Get Started In AVENGERS

Compilations  |  1st Appearance  |  Origin Story  |  Main Publication History  |  Secondary Publication History  |  Key Storylines  |  Media Source Material  |  Key Issues

by snowbi-wan, updated Jan 2020

The Avengers are Marvel's team of superheroes, banded together to tackle large-scale threats that would overpower an individual A-List hero. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in 1963 from pre-existing Marvel characters, the Avengers have since enjoyed a continuous and vast comic book publishing history. The original Avengers team consisted of Iron Man, Thor, Hulk, Ant-Man and Wasp with Captain America joining in issue #4 after they thawed him from the ice for his Silver Age introduction. While there has been a small core of important primary team members, one of the defining characteristics of the Avengers is its rotating roster of all manner of super-powered beings. Members join, leave and return--a precedent set by the Hulk who left the team as soon as issue #2. A scathing fan-based controversy of the time, AVENGERS [1963] #16 contains the Avengers' first line-up change, which was a wholesale roster change where only Captain America remained, joined by some former criminals...Hawkeye, Quicksilver, and Scarlet Witch. They were unceremoniously self-dubbed 'Cap's Kooky Quartet.' There have been many, many line-up changes since.

Another defining characteristic of team-based books is the drama of interpersonal relationships. The Avengers have seen their share of romance and strife. With such a conglomeration of powerful heroes, leadership of the Avengers over the years has been tricky. The Avengers employed a rotating chairmanship during meetings and to make administrative decisions, but Captain America was typically the field leader during operations. Tony Stark donated his three-story townhouse to the team, which became the Avengers Mansion with significant technological improvements and its resident butler, Edwin Jarvis. Stark has also provided high-tech weaponry and equipment for the team over the years. In the early days, the Avengers operated with approval from the National Security Council of the United States, as well as the General Assembly of the United Nations. The team's government approval status has also changed over the years, most radically during 2006's CIVIL WAR storyline. Given the comic book Multi-verse, there have been and are other versions of the Avengers. In the Ultimate Universe, the Avengers are called the Ultimates and have enjoyed success via their modern re-interpretation of the team for contemporary audiences.

Both AVENGERS [1963] #1 and X-MEN [1963] #1 debuted the same month. While the Avengers are enjoying a surge in popularity now, they have historically only been an average seller in the shadow of Marvel's more prosperous X-Men franchise. In the modern era, writers such as Kurt Busiek, Mark Millar, and Brian Michael Bendis would propel the Avengers to a more consistent best-seller status. And Marvel would migrate to centering many of its publishing-wide story events around the team with nearly everyone being or having been an Avenger at one time. The relative popularity of the Avengers and the flexibility of its rosters has allowed them to carry multiple monthly titles at times with different teams. Recently, the Avengers have become even more in vogue, as they are the core of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) movie franchise. The film version of the team owes much to the modernized, Ultimates comic book version.

Related GSIs: CAPTAIN AMERICA (STEVE ROGERS)CAPTAIN MARVEL (CAROL DANVERS)PUNISHERSPIDER-MAN (PETER PARKER)X-MEN

Related Tags: 2099 VARIANT COVERS [2020]ADAM HUGHES (CA)AGE OF ULTRON [2013]ALEX ROSS (CA)ALL-NEW MARVEL NOW! [2014]ALL-NEW, ALL-DIFFERENT (ANAD) MARVEL [2015]ART ADAMS (CA)AVENGERSAVENGERS FAMILY TITLESAVENGERS VARIANT COVERS [2018]AVX [2012]BLACK PANTHERBLACK WIDOWBRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS (W)CAPTAIN AMERICACAPTAIN AMERICA (SAM WILSON)CAPTAIN AMERICA (STEVE ROGERS)CAPTAIN MARVELCAPTAIN MARVEL (MAR-VELL)CARTOON TIE-INCHINESE NEW YEAR VARIANT COVERS [2020]CIVIL WAR [2006]CROSS-PROPERTY CROSSOVERSDARK MARVEL VARIANT COVERS [2020]DIAMOND RETAILER SUMMIT 2020 LIMITED VARIANT COVERS [2020] (5)EMPYRE [2020]FANTASTIC FOURFANTASTIC FOUR FAMILY TITLESFIRESTAR (ANGELICA JONES)FRANK CHO (A)FRANK CHO (CA)GEORGE PEREZ (CA)GREG LAND (CA)GWEN STACY VARIANT COVERS [2020]GWENPOOLHAWKEYEHAWKEYE (CLINT BARTON)HAWKEYE (KATE BISHOP)HULKHULK (BRUCE BANNER)HULK FAMILY TITLESIDW MARVEL ACTIONIRON MANIRON MAN FAMILY TITLESJ. SCOTT CAMPBELL (CA)JACK KIRBY (CA)JASON AARON (W)JIM LEE (CA)JUSTICE LEAGUEKIERON GILLEN (W)KURT BUSIEK (W)LEE X-MEN TRADING CARD VARIANT COVERS [2017]LIVING VAMPIRE VARIANT COVERS [2020]MARK MILLAR (W)MARVEL 'BRING ON THE BAD GUYS' VARIANT COVERS [2019]MARVEL 1965 T-SHIRT VARIANT COVERS [2017]MARVEL 2099 UNIVERSE [1992]MARVEL 80TH ANNIVERSARY FRAME VARIANT COVERS [2019] (10)MARVEL 80TH ANNIVERSARY VARIANT COVERS [2019]MARVEL ADVENTURES [2004]MARVEL BATTLE LINE VARIANT COVERS [2018]MARVEL CINEMATIC UNIVERSE (MCU)MARVEL CINEMATIC UNIVERSE (MCU) - CONTINUITYMARVEL CINEMATIC UNIVERSE (MCU) - INSPIREDMARVEL CROSSOVER EVENT STORYLINESMARVEL GAMERVERSEMARVEL HEROES REBORN UNIVERSEMARVEL HIDDEN GEM VARIANT COVERS [2018]MARVEL IMMORTAL WRAPAROUND VARIANT COVERS [2019]MARVEL IRON MAN 2020 VARIANT COVERS [2020]MARVEL LEGACY HEADSHOT VARIANT COVERS [2017]MARVEL LEGACY [2017]MARVEL LENTICULAR HOMAGE VARIANT COVERS [2017]MARVEL NEXTMARVEL NOW! 2.0 [2016]MARVEL NOW! [2012]MARVEL PREMIERE GRAPHIC NOVEL (MPGN)MARVEL SEASON ONE HC GRAPHIC NOVELS (10)MARVEL SKRULLS VARIANT COVERS [2019]MARVEL TRUE BELIEVERS REPRINTS [2015]MARVEL YOUNG BABY VARIANT COVERSMARVEL YOUNG GUNS VARIANT COVERS [2018]MARVEL ZOMBIESMARVEL ZOMBIES VARIANT COVERS [2020]MARVELS 25TH ANNIVERSARY TRIBUTE COVER VARIANTS [2019]MARVELS SNAPSHOTS [2020]MARVELS UNIVERSEMARVELS X VARIANT COVERS [2020]MARY JANE VARIANT COVERS [2019]MARY JANE WATSON VARIANT COVERS [2017]MS. MARVELMS. MARVEL (CAROL DANVERS)PETER DAVID (W)PHOENIX VARIANT COVERS [2017]RETURN OF THE FANTASTIC FOUR VARIANT COVERS [2018]RICK REMENDER (W)SECRET EMPIRE [2017]SECRET INVASION [2008]SECRET WARS [2015] WARZONESSPIDER-WOMAN VARIANT COVERS [2020]SQUIRREL GIRLTASKMASTERTERRY/RACHEL DODSON (CA)THANOSTHORULTIMATE COMICS UNIVERSE REBORN [2011]ULTIMATE UNIVERSE [2000]ULTIMATESVENOM 30TH ANNIVERSARY VARIANT COVERS [2018]VENOMIZED VARIANT COVERS [2017]VIDEO GAME TIE-INWAR OF THE REALMS [2019]WHERE'S WOLVERINE? 'POST-CREDITS SCENES' [2018]X-MENX-MEN FAMILY TITLESYOUNG AVENGERS

Compilations

In modern comic publishing, it's common (and expected) for individual comic book issues to be collected into compilations of trade paperbacks and/or hardcovers, as well as other special compilations. Unlike the individual source issues, the collected editions typically stay in print for long periods and are less 'collectible.' If individual issues are out of reach or are not of interest to you or if you just need reading copies, the following collected editions of Avengers comic books are the most recent in-print editions and are the perfect alternative to get started right away with Avengers. The following compilations are presented in a chronologically-based suggested reading order with softcover editions before any hardcover editions (unless the only in-print editions are hardcover--these are integrated into the softcover list).

Marvel's EPIC COLLECTION is a series of economy-priced black and white trade paperbacks with up to 20 issues per volume. This successor to Marvel's ESSENTIAL line is not being published in numerical order, so the release months will not be chronoligical, and the beginning of the list will have gaps until all the volumes are published. The following list limits itself to the major ongoing series that have starred the Avengers, such as those found in the Main Publishing History section lower in this guide. Although there is a wealth of Avengers material still in print, not everything that is part of the grand Avengers publishing timeline is always available all at once.

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CoverRelease MonthSeries / Number / Storyline
AVENGERS EPIC COLLECTION VOL 01: EARTH'S MIGHTIEST HEROESQuick ViewNov 2014AVENGERS EPIC COLLECTION [2018-TPB] VOL 01: EARTH'S MIGHTIEST HEROES
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AVENGERS EPIC COLLECTION VOL 02: ONCE AN AVENGERS...Quick ViewNov 2016AVENGERS EPIC COLLECTION [2018-TPB] VOL 02: ONCE AN AVENGERS...
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AVENGERS EPIC COLLECTION VOL 03: THE MASTERS OF EVILQuick ViewApr 2017AVENGERS EPIC COLLECTION [2018-TPB] VOL 03: THE MASTERS OF EVIL
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AVENGERS EPIC COLLECTION VOL 04: BEHOLD...THE VISIONQuick ViewApr 2015AVENGERS EPIC COLLECTION [2018-TPB] VOL 04: BEHOLD...THE VISION
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AVENGERS EPIC COLLECTION VOL 05: THIS BEACHHEAD EARTHQuick ViewMay 2020AVENGERS EPIC COLLECTION [2018-TPB] VOL 05: THIS BEACHHEAD EARTH
  
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AVENGERS EPIC COLLECTION VOL 07: THE AVENGERS/DEFENDERS WARQuick ViewApr 2018AVENGERS EPIC COLLECTION [2018-TPB] VOL 07: THE AVENGERS/DEFENDERS WAR
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AVENGERS EPIC COLLECTION VOL 09: THE FINAL THREATQuick ViewDec 2013AVENGERS EPIC COLLECTION [2018-TPB] VOL 09: THE FINAL THREAT
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AVENGERS EPIC COLLECTION VOL 16: UNDER SIEGEQuick ViewMay 2016AVENGERS EPIC COLLECTION [2018-TPB] VOL 16: UNDER SIEGE
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AVENGERS EPIC COLLECTION VOL 17: JUDGMENT DAYQuick ViewJun 2014AVENGERS EPIC COLLECTION [2018-TPB] VOL 17: JUDGMENT DAY
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AVENGERS EPIC COLLECTION VOL 21: THE COLLECTION OBSESSIONQuick ViewMar 2018AVENGERS EPIC COLLECTION [2018-TPB] VOL 21: THE COLLECTION OBSESSION
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AVENGERS EPIC COLLECTION VOL 22: OPERATION GALACTIC STORMQuick ViewJul 2017AVENGERS EPIC COLLECTION [2018-TPB] VOL 22: OPERATION GALACTIC STORM
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AVENGERS EPIC COLLECTION VOL 23: FEAR THE REAPERQuick ViewApr 2019AVENGERS EPIC COLLECTION [2018-TPB] VOL 23: FEAR THE REAPER
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AVENGERS EPIC COLLECTION VOL 24: THE GATHERERS STRIKE!Quick ViewDec 2019AVENGERS EPIC COLLECTION [2018-TPB] VOL 24: THE GATHERERS STRIKE!
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NEW AVENGERS BY BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION VOL 01Quick ViewJan 2017NEW AVENGERS BY BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION [2017-TPB] VOL 01
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NEW AVENGERS BY BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION VOL 02Quick ViewFeb 2017NEW AVENGERS BY BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION [2017-TPB] VOL 02
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NEW AVENGERS BY BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION VOL 03Quick ViewMar 2017NEW AVENGERS BY BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION [2017-TPB] VOL 03
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NEW AVENGERS BY BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION VOL 04Quick ViewMay 2017NEW AVENGERS BY BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION [2017-TPB] VOL 04
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NEW AVENGERS BY BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION VOL 05Quick ViewJun 2017NEW AVENGERS BY BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION [2017-TPB] VOL 05
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NEW AVENGERS BY BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION VOL 06Quick ViewJul 2017NEW AVENGERS BY BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION [2017-TPB] VOL 06
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NEW AVENGERS BY BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION VOL 07Quick ViewAug 2017NEW AVENGERS BY BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION [2017-TPB] VOL 07
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AVENGERS BY BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION VOL 01Quick ViewSep 2017AVENGERS BY BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION [2017-TPB] VOL 01
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AVENGERS BY BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION VOL 02Quick ViewOct 2017AVENGERS BY BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION [2017-TPB] VOL 02
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AVENGERS BY BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION VOL 03Quick ViewNov 2017AVENGERS BY BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION [2017-TPB] VOL 03
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ALL-NEW, ALL-DIFFERENT AVENGERS VOL 01: THE MAGNIFICENT SEVENQuick ViewApr 2016ALL-NEW, ALL-DIFFERENT AVENGERS [2016-TPB] VOL 01: THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN
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ALL-NEW, ALL-DIFFERENT AVENGERS VOL 02: FAMILY BUSINESSQuick ViewSep 2016ALL-NEW, ALL-DIFFERENT AVENGERS [2016-TPB] VOL 02: FAMILY BUSINESS
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ALL-NEW, ALL-DIFFERENT AVENGERS VOL 03: CIVIL WAR IIQuick ViewFeb 2017ALL-NEW, ALL-DIFFERENT AVENGERS [2016-TPB] VOL 03: CIVIL WAR II
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AVENGERS UNLEASHED VOL 01: KANG WAR ONEQuick ViewJun 2017AVENGERS UNLEASHED [2017-TPB] VOL 01: KANG WAR ONE
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AVENGERS UNLEASHED VOL 02: SECRET EMPIREQuick ViewNov 2017AVENGERS UNLEASHED [2017-TPB] VOL 02: SECRET EMPIRE
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AVENGERS: NO SURRENDER Quick ViewDec 2018AVENGERS: NO SURRENDER [2019-TPB]
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AVENGERS BY JASON AARON VOL 01: THE FINAL HOSTQuick ViewOct 2018AVENGERS BY JASON AARON [2018-TPB] VOL 01: THE FINAL HOST
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AVENGERS BY JASON AARON VOL 02: WORLD TOURQuick ViewMar 2019AVENGERS BY JASON AARON [2018-TPB] VOL 02: WORLD TOUR
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AVENGERS BY JASON AARON VOL 03: WAR OF THE VAMPIRESQuick ViewJun 2019AVENGERS BY JASON AARON [2018-TPB] VOL 03: WAR OF THE VAMPIRES
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AVENGERS BY JASON AARON VOL 04: WAR OF THE REALMSQuick ViewNov 2019AVENGERS BY JASON AARON [2018-TPB] VOL 04: WAR OF THE REALMS
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AVENGERS BY JASON AARON VOL 05: CHALLENGE OF THE GHOST RIDERSQuick ViewJan 2020AVENGERS BY JASON AARON [2018-TPB] VOL 05: CHALLENGE OF THE GHOST RIDERS
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AVENGERS BY JASON AARON VOL 06: STARBRAND REBORNQuick ViewApr 2020AVENGERS BY JASON AARON [2018-TPB] VOL 06: STARBRAND REBORN
  
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MARVEL ACTION: AVENGERS BOOK 01: THE NEW DANGERQuick ViewApr 2019MARVEL ACTION: AVENGERS [2018-TPB] BOOK 01: THE NEW DANGER
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MARVEL ACTION: AVENGERS BOOK 02: THE RUBY EGRESSQuick ViewOct 2019MARVEL ACTION: AVENGERS [2018-TPB] BOOK 02: THE RUBY EGRESS
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MARVEL ACTION: AVENGERS BOOK 03: THE FEAR EATERSQuick ViewFeb 2020MARVEL ACTION: AVENGERS [2018-TPB] BOOK 03: THE FEAR EATERS
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MARVEL ACTION: AVENGERS BOOK 04: THE LIVING NIGHTMAREQuick ViewMar 2020MARVEL ACTION: AVENGERS [2018-TPB] BOOK 04: THE LIVING NIGHTMARE
  
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AVENGERS: LIVE KREE OR DIE Quick ViewMay 2020AVENGERS: LIVE KREE OR DIE [2020-TPB]
  
UNAVAILABLE$16.24
      
HEROES REBORN: AVENGERS Quick ViewApr 2020HEROES REBORN: AVENGERS [2020-TPB]
  
UNAVAILABLE$29.24

1st Appearance

The first appearance of a character in comic book form is often the most valuable issue featuring that character. It's a nice place to get started in Avengers, if it's within your budget. The Avengers were formed from the pre-existing characters of Ant-Man, Hulk, Thor, Iron Man and Wasp. Captain America joined in issue #4 after the team thawed him from the ice for his Silver Age introduction. Issue #16 established the precedent of a rotating roster for the team with a wholesale line-up change, except for Captain America.

  • AVENGERS [1963] #1  (1st appearance/origin of the Avengers)

Origin Story

Origin story cover for AVENGERS

The original presentation of an origin story or a retelling/recounting of it can be a good place to get started with a character or subject. The Avengers have a simple origin story that has withstood the test of time, as the rotating roster obviates the need for an update to the original story of the team coming together for the first time because each new team line-up is, in fact, writing their own unique origin story. Regardless, a few attemps have been made to update the original team's origin for modern audiences. The first line-up change in issue #16 established the precedent of a rotating roster. This even has also been revisited with a modernization.

  • AVENGERS [1963] #1   (1st appearance/origin of the Avengers)
  • AVENGERS [1963] #300   (Ralph Macchio and Walt Simonson recount the origin of the Avengers from Loki's perspective in a 7-page back-up story)
  • AVENGERS ANNUAL [1967] #20   (contains brief, 1-page origin summary)
  • AVENGERS LOG [1994] #1   (3-page history of the Avengers and individual biographies of all Avengers from the Silver Age to the (then) present)
  • AVENGERS FOREVER [1998] #1-12   (Busiek's time travel/manipulation shenanigans induce potential origin alterations)
  • AVENGERS: EARTH'S MIGHTIEST HEROES [2005] #1-8   (Joe Casey reveals previously untold secrets surrounding the formation of the Avengers)
  • AVENGERS CLASSIC [2007] #1-12   (reprints AVENGERS [1963] #1-12 with new stories from that era)
  • AVENGERS: THE ORIGIN [2010] #1-5   (Joe Casey reveals previously untold details of the historic first meeting of the original Avengers)
  • AVENGERS [2010] #1-12   (contains serialized 8-page bonus feature AVENGERS ASSEMBLE: THE ORAL HISTORY OF EARTH'S MIGHTIEST HEROES, text articles by Brian Michael Bendis usually with 2 illustrations; chapters alternate with issues of NEW AVENGERS [2010] #1-11)
  • NEW AVENGERS [2010] #1-11   (contains serialized 8-page bonus feature AVENGERS ASSEMBLE: THE ORAL HISTORY OF EARTH'S MIGHTIEST HEROES, text articles by Brian Michael Bendis usually with 2 illustrations; chapters alternate with issues of AVENGERS [2010] #1-12)
  • AVENGERS ASSEMBLE: AN ORAL HISTORY OF EARTH'S MIGHTIEST HEROES [2012-TPB]    (trade paperback compiling the serialized bonus feature from AVENGERS [2010] #1-12 and NEW AVENGERS [2010] #1-11)
  • AVENGERS: SEASON ONE [2013-HC]    (origin re-interpreted by Peter David, modernizing the formative first days of the Avengers)
  • AVENGERS [2017A] #1.1-5.1   (a mini-series within a series of 'point one' issues with Mark Waid's re-telling of the Avengers' first historic line-up change from AVENGERS [1963] #16)

Main Publication History

Series beginnings are always great places to get started in comic books. Here is the Main Publication History for Avengers comic books. There have been many Avengers teams in serveral Marvel continuities, and a comprehensive list of every Avengers series ever would be too extensive to provide much value except to completionists. It's difficult to grasp the extent of the Avengers' vast publishing history. The following list is limited to the primary ongoing series (and their associated annual issues) of the main Avengers team of the main Marvel Universe. See the Secondary Publication history for more ongoing series of other spin-off/secondary Avengers teams.

  • AVENGERS [1963] #1-402   
  • AVENGERS ANNUAL [1967] #1-23   
  • GIANT-SIZE AVENGERS [1974] #1-5   
  • AVENGERS [1996] #1-13   (Heroes Reborn Universe)
  • AVENGERS [1998] #1-17, 0, 18-21, 1 1/2, 22-84   (relaunch initially from Busiek and Perez)
  • AVENGERS/SQUADRON SUPREME '98 [1998]    
  • AVENGERS 1999 [1999]    
  • AVENGERS 2000 [2000]    
  • AVENGERS 2001 [2001]    
  • AVENGERS [2004] #500-503   (return to legacy numbering)
  • AVENGERS FINALE [2005] #1   
  • NEW AVENGERS [2005] #1-64   (relaunch with the unsanctioned heroes who consider themselves the 'true' Avengers, as opposed to the officially-licensed Mighty Avengers team)
  • NEW AVENGERS ANNUAL [2006] #1-3   
  • MIGHTY AVENGERS [2007] #1-36   (team of officially licensed and registered superheroes led (at first) by Iron Man and based in New York City)
  • NEW AVENGERS FINALE [2010] #1   
  • AVENGERS [2010] #1-34   (Heroic Age relaunch initially from Bendis and Romita Jr.)
  • AVENGERS ANNUAL [2012] #1   
  • AVENGERS [2013] #1-44   (Marvel NOW! relaunch initially from Hickman and Opena)
  • AVENGERS ANNUAL [2014] #1   
  • ALL-NEW, ALL-DIFFERENT AVENGERS [2016] #1-15   (All-New, All-Different (ANAD) relaunch initially from Waid and Kubert)
  • ALL-NEW, ALL-DIFFERENT AVENGERS ANNUAL [2016] #1   
  • AVENGERS [2017A] #1-5, 1.MU, 1.1-5.1, 6-11   (Marvel NOW! 2.0 relaunch from Waid)
  • AVENGERS [2017B] #672-690   (Marvel Legacy relaunch with return to legacy numbering)
  • AVENGERS [2018] #1-   (Fresh Start relaunch initially from Jason Aaron)
  • AVENGERS: BACK TO BASICS [2018-SC]    (original material published in softcover format)

Secondary Publication History

If you've already enjoyed some of the series listed in the Main Publication History above, series from this secondary publication list are very good places to further your exploration. Where the list in the Main Publication History concentrates on the primary ongoing series of the main Avengers team of the main Marvel Universe, the following list details more ongoing series of other spin-off/secondary Avengers teams. The Avengers first spun off with their West Coast franchise, the WEST COAST AVENGERS. And the trend blossomed from there. The lengthy list give some clue to the Avengers' vast publishing history, but this list is just teams and doesn't incorporate the countless series starring individual Avengers.

  • WEST COAST AVENGERS [1984] #1-4   (the West Coast franchise initially led by Hawkeye)
  • WEST COAST AVENGERS [1985] #1-46   (continuation of the mini-series)
  • WEST COAST AVENGERS ANNUAL [1986] #1-3   
  • SOLO AVENGERS [1987] #1-20   
  • AVENGERS WEST COAST [1989] #47-102   (continuation of WEST COAST AVENGERS [1985])
  • AVENGERS SPOTLIGHT [1989] #21-40   (continuation of SOLO AVENGERS [1987])
  • AVENGERS WEST COAST ANNUAL [1990] #5-8   (continuation of WEST COAST AVENGERS ANNUAL [1986])
  • FORCE WORKS [1994] #1-22   (Tony Stark forms his own California-based team after the West Coast Avengers disband)
  • AVENGERS UNPLUGGED [1995] #1-6   (bargain-priced, short-lived series of over-the-top Avengers stories)
  • AVENGERS UNITED THEY STAND [1999] #1-7   (Fox animated television series tie-in)
  • ULTIMATES [2002] #1-13   (Ultimate Universe version of the Avengers from Millar and Hitch)
  • YOUNG AVENGERS [2005] #1-12   (team of adolescent, unknown characters with ties to established, veteran Avengers)
  • AVENGERS: EARTH'S MIGHTIEST HEROES [2005] #1-8   (retells origin)
  • ULTIMATES [2005] #1-13   (relaunch)
  • YOUNG AVENGERS SPECIAL [2006] #1   
  • MARVEL ADVENTURES THE AVENGERS [2006] #1-39   (all-ages series)
  • AVENGERS: THE INITIATIVE [2007] #1-35   (pro-registration recruits for the S.H.I.E.L.D.-overseen state-sponsored superhero teams)
  • AVENGERS: THE INITIATIVE ANNUAL [2008] #1   
  • AVENGERS: EARTH'S MIGHTIEST HEROES II [2007] #1-8   (retells the time period when the Vision joined the Avengers)
  • ULTIMATES [2008] #1-5   (relaunch)
  • AVENGERS: THE INITIATIVE SPECIAL [2009] #1   
  • DARK AVENGERS [2009] #1-16   (team of supervillains disguised as superheroes during the publishing wide DARK REIGN event)
  • DARK AVENGERS ANNUAL [2010] #1   
  • SECRET AVENGERS [2010] #1-37   (Captain Steve Rogers' black-ops Avengers team)
  • AVENGERS ACADEMY [2010] #1-40   (young super-powered prospects in training)
  • NEW AVENGERS [2010] #1-34   (relaunch)
  • AVENGERS PRIME [2010] #1-5   
  • AVENGERS: EARTH'S MIGHTIEST HEROES [2011] #1-4   (Disney animated television series tie-in)
  • AVENGERS ACADEMY GIANT-SIZE [2011] #1   
  • NEW AVENGERS ANNUAL [2011] #1   
  • ULTIMATES [2011] #1-30   (relaunch)
  • AVENGERS VS. X-MEN [2012] #0-12   (rotating roster of writers present cool clashes between Avengers and X-Men)
  • AVENGERS ASSEMBLE [2012] #1-25   (Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU)-inspired roster in the Marvel Universe proper)
  • AVENGERS: EARTH'S MIGHTIEST HEROES [2012] #1-17   (all-ages series)
  • UNCANNY AVENGERS [2012] #1-25   (team comprised of Avengers and X-Men following the AVENGERS VS. X-MEN event)
  • A+X [2012] #1-18   (Avengers and X-Men team-up stories)
  • AVENGERS ARENA [2013] #1-18   (young heroes pitted against one another in a contrived 'Hunger Games'-like show)
  • YOUNG AVENGERS [2013] #1-15   (realaunch)
  • NEW AVENGERS [2013] #1-33   (features the Illuminati (Black Bolt, Captain America, Doctor Strange, Iron Man, Mister Fantastic, Namor))
  • SECRET AVENGERS [2013] #1-16   (relaunch)
  • AVENGERS A.I. [2013] #1-12   (team formed after the AGE OF ULTRON story event)
  • MIGHTY AVENGERS [2013] #1-14   (team assembled during the INFINITY story event)
  • AVENGERS WORLD [2014] #1-21   (Avengers as global superheroes)
  • UNCANNY AVENGERS ANNUAL [2014] #1   
  • SECRET AVENGERS [2014] #1-15   (relaunch)
  • AVENGERS UNDERCOVER [2014] #1-10   (sequel to AVENGERS ARENA [2013])
  • NEW AVENGERS ANNUAL [2014] #1   
  • CAPTAIN AMERICA AND THE MIGHTY AVENGERS [2015] #1-9   (Captain America (Sam Wilson) led team)
  • UNCANNY AVENGERS [2015A] #1-5   (relaunch)
  • A-FORCE [2015] #1-5   (Marvel's first all-female Avengers team)
  • UNCANNY AVENGERS [2015B] #1-30   (relaunch)
  • NEW AVENGERS [2015] #1-18   (the super-villain group, A.I.M., rebranded as 'Avengers' Idea Mechanics)
  • UNCANNY AVENGERS ANNUAL [2016] #1   
  • A-FORCE [2016] #1-10   (relaunch)
  • ULTIMATES [2016] #1-12   (relaunch)
  • OCCUPY AVENGERS [2017] #1-9   (Hawkeye leads a small team on social justice missions)
  • GREAT LAKES AVENGERS [2016] #1-7   (a real--but mostly comedic spoof--team)
  • ULTIMATES [2017] #1-9   (relaunch)
  • US AVENGERS [2017] #1-12   (American-themed team of Avengers)
  • ULTIMATES [2017B] #100   (final issue with legacy numbering)
  • WEST COAST AVENGERS [2018] #1-   (revival of a Hawkeye-led team)
  • WAKANDA FOREVER: AVENGERS [2018] #1   (third of three interconnected one-shots featuring team-ups with the characters from Black Panther)
  • MARVEL'S AVENGERS: ENDGAME PRELUDE [2019] #1-3   (official adaptation of AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR film)
  • AVENGERS HALLOWEEN SPECIAL [2018] #1   
  • MARVEL ACTION: AVENGERS [2018] #1-12   (IDW all-ages series of original material; 1st series)
  • AVENGERS: NO ROAD HOME [2019] #1-10   (spin-off sequel to the NO SURRENDER story arc)
  • MARVEL ACTION: AVENGERS [2020] #1-12   (IDW all-ages series of original material; 2nd series)

Selected Key Storylines

This section contains a curated list of some of the best storylines for the Avengers, any one of which can be a good place to get started. The Avengers has restarted its flagship series several times. The start of each new series tends to start off strong, so many of the first story arcs are worth checking out, even if you don't want to stick with a particular, whole series. The classic story arcs are historically important, but, like all Silver Age gems, may lack a comparatively modern feel.

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1971AVENGERS [1963] #89-97   (THE KREE/SKRULL WAR, one of the finest and most important sagas in Marvel history is arguably the forerunner to all comic book epic sagas)
1973AVENGERS [1963] #115-118 and DEFENDERS [1972] #8-11   (AVENGERS/DEFENDERS WAR, some now-classic good-guy-versus-good-guy brawls)
1978AVENGERS [1963] #167-168, 170-171   (THE KORVAC SAGA, the Avengers prevent one of their most powerful foes from destroying the Universe)
1986AVENGERS [1963] #270-277   (UNDER SIEGE, the Masters of Evil at their most evil)
1998AVENGERS FOREVER [1998] #1-12   (Kurt Busiek's franchise-spanning galactic romp cleans up continuity, pays tribute to history, and still manages to showcase compelling characters)
1999AVENGERS [1998] #19-23   (ULTRON UNLIMITED, Busiek's Ultron arc is probably the finest Ultron storyline)
2001AVENGERS [1998] #41-55   (THE KANG DYNASTY, Busiek's best arc starring the time-travelling warlord conqueror)
2002ULTIMATES [2002] #1-11   (Mark Millar and Bryan Hitch's definitive, modern revamp of the Avengers for the Ulitmate Universe could be the prime inspiration for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) version)
2003AVENGERS [1998] #65-70   (RED ZONE, Geoff Johns' (before he was exclusive to DC) climactic Avengers arc)
2003JLA/AVENGERS [2003] #1-4   (Busiek and Perez craft the team-up of the century nobody expected was ever going to happen)
2005NEW AVENGERS [2005] #1-6   (BREAKOUT, Bendis' fresh revitalization of the Avengers)
2005AVENGERS: EARTH'S MIGHTIEST HEROES [2005] #1-8   (Joe Casey's retelling of the early days of the Avengers with a more modern, dramatic flavor)
2005ULTIMATES [2005] #1-13   (Millar and Hitch's impressive follow-up to the first Ultimates series)
2006CIVIL WAR [2006] #1-6   (one of the most important mini-series of the modern era from Mark Millar and Steve McNiven)
2007MIGHTY AVENGERS [2007] #1-6   (THE ULTRON INITIATIVE, Bendis and Frank Cho launch a strong, new--but, unfortunately, short-lived--team)
2008SECRET INVASION [2008] #1-8   (Skrulls are everywhere in another in a string of Marvel's status-quo shattering, publishing-wide events)
2010AVENGERS [2010] #1-6   (NEXT AVENGERS, a strong, new start with bold team)
2012AVENGERS VS. X-MEN [2012] #0-12   (rotating roster of writers present cool clashes between Avengers and X-Men)
2013AVENGERS [2013] #1-3   (AVENGERS WORLD, Hickman's massive team line-up is enhanced by Jerome Opena's art)
2018MARVEL'S AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR PRELUDE [2018] #1-2   (official prelude to the MCU movie, AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR)

Media Source Material

If you've enjoyed non-comic media for the Avengers, this section describes the comic book source material for some of the most popular non-comic media. The Avengers are one of Marvel's most popular teams and have appeared in countless forms of media, including animated television series, books, and movies. This section concentrates only on theatrical movie releases. WARNING: This section may contain spoilers!

Media source material cover for AVENGERS

The 2012 movie, THE AVENGERS, was written and directed by Joss Whedon and starred Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man, Chris Evans as Captain America, Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner, Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow, Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye, and Tom Hiddleston as Loki. THE AVENGERS was the capstone movie to the first phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), having previously introduced all the top-tier characters in stand-alone films leading up to this team film. The heroes must band together to stop Loki and a fleet of alien spacecraft immerging from a wormhole above New York City from conquering the Earth. The movie owes much to Mark Millar and Bryan Hitch's modernization of the Marvel Universe for the Ultimate Universe with their hit series, ULTIMATES [2002]. The 13 issues of that first Ultimates comic book series--while it begins with some team drama--concludes with the Avengers thwarting a Chitauri invasion. The first appearance of the Chitauri was in ULTIMATES [2002] #8. In the Ultimate Universe, the Chitauri were a modernization of the alien Skrulls from the Marvel Universe proper, however, the Skrulls were eventually introduced in the Ultimate Universe as well. The Stark/Avengers Tower seen in THE AVENGERS comes from the Ultimate Universe, as most versions of the Avengers are alternately headquartered at the Avengers Mansion. Skipping past the first appearances of the major heroes that had already been introduced to the MCU, several new characters and elements of the Marvel Universe were introduced in THE AVENGERS. The first appearance of a Helicarrier was in STRANGE TALES [1951] #135 by Jack Kirby. The first appearance of Hawkeye (Clint Barton) was in TALES OF SUSPENSE [1959] #57. The first appearance of Maria Hill was in NEW AVENGERS [2005] #4. If you want more Avengers like those seen in the MCU, the ULTIMATES series are highly recommended.

Media source material cover for AVENGERS

The 2015 sequel movie, AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON, was also written and directed by Joss Whedon and starred the same ensemble cast. This time, the Avengers must band together to stop Ultron, an artificial intelligence (A.I.) bent on exterminating humanity. Ultron-5, The Living Automaton is one of the Avengers classic arch-villains. The first full appearance of Ultron was AVENGERS [1963] #55. The A.I. made a cameo appearance in the preceding issue. Each time the Avengers defeat or destroy the construct, it seems to reappear in a more threatening configuration. In its first comic book story arc, AVENGERS [1963] #54-58, Ultron's threat level and its having created the Vision are established. Ultron's next story arc in AVENGERS [1963] #66-68 sees the A.I. upgrade its body with adamantium. In the movie, vibranium is the special metal of interest, but the film's storyline elements are still very similar to these classic comic book story arcs. The arms dealer, Klaw (Ulysses Klaue), made his first appearance in AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON as the source of the stolen vibranium and would go on to play a larger role in BLACK PANTHER. Klaw's first comic book appearance was FANTASTIC FOUR [1961] #53. The Vision was a Golden Age hero who made his first Silver Age comic book appearance in AVENGERS [1963] #57 and is a fixture in Avengers team history. Other important early Avengers include the Maximoff twins, Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch. They were part of the very first line-up change in the Avengers. After appearing in a mid-credits scene of CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER, the Maximoff twins made their full introduction in AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON. The first appearance of Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch in comic books was X-MEN [1963] #4. They joined the Avengers in AVENGERS [1963] #16.

Media source material cover for AVENGERS

Two more Avengers film sequels are planned: AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR and AVENGERS: ENDGAME.

Key Issues

A key issue can be an acceptable place to get started with Avengers, but they are more of a collector's checklist, as they can carry high price tags. The Avengers were formed from the pre-existing characters of Ant-Man, Hulk, Thor, Iron Man and Wasp. Captain America joined in issue #4 after the team thawed him from the ice. The following list includes the first appearances of the foundational members from before the Avengers formed and several of the follow-on members. The list would escalate out of control quickly, however, if it tried to include the first appearance of everyone who had ever been an Avenger.

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  • TALES TO ASTONISH [1959] #27   (1st appearance of Ant-Man (Hank Pym))
  • INCREDIBLE HULK [1962] #1   (1st appearance of Hulk (Bruce Banner))
  • JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY [1952] #83   (1st appearance of Thor)
  • TALES OF SUSPENSE [1959] #39   (1st appearance of Iron Man)
  • TALES TO ASTONISH [1959] #44   (1st appearance of Wasp (Janet van Dyne))
  • AVENGERS [1963] #1   (1st appearance/origin of the Avengers)
  • AVENGERS [1963] #2   (1st appearance of Avengers Mansion)
  • X-MEN [1963] #4   (1st appearances of Quicksilver, Scarlet Witch)
  • AVENGERS [1963] #4   (1st appearance of Captain America (Steve Rogers) (in the Silver Age))
  • TALES OF SUSPENSE [1959] #52   (1st appearance of Black Widow (Natasha Romanova)
  • AVENGERS [1963] #6   (1st appearances of Baron Zemo (Heinrich Zemo), Masters of Evil)
  • TALES OF SUSPENSE [1959] #57   (1st appearance of Hawkeye (Clint Barton))
  • AVENGERS [1963] #8   (1st appearance of Kang)
  • TALES OF SUSPENSE [1959] #59   (1st appearance of Edwin Jarvis)
  • AVENGERS [1963] #16   (1st Avengers line-up change)
  • JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY ANNUAL [1965] #1   (1st appearance of Hercules)
  • AVENGERS [1963] #19   (1st appearance/origin of Swordsman; origin of Hawkeye)
  • AVENGERS [1963] #28   (1st appearance of the Collector)
  • FANTASTIC FOUR [1961] #52   (1st appearance of Black Panther)
  • AVENGERS [1963] #48   (1st full appearance/origin the Black Knight (Dane Whitman))
  • AVENGERS [1963] #54   (1st cameo appearance of Ultron)
  • AVENGERS [1963] #55   (1st full appearance of Ultron)
  • AVENGERS [1963] #57   (1st appearance of Vision (in the Silver Age); death of Ultron)
  • AVENGERS [1963] #59   (1st appearance of Yellowjacket (Hank Pym))
  • AVENGERS [1963] #71   (1st appearance of the Invaders)
  • AVENGERS [1963] #83   (1st appearance of the Lady Liberators)
  • AVENGERS [1963] #87   (origin of Black Panther)
  • AVENGERS [1963] #100   (cover features everyone who was ever an Avenger)
  • AVENGERS [1963] #112   (1st appearance of Mantis)
  • GIANT-SIZE AVENGERS [1974] #4   (marriage of Vision and Scarlet Witch)
  • AVENGERS [1963] #144   (1st appearance/origin of Hellcat (Patsy Walker))
  • AVENGERS [1963] #181   (Avengers line-up change; 1st appearance of Scott Lang)
  • AVENGERS [1963] #195   (1st cameo appearance of Taskmaster)
  • AVENGERS [1963] #196   (1st full appearance of Taskmaster)
  • AVENGERS ANNUAL [1967] #10   (1st appearance of Rogue)
  • AVENGERS [1963] #257   (1st appearance of Nebula)
  • SOLO AVENGERS [1987] #12   (1st Amanda Conner published work in comics)
  • AVENGERS [1998] #19   (ULTRON UNLIMITED begins)