Marvel’s Avengers Need To Copy This 28 Year Old Masterpiece

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The Avengers are incredibly famous thanks to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but their comic book sales have been declining steadily since 2015, after Jonathan Hickman finished his run. Despite the popularity of the movies, the comics haven’t been able to recapture their former success. Even the significant milestone of issue #800 barely registered with fans. While the Avengers were once Marvel’s top team, driving many different comic series, they’ve now lost much of their appeal.

This isn’t the first time the Avengers have faced tough times. While they have a legendary history, they’ve also gone through periods of struggle. They’ve always managed to recover, but this situation feels more challenging than ever. Interestingly, the solution might lie in their past. Twenty-eight years ago, the Avengers were in a similar, though shorter but more impactful, slump. Marvel turned things around by bringing on writer Kurt Busiek and artist George Perez for Avengers (Vol. 3). That run could be the key to the team’s future, but not in a way people might expect.

The Avengers Need to Use the Example of the Past to Move Forward

Many fans see the Busiek and Perez era as a return to the core elements of what made the Avengers great, and that’s understandable. Busiek paid tribute to the classic Avengers writers, and Perez had previously worked on the book in the late 1970s. The team featured well-known heroes like Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, Scarlet Witch, Vision, Warbird (Carol Danvers), and Wonder Man, alongside frequent characters like Hank Pym, the Wasp, Ultron, and eventually Kang. They also introduced new members including Firestar and Justice from The New Warriors, Triathlon (inspired by the older hero 3-D Man), and Silverclaw. It had a classic feel, which was a welcome change after the often-overdone style of 1990s Marvel comics.

While the epic scope of the story was definitely a highlight, the real strength of this book lay in its character development. Several Avengers had their own solo series, allowing for deeper exploration, but even for those who didn’t, the writing focused on personal drama and relationships. We saw conflict between Justice and Firestar over their differing views of the Avengers, a love triangle involving Scarlet Witch, Vision, and Wonder Man, Carol Danvers’ struggle with alcoholism, and even the largely forgotten storylines of Triathlon and Silverclaw. This focus on character-driven stories alongside the big battles against villains is what truly made this run so successful.

When I suggest the Avengers learn from Kurt Busiek and Carlos Perez’s approach, I don’t mean they should simply recreate the classic Bronze Age stories—though their run was a modern take on that era, appealing to both longtime and new readers. What I mean is the Avengers need a team dynamic where members have compelling personal lives and internal conflicts. While the Avengers were initially inspired by the Justice League, they’re different. Most Justice League members are already popular heroes with their own ongoing series. The Avengers books used to thrive on character-driven stories and drama, keeping readers engaged. Even during Brian Bendis’s run with New Avengers, which significantly changed the team, the books still featured lesser-known heroes and explored their individual stories. That element has been noticeably absent for quite some time.

When Marvel focuses too much on featuring its most popular heroes in the Avengers, the team loses some of its appeal. While it’s good to have well-known characters, the Avengers also need members who are primarily defined by their role on the team. Readers should get to see these heroes’ personal lives and how being a superhero impacts them. Currently, only three Avengers – Sam Wilson as Captain America, Captain Marvel (who will likely get her own series soon), and the Vision – don’t have their own solo books. The Avengers need a core group of characters that readers can connect with and invest in. Relying solely on big-name heroes and huge threats is becoming a weakness, because if the action isn’t exciting, readers have little else to hold their attention. A strong focus on character development can make even a weaker storyline enjoyable. Not every classic Avengers run was perfect, but the compelling characters often elevated the stories. That’s what the Avengers need to recapture today.

It’s Time to Change the Way the Avengers Work Again

The Avengers doesn’t need a simple restart focusing on the basics. What the comics really need is a stronger focus on the characters themselves. While established heroes are fine, the team would benefit from including lesser-known faces – characters who don’t currently have their own ongoing series. These characters can create a lasting connection with readers, even when the overall plot isn’t perfect. The most successful Avengers stories weren’t just about big fights, but about compelling character development.

It’s been a long time since the Avengers comics really focused on developing their characters. The last significant character development probably happened during the Bendis run from 2005 to 2012. While Jonathan Hickman’s run was excellent, it prioritized plot over in-depth character work, though it did give several characters individual storylines. Lately, Avengers books have become mostly large-scale event stories, but they’ve lost the personal touch and character focus that used to make the Avengers special. The Avengers shouldn’t try to be like DC’s Justice League; Marvel needs to remember what made the Avengers work so well for years and bring that back to the stories.

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2026-01-29 20:42