
", and were formed by Nick Fury
Ultimate Nick Fury
General Nicholas Joseph "Nick" Fury is a fictional character published by Marvel Comics. A reinterpretation of the character Nick Fury, one of the most notable differences between the two is that the mainstream Nick Fury is an Italian American colonel with graying brown hair, while this Nick Fury...
to protect America against superhuman threats.
A Black Ops team called the "Avengers" debuted sometime after the Ultimatum storyline. This version was a project headed up by Nick Fury and Tony Stark's brother Gregory Stark
Gregory Stark
Dr. Gregory Stark is an original fictional character in the Ultimate Marvel Comics universe.-History:Known for being the mysterious twin brother of Tony Stark , his profession includes being an extremely confident and amoral weapons industrialist, while also being the brains behind Nick Fury's...
in order to bring Captain America back. It's known members consisted of War Machine
War Machine
War Machine is a fictional character, a comic book superhero appearing in comic books set in the Marvel Comics universe. The character of James Rhodes first appeared in Iron Man #118 by David Michelinie, John Byrne and Bob Layton...
, Hawkeye
Hawkeye (comics)
Hawkeye , also known as Goliath and Ronin, is a fictional character that appears in the comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Tales of Suspense #57 and was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Don Heck. Hawkeye joined the Avengers in Avengers Vol. 1 #16 Hawkeye...
, Black Widow II (Monica Chang), The Spider (a Spider-Man clone created by Gregory Stark from the DNA of Spider-Man and Professor X), Tyrone Cash (who was the original Hulk before Bruce Banner), Red Wasp, and Nerd Hulk (an intelligent clone of Hulk created by Gregory Stark from Bruce Banner's stem cells).
Runaways
In an alternate future depicted in RunawaysRunaways (comics)
Runaways is a comic book series published by Marvel Comics. The series features a group of teenagers who discover that their parents are part of an evil crime group called the Pride. Created by Brian K. Vaughan and Adrian Alphona, the series debuted in April of 2003 as part of Marvel Comics'...
, Gertrude Yorkes
Gertrude Yorkes
Gertrude Yorkes , is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics award-winning series, Runaways. She was created by author Brian K. Vaughan & artist Adrian Alphona, and debuted in Runaways vol. 1 #1 with most of the other main characters...
's future self traveled back in time. In this future, she is the leader of the Avengers under the name Heroine. This lineup of the Avengers features an Iron Woman, a heroic Scorpion, the "Fantastic Fourteen", and "Captain Americas".
Marvel Zombies
The Avengers exist as a team prior to the zombie contagion's arrival in the original Marvel Zombies universe, resembling their pre-Disassembled roster. When several of their members are infected, they set about eating humanity and send out a bogus "Avengers Assemble" call to draw superhumans to the Avengers Mansion, infecting more heroes and thus spreading the virus. The team falls apart and many of its members are killed as time passes.A second team of zombified Avengers appears in Marvel Zombies Return. This team is an ersatz
Ersatz
Ersatz means 'substituting for, and typically inferior in quality to', e.g. 'chicory is ersatz coffee'. It is a German word literally meaning substitute or replacement...
Justice League brought together to find food and kill any resistance (zombified or uninfected) and is led by the Sentry
Sentry (Robert Reynolds)
The Sentry is a fictional character in the . The character first appears in The Sentry #1 and was created by Paul Jenkins and Jae Lee, with uncredited conceptual contributions by Rick Veitch.-Creation:...
(a parallel for Superman). Also on the team are the zombified Moon Knight
Moon Knight
Moon Knight is a fictional character, a mercenary-turned-superhero appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character exists in the Marvel Universe and was created by Doug Moench and Don Perlin...
(paralleling Batman), Namor (paralleling Aquaman), Quasar
Quasar (comics)
Quasar is a fictional character, a comic book superhero in the . He is one of Marvel's cosmic heroes, a character whose adventures frequently take him into outer space or other dimensions...
(paralleling Green Lantern), Quicksilver
Quicksilver (comics)
Quicksilver is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in X-Men #4 and was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby...
(paralleling the Flash), Thundra (paralleling Wonder Woman), and Super-Skrull
Super-Skrull
The Super-Skrull is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics.-Publication history:The character first appeared in Fantastic Four #18 The Super-Skrull (Kl'rt) is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics.-Publication history:The...
(paralleling the Martian Manhunter). They are also joined by the zombie Giant-Man of the original Zombiverse, who is trying to power a dimensional teleporter, but are all killed by Spider-Man
Spider-Man
Spider-Man is a fictional Marvel Comics superhero. The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee and writer-artist Steve Ditko. He first appeared in Amazing Fantasy #15...
's New Avengers, composed of himself along with Iron Man, Sandman, War-Machine, and the zombified Hulk and Wolverine.
House of M: Avengers
In the alternate reality created by the Scarlet Witch, Luke Cage forms a team of superpowered humans to fight for human rights.Age of Apocalypse
A humanized version of the Avengers band together during the Age of ApocalypseAge of Apocalypse
"Age of Apocalypse" is a 1995 - 1996 comic book crossover storyline published in the X-Men franchise of books by Marvel Comics. The Age of Apocalypse briefly replaced the universe of Earth-616, although it was later retconned as having occurred in the alternate universe of Earth-295, it had...
.
The Avengers (1963 series)
| Title (Trade Paperback/ Hardcover) | Material collected | Publication date | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Avengers, Vol.1 (Marvel Masterworks) | Avengers (1963) #1-10 | May 13, 2009 | |
| The Avengers, Vol.2 (Marvel Masterworks) | Avengers (1963) #11-20 | October 14, 2009 | |
| The Avengers, Vol.3 (Marvel Masterworks) | Avengers (1963) #21-30 | April 6, 2011 | |
| The Avengers, Vol.4 (Marvel Masterworks) (Hardcover only) | Avengers (1963) #31-40 | January 1, 2004 | |
| The Avengers, Vol.5 (Marvel Masterworks) (Hardcover only) | Avengers (1963) #41-50, Annual #1 | January 1, 2006 | |
| The Avengers, Vol.6 (Marvel Masterworks) (Hardcover only) | Avengers (1963) #51-58, Annual #2, X-Men (1963) #45 | December 13, 2006 | |
| The Avengers, Vol.7 (Marvel Masterworks) (Hardcover only) | Avengers (1963) #59-68, Marvel Super-Heroes (1966) #17 | October 17, 2007 | |
| The Avengers, Vol.8 (Marvel Masterworks) (Hardcover only) | Avengers (1963) #69-79, | December 17, 2008 | |
| The Avengers, Vol.9 (Marvel Masterworks) (Hardcover only) | Avengers (1963) #80-88, Incredible Hulk #140 | May 28, 2009 | |
| The Avengers: The Kree/Skrull War | Avengers (1963) #89-97 | May 7, 2008 | |
| The Avengers, Vol.10 (Marvel Masterworks) (Hardcover only) | Avengers (1963) #89-100 | May 19, 2010 | |
| The Avengers, Vol.11 (Marvel Masterworks) (Hardcover only) | Avengers (1963) #101-111, Daredevil (1964) #99 | July 13, 2011 | |
| The Avengers, Vol.12 (Marvel Masterworks) (Hardcover only) | Avengers (1963) #112-119, Defenders (1972) #8-11, and material from FOOM #5-7. | March 2012 | |
| Avengers/Defenders War | Avengers (1963) #115-118, Defenders #8-11 | March 2002 | |
| The Avengers: Celestial Madonna (TPB) | Avengers (1963) #129-135, Giant Sized Avengers #2-4 | May 1, 2002 | |
| The Avengers: The Coming of the Beast (Hardcover) | Avengers (1963) #137-140, 145-146 | January 26, 2011 | |
| The Avengers: The Serpent Crown (TPB) | Avengers (1963) #141-144 and #147-149 | September 7, 2005 | |
| The Avengers: The Private War of Doctor Doom (Hardcover) | Avengers (1963) #150-156, Avengers Annual #6, and Super Villain Team-Up#9 | March 2012 | |
| The Avengers: The Korvac Saga (Hardcover) | Avengers (1963) #167-168 and #170-177 | June 2003 | |
| The Avengers: Nights of Wundagore (TPB) | Avengers (1963) #181-187 | March 27, 2009 | |
| The Avengers: West Coast Avengers Assemble (Hardcover) | West Coast Avengers (1984) #1-4, Iron Man Annual #7, and Avengers #250, plus material from Avengers #239, #243-244, and #246, and Avengers West Coast #100. | June 9, 2010 | |
| Secret Wars II Omnibus (Hardcover) | Secret Wars II #1-9, Avengers (1963) #260-261, #265-266, plus more. | February 18, 2009 | |
| The Avengers: Under Siege (Hardcover) | Avengers (1963) #270-277 | December 22, 2010 | |
| The Avengers: Assault on Olympus (Hardcover) | Avengers (1963) #278-285 | September 21, 2011 | |
| X-Men: Inferno Crossovers Omnibus (Hardcover) | Avengers (1963) #298-300 plus more. | SEptember 8, 2010 | |
| Acts of Vengeance Omnibus (Hardcover) | Avengers (1963) #310-313, Annual #19, Avengers Spotlight #26-29, Avengers West Coast #53-55, plus more. | March 30, 2011 | |
| Avengers: Galactic Storm: Volume 1 (TPB) | Collects Avengers #345-346, Avengers West Coast #80-81, Captain America #398-399, Quasar #32-33, Wonder Man #7-8, Iron Man #278 and Thor #445. | March 2006 | |
| Avengers: Galactic Storm: Volume 2 (TPB) | Collects Avengers #347, Avengers West Coast #82, Iron Man #279, Thor #446, Captain America #400-401, Quasar #34-35, Wonder Man #9 and What If? #55-56. | December 2006 | |
| The Avengers/ X-Men: Bloodties (Hardcover) | Avengers (1963) #368-369, Avengers West Coast #101, Uncanny X-Men #307, X-Men #26, Black Knight: Exodus | January, 18, 2012 | |
| Avengers: The Crossing Omnibus (Hardcover) | Avengers (1963) #390-395, Avengers: The Crossing, Avengers: Timeslide, Iron Man (1968) #319-325, Force Works #16-22, War Machine (1994) #20-25, and Age of Innocence: The Rebirth of Iron Man. | March 2012 | |
| X-Men: The Complete Onslaught Epic, Book 1 (TPB) | Avengers (1963) #400-401, X-Men #53-54, Uncanny X-Men #334-335, and more. | December 20, 2007 | |
| X-Men: The Complete Onslaught Epic, Book 3 (TPB) | Avengers (1963) #401, Iron-Man #332, and more. | August 27, 2008 | |
| Title (B&W Trade Paperbacks) | Material collected | Publication date | ISBN |
| Essential Avengers, Vol.1 (Marvel Essentials) | Avengers (1963–1966) #1-24 (B&W) | July 27, 2005 | |
| Essential Avengers, Vol.2 (Marvel Essentials) | Avengers (1966) #25-46, Annual #1 (B&W) | June 1, 2000 | |
| Essential Avengers, Vol.3 (Marvel Essentials) | Avengers (1963) #47-68, Annual #2 (B&W) | November 3, 2010 | |
| Essential Avengers, Vol.4 (Marvel Essentials) | Avengers (1963) #69-97, Incredible Hulk #140 (B&W) | November 17, 2010 | |
| Essential Avengers, Vol.5 (Marvel Essentials) | Avengers (1963) #98-119, Daredevil #99, Defenders #8-11 (B&W) | December 1, 2010 | |
| Essential Avengers, Vol.6 (Marvel Essentials) | Avengers (1963) #120-140, Captain Marvel #33, Fantastic Four #150, Giant-Size Avengers #1-4 (B&W) | February 20, 2008 | |
| Essential Avengers, Vol.7 (Marvel Essentials) | Avengers (1963) #141-163, Annual #6, and Super-Villain Team-Up #9 (B&W) | January 20, 2010 |
Avengers Vol.2 (1996)
| Title (Trade Paperback) | Material collected | Publication date | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avengers: Heroes Reborn | Avengers (1996) #1-12 | December 27, 2006 | |
Avengers Vol.3 (1998)
| Title (Trade Paperback) | Material collected | Publication date | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avengers Assemble, Vol. 1 | Avengers (1998) #1-11, Annual 1998; Iron Man (1998) #7; Captain America (1998) #8; Quicksilver #10 | January 12, 2011 | |
| Avengers: The Morgan Conquest | Avengers (1998) #1-4 | January 2000 | |
| Avengers: Supreme Justice | Avengers (1998) #5-8, Avengers/Squadron Supreme Annual 98, Iron Man (1998) #7, Captain America (1998) #8, and Quicksilver #10 | June 1, 2001 | |
| Avengers Assemble, Vol. 2 | Avengers (1998) #12-23 & #0, Annual 1999; Avengers: Rough Cut. | March 2012 | |
| Avengers: Clear and Present Dangers | Avengers (1998) #8-15 | November 1, 2001 | |
| Avengers: Ultron Unlimited | Avengers (1998) #0 and #19-22 | April 1, 2001 | |
| Avengers: Living Legends | Avengers (1998) #23-30 | July 21, 2004 | |
| Avengers/Thunderbolts Volume 1: The Nefaria Protocols | Avengers (1998) #31-34, Thunderbolts #42-44 | March 1, 2004 | |
| Avengers: Above and Beyond | Avengers (1998) #36-40, 56, Avengers: Ultron Imperative, and Annual 2001 | February 15, 2006 | |
| Avengers: The Kang Dynasty | Avengers (1998) #41-55 (Vol. 1 #456-470), and Annual 2001 | November 30, 2002 | |
| Avengers, Vol.1: World Trust | Avengers (1998) #57-62 (Vol. 1 #472-477), and Marvel Double-Shot #2 | March 17, 2003 | |
| Avengers, Vol.2: Red Zone | Avengers (1998) #64-70 (Vol. 1 #478-485) | December 30, 2003 | |
| Avengers, Vol.3: The Search for She-Hulk | Avengers (1998) #71-76 (Vol. 1 #486-491) | May 2004 | |
| Avengers, Vol. 4: Lionheart of Avalon | Avengers (1998) #77-81 (Vol. 1 #492-496) | August 1, 2004 | |
| Avengers, Vol. 5: Once An Invader | Avengers (1998) #82-84 (Vol. 1 #497-499), Invaders #0 | November 1, 2004 | |
| Avengers: Disassembled | Avengers (1963) #500-503, Avengers Finale | November 22, 2006 | |
| Title (Hardcover) | Material collected | Publication date | ISBN |
| Avengers Assemble, Vol. 1 | Avengers (1998) #1-11, Annual 1998; Iron Man (1998) #7; Captain America (1998) #8; Quicksilver #10 | August 4, 2004 | |
| Avengers Assemble, Vol. 2 | Avengers (1998) #12-22, #0 and Annual 1999 | April 6, 2005 | |
| Avengers Assemble, Vol. 3 | Avengers (1998) #23-34, #1½, Thunderbolts #42-44 | July 26, 2006 | |
| Avengers Assemble, Vol. 4 | Avengers (1998) #35-40, Annual 2000-2001, Thunderbolts Annual 2000, Avengers: The Ultron Imperative and Avengers Infinity #1-4 | January 31, 2007 | |
| Avengers Assemble, Vol. 5 | Avengers (1998) #41-56, Annual 2001 | November 7, 2007 | |
| Avengers, Vol.1: World Trust | Avengers (1998) #57-61 | February 10, 2010 | |
| Avengers, Vol.2: Standoff | Avengers (1998) #62-64, Thor (1998) #58, and Iron Man (1998) #64. | February 10, 2010 | |
| Avengers, Vol.3: Red Zone | Avengers (1998) #65-70 | May 26, 2010 | |
| Avengers, Vol.4: The Search for She-Hulk | Avengers (1998) #71-76 | August 4, 2010 | |
| Avengers: Disassembled | Avengers (1963) #500-503 (returns to original numbering); Avengers Finale | December 20, 2006 |
Avengers Vol.4 (2010)
| Title (Hardcover) | Material collected | Publication date | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avengers Vol. 1 | Avengers (2010) #1-6 | February 9, 2011 | |
| Avengers Vol. 2 | Avengers (2010) #7-12, #12.1 | July 27, 2011 | |
| Avengers: Fear Itself | Avengers (2010) #13-17 New Avengers (2010) #14-16 |
January 25, 2012 | |
| Title (Trade Paperback) | Material collected | Publication date | ISBN |
| Avengers, Vol. 1 | Avengers #1-6 (2009) | August 10, 2011 | |
External links
- Marvel Comics: Avengers Official site
- Big Comic Book Database: Avengers
- MDP:Avengers - Marvel Database Project (wiki)
- Avengers Assemble! Archives and Database
- Avengers Forever Fan site
- Earth's Mightiest Heroines Fansite for the female members of the Avengers