The 7 Best Avengers Comic Book Stories of the 1970s, Ranked

I’ve been a huge Avengers fan for years, and it’s amazing to think about where they started! Originally, it was all about bringing together Marvel’s biggest heroes to tackle a threat that was too big for any one of them. Over time, the team became a really interesting mix of characters, but they always kept that core mission: saving the world. They faced some incredible challenges – epic battles against alien empires like the Kree and Skrull, weird mystical adventures, and even fought someone who was practically unkillable. And it was during this time that one of the MCU’s biggest villains really started to make a name for himself!

Here is a look at the best Avengers comic book stories of the 1970s.

7) “The Serpent Crown”

In “The Serpent Crown” storyline, the Avengers encountered a different version of themselves from another universe – a team known as the Squadron Supreme. The story began with the Avengers disoriented, unaware they had traveled to an alternate Earth, which naturally led to a conflict with its local heroes. But the real threat came from a dangerous cult called the Serpent Cartel, worshippers of the serpent-god Set.

Two teams of heroes discovered a political plot where a dangerous cult secretly took over Roxxon Oil and used a powerful artifact called the Serpent Crown to control the President of the United States. After dealing with this threat, the Avengers returned to their own world and searched for their version of the Serpent Crown, determined to keep it out of enemy hands. This storyline was also significant because it marked the first work on the title by artist George Perez. The events unfolded across issues #141-144 and #147-149 of Avengers.

6) “The Celestial Madonna”

Mantis, who would later join the Guardians of the Galaxy, first appeared in Avengers #112 in 1973. She was originally portrayed as a skilled martial artist with a mixed Vietnamese and German heritage. However, her story quickly shifted when she learned she was the “Celestial Madonna” – destined to have a child with a plant-like being from the Cotati race, who would be a savior figure. While this storyline presents some difficult themes, Marvel continued to develop it across issues Avengers #129-135 and Giant-Size Avengers #2-4.

The comic book version of Mantis had a love story with the Swordsman. When Kang the Conqueror tried to kidnap her, knowing her future, the Swordsman bravely defended her and ultimately gave his life to save her. The plant-based Cotati people then brought him back to life, leading to a special double wedding alongside Vision and Scarlet Witch. This storyline was unusual for its time, exploring more mature themes, and it also revealed the connection between Kang, Rama-Tut, and Immortus within the Marvel Universe.

5) “The Yesterday Quest”

The story arc known as “The Yesterday Quest,” appearing in Avengers issues #185-187 by David Michelinie and John Byrne, first revealed the origins of Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch. However, many details of this story were later changed. The plot centers around a man named Django Maximoff who kidnaps the twins, insisting he is their true father, and takes them to Eastern Europe, ultimately leading Scarlet Witch to Wundagore Mountain.

The events here were deeply connected to Wanda and Pietro’s past. The ruins of the High Evolutionary’s fortress and the sorcerer Modred were present, and Wanda discovered that a powerful entity named Chthon was awakened when she was born. The Darkhold, an ancient book, was revealed to be the source of her abilities. This backstory directly links to major storylines like “Avengers Disassembled” and “House of M,” and even influences her role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

4) “Thanos War”

Thanos became a major villain in the Marvel Cinematic Universe early on, but his origins actually date back to the 1970s in Marvel’s Avengers comic books. His story unfolded over several issues, starting with Iron Man #55 and continuing through Captain Marvel #25-33 and Avengers #125 (1973-1974). Iron Man #55 was notable as the first appearance of both Thanos and the character Drax the Destroyer.

This story truly highlighted the stunning cosmic art of Jim Starlin, a key creator of Marvel’s cosmic universe. The plot revolved around Thanos’s quest for the Cosmic Cube, which he believed would win him the affection of Death. Along the way, we met characters like Mentor and Eros (Starfox), and were introduced to the world of Titan. This arc also cemented Captain Mar-Vell’s status as a cosmic hero, and laid the groundwork for the epic Infinity Gauntlet stories that would unfold over the next twenty years.

3) “Avengers/Defenders War”

The Avengers were a well-coordinated superhero team, but the Defenders were more of an independent group that didn’t usually work with the authorities. This difference in approach led to a conflict between the two teams in 1973, detailed in issues of both Avengers (#115-118) and Defenders (#8-11). This storyline is considered the first major crossover event in Marvel Comics, a common practice now.

Loki and Dormammu were the masterminds behind a conflict that pitted the Avengers against the Defenders. The Defenders believed they were rescuing the Black Knight, while the Avengers thought the Defenders had turned evil and needed to be stopped. This led to several exciting battles between heroes, a concept Marvel later became famous for, but which felt new at the time. Ultimately, the Avengers and Defenders teamed up to defeat Dormammu in an epic showdown.

2) “The Korvac Saga”

“The Korvac Saga” is considered a high point in Avengers stories, and it’s unique because it shows the team definitively defeated – their survival wasn’t even in question. Michael Korvac, a cyborg from the 31st century, gained incredible, god-like powers after absorbing the knowledge of Galactus. He came to present-day Earth and secretly started working on a plan to rebuild the universe into a perfect world.

This villain’s plan would have eliminated all personal freedom, so the Avengers joined forces with the Guardians of the Galaxy from the 31st century to try and stop him. Unfortunately, they were completely defeated, and Korvac killed them all. But when he saw doubt in the eyes of the woman he loved, he understood the consequences of his actions. He brought the heroes back to life and then sacrificed himself, ending the threat he posed. It was a unique situation where the villain ultimately wanted what was best for humanity, but his methods went too far. This story unfolded in Avengers issues #167-168 and #170-177, published between 1977 and 1978.

1) “Kree-Skrull War”

The most significant Avengers story of the 1970s was the “Kree-Skrull War.” It did more than even the “Thanos War” to establish the vast cosmic side of the Marvel Universe. Spanning issues #89-97 of Avengers, creators Roy Thomas, Sal Buscema, Neal Adams, and John Buscema introduced a long-running galactic conflict between the Kree and Skrull Empires, and then brought the fight to Earth.

The 1970s Avengers storyline was a landmark event in Marvel’s Bronze Age. It began with the Skrulls disguising themselves and infiltrating Earth, followed by the Kree manipulating world governments against the Avengers. This escalated into a massive, planet-spanning alien war. Alongside the large-scale conflict, the story explored personal moments, like the budding romance between Vision and Scarlet Witch, and Rick Jones receiving a powerful ability. Importantly, the storyline served as a commentary on real-world conflicts, including echoes of the Cold War and the Red Scare, making it a significant and impactful story for its time.

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2026-04-26 01:45