THE MIGHTY THOR

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Thor & The Avengers

The Avengers' next watershed moment was when all of the remaining founders left the team in issue #16 (May 1965), replaced by three former criminals: The Scarlet Witch, Quicksilver, and Hawkeye (the first two having been mutant foes of the X-Men). These three were less powerful than the departing members. Led by Captain America, this ushered in the long tradition of the Avengers changing line-ups periodically as members joined and departed.

Kirby was replaced as artist by Don Heck, and eventually Lee was replaced by his proteg�, Roy Thomas, who would become the writer probably most associated with the comic. Heroes who joined the group during this period included the Greek demigod Hercules, The Black Knight, and The Black Widow.

Thomas' biggest contribution to Avengers lore was the creation of the android hero the Vision in #57 (October 1968), who was loosely based on another 1940s hero of the same name and who turned out to be the body of the original Human Torch with the mind patterns of the villain Wonder Man. The Vision was a tragic hero due to the extent to which he stood apart from his human (or nearly-human) companions, his assimilation into human society was akin to that of Mr. Spock from Star Trek (of whom he was a contemporary).

Thomas also established that The Avengers are headquartered in a New York City building named Avengers Mansion. Their butler, Jarvis, is sometimes featured in stories which contrast the normal human experience to that of the superheroes.

John Buscema was the primary artist on the book during Thomas' 1960s run. The other highlight came in #60 (January 1969) when Ant Man (who by then had gone through identities as Giant-Man, Goliath and finally Yellowjacket) married The Wasp.

The 1970s
Thomas continued to write the book into the early 1970s. In #85 (February 1970) he introduced the Squadron Supreme, a pastiche of DC Comics' Justice League of America. Buscema left the book later that year, and the stories leading up to #100 (June 1972) included a cosmic war involving Captain Marvel, and early work by artists Neal Adams and Barry Windsor-Smith.

The next major author of the book was Steve Englehart, who introduced the character Mantis in #113 (August 1973) and wrote a number of cosmically and socially profound stories. Foremost among these was the romance and eventual marriage between The Vision and The Scarlet Witch, two outsiders who found a life together.

Englehart's tenure coincided with the debut of George P�rez on the book in #141 (August 1975). A newcomer to comics, P�rez's early work was strongly reminiscent of Kirby's, and he would go on to become one of the most popular comic book artists of the next 15 years.

After Englehart's departure, Jim Shooter took over the writing chores. He wrote a lengthy and cosmic story about a villain from the future who came to the 20th century, acquired the ultimate godlike power, and decided to become a new messiah. The story's strength was the tension between the lengths to which the messiah would go to achieve his goals, vs. the good he could do with his powers and the question of whether the Avengers had the right to oppose him. The story culminated in #177 (November 1978).

David Michelinie and John Byrne also contributed stories and art to the book in the 70s. New members added during this time include The Beast, a reformed Wonder Man, Captain America's former partner The Falcon, and Ms. Marvel.

The 1980s
Shooter returned with #211 (September 1981) to write a number of stories culminating in the emotional breakdown of Yellowjacket, his expulsion from the Avengers and sentencing to jail, and eventual redemption.

Many of these plot threads were carried on by the next writer, Roger Stern, who established a parallel team called The West Coast Avengers (who had their own series for about 10 years). Stern wrote the book for quite a few years, primarily illustrated by Al Milgrom, Joe Sinnott, John Buscema, and Tom Palmer.

New Avengers during the 1980s included She-Hulk, Tigra, and Hawkeye's wife Mockingbird.

The 1990s
The 1990s were a turbulent time for the Avengers, as Marvel Comics was aggressively trying to expand its business by greatly increasing the number of comics it published. This coincided with the speculators boom in the industry as a whole. Marvel then fell on hard times in the ensuing industry-wide slump, and filed for bankruptcy in 1997.

The first series of The Avengers ended with #402 (September 1996), and included 23 Annuals and 5 Giant-Size issues.

That year, Marvel contracted out several books to creators of Image Comics, and The Avengers was reborn briefly as a new series, starting with issue #1 (November 1996), throwing away the continuity of the first series. It was created by Rob Liefeld. This line of comics, called "Heroes Reborn", was ended after only a year.

Marvel then relaunched many of their main titles in a line of comics called "Heroes Return", and The Avengers volume 3 began with another #1 (February 1998), written by Kurt Busiek and drawn by George P�rez. Busiek, whose encyclopedic knowledge of comics did not get in the way of his ability to tell a good yarn, restored many classic members of the team and added a few new ones, notably Justice, Firestar and Triathlon. P�rez was succeeded by Alan Davis and then Keiron Dwyer, and Busiek wrapped up his run with a lengthy time travel story involving Kang the Conqueror. He also wrote a side limited series, Avengers Forever, illustrated by Carlos Pacheco, with similar themes.

In addition 1998 saw the launch of A-Next, a series about a "next generation" Avengers, set in the same near future as Spider-Girl.

The 2000s
Busiek was succeeded as writer on the main Avengers book with #57 (October 2002) by Geoff Johns.

Also of note is Marvel's launch of the "Ultimate" line. Intended to appeal to non-comics fans through a somewhat more realistic treatment of the characters, more lavish artwork, and no backstory to catch up on, the Ultimate version of The Avengers was called The Ultimates, written by Mark Millar and illustrated by Bryan Hitch. Issue #1 was dated March 2002.

Notable Issues
Vol. 1, #4: "Captain America Lives Again!"
Vol. 1, #16: "The Old Order Changeth!" Old Avengers leave, new Avengers replace them.
Vol. 1, #56, Annual #2: The Avengers find a time traveller has changed history and turned the original Avengers into his pawns. The displaced heroes must fix the mess.
Vol. 1, #57-58: Introduction of The Vision.
Vol. 1, #88-97: The Kree-Skrull War, a cosmic epic partly illustrated by Neal Adams.
Vol. 1: Notable issues in the Vision/Scarlet Witch romance: #113. They married at the end of the Mantis storyline, in Giant-Size #4.
Vol. 1, #167-177: The Korvac Saga, about an alien messiah from the future.
Vol. 1, #200: "The Child is Father To...?" Ms. Marvel gives birth after a few weeks of pregnancy, and the child himself is aging as quickly.
Vol. 1, #212-230: The decline, fall, and redemption of Yellowjacket.
Vol. 3, #19-22: "Ultron Unlimited": A robot once created by Hank Pym seeks to take over the world. Perhaps the best of the various Ultron stories, as it takes his nature to its logical extreme, puts the team in a truly dire situation, and ends with some personal catharsis.

Founding members
All of these members helped form the team in The Avengers vol 1 #1 (September, 1963).
Thor
Iron Man
Ant-Man: Other identities have included Giant-Man, Goliath and Yellowjacket.
Wasp
The Incredible Hulk
Rick Jones: An honorary member.

1960s recruits
Captain America: Joined in vol 1 #4 (March 1964).
Wonder Man: Joined in vol 1 #9 (October 1964) as a mole placed by the Masters of Evil (October 1964). After an extended period in a coma, he was revived in vol 1 #151 (September 1976), and finally joined again in vol 1 #182 (April 1979).
Hawkeye: Joined in vol 1 #16 (May 1965).
Quicksilver: Joined in vol 1 #16 (May 1965).
Scarlet Witch: Joined in vol 1 #16 (May 1965).
Swordsman: Joined in vol 1 #20 (September 1965) as a mole placed by the Mandarin. Rejoined as a reformed member in vol. 1 #114 (August 1973). Deceased as of vol 1 #130 (December 1974).
Hercules: Joined in vol 1 #45 (October 1967).
Black Panther: Joined in vol 1 #52 (May 1968).
Vision: Joined in vol 1 #58 (November 1968).
Black Knight: First affiliated with the group in vol 1, #48 (January 1968). Joined as a reserve member in vol 1 #71 (December 1969).

First wave of 1970s recruits
Black Widow: Joined as a reserve member in vol 1 #111 (May 1973).
Mantis: First affiliated with the group in vol 1 #114 (August 1973). Joined in Giant-Size Avengers #4 (June 1975).
Beast: First affiliated with the group in vol 1 #137 (July 1975). Joined in vol 1 #151 (September 1976).
Moondragon: First affiliated with the group in vol 1 #137 (July 1975). Joined in vol 1 #151 (September 1976).
Hellcat: First affiliated with the group in vol 1 #144 (February 1976). Joined in Vol 1 #151 (September 1976).

Guardians of the Galaxy
A group of superheroes from the 31st century, the Guardians of the Galaxy time traveled to the 20th century in vol 1 #168 (February 1978) and served as honorary members during the Korvac saga.

Aleta
Charlie-27
Martinex
Nikki
Starhawk
Vance Astro: A younger alternate version of him also later joined as the superhero Justice.
Yondu

Second wave of 1970s recruits
Whizzer: First affiliated with the group in vol 1 #173 (July 1978). Deceased as of Vision and Scarlet Witch vol 1 #2 (December 1982).
Two-Gun Kid: Time traveler from the 19th century. First affiliated with the group in vol 1 #142 (August 1975). First mentioned as official member in vol 1 #174 (August 1978). Returned to his time, and is deceased as of Blaze of Glory #4 (March 2000), which took place in 1885.
Ms. Marvel: First affiliated with the group in vol 1 #172 (June 1978). Joined in vol 1 #183 (May 1979). Also known as Binary and Warbird.
Falcon: Joined in vol 1 #184 (June 1979).

Early 1980s Recruits
Jocasta: Unofficial member as of vol 1 #197 (July 1980). Left in vol 1 #211 (September 1981). Honorary member as of Marvel Two-in-One #93 (November 1982).
Tigra: Joined in vol 1 #211 (September 1981).
She-Hulk: Joined in vol 1 #221 (July 1982).
Captain Marvel: First affiliated with the group in vol 1 #86 (March 1971). Awarded honorary membership posthumously in The Death of Captain Marvel graphic novel.
Captain Marvel II: Joined in vol 1 #227 (January 1983). Also known as Photon.
Starfox: Joined in vol 1 #232 (June 1983).

Avengers West Coast
Mockingbird: Joined in West Coast Avengers vol 1 #1 (September, 1984).
Iron Man II: Joined in West Coast Avengers vol 1 #1 (September 1984).
Firebird: Unofficial member as of West Coast Avengers vol 2 #4 (January 1986). Briefly changed identity to Espirita. Revealed as reserve member as of Avengers vol 1 #305 (July 1989).
Thing: Unofficial member as of West Coast Avengers vol 2 #3 (December 1985). Joined as reserve member in vol 2 #9 (June 1986).
Moon Knight: Unofficial member as of West Coast Avengers vol 2 #21 (June 1987). Joined in vol 2 #33, (June 1988).
USAgent: Joined in West Coast Avengers vol 2 #44 (May 1989).
Human Torch: Joined in Avengers West Coast vol 2 #50 (November 1989).
Living Lightning: Joined as a reserve member in Avengers West Coast vol 2 #69 (April 1991).
Spider-Woman: Joined in Avengers West Coast vol 2 #74 (September 1991).
Machine Man: Joined as a reserve member in Avengers West Coast vol 2 #83 (June 1992).
Darkhawk: Joined as a reserve member in Avengers West Coast vol 1 #94 (May 1993).
Moira Brandon: Revealed to be landlord and founding honorary member in a flashback in Avengers West Coast vol 2 #100 (November 1993). Deceased at the end of the flashback.

Later 1980s recruits
Namor: Joined in vol 1 #262 (December 1985).
Doctor Druid: Joined in vol 1 #278 (April 1987). Deceased as of Druid #4 (August 1995).
Marrina: Honorary member as of vol 1 #286 (December 1987). Considered deceased as of Namor #61 (April 1995). Revealed to be in a coma in vol 3 #47-48 (December 2001 - January 2002).
Yellowjacket II: Honorary member as of Avengers Annual #17 (1988). Deceased as of Avengers: The Crossing (September 1995).
Ravonna: Posing as Nebula at the time, and better known as Terminatrix. Started placing the East Coast division under Mind control as of vol 1 #291 (May 1988). Unofficial leader as of vol 1 #294 (August 1988). Officially joined in vol 1 #297. Reported MIA minutes later. East Coast division consequently disbanded (November 1988).

Recruits of the 1989 Reformation
Demolition Man: Joined in Captain America #349 (January 1989).
Gilgamesh, the Forgotten One: Joined in vol 1 #300 (February 1989). Deceased as of vol 1 #391 (October 1995).
Invisible Woman: Joined in vol 1 #300 (February 1989).
Mister Fantastic: Joined in vol 1 #300 (February 1989).
Quasar: Joined in vol 1. #305 (July 1989).

The Great Lakes Avengers
A group of second-string heroes who independently formed their own branch of Avengers in West Coast Avengers vol 2 #46 (July 1989). Later known as the Lightning Rods.

Big Bertha
Dinah Soar
Doorman
Flatman
Mister Immortal
[edit]
Early 1990s Recruits
Sersi: Joined in vol 1 #314 (February 1990).
Spider-Man: Joined as a reserve member in vol 1. #316 (April 1990).
Stingray: Joined as a reserve member in vol 1. #319 (July 1990).
Rage: Joined in vol 1 #329 (February 1991). In vol 1 #341 (November 1991) he was discovered to be still in his adolescence. Consequently demoted in status and later dismissed.
The Sandman: Joined as a reserve member in Avengers vol 1 #329 (February 1991). Resigned in Amazing Spider-Man #348 (June 1991).
Crystal: Joined in vol 1 #343 (January 1992).
Thor II; Replaced the original in vol 1 #343 (January 1992). After the return of his predecessor, changed identity to Thunderstrike. Deceased as of Thunderstrike #24 (September 1995).
Swordsman II: Honorary member as of vol 1 #357 (December 1992).
Magdalene: Honorary member as of vol 1 #363 (June 1993).
Deathcry: Honorary member as of vol 1 #364 (July 1993).
Iron Man III: An adolescent version of the original. Replaced him for a time beginning with Avengers: Timeslide (February 1996).
Masque: A clone of Madame Masque. Honorary member as of vol 1 #396 (March 1996). Deceased as of vol 3 #32 (September 2000).

Post-Heroes Return members
Justice: Joined in vol 3 #4 (May 1998).
Firestar: Joined in vol 3 #4 (May 1998).
Triathlon: Joined in vol 3 #27 (April 2000).
Silverclaw: Joined as a reserve member in vol 3 #30 (July 2000).
Jack of Hearts: Joined in vol 3 #43 (August 2001).
Ant-Man II: Joined in vol 3 #62 (February 2003).
Captain Britain III: Kelsey Leigh, a female replacement to Brian Braddock. Joined in vol 3 #81.

1950s members
What If? vol 1, #9 (June 1978) revealed that a prototype group of Avengers had been formed in 1958 to rescue abducted President Eisenhower from supervillain Yellow Claw. They disbanded upon completing their mission but the issue discussed what would have happened had they continued their activities. They were revealed in Avengers Forever to be a parallel world version of the Avengers.

Their members included:

Venus
Marvel Boy
Gorilla-Man
Human Robot
3-D Man
Jimmy Woo of the FBI (government liaison)
Namora (associate member)
Jann of the Jungle (associate member)

Overview
The team's character and tensions are best embodied in three members: Captain America, who represents sheer heroism and nobility; Iron Man, a technological genius who represents humanity's creativity but also its frailties; and Thor, the Norse god who possesses tremendous power but can also be stubbornly single-minded, and best represents the team's struggle to serve and protect, not rule, humanity.

They have featured dozens of heroes since their inception, and stories often consider the question of what it means to be human, inhuman, or superhuman.

The 1960s
The Avengers were created as a team by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby as a group of five of Marvel's popular heroes at the time: Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Thor, Ant Man, and The Wasp. The heroes were brought together by the machinations of Thor's nemesis Loki, but Loki's plans backfired, and the heroes formed a team of surprising longevity, given the circumstances of their founding.

The apparent model for the series was the Justice League of America, a series published by rival DC Comics that featured an assortment of DC's super-powered characters. The lineup and personalities of the Avengers were far more volatile than the JLA, however. Case in point was the Hulk, who soon left, opening the door for the return of Captain America in The Avengers #4 (March 1964). Captain America was a 1940s patriotic hero who had been absent from comics for a decade. The comic explained his absence by stating that he'd been in suspended animation since near the end of World War II. Captain America's obsession with his dead partner Bucky Barnes provided some melodrama and a unifying theme for the series. Captain America, a trained acrobat, was considerably less powerful than the other characters, and letters to the editors commented on this fact. Other fans have noted that Captain America is an ideal member for the team with his years of combat and superhero experience to direct the other member's powers to the team's maximum advantage, which makes him an ideal leader.

THOR & THE AVENGERS.....................................................