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The Avengers
The Avengers vol. 3, #38 (March 2001). Cover art by Alan Davis.
Group publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
First appearanceThe Avengers #1 (Sept. 1963)
Created byStan Lee
Jack Kirby
In-story information
Type of organizationTeam
Base(s)Avengers Tower
Avengers Mansion
Hydro-Base
Leader(s)Captain America (Steve Rogers)
Maria Hill
Agent(s)Captain Britain
Hawkeye
Iron Man
Protector
Red Hulk
Spider-Man
Spider-Woman
Thor
Wolverine
Roster
See: List of Avengers members
Avengers
The Avengers #1 (Sept. 1963). Cover art by Jack Kirby and Dick Ayers.
Series publication information
ScheduleMonthly
FormatOngoing series
Genre
Publication date(Vol. 1)
Sept. 1963 – Sept. 1996
(Vol. 2)
Nov. 1996 – Nov. 1997
(Vol. 3)
Feb. 1998 – Aug. 2004
(Vol. 1 resumption)
Sept. – Dec. 2004
(Vol. 4)
July 2010 – present
Number of issuesVol. 1:: 402 (+23 annuals, 5 specials)
Vol. 2:: 13
Vol. 3:: 88 (+4 annuals, 2 specials)
Vol. 4:: 13
Creative team
Writer(s)(Vol. 1)
Stan Lee, Roy Thomas, Gerry Conway, Larry Hama, Bob Harras, Mark Waid
(Vol. 2)
Jeph Loeb, Walt Simonson
(Vol. 3)
Kurt Busiek, Chuck Austen
(Vol. 4)
Brian Michael Bendis
Penciller(s)(Vol. 1)
Jack Kirby, Don Heck, John Buscema, Neal Adams, Sal Buscema, George Pérez, George Tuska, Bob Hall, Paul Ryan, Steve Epting, Mike Deodato
(Vol. 2)
Jim Valentino, Ian Churchill, Rob Liefeld, Michael Ryan
(Vol. 3)
George Pérez, Alan Davis, Olivier Coipel
(Vol. 1 resumption)
David Finch
(Vol. 4)
John Romita, Jr.
Inker(s)(Vol. 1)
Dick Ayers, Vince Colletta, Tom Palmer, Pablo Marcos, Joe Sinnott
(Vol. 3)
Al Vey, Mark Farmer, Andy Lanning
(Vol. 1 resumption)
Danny Miki
(Vol. 4)
Klaus Janson
Colorist(s)(Vol. 2)
Andy Troy
(Vol. 3)
Tom Smith, Chris Sotomayor
(Vol. 4)
Dean White
Creator(s)Stan Lee
Jack Kirby

The Avengers is a team of superheroes, 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.

Labeled "Earth's Mightiest Heroes", the Avengers originally consisted of Ant-Man (Dr. Hank Pym), Wasp (Janet Van Dyne), Thor, Iron Man (Tony Stark), and the Hulk (at a time when the Hulk was more intelligent). The original Captain America was discovered by the team in issue #4, trapped in ice, and he joined the group when they revived him. This particular comic is currently worth $4200 US dollars as it is very rare and marks the occasion that Captain America was first revived. 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 is famous for its battle cry "Avengers Assemble!" The team 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 for May 4, 2012.

Publication history

See also: Bibliography of Avengers titles

The titular team debuted in The Avengers #1 (Sept. 1963), using existing characters created primarily by writer-editor Stan Lee 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.

Fictional biography

This section describes a work or element of fiction in a primarily in-universe style. Please help rewrite it to explain the fiction more clearly and provide non-fictional perspective. (July 2010) (Learn how and when to remove this message)
See also: List of Avengers members

1960s

"And there came a day, a day unlike any other, when Earth's mightiest heroes and heroines found themselves united against a common threat. On that day, the Avengers were born—to fight the foes no single super hero could withstand! Through the years, their roster has prospered, changing many times, but their glory has never been denied! Heed the call, then—for now, the Avengers Assemble!"

—Prologue from The Avengers

The first adventure features the Asgardian trickster 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—with the Wasp naming 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.

1970s

The adventures increased in scope as the team cross into an alternate dimension to battle the Squadron Supreme 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 Hawkeye rejoins.

1980s

File:Avengers200.jpg
The Avengers #200 (Oct. 1980). Cover art by George Pérez and Terry Austin.

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).

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" 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.

"Heroes Reborn"

The Avengers vol. 2, #11 (Sept. 1997), showing the Heroes Reborn Avengers. Cover art by Michael Ryan and Sal Regla.

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.

"Heroes Return"

Writer Kurt Busiek 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.

2000s

"Avengers Disassembled"

Successor writer Geoff Johns 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.

New Avengers

Main article: The New Avengers (comics)
Variant cover art for New Avengers #1 (Feb. 2005), by Joe Quesada and Richard Isanove.

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 trademarked 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.

Mighty Avengers

Main article: The Mighty Avengers

In response to the Civil War, Iron Man reforms the official team under the aegis of the government's Fifty State Initiative 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.

Dark Avengers

Main article: Dark Avengers

After the events of "Secret Invasion", Norman Osborn assumes control of the formerly S.H.I.E.L.D.-sponsored Avengers, now under the auspices of his own agency, HAMMER. He retains Ares and Sentry from the previous team, recruits Marvel Boy 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.

2010s

"Heroic Age"

The "Heroic Age" roster of the Avengers. Cover art for Avengers vol. 4, #12.1, by Bryan Hitch.

After the conclusion of the "Siege" 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 story lines, 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'.

Other versions

1950s Avengers

Main article: Agents of Atlas

A short-lived team of superheroes in the 1950s called themselves the "Avengers". Consisting of Marvel Boy, 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.

1959 Avengers

The New Avengers vol. 2, #10 revealed another 1950s Avengers team, formed by Nick Fury 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.

Avengers Next

Main article: A-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 Marvel Universe, the Avengers are named "The Ultimates", and were formed by Ultimate 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, 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 Runaways, 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". Armor joins as well.

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 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.

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 Apocalypse.

In other media

Main article: Avengers (comics) in other media

Collected editions

Avengers Vol.1 (1963)

Title (Trade Paperback) Material collected Publication date ISBN
The Avengers, Vol.1 (Marvel Masterworks) Avengers (1963) #1-10 May 13, 2009 978-0785137061
The Avengers, Vol.2 (Marvel Masterworks) Avengers (1963) #11-20 October 14, 2009 978-0785137085
The Avengers: The Kree/Skrull War Avengers (1963) #89-97 May 7, 2008 978-0785132301
Avengers/Defenders War Avengers (1963) #115-118, Defenders #8-11 March 2002 978-0785108443
The Avengers: Celestial Madonna Avengers (1963) #129-135, Giant Sized Avengers #2-4 May 1, 2002 978-0785108269
The Avengers: The Serpent Crown Avengers (1963) #141-144 and #147-149 September 7, 2005 978-0785117001
The Avengers: The Korvac Saga Avengers (1963) #167-168 and #170-177 June 2003 978-0785109198
The Avengers: Nights of Wundagore Avengers (1963) #181-187 February 18, 2009 978-0785137214
The Avengers: Under Siege Avengers (1963) #270-271, 273-277 December 29, 1998 978-0785107026
Avengers: Galactic Storm: Volume 1 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 978-0785120440
Avengers: Galactic Storm: Volume 2 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 978-0785120459
Essential Avengers, Vol.1 (Marvel Essentials) Avengers (1963-1966) #1-24 (B&W) July 27, 2005 978-0785118626
Essential Avengers, Vol.2 (Marvel Essentials) Avengers (1966) #25-46, Annual #1 (B&W) June 1, 2000 978-0785107415
Essential Avengers, Vol.3 (Marvel Essentials) Avengers (1963) #47-68, Annual #2 (B&W) November 3, 2010 978-0785107873
Essential Avengers, Vol.4 (Marvel Essentials) Avengers (1963) #69-97, Incredible Hulk #140 (B&W) November 17, 2010 978-0785114857
Essential Avengers, Vol.5 (Marvel Essentials) Avengers (1963) #98-119, Daredevil #99, Defenders #8-11 (B&W) December 1, 2010 978-0785120872
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 978-0785130581
Essential Avengers, Vol.7 (Marvel Essentials) Avengers (1963) #141-163, Annual #6, and Super-Villain Team-Up #9 (B&W) January 20, 2010 978-0785144533

Avengers Vol.2 (1996)

Title (Trade Paperback) Material collected Publication date ISBN
Avengers: Heroes Reborn Avengers (1996) #1-12 December 27, 2006 978-0785123378
Title (Hardcover) Material collected Publication date ISBN

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 978-0785144984
Avengers: The Morgan Conquest Avengers (1998) #1-4 January 2000 978-0785107286
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 978-0785107736
Avengers: Clear and Present Dangers Avengers (1998) #8-15 November 1, 2001 978-0785107989
Avengers: Ultron Unlimited Avengers (1998) #0 and #19-22 April 1, 2001 978-0785107743
Avengers: Living Legends Avengers (1998) #23-30 July 21, 2004 978-0785115618
Avengers/Thunderbolts Volume 1: The Nefaria Protocols Avengers (1998) #31-34, Thunderbolts #42-44 March 1, 2004 978-0785114451
Avengers: Above and Beyond Avengers (1998) #36-40, 56, Avengers: Ultron Imperative, and Annual 2001 February 15, 2006 978-0785118459
Avengers: The Kang Dynasty Avengers (1998) #41-55, and Annual 2001 November 30, 2002 978-0785109587
Avengers, Vol.1: World Trust Avengers (1998) #57-62, and Marvel Double-Shot #2 March 17, 2003 978-0785110804
Avengers, Vol.2: Red Zone Avengers (1998) #64-70 December 30, 2003 978-0785110996
Avengers, Vol.3: The Search for She-Hulk Avengers (1998) #71-76 May 2004 978-0785112020
Avengers, Vol. 4: Lionheart of Avalon Avengers (1998) #77-81 (492-496) August 1, 2004 978-0785113386
Avengers, Vol. 5: Once An Invader Avengers (1998) #82-84 (497-499), Invaders #0 November 1, 2004 978-0785114819
Avengers: Disassembled Avengers (1998) #500-503; Avengers Finale November 22, 2006 978-0785114826
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 978-0785115731
Avengers Assemble, Vol. 2 Avengers (1998) #12-22, #0 and Annual 1999 April 6, 2005 978-0785117735
Avengers Assemble, Vol. 3 Avengers (1998) #23-34, #1½, Thunderbolts #42-44 July 26, 2006 978-0785121305
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 978-0785123477
Avengers Assemble, Vol. 5 Avengers (1998) #41-56, Annual 2001 November 7, 2007 978-0785123484
Avengers, Vol.1: World Trust Avengers (1998) #57-61 February 10, 2010 978-0785144731
Avengers, Vol.2: Standoff Avengers (1998) #62-64, Thor (1998) #58, and Iron Man (1998) #64. February 10, 2010 978-0785144670
Avengers, Vol.3: Red Zone Avengers (1998) #65-70 May 26, 2010 978-0785144663
Avengers, Vol.4: The Search for She-Hulk Avengers (1998) #71-76 August 4, 2010 978-0785144724

References

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  10. Lee, Stan (w), Kirby, Jack (p), Ayers, Dick (i). "The Coming of the Avengers" The Avengers, vol. 1, no. 1 (Sept. 1963). Marvel Comics.
  11. Lee, Stan (w), Kirby, Jack (p), Reinman, Paul (i). "The Space Phantom" The Avengers, vol. 1, no. 2 (Nov. 1963). Marvel Comics.
  12. ^ Lee, Stan (w), Kirby, Jack (p), Reinman, Paul (i). "The Avengers Meet Sub-Mariner!" The Avengers, vol. 1, no. 3 (Jan. 1964). Marvel Comics.
  13. ^ Lee, Stan (w), Kirby, Jack (p), Roussos, George (i). "Captain America Joins... The Avengers!" The Avengers, vol. 1, no. 4 (March 1964). Marvel Comics.
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  24. Thomas, Roy (w), Heck, Don (p), Colletta, Vince (i). "Blitzkreig in Central Park!" The Avengers, vol. 1, no. 45 (Oct. 1967). Marvel Comics.
  25. Thomas, Roy (w), Buscema, John (p), Tuska, George (i). "...And Deliver Us From the Masters of Evil!" The Avengers, vol. 1, no. 54 (July 1968). Marvel Comics.
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  29. The Avengers #89-97 (June 1971 – March 1972)
  30. The Avengers #141 (Aug. 1975)
  31. The Avengers #137 (July 1975)
  32. The Avengers #217 (March 1982)
  33. The Avengers #229 (March 1983)
  34. ^ The Avengers #230 (April 1983)
  35. ^ West Coast Avengers vol. 2, #21 (June 1987)
  36. The Avengers #254 (April 1985)
  37. ^ West Coast Avengers #1 (Sept. 1984)
  38. The Avengers #273-277 (Nov. 1986 – March 1987)
  39. The Avengers #281-285 (July–Nov. 1987)
  40. The Avengers #286-290 (Dec. 1987 – April 1988)
  41. The Avengers #227 (Jan. 1983)
  42. The Avengers #279 (May 1987)
  43. The Avengers #221 (July 1982)
  44. The Avengers #211 (Sept. 1981)
  45. The Avengers #262 (Dec. 1985)
  46. The Avengers #232 (June 1983)
  47. The Avengers #260 (Oct. 1985)
  48. Force Works concluded with issue #22 (April 1996).
  49. The Avengers vol. 2, #1-13 (Dec. 1996 – Nov.1997)
  50. The Avengers vol. 3, #10-11 (Nov.–Dec. 1998)
  51. The Avengers vol. 3, #19-22 (Aug.–Nov. 1999)
  52. The Avengers vol. 3, #38-54 (March 2001 – July 2002)
  53. The "Avengers Disassembled" story ran through several titles, with the final chapters featured in The Avengers #500-503 (Sept.–Dec. 2004).
  54. The story of the Scarlet Witch continued in the bi-weekly limited series House of M #1-8 (Aug.–Dec. 2005).
  55. The Mighty Avengers #1 (May 2007)
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  61. Richards, Dave (2010-03-16). "Christos Gage Enrolls at 'Avengers Academy'". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved 2011-02-01.
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  63. Avengers vol. 4, #2 (June 2010)
  64. Avengers vol. 4, #6 (Oct. 2010)
  65. Loeb, Jeph (w), McGuinness, Ed (p), Farmer, Mark (i). "The Strongest There Is" Hulk, vol. 2, no. 24 (Sept. 2010). Marvel Comics.
  66. Parker, Jeff (w), Hardman, Gabriel (a). "Scorched Earth" Hulk, vol. 2, no. 25 (Nov. 2010). Marvel Comics.
  67. What If…? #9 (June 1978)
  68. Avengers Forever #1-12 (Dec. 1998 – Feb. 2000)
  69. Agents of Atlas #1-6 (Oct. 2006 – March 2007)
  70. The Ultimates #1-13 (March 2002 – April 2004)
  71. Ultimate Comics: Avengers #13
  72. Runaways vol. 2, #1 (April 2005)
  73. Runaways vol. 2, #2 (May 2005)
  74. Marvel Zombies #1-5 (Feb.–June 2006)
  75. Marvel Zombies Return #5 (Nov. 2009)
  76. House of M: Avengers #1-5 (Jan.–April 2008; two issues published Feb. 2008)
  77. X-Universe #1-2 (May–June 1995)

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