5 Greatest Eras of the Avengers in Marvel Comics

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Marvel is famous for its diverse heroes, and the Avengers are a central part of that universe. For over 60 years, this iconic team has brought together Marvel’s most powerful heroes in thrilling adventures, captivating fans through both comic books and, more recently, the hugely popular Marvel Cinematic Universe. While the MCU has boosted their fame, the Avengers’ roots and ongoing legacy remain firmly planted in the pages of Marvel Comics, where they continue to fight the most formidable villains.

Even though the Marvel Cinematic Universe is now incredibly popular, the Avengers comics have always been the heart of the franchise. Over the years, the team has gone through many different phases, each with its own ups and downs. Here are five of the best eras in Avengers comic book history, and why they’ve captured the hearts of so many fans.

5) Bendis Era

Brian Michael Bendis revitalized the Avengers in the 2000s, making them Marvel’s most popular comics. Starting with issue #500, he oversaw five different Avengers series over eight years – New Avengers, Mighty Avengers, Dark Avengers, and a core Avengers title. While his run isn’t without criticism – some find the action lacking, the characters’ voices similar, and the pacing uneven – it’s undeniably a high point for the team. Bendis’s Avengers books were incredibly popular with fans and drove many of Marvel’s big crossover events. He’s largely responsible for bringing a new generation of fans to the Avengers between 2004 and 2012.

4) Hickman Era

Jonathan Hickman revitalized the Avengers after Brian Bendis’s run, delivering what many fans consider a flawless era for the team. He wrote a significant run encompassing Avengers (Vol. 5), New Avengers (Vol. 3), Infinity, and Secret Wars. Hickman introduced cosmic-level threats, integrated characters from the New Universe into the main Marvel continuity, assembled the largest Avengers team ever, and crafted compelling stories centered around the Illuminati. This period is widely regarded as the high point for the Avengers, and many believe it’s the greatest Avengers storyline of all time. After a comparatively grounded run by Bendis, Hickman truly exceeded expectations.

3) Stern Era

Roger Stern is a highly respected comic book writer known for his work on iconic characters like Spider-Man and Superman. He’s particularly celebrated for his extensive run on The Avengers (Vol. 1), where he wrote issues #227-279 and #281-287, often collaborating with artist John Buscema. This period is considered a golden age for Avengers fans, delivering classic stories like “Under Siege” and introducing Wasp and Monica Rambeau as team leaders. Stern truly understood the Avengers’ history and characters, crafting compelling narratives that expanded their world and cemented their legacy. His work laid a strong foundation for future storylines and provided some of the greatest superhero team adventures ever written.

2) The Heroes Return Era

The 1990s were a difficult period for Avengers fans. While the comic started the decade strong, sales began to decline, and Marvel attempted to modernize the team. Unfortunately, this only made things worse, leading to the ‘Heroes Reborn’ relaunch with Jim Lee and Rob Liefeld. When that didn’t work, Marvel tried again with ‘Heroes Return.’ A major turning point came with writer Kurt Busiek and artist George Perez taking over Avengers (Vol. 3), delivering some of the best Avengers stories ever told, including the acclaimed ‘Ultron Unlimited.’ This fantastic era includes Avengers (Vol. 3) #1-15 and #19-56 (even the three issues by Jerry Ordway are part of the run), Avengers Forever (Vol. 1) #1-12, Maximum Security #1-3, and Avengers: The Ultron Imperative. To get the full experience, you can also explore Iron Man (Vol. 3), Captain America (Vol. 3), and The Mighty Thor (Vol. 2). Busiek’s run, with contributions from artists like Perez, Alan Davis, Kieron Dwyer, and Ivan Reis, is truly exceptional and well worth reading.

1) Thomas Era

While Stan Lee is often praised for building the Marvel Universe, much of what fans love about those characters actually came from other creators. When it comes to the Avengers, that creator is Roy Thomas. He wrote issues #35-104 of the original Avengers series, introducing iconic characters like Ultron and the Vision. He also assembled a particularly beloved team lineup and crafted the epic “Kree-Skrull War” storyline. Working alongside talented artists like Neal Adams and the Buscema brothers, Thomas created one of the greatest runs in team comic book history. It’s fair to say the Avengers wouldn’t be the team we know and love today without his contributions.

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2025-12-23 22:16