The Avengers Vol. 1 (1963–1996): Earth's Mightiest Heroes in 402 Issues
The Avengers Vol. 1 (1963–1996): Earth's Mightiest Heroes in 402 Issues
402 issues, three decades and a roster that never sits still. Here is what we love about Marvel's flagship team book, from Lee and Kirby's launch to the mid-90s.
Marvel's biggest heroes have shared a team book for more than sixty years, and it all began with The Avengers in September 1963. The first volume ran for 402 issues, and across three decades it hosted giant space wars, wedding days, android heartbreaks and more roster changes than most readers can keep track of.
We stock a lot of Avengers back issues at Siomic Comics, particularly from the 80s and 90s, so we went back through the run for this guide. Here is what we found: how it began, the writers and artists who shaped it, the storylines everyone talks about and the issues collectors look for.
The Avengers Vol. 1 at a glance
- Publisher: Marvel Comics
- Run: 402 issues, from September 1963 to September 1996
- Created by: Stan Lee and Jack Kirby
- First line-up: Ant-Man, the Wasp, Iron Man, the Hulk and Thor
- Big storylines: Kree-Skrull War (#89 on), Korvac Saga (#167 to #177), Under Siege (#270 to #277), Acts of Vengeance, Operation: Galactic Storm
- Key writers: Stan Lee, Roy Thomas, Steve Englehart, Jim Shooter, Roger Stern, John Byrne, Bob Harras
- Famous debuts: Ultron, Vision, Black Panther joining the team, Mantis, Jocasta, Nebula
- Ended: Issue #402 in September 1996, before the Heroes Reborn relaunch
How the Avengers began
DC's Justice League was selling well in the early 60s, and Marvel publisher Martin Goodman asked for a team book of his own. Stan Lee and Jack Kirby answered with The Avengers #1 in September 1963, bringing together Ant-Man, the Wasp, Iron Man, the Hulk and Thor. The Hulk did not stay: he quit at the end of #2, and in #4 (March 1964) the team found a frozen Captain America and thawed him out, which changed the book for good.
Kirby drew only the first eight issues, and Don Heck took over as penciller from #9. The book was bimonthly for its first six issues, then went monthly, and it stayed monthly until the end of the volume.
The 1960s: Cap's team and some famous arrivals
The big early shake-up came in #16, when Hawkeye, the Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver joined the team. After that the book slowly became a place where characters could come and go, including Black Panther who joined in #52. #54 carries an early Ultron cameo, and Ultron gets his first cover appearance in #67. #58 told the origin of the Vision, who joined the team. With a Roy Thomas and John Buscema creative team, the late 60s are a favourite era for many collectors.
| Issue | Cover date | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | September 1963 | The start of the series |
| #4 | March 1964 | Captain America returns |
| #16 | 1965 | Hawkeye, Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver join |
| #28 | 1966 | First appearance of Goliath (Hank Pym) and the Collector |
| #52 | 1968 | Black Panther joins the Avengers, and the Grim Reaper first appears |
| #58 | 1968 | Origin of the Vision, who joins the team |
| #66 | 1969 | First mention of adamantium |
| #67 | 1969 | First cover appearance of Ultron |
| #89 | 1971 | The start of the Kree-Skrull War |
| #100 | 1972 | The 100th anniversary issue |
| #114 | 1973 | Mantis joins the Avengers |
| #170 | 1978 | First appearance of Jocasta |
| #175 | 1978 | Origin and first cover appearance of Korvac in his cosmic form |
| #200 | 1980 | The 200th issue |
| #227 | 1983 | Captain Marvel (Monica Rambeau) joins |
| #260 | 1985 | Origin and first cover appearance of Nebula |
| #364 | 1993 | First full appearance of Deathcry |
The Kree-Skrull War and the 70s
The 70s were a big decade for the book. The Kree-Skrull War began in #89 and ran for nine issues, a huge space epic that is still one of the benchmarks for Avengers stories. Steve Englehart then wrote the team from 1972 to 1976 and introduced Mantis, and Jim Shooter followed from 1976 to 1982.
The Korvac Saga
One of the best-loved stories of the era is the Korvac Saga, in #167 to #177. It features the first crossover with the Guardians of the Galaxy in #167 and the cosmic form of Korvac in #175. The same stretch also includes the first appearance of Jocasta in #170.
The 80s and 90s: Stern, Byrne and big crossovers
Roger Stern wrote the book from 1979 to 1980 and again from 1983 to 1988, a stretch that gave us the West Coast Avengers and the storyline Under Siege, in #270 to #277. #273 carries a special frame cover for Marvel's 25th anniversary. In 1983, Monica Rambeau became a member in #227, and #260 introduced Nebula.
After that came John Byrne (1989 to 1990), who merged the two Avengers teams, then Acts of Vengeance and the Operation: Galactic Storm crossover. Bob Harras and artist Steve Epting took over from 1991 onward and built a more stable line-up. The run ends at #402 in September 1996, just before Heroes Reborn rebooted the team.
The creators behind the comic
Stan Lee and Jack Kirby
Created the Avengers. Kirby drew the first eight issues.
Roy Thomas and John Buscema
Roy Thomas wrote the book with John Buscema on art, and the Vision's arrival falls in this era.
Steve Englehart
Wrote the book from 1972 to 1976 and created Mantis.
Jim Shooter
Wrote the book from 1976 to 1982.
Roger Stern
Wrote the book across the early 80s and the mid-to-late 80s, including Under Siege.
John Byrne, Bob Harras and Steve Epting
The creators of the 1989 to 1990s era, with Epting on the book from 1991.
Curiosities collectors should know
A new way of counting
Collectors write Vol. 1 to separate this run from the 1996 relaunch and the later volumes.
Mantis from Englehart
Mantis was introduced in the early 70s by Steve Englehart and joins in #114.
A Letterman cameo
#239 includes a guest appearance by David Letterman and Paul Shaffer.
A frame cover
#273 features a special frame cover for Marvel's 25th anniversary.
First published work
#141 carries George Pérez's first published interior art on the title, and #392 is Humberto Ramos's first published cover at Marvel.
Variant heavy
Many issues exist in more than one edition, so check the cover details when you collect.
The Avengers beyond the comics
- The Avengers (2012): the film that brought the team together on screen, with Hulk, Iron Man, Thor and Captain America at its core.
- Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015): built around Ultron, who first took shape in these pages in the late 60s, and the Vision, who joins the team in #58.
- Black Panther joins the team: T'Challa became an Avenger in #52, many years before his own big-screen story.
Why this run still matters
This volume set the template for what an Avengers book is: a team with a changing roster, a mix of cosmic and street-level threats and a sense that anyone can be called in when the world needs it. Almost every later Avengers book, and the big team films, grew from what was established here.
Where to start reading The Avengers Vol. 1
For the origins, start with #1 to #4. For a classic cosmic story, try the Kree-Skrull War from #89. If you like the 80s, Under Siege (#270 to #277) is hugely popular, and for the 90s try the #360 to #370 stretch. Marvel has also collected much of the run in its Epic Collection volumes.
The Avengers Vol. 1 covers through the years
A look at some of the covers from the run. Tap a cover to see our copy if it's in stock.
#4
#16
#52
#58
#67
#89
#100
#114
#175
#200
#227
#273Browse our The Avengers Vol. 1 back issues
These are some of the issues we currently have on the shelf. Every copy is photographed so you can check its condition before buying.
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#260
The Avengers #260: Origin of Nebula
A key issue for fans of the cosmic side of Marvel.
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#271
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#289
The Avengers #289: First appearance of Kubik
A late-80s issue from the run after Under Siege.
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#293
The Avengers #293: First appearance of Chairman Kang
Part of the late-80s run that revolves around Kang and his many versions.
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#296
The Avengers #296: First appearance of Mesozoic Kang
A curious chapter from the Kang storyline.
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#328
The Avengers #328: Origin of Rage
The origin of Rage, a character introduced in the Avengers in 1990.
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#364
The Avengers #364: First full appearance of Deathcry
A 90s key issue with a debut character.
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#370
The Avengers #370: First team appearance of Delta Force
A late-run issue with a new team of characters.
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We also have these issues of the series in stock:
You can also search all our Avengers comics.
Frequently asked questions about The Avengers Vol. 1
When did Avengers Vol. 1 start?
The first Avengers series began with The Avengers #1, cover-dated September 1963.
How many issues are in Avengers Vol. 1?
The first volume ran for 402 issues, from September 1963 to September 1996.
Who created the Avengers?
Stan Lee and Jack Kirby created the team in 1963.
Which issue did Captain America join the Avengers?
Captain America returned in The Avengers #4, cover-dated March 1964.
What is the Kree-Skrull War?
It is a nine-issue space epic that begins in The Avengers #89.
What is the first appearance of Nebula?
Nebula's origin and first cover appearance is in Avengers #260 (1985).
Where should I start reading Avengers Vol. 1?
Try #1 to #4 for the beginning, then the Kree-Skrull War from #89.
Condition grades on our listings follow our comic & book condition guide. Have Avengers comics of your own? See how to sell your comics to Siomic Comics. The Avengers and all related characters are trademarks of Marvel. Cover images are shown for reference.