10 Best Avengers Stories of All Time

The Avengers are often referred to as the “Strongest Team on Earth” due to their repeated heroic acts that save the universe every day they rise. They’re also the globe’s most beloved supergroup, with their name adorning numerous lunchboxes and backpacks worldwide, particularly since their first major film was released in 2012. Despite having a mix of excellent and average movies within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), they continue to shoulder significant responsibilities. Interestingly, despite having legions of fans, many have yet to read their comic books, often citing confusion about where to begin as the reason. This is why lists like this are created to help guide new readers.

1. The Avengers have starred in some of Marvel’s most breathtaking tales since they were first introduced by the publishing company. Essentially, assemble the top-tier heroes and popular secondary characters, confront them with the biggest perils imaginable, and witness the fireworks! Over nearly a decade, I’ve explored numerous Avengers adventures, and these ten stand out as the crème de la crème.

2. The Avengers have graced some of Marvel Comics’ most remarkable narratives throughout their history. In essence, bring together the finest superheroes, combine them with secondary stars from the B and C-list, face them against the greatest dangers imaginable, and enjoy the spectacular results. Among the many compelling Avengers stories I’ve delved into over almost a decade, these ten are undoubtedly the very best.

“The Trust”

As a passionate film buff of Marvel comics, I’d say that the “New Avengers” series from the 2000s was an unparalleled masterpiece in the Marvel Universe. Penned by Brian Michael Bendis when he was still admired and illustrated by some of Marvel’s finest artists, this comic was hailed as revolutionary but essentially stuck to the classic Avengers formula – bringing together top-tier heroes with lesser-known ones. Notably, it included Spider-Man and Wolverine in its roster. While “New Avengers” wasn’t an action-packed book per se, it had its share of gripping drama that sometimes fell short on the action front, which can be a minor concern.

However, this comic series is far from lacking in memorable stories. The build-up to the epic event known as “Secret Invasion,” collected under the title “The Trust,” stands out as the cream of the crop. Issues #32-37, skillfully illustrated by Leinil Yu, unfold after the team, forced into hiding following the events of “Civil War,” discover that Skrulls have started replacing people. This revelation triggers a wave of paranoia among the team members. Simultaneously, D-list villain the Hood establishes a supervillain union, promising they can achieve success if they work together.

“The Trust” embodies the best of Bendis’ “New Avengers”; it delivers the drama, humor, and wit that made Bendis Marvel’s most sought-after writer for a few years, with a dash of actual action – a rarity in Bendis’ extensive writing career as an Avengers scribe. It’s the only “New Avengers” story on this list, and it’s absolutely worth the hunt to find.

“Operation: Galactic Storm”

Operation: Galactic Storm” might not be every Avengers enthusiast’s favorite, but it certainly should be. This 1992 crossover event combined all books featuring Avengers members – including the regular _Avengers_, _Avengers West Coast_, _Captain America_, _Iron Man_, _Thor_, _Quasar_, and _Wonder Man_ – to narrate the tale of the Avengers being embroiled in the interstellar conflict between the Shi’Ar Empire and the Kree Empire. Granted, it’s a nostalgic throwback to the classic “Kree-Skrull War,” but that doesn’t diminish its value as an engaging story. The year 1992 wasn’t the Avengers comics’ finest hour, and not every segment of the narrative shines equally, but collectively, “Operation: Galactic Storm” is a commendable comic book series. It delves deep into the ethics of warfare and ends with a massive twist that will leave readers reeling. This classic deserves more recognition than it currently receives.

“Avengers: Disassembled”

Reassembling the Avengers”

The comic series “Reassembling the Avengers” (or simply “Avengers: Disassembled”) brought the Avengers back into the limelight after a decade of declining sales in the 2000s. Marvel teamed up two popular creators, Brian Michael Bendis and David Finch, to dismantle the team. This comic book tells an intriguing tale about the Avengers’ darkest day, where they face one attack after another until a startling revelation of the unseen puppet master is unveiled.

“Reassembling the Avengers” is a classic Avengers story, drawing inspiration from some of the best Avengers narratives to weave an engaging tale. Bendis excels in shorter stories like this one – spanning just four issues if you exclude “Avengers: Finale” – as his penchant for writing superheroes as dialogue-heavy characters is somewhat curtailed by the story’s brevity. Finch’s artwork has a ’90s vibe, but in a positive way, effectively portraying the power and beauty of Earth’s mightiest heroes. Although the twist in the story is well-known now, it still carries an emotional punch even after all these years.

“Reassembling the Avengers” rekindled interest in the team, and for good reason – it remains a fan favorite to this day.

Avengers (Vol. 1) #4

In 2025, Stan Lee is often lauded as the greatest comic book writer ever, but this isn’t entirely accurate, and some of his stories can be challenging to read in our modern era. However, it’s important to note that Lee collaborated extensively with Jack Kirby, a creative powerhouse who significantly shaped the comic industry by creating numerous iconic characters and tales. Together, they made an exceptional team, as Lee’s vibrant dialogue complemented Kirby’s dynamic pencil work perfectly. Their work on Avengers (Vol. 1) may not have been their best collaboration, but one issue stands out – issue #4. This issue marked the return of Captain America to readers and is truly remarkable. The highlight of the issue is a scene where Cap wakes up in Iron Man’s sub and goes after the Avengers, showcasing Kirby’s art at its finest, demonstrating Cap’s incredible power. This issue represents the pinnacle of Lee and Kirby’s run on Avengers, and introducing Captain America elevated the book to the heights it now enjoys.

Dark Avengers (Vol. 1) #1-6

From 2005 to 2012, Bendis guided the Marvel flagship franchise, ‘Avengers’, shaping its direction and influencing the rest of the line. Many admire his work on various Avengers titles, but his best work often goes unacknowledged. That book is ‘Dark Avengers’, a series that originated from ‘Secret Invasion’ (which was well-received in the comics, as fans of the MCU might agree). This comic featured a team of villains led by Norman Osborn, who had taken control of the superhero community. The initial story arc of ‘Dark Avengers’ provides readers with reasons to love the series and then pits them against a typical Avengers threat. While Bendis’s verbose writing can be tiresome at times, his witty humor is perfectly suited for a team of villains. Artistically, ‘Dark Avengers’ (Vol. 1) #1-6 was a collaboration between Bendis and artist Mike Deodato Jr., and the artwork is a significant part of the book’s appeal. This is arguably the most visually stunning Avengers comic from that period, offering a unique take on the Avengers. The entire series is worth exploring.

“The Korvac Saga”

The Korvac Saga” – A Timeless Avengers Tale

In 1978, a story penned by Roger Stern, Jim Shooter, David Michelenie, Bill Mantlo, George Perez, John Buscema, and David Wenzel, titled “The Korvac Saga”, stands as a classic Avengers tale. This epic narrative brings together the Avengers and the Guardians of the Galaxy, not the contemporary team introduced in Annihilation, but their original far-future counterparts. The story revolves around the formidable enemy, Korvac, who, after being enslaved by the Badoon in the future, amassed ultimate power and traveled back to the present. Overpowered by years of slavery and his newfound power, Korvac poses a severe threat to the current universe. The Avengers and the Guardians are the last hope for this era, demonstrating their exceptional skills in battling cosmic adversaries. “The Korvac Saga” encapsulates the essence of the Avengers, showcasing them at their best as they confront universe-altering threats. This tale harks back to one of the golden ages of Avengers lore, featuring one of the most impressive lineups of heroes ever assembled. It’s an epic that has hardly been replicated since.

“Ultron Unlimited”

As a comics enthusiast, I’ve had the privilege to delve into the masterful works of George Perez, whose artistry in the comic industry is nothing short of legendary. Among his many accomplishments, his stint drawing the Avengers stands out as some of his finest work. In 1998, I collaborated with writer Kurt Busiek on Avengers (Vol. 3), a partnership that rejuvenated the team’s status after years of being overshadowed by the X-Men. Our run together was exceptional, capturing the essence of why the Avengers are so endearing. One of our best stories even pitted the team against one of their most formidable adversaries: “Ultron Unlimited”. In this tale, Ultron reappeared with a sinister new scheme for global annihilation, and it was only the Avengers who could thwart him. What ensued was an action-packed epic unlike any other, a near-flawless fusion of superhero action and emotional drama. Fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe will find familiar elements in this story; the film Avengers: Age of Ultron drew heavily from “Ultron Unlimited”, but unlike that average movie, “Ultron Unlimited” represents the pinnacle of Avengers storytelling.

“The Kree-Skrull War”

During the Silver Age, the Fantastic Four typically handled extraterrestrial issues while the Avengers focused on Earth-bound threats, earning them the title “Earth’s Mightiest Heroes” due to their earthbound nature. The epic saga, “The Kree-Skrull War,” written by Roy Thomas and illustrated by Neal Adams, John Buscema, and Sal Buscema, saw the Avengers delve into the centuries-long battle between the Kree and Skrull. As the conflict escalated, both races realized humans held the key to winning their war. This story solidified the Avengers as Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. Thomas is credited for shaping the Avengers into the characters we know today, and this tale, with the artistry of Adams and the Buscemas, stands out among his works. It’s plausible to argue that “The Kree-Skrull War” is the best Marvel story from the Silver Age, as it presents a compelling case.

“Under Siege”

For quite some time, the Masters of Evil were often portrayed as the Avengers’ most formidable adversaries, more due to their existence than any real threat they posed. A common issue in superhero comics is that villains rarely emerge victorious, making it challenging for readers to fear an enemy who never triumphs. The Masters of Evil were essentially the Avengers’ go-to sparring partners, but this all changed with “Under Siege,” penned by Roger Stern and John Buscema. This tale brought together the Masters’ largest membership with a flawless strategy. In this story, the Masters consistently outmaneuvered the Avengers, capturing their mansion, imprisoning the team, and severely injuring one of its most robust members. “Under Siege” provided fans with an unprecedented glimpse into how the Avengers respond when they’re at their weakest, offering a narrative unlike any other. Although it’s not the only instance where the Avengers lose and must overcome insurmountable odds, it undoubtedly stands out as the best.

Infinity

Jonathan Hickman’s tenure on the Avengers and New Avengers comic series is widely regarded as one of the greatest Avengers runs ever. There’s a strong argument to support this viewpoint. Hickman assembled an impressive and formidable team of superheroes, while also delving into the Illuminati and their covert operation to safeguard the world, seamlessly blending elements of superheroes and science fiction. Among his many excellent stories, one stands out – Infinity. Co-written by Hickman along with Jerome Opena, Jim Cheung, Dustin Weaver, Leinil Yu, and Mike Deodato, this storyline follows a race known as the Builders who are systematically destroying the universe before its impending demise. Meanwhile, Thanos makes his way to Earth for an unknown purpose. The Infinity series encapsulates everything that Avengers stories do exceptionally well, taken to unprecedented heights. To fully appreciate this story, it’s recommended to purchase the collected edition; despite its high cost, it compiles the entire Infinity series and its related issues from both Avengers and New Avengers, providing context that the standalone series lacks. It showcases the Avengers at their most heroic, saving the universe in an epic tale that remains unmatched by any other Avengers story.

2025-03-27 06:44