5 Iconic Avengers Stories the MCU Should Steer Clear Of!

by

The Avengers are Marvel’s top secret weapons in their cinematic universe, serving as the main foundation for all other films. Marvel Studios has generally done an excellent job with most of the Avengers films by incorporating subtle references from the comics to create fresh stories. Although the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has experienced a bit of a slump lately, any news about upcoming Avengers movies is exciting. The next two are expected to draw inspiration from the time when writer Jonathan Hickman penned the Avengers, which seems like a smart move. Hickman’s version of the Avengers aligns well with the MCU, but not every Avengers story is suitable for viewing in the MCU.

Translating these tales from the most remarkable Avengers comics seems like an intriguing prospect, yet certain stories are more suited to remain within the comic book realm. There are many exceptional Avengers narratives that don’t align with the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s style of superhero storytelling due to various factors. Unfortunately, these five Avengers tales, despite their greatness, would not make compelling MCU films.

Red Zone

The year 2000s marked an intriguing period for the Avengers. Writer Kurt Busiek’s tenure ended in 2002, leaving Marvel with the challenge of finding a worthy successor. Eventually, they chose Geoff Johns, who was making impressive strides at DC with his works on The Flash and JSA. Johns contributed three stories to the Avengers before DC signed him exclusively, ultimately propelling him to one of the most influential writers within DC. Among these three tales, many consider “Red Zone,” illustrated by Olivier Coipel, as the best.

Red Zone”

Synopsis: Following the eruption of a devastating disease at Mount Rushmore, the Avengers step in to aid the afflicted. However, they soon discover that this crisis is part of a larger, more sinister plot. This leads them on a trail up the corridors of power and towards an old foe who has taken on a new identity. “Red Zone” is a compelling blend of superhero action and political intrigue, with a clever twist in its climax – one that leaves you wondering why you didn’t see it coming sooner. Unfortunately, this type of subdued narrative is not typically the MCU’s forte; “Red Zone” offers a more introspective take on the Avengers, eschewing the usual grandiosity associated with their stories in favor of a quieter, more contemplative tale.

Operation: Galactic Storm

As a die-hard fan, I can attest that while Earth might be home base for the Avengers, they’ve shown time and again that their heroism knows no bounds. They’ve stepped into the fray of cosmic conflicts numerous times, often acting as mediators in wars between powerful interstellar forces. One such overlooked space saga is “Operation: Galactic Storm”, a crossover event from the early ’90s that brought together titles like Avengers, Avengers West Coast, Quasar, Iron Man, The Mighty Thor, Captain America, and Wonder Man. This epic intergalactic war pitted our heroes against their age-old adversaries, the Kree, and the X-Men’s allies, the Shi’Ar. Despite not receiving as much recognition as it deserves, it’s a superbly written war story with moments that are nothing short of spectacular. And let’s not forget about the early artwork by Greg Capullo and Steve Epting – always a visual treat!

The challenge in incorporating this tale into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) lies in the substantial effort required to make it fit seamlessly. To start, the Avengers have previously encountered the Kree in a state of war, a detail that will be elaborated upon later. Additionally, the Shi’Ar must be introduced. However, the primary reason for hesitation in adapting this story for the MCU is its mismatch with the Avengers’ usual narrative. In fact, “Operation: Galactic Storm” would be more fitting for the Guardians of the Galaxy, and it may not resonate as effectively if the Avengers were replaced by the Guardians.

Avengers: Disassembled

The comic book series “Avengers: Disassembled,” penned by Brian Michael Bendis and illustrated by David Finch, is one of the most significant tales from the 2000s in Marvel’s realm. This epic narrative reestablished the Avengers as the central powerhouse team within the Marvel Universe, setting the stage for decades of critically acclaimed Avengers stories. In “Avengers: Disassembled,” the team faced their darkest day yet, as a series of catastrophic attacks left Ant-Man, Vision, and Hawkeye among the fallen. The storyline also unveiled that the Scarlet Witch was responsible for the chaos, as she grappled with the knowledge of her children’s fate from years past. This seminal event marked the start of Scarlet Witch’s downfall and ultimately led to the disbanding of the Avengers.

In the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), Wanda Maximoff’s (Scarlet Witch) narrative arc similar to her comic book counterpart during this period has already been portrayed. The tales of her descent into madness were explored in the series WandaVision and the movie Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Given that there is currently no Scarlet Witch character, the storyline “Avengers: Disassembled” would not have the same impact as it did in the comics. Therefore, it’s more fitting for this narrative to remain within its original source material.

Under Siege

In the realm of comics, there aren’t many stories that portray the Avengers at their finest quite like “Under Siege,” penned by Roger Stern and John Buscema. The narrative sees the Avengers squaring off against the Master of Evil, a notorious Marvel villainous team headed by Baron Helmut Zemo. Zemo’s father had previously led the Masters of Evil, succumbing in battle against the Avengers, which fuels Helmut to assemble the biggest roster of the Masters of Evil ever conceived – essentially an army of the Avengers’ lesser-known adversaries. This formidable force overpowers the Avengers, landing Hercules into a coma, seizing control of Avengers Mansion, and capturing Captain America and Jarvis. The Avengers find themselves outmaneuvered at every turn and must recover from one of their most devastating defeats to ultimately emerge victorious.

To put it simply, I firmly believe that “Under Siege” would not resonate well within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). The core issue lies in the lack of a sufficient roster of villains to form the Masters of Evil. Unlike their comic book counterparts, the MCU doesn’t boast an abundance of B-list villains with the power necessary to challenge the Avengers effectively.

Moreover, it strains credulity to imagine that the MCU’s Helmut Zemo could mastermind a strategy powerful enough to outsmart the collective genius of the Avengers. In the absence of compelling antagonists, there’s no foundation upon which to build an engaging narrative, making “Under Siege” an ill-suited choice for adaptation within the MCU.

The Kree-Skrull War

The Kree-Skrull War” by Roy Thomas, Neal Adams, Sal Buscema, and John Buscema marks the start of the Avengers’ role in cosmic conflicts. Previously, Earth’s heroes had interacted with both the Kree and Skrull, unaware that these two species were engaged in a thousand-year war. When they recognized the potency of human superpowers, both races sought to utilize Earth’s genetic potential. This involvement of the Avengers in the ongoing conflict between the two factions led them into numerous predicaments. However, they found an unlikely ally in Rick Jones, Marvel’s remarkable sidekick, who ultimately saved them by unleashing the Destiny Force, a powerful manifestation of human potential.

The epic saga known as “The Kree-Skrull War” significantly solidified the Avengers as one of the most remarkable superhero groups in fiction. However, it doesn’t seem to align seamlessly with the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Although both the Kree and Skrull have made appearances, they don’t carry the same weight or significance as they did in the comics. Given that the Avengers have already demonstrated their cosmic influence post-Snap, “The Kree-Skrull War” may not be as crucial to the MCU’s Avengers team as it was for their comic book counterparts. Nevertheless, this is a fantastic Avengers narrative that every MCU enthusiast should delve into, but its adaptation might not be necessary.

Read More

2025-03-28 01:40