7 Best Starter Avengers Comics

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The Avengers are the most well-known group of superheroes today. Starting with the first Marvel Cinematic Universe movie in 2008, Marvel built towards the massive success of the 2012 Avengers film, which turned the team into a pop culture phenomenon. Despite their popularity, comic book sales haven’t matched that level of excitement – a surprising trend for such a famous group. One reason is that comic books can be intimidating for newcomers, and fans of the movies weren’t sure where to begin reading. Luckily, there are many great starting points for anyone who wants to explore The Avengers in comic form.

As a lifelong movie fan, I’ve followed the Avengers for over six decades, and honestly, it can be a bit daunting to jump in! But these seven stories are fantastic – they give you everything you need to know without requiring a PhD in Marvel history. They’re perfect for anyone new to the team, acting as a great introduction to the best bits of their incredible past.

7) Avengers: Twilight

Avengers: Twilight truly captures what makes the Avengers special. This six-part series by Chip Zdarksy and Daniel Acuna is set in a future where a controlling government has banned superheroes, even stripping Captain America of his powers. But when Luke Cage offers him a way back into the fight, Cap takes it, leading to clashes with Iron Man’s son and a puzzling figure connected to the Avengers’ former butler, Jarvis. This story is easy to jump into and stands as one of the best Avengers narratives ever created. It’s essentially the Kingdom Come of modern Marvel, and fans of the team—particularly those aware of current events—will find it incredibly compelling.

6) New Avengers (Vol. 1) #1-6

While not flawless, New Avengers is a great entry point into the series. The story begins with ‘Breakout,’ issues #1-6 of the first volume, where writer Brian Michael Bendis and artist David Finch assemble a fresh team of heroes. When a power outage hits the Vault, where Spider-Woman, Luke Cage, and Daredevil are meeting with a prisoner, it becomes clear something’s wrong. Electro has been hired to cause a breakout, and a new group of Avengers forms to investigate. This storyline introduces Wolverine and Spider-Man to the team, kicking off a highly popular era for the Avengers and becoming a defining moment for Marvel in the 2000s.

5) “Avengers Disassembled: Chaos”

Starting with “Avengers Disassembled: Chaos” might seem unusual for new readers, but it’s surprisingly effective. This story by Brian Bendis and David Finch marks the end of a classic Avengers lineup, throwing them into a relentless battle against iconic villains like Ultron and the Kree, plus many others. Avengers from across the globe unite at the Avengers Mansion, but the shocking secret revealed during the conflict permanently breaks the team apart. All you really need to know going in is that this team is at its peak, and this story represents their final stand. Approaching it with that mindset will give new fans the kind of large-scale, emotional experience they’re looking for.

4) Uncanny Avengers (Vol. 1) #1-6

Following the conclusion of Avengers vs. X-Men, Marvel launched the Uncanny Avengers series, written by Rick Remender and featuring art by John Cassaday and Olivier Coipel. This story brought together members of both the Avengers and X-Men to fight Red Skull, who had shockingly gained Charles Xavier’s telepathic abilities by extracting them from the professor’s brain. Filled with classic Marvel action and drama, issues #1-6 featured a dynamic team including Captain America, Wolverine, Scarlet Witch, Rogue, Havok, Thor, Wasp, and Wonder Man. This series offered a fresh take on the Avengers and proved to be a strong foundation for future storylines, making it a great choice for fans seeking something a little different.

3) Avengers (Vol. 1) #4

While not the very first Avengers comic, issue #4 is arguably the most significant. It marks the debut of Captain America with the team! This classic story, created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, features Namor’s fury and the discovery of a frozen figure – the legendary Captain America, a true hero from World War II. It perfectly captures the spirit of Silver Age Marvel and is instantly captivating. The over-the-top writing and Jack Kirby’s dynamic artwork combine to create an incredibly exciting and memorable experience that will grab your attention right away.

2) Avengers (Vol. 5) #1-3

Jonathan Hickman’s run on Avengers is considered perfect, and it starts with this story arc. The first three issues of Avengers (Vol. 5), with art by Jerome Opena, begin with a Martian attack that quickly overwhelms Earth’s heroes, leaving only Captain America standing. He then initiates a plan he and Iron Man previously developed: the Avengers Machine. This leads to the formation of an incredibly powerful Avengers team and an unforgettable battle. Hickman’s Avengers (Vol. 5) and New Avengers (Vol. 3) together create one of the greatest Avengers storylines ever told, ultimately leading into the Secret Wars event. With the Marvel Cinematic Universe now exploring similar themes, this is a great starting point for new fans.

1) Avengers (Vol. 3) #1-3

The start of Kurt Busiek and George Perez’s iconic run on Avengers (Volume 3) issues #1-3 revitalized the team after the unpopular “Heroes Reborn” storyline. The Avengers were brought back from an alternate reality, but quickly found themselves transported to medieval times by the villain Morgana Le Fay, who aimed to control all of history. This story delivers classic Avengers excitement, showcasing George Perez’s dynamic art and Kurt Busiek’s talent for large-scale superhero narratives. Many consider this a high point for the team, and both longtime fans and those new to the Avengers through the movies are sure to enjoy it.

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2026-02-13 20:43