The Best Avengers Stories Happen When the Villains Win

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As a movie enthusiast who’s deeply rooted in the Marvel universe, I can’t help but reflect on the significant role the Avengers have played since they burst onto the scene in the ’60s. The concept of the Avengers might not have been entirely novel – it was essentially Marvel’s version of the Justice Society/League – but the publisher managed to breathe new life into it, making it uniquely their own.

Ever since then, the Avengers have graced us with some unforgettable superhero tales, stories that illustrated the consequences when Earth’s most formidable heroes took on the universe’s deadliest threats. A crucial aspect of their success lies in the characters; over the years, comics featuring the Avengers have transformed heroes such as Hawkeye, Black Widow, Vision, Quicksilver, and Scarlet Witch into household names ready for the silver screen.

However, it’s not just the compelling characters that make the Avengers stand out; it’s the epic battles they engage in, testing their mettle against some of the most menacing villains one could imagine.

Remarkable tales featuring The Avengers showcase their heroic deeds, yet what truly sets these stories apart is a shared element: the villains emerging victorious. Time and again, The Avengers find themselves grappling with the most challenging scenarios conceivable, even when they’re defeated, they never falter in their efforts. Iconic Avengers tales often depict the team enduring losses, only to rally and triumph at the last moment, saving the world in the process. Watching the Avengers shine is undeniably thrilling, but it’s the moments where they fight from behind that make these stories truly captivating.

Losing Shows Just How Formidable the Avengers Can Be

One notable and highly regarded Avengers story, often cited as one of Marvel’s top ’80s tales, is “Under Siege”. Historically, the Masters of Evil seemed less menacing, typically ending up on the losing side against the Avengers. However, in this narrative, Baron Helmut Zemo, son of the original Masters’ leader Heinrich Zemo, assembled the largest team of Masters of Evil ever and launched a surprise attack on the Avengers. The Avengers found themselves near defeat but ultimately emerged victorious, demonstrating the resilience of the team.

In many great Avengers stories, there’s always a setback that the team must overcome. I admire the Hickman run on both Avengers and New Avengers. The first story in this collection starts with the Avengers being defeated by Ex Nihilo and Abyss, prompting Captain America to assemble a new team of Avengers. Similarly, Hickman’s tales like “Infinity” (2015) and “Secret Wars” require the Avengers to rally from near defeat to secure victory. The same pattern occurs in the Apocalypse Twins saga of “Uncanny Avengers”, a personal favorite. Brian Michael Bendis’s run on the Avengers begins with “Avengers Disassembled: Chaos”, where Scarlet Witch’s constructs overwhelm the team and destroy Avengers Mansion. The initial story in New Avengers sees the team unable to prevent the escape of prisoners from the Raft, and S.H.I.E.L.D.’s destruction of the Avengers’ intended investigation base in the Savage Land. In “The Korvac Saga”, the Avengers suffer heavy casualties in battle. I could go on detailing more stories like these.

The strongest lineups of the Avengers feature characters such as Thor, Iron Man, Scarlet Witch, Vision, Captain Marvel, Hercules, and other highly potent heroes. From a distance, it’s tough to imagine that any villain could overcome them when they collaborate. Typically, the Avengers are expected to win in combat against their adversaries, which might make the reading experience less engaging. However, if the Avengers frequently lose battles to their enemies, it adds tension to the story. We have witnessed the Avengers suffer losses, this invincible team of heroes brought low by their foes. This piques our interest because we understand the danger they face. Consequently, we get a glimpse into the Avengers’ vulnerabilities. In my opinion, one of the finest examples of this is Hickman’s New Avengers. The Illuminati attempt to stop the Incursions and discover their cause. They manage to save Earth on several occasions thanks to smart planning and plenty of luck, but they can’t prevent the Incursions from happening. They never identify who is behind it until it’s too late. The book’s drama comes from watching them struggle, seeing them tirelessly fight against an insurmountable problem, and repeatedly failing to find a solution despite their ingenious plans. It is during these moments that the Avengers truly shine.

The Avengers Excel Behind the Eightball

The Avengers, known for their immense power, even when the team is seemingly weaker, like the ’90s Leather Jacket roster featuring Hercules, Sersi, and Vision, excel best in challenging situations. These adversities propel them to delve into their hidden resources, outsmart enemies, devise strategies that let them defeat opponents who have previously triumphed over them. This dynamic quality makes their conflicts captivating.

A more engaging storyline for The Avengers involves some challenges and defeats. If they were consistently victorious, it would deprive us of witnessing their creative problem-solving strategies when faced with adversaries like Ultron. It would also deny us the opportunity to observe Captain America’s exceptional tactical skills or watch Iron Man and Hank Pym invent groundbreaking technology. Furthermore, characters without standalone stories wouldn’t have had the chance to develop as much if they didn’t need to face and overcome obstacles. While The Avengers are known for saving Earth, an exciting narrative requires that they experience defeats as well.

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2025-09-02 18:26