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Essential Avengers #8
Essential Avengers, Vol. 8
The space opera era of the Avengers hits its stride in the stories presented within this collection of cosmic chronicles! Among the highlights of this tantalizing tome: nothing less than the fate of every living thing is at stake when Thanos, the nastiest nihilist this side of the nearest nebula, wages interstellar war against the Mighty Avengers and their allies Captain Marvel, Warlock, and a host of other galactic gladiators. Featuring Korvak, the Guardians of the Galaxy, the Absorbing Man, the Squadron Sinister and more! COLLECTING: Avengers (1963)164-184, Annuals 7-8; Marvel Two-In-One Annual 2
488 pages, Paperback
First published June 10, 1979
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80 people want to read
About the author
Jim Shooter
1,028 books85 followersJames Charles Shooter was an American writer, editor and publisher in the comics industry. Beginning his career writing for DC Comics at the age of 14, he had a successful but controversial run as editor-in-chief at Marvel Comics, and launched comics publishers Valiant, Defiant, and Broadway.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
August 23, 2018
Many of these issues (especially the Korvac storyline) are the ones that fanned my love for the Avengers and for Marvel comics in general. Loved reading these stories again - I enjoyed them as much (if not more) than I did the first time around!
October 30, 2023
Despite a few filler issues, Essential Avengers 8 is definitely one of the stronger volumes in the series.
The issues featuring the top-tier villains are superb, i.e. the ones with Thanos, Count Nefaria, Michael Korvac, Ultron, and the Absorbing Man, but also included is perhaps the worst Avengers story so far: the two-part story with Bloodhawk and the Monolith. I think my major grievance with it is that Iron Man is so dismissive of Bloodhawk's story, just because he believes it to be superstitious nonsense. Really? The things you've seen in all your years as a superhero, never mind the fact that you have a mutant witch in your team and you refuse to believe that a stone totem might have magical properties? Really poor writing from Tom DeFalco.
Overall, Jim Shooter's writing (he who wrote the bulk of this volume) is decent but sometimes feels chaotic and unfocused. It certainly didn't help that many other writers and artists would pop in for a few issues here and there. It's almost as if nobody wanted to work on the comic book full-time. Despite my hatred of character Henry Gyrich, his introduction does help to reel in the constant coming and going of characters in the team.
As for the art, Perez, Byrne and Buscema do a wonderful job, as well as David Wenzel in the few Korvac Saga issues he works on. There were times where I just had to stop reading an issue so I could take it all in.
The issues featuring the top-tier villains are superb, i.e. the ones with Thanos, Count Nefaria, Michael Korvac, Ultron, and the Absorbing Man, but also included is perhaps the worst Avengers story so far: the two-part story with Bloodhawk and the Monolith. I think my major grievance with it is that Iron Man is so dismissive of Bloodhawk's story, just because he believes it to be superstitious nonsense. Really? The things you've seen in all your years as a superhero, never mind the fact that you have a mutant witch in your team and you refuse to believe that a stone totem might have magical properties? Really poor writing from Tom DeFalco.
Overall, Jim Shooter's writing (he who wrote the bulk of this volume) is decent but sometimes feels chaotic and unfocused. It certainly didn't help that many other writers and artists would pop in for a few issues here and there. It's almost as if nobody wanted to work on the comic book full-time. Despite my hatred of character Henry Gyrich, his introduction does help to reel in the constant coming and going of characters in the team.
As for the art, Perez, Byrne and Buscema do a wonderful job, as well as David Wenzel in the few Korvac Saga issues he works on. There were times where I just had to stop reading an issue so I could take it all in.
January 3, 2018
#164-#184, annuals #7,#8 Beast appearances
May 5, 2015
Great book. The biggest highlight of the book is The Korvac Saga. A story where the Avengers go up against a practically omnipotent being. Voted by many fans to be one of the best Avengers stories published. There are also some other cosmic adventures, including one involving Thanos. A villain who will become far more well known when the next Avengers movies are released. Another entertaining character who is introduced is Henry Peter Gyrich. A government agent with the ability to take away the Avengers priority security clearance, which creates all sorts of headaches for the Avengers as they are no longer able to access top secret government files and are not able to land their quinjets wherever the situation requires. The book also features stories exploring Scarlet Witch's and Quicksilver's history. Finally, the book ends with a great two-part story featuring the Avengers versus the Absorbing Man.
October 11, 2020
After 9 volumes of these essentials i can say one thing for sure: for me this one was the best of them all, without question. It started decently with the Count Nefaria story, who contrary to his lame name, was a real threat. The stuff with Thanos and Warlock was a direct continuation of the end of the Essential Warlock volume, which i regarded highly. Those annuals alone are worth atleast 4 stars, but that might only be true for readers that read the second half of the warlock issues from Jim Starlin.
The storyline about Ultron and the female 'vision' he makes was the best Ultron story so far. And then comes the knockout punch, one of the best Avenger storylines period, past to present (the korvac saga). It ends with the comedic situation of a government official that is going to 'solve' the who is part of the team problem. Hilarity all around.
This essential volume packs a lot of punch. If i can only recommend one of them, let it be this one!
The storyline about Ultron and the female 'vision' he makes was the best Ultron story so far. And then comes the knockout punch, one of the best Avenger storylines period, past to present (the korvac saga). It ends with the comedic situation of a government official that is going to 'solve' the who is part of the team problem. Hilarity all around.
This essential volume packs a lot of punch. If i can only recommend one of them, let it be this one!
May 2, 2012
I'd like to give this 5 stars, really I would. There's some of the best Avengers story arcs included in this collection. The Count Nefaria Trilogy, Starlin's two Annual epic conclusion to the Warlock Saga, the Korvac Sagaand the beginning of the Nights of Wundagore And that's part of the problem. There is only the set-up for this great story. If you want the entire 7 issue arc, it's not included - only four issues are present. Then there are a couple of odd ball "filler" issues that are painfully out of place. I was really looking forward to this volume, but those who put it together really fumbled the ball just short of touchdown.
December 28, 2014
Very solid mix of Avengers mix. In line of how good the Avengers have been under Jim Shooter. Aside from a bit of plot delay with the Korvac storyline/crossover with the original Guardians of the Galaxy, solid pacing and dramatic Avengers drama between the superheroes. Also like the introduction of Gyrich as the evil government type, bureaucratic with the Avengers lineup, nice change of pace.
Also good artwork by Jim Mooney and John Byrne. 5/5
Also good artwork by Jim Mooney and John Byrne. 5/5
July 20, 2013
Un Jim Shooter ottimo ai testi, ed ai disegni i più grandi di quegli anni: John Byrne, George Perez, Sal Buscema. In più la saga di Korvac.
Da non perdere.
Da non perdere.
November 10, 2013
Story is good, but I can't understand why they would ever print these in black and white.
November 16, 2014
We lost Steve Englehart for this?
June 28, 2012
Collects Avengers (1963)164-184, Annuals 7-8; Marvel Two-In-One Annual 2
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews