This Is the Greatest Avengers Story Ever (and It’s Not in Print Anymore)

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The Avengers are incredibly popular, appearing in both comic books and movies. While they’ve had many great adventures in different formats, their comic book stories stand out as the best. That’s where the team originated, and legendary writers and artists created some truly memorable tales. These comics really established the core of the Avengers – what they stand for as a team, who each member is as an individual, and how their heroic missions impact their personal lives. There’s a unique quality to a great Avengers story, and many are considered among the best ever told.

While there have been many great Avengers stories over the years, “Ultron Unlimited” remains the best, even 26 years after its initial release. This story arc, spanning Avengers (Vol. 3) #19-22 and beginning with a prologue in Avengers (Vol. 3) #0 (originally published in Wizard Magazine), was a fantastic combination of everything that makes the Avengers great. It featured Ultron, arguably the team’s greatest villain (and a personal favorite for many), and was written during the acclaimed Kurt Busiek and George Perez run on Avengers (Vol. 3). The story also showcased some of the most iconic Avengers of all time. It’s a truly perfect story, but unfortunately, it’s become very difficult to find and read.

“Ultron Unlimited” Is the Last True Avengers Story and That’s Why It’s Great

1998 marked a real high point for the Avengers, and it was incredibly exciting. I was more of an X-Men reader back then, but the new creative team of Busiek and Perez brought me back to the Avengers after a few years. Their work created one of the best Avengers lineups ever, and they really got the team – blending classic Avengers elements with a fresh, modern style. It was truly exceptional, and remains so today. This was before Marvel tried to reshape the Avengers to be more like the Justice League; it felt like a pure, classic Avengers experience, something we don’t see as often now. And the ‘Ultron Unlimited’ storyline really pushed the book to a whole new level.

Ultron stands out as an ideal Avengers villain. While his goal of wiping out all life isn’t original, his connection to the team sets him apart. He’s essentially a member of their family, sharing a unique bond that most villains lack. As a supremely powerful and nearly invulnerable android—strong enough to easily overpower even Thor—Ultron is a truly terrifying threat, and the ‘Ultron Unlimited’ storyline fully showcased his destructive potential.

In “Ultron Unlimited,” the villain Ultron immediately launched a devastating attack on the country of Slorenia, quickly wiping out its entire population with an army of adamantium-based Ultron robots. He intended to conquer the world with this unstoppable force, and only the Avengers could hope to stop him. The ensuing battle was incredibly difficult, as the team faced an endless wave of indestructible robots fueled by Ultron’s intense hatred for both them and all of humanity, making the threat more dangerous than ever before.

The Avengers, weary but determined, finally confront Ultron, aided by new allies like Hank Pym, the Wasp, and Black Panther, who brings vibranium weaponry effective against adamantium. The resulting battle is spectacular. Visually stunning artwork by Perez perfectly captures Busiek’s excellent writing, bringing the action to life. But this story is more than just exciting; it’s a thoughtful exploration of family relationships, the impact of past hurts, and the complexities of those closest to us. It’s a truly exceptional four-issue comic that anyone can enjoy.

Marvel Needs to Reprint This Story Immediately

Marvel struggles with keeping its classic stories readily available. DC Comics is known for having a larger collection of highly-regarded stories, and a key reason isn’t just the quality of the writing – they consistently keep those stories in print. This allows long-time fans to share them with new readers, who can then easily purchase and enjoy them. Unfortunately, many of Marvel’s most beloved stories, like “Ultron Unlimited,” are difficult to find.

“Ultron Unlimited” is fantastic. If someone had never read an Avengers comic, I’d describe it as the version of Avengers: Age of Ultron that we always hoped for – a truly great movie and story. Even after all this time, the story still resonates with me. That single comic panel perfectly captured what the Avengers could be, and I was disappointed we never saw that moment in the film. It’s frustrating that Marvel doesn’t consistently keep stories this good in print. This is the absolute best the Avengers have to offer, so if you can find a copy, don’t hesitate to buy it.

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2025-10-30 20:12