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Marvel Masterworks: The Avengers #3
Marvel Masterworks: The Avengers, Vol. 3
Collects Avengers (1963) #21-30.
Giant-Man becomes Goliath! The Wasp returns! The team battles the Enchantress, Power Man, the Ringmaster, Kang, Doctor Doom, Attuma, the Collector, the Swordsman, and the Black Widow!
Giant-Man becomes Goliath! The Wasp returns! The team battles the Enchantress, Power Man, the Ringmaster, Kang, Doctor Doom, Attuma, the Collector, the Swordsman, and the Black Widow!
223 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1993
16 people are currently reading
208 people want to read
About the author
Stan Lee
7,563 books2,347 followersStan Lee (born Stanley Martin Lieber) was an American writer, editor, creator of comic book superheroes, and the former president and chairman of Marvel Comics.
With several artist co-creators, most notably Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko, he co-created Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, Thor as a superhero, the X-Men, Iron Man, the Hulk, Daredevil, the Silver Surfer, Dr. Strange, Ant-Man and the Wasp, Scarlet Witch, The Inhumans, and many other characters, introducing complex, naturalistic characters and a thoroughly shared universe into superhero comic books. He subsequently led the expansion of Marvel Comics from a small division of a publishing house to a large multimedia corporation.
With several artist co-creators, most notably Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko, he co-created Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, Thor as a superhero, the X-Men, Iron Man, the Hulk, Daredevil, the Silver Surfer, Dr. Strange, Ant-Man and the Wasp, Scarlet Witch, The Inhumans, and many other characters, introducing complex, naturalistic characters and a thoroughly shared universe into superhero comic books. He subsequently led the expansion of Marvel Comics from a small division of a publishing house to a large multimedia corporation.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
October 8, 2019
This was pretty enjoyable!
I hadn't read a lot of the Kooky Quartet before but I liked seeing where they started out. Cap leading the Avengers got off to a rocky start, mostly because Clint wasn't willing to accept Steve being in charge at all. It was fun watching Steve go from ignoring Clint's digs to insulting him right back. In a way, I think that was good for both of them. Even in the end of this volume, you see Clint start to accept having Steve as their leader, even though they never stop bickering (flirting, if you ask me).
I'm never happy to see Hank Pym so that was a bummer. It's really hard for me to hear them lament the possible loss of a character I honestly never liked but, that's just a personal thing. I wish we'd gotten 10x more Wasp. Jan is a gift!
I hadn't read a lot of the Kooky Quartet before but I liked seeing where they started out. Cap leading the Avengers got off to a rocky start, mostly because Clint wasn't willing to accept Steve being in charge at all. It was fun watching Steve go from ignoring Clint's digs to insulting him right back. In a way, I think that was good for both of them. Even in the end of this volume, you see Clint start to accept having Steve as their leader, even though they never stop bickering (flirting, if you ask me).
I'm never happy to see Hank Pym so that was a bummer. It's really hard for me to hear them lament the possible loss of a character I honestly never liked but, that's just a personal thing. I wish we'd gotten 10x more Wasp. Jan is a gift!
May 27, 2011
I hate to drop this one to 4 stars...Captain America is still in it. (as is Scarlett Witch...the 12 year old in me is still smitten with her).
The writing in these was a bit more spotty than in the issues that came before. Lee was beginning to have trouble here with "how to write Cap" I believe. Where Captain America is simply himself to his fans, there came a time when the "writers" began to have trouble with handling the character (which continues to this day by the way). The strained relationship between Cap and Hawkeye gets a bit worn after a while. The "you're an old guy and I can run the team better than you" motif wore thin, even when I was young.
Then we get the Goliath story. Antman/Giantman/Yellow jacket (well he hadn't been Yellow Jacket yet)/ Henry Pym manages to get himself "stuck" at a 10 foot height and then goes on and on ad infinitum expressing his angst at the situation.
Oh well...
I still love the series and reading this still brings back my youth. If I can I'll snatch up the next volume (assuming there is one etc.). The Avengers were my favorite "Super Team", Captain America was my favorite costumed hero and I loved the Silver Age of comics. What more is there to say. Slightly flawed, but still the Avengers. 4+.
The writing in these was a bit more spotty than in the issues that came before. Lee was beginning to have trouble here with "how to write Cap" I believe. Where Captain America is simply himself to his fans, there came a time when the "writers" began to have trouble with handling the character (which continues to this day by the way). The strained relationship between Cap and Hawkeye gets a bit worn after a while. The "you're an old guy and I can run the team better than you" motif wore thin, even when I was young.
Then we get the Goliath story. Antman/Giantman/Yellow jacket (well he hadn't been Yellow Jacket yet)/ Henry Pym manages to get himself "stuck" at a 10 foot height and then goes on and on ad infinitum expressing his angst at the situation.
Oh well...
I still love the series and reading this still brings back my youth. If I can I'll snatch up the next volume (assuming there is one etc.). The Avengers were my favorite "Super Team", Captain America was my favorite costumed hero and I loved the Silver Age of comics. What more is there to say. Slightly flawed, but still the Avengers. 4+.
September 17, 2019
While not the best set of Avenger stories, I still loved this collection. The awkward time as all the big guns left and Captain America took over with a team with a lot less sheer fire-power. But this was the time of my life that I was getting into comics on a regular basis. I had a job as a newspaper boy and spent my hard earned money on these ole Avenger tales. Probably started around issue #25 or so.
Already checked out Volume 3 from my digital library.
Already checked out Volume 3 from my digital library.
December 22, 2014
Increasingly complicated weaving of stories, some maturity about the developing relationship between Hawkeye and Black Widow and his animosity toward Captain America. The opening story is impressive because the Avengers all get arrested for trespassing on Erik Josten's property. Josten hates the corny name Power Man that the Enchantress gives him, but that doesn't stop him from turning up repeatedly, or, of course, Luke Cage eventually taking his code name, in spite of a rather nondescript brown costume and the fact that he looks like a giant on several of the covers, perhaps a prelude to the fate of Hank Pym, still unresolved at the end of this volume. He considers himself a freak when he faints attempting to return to normal size from a height of 25 feet, and at a height of ten feet, is told by Army doctor Major Carlson that it's too dangerous to attempt shrinking back to normal.
Mixed with this, we get machinations from behind the iron curtain, including a brainwashed Natasha Romanoff, who still loves Hawkeye (whose real name, Clint Barton, still has yet to be mentioned), Dr. Yen, Hu Chen, and a fairy tale involving Kang's love for Princess Ravonna leading to a revolt of his bloodthirsty commanders led by Baltag, and Attuma trying to conquer the world with a macguffin that we never see until it explodes at the end of the episode, implicitly (but not), taking Attuma. with it. And we have Dr. Doom capturing the Avengers to get the Fantastic Four to rescue him such that he can exact his revenge. It didn't work when he tried that premise with Spider-Man, and the government forbids the FF to travel to Latveria to rescue the Avengers. It was too much of an embarrassment for Doom to even speak of when he met Silver Surfer a few months of publication time later.
The artwork by Don Heck is impressive and looks forward to the streamlined Marvel of the 1970s, but looks fairly rough to the modern eye. The way he lines cheekbones is distinctly his and totally different from what, say Kirby would do.
Mixed with this, we get machinations from behind the iron curtain, including a brainwashed Natasha Romanoff, who still loves Hawkeye (whose real name, Clint Barton, still has yet to be mentioned), Dr. Yen, Hu Chen, and a fairy tale involving Kang's love for Princess Ravonna leading to a revolt of his bloodthirsty commanders led by Baltag, and Attuma trying to conquer the world with a macguffin that we never see until it explodes at the end of the episode, implicitly (but not), taking Attuma. with it. And we have Dr. Doom capturing the Avengers to get the Fantastic Four to rescue him such that he can exact his revenge. It didn't work when he tried that premise with Spider-Man, and the government forbids the FF to travel to Latveria to rescue the Avengers. It was too much of an embarrassment for Doom to even speak of when he met Silver Surfer a few months of publication time later.
The artwork by Don Heck is impressive and looks forward to the streamlined Marvel of the 1970s, but looks fairly rough to the modern eye. The way he lines cheekbones is distinctly his and totally different from what, say Kirby would do.
July 19, 2023
Really enjoyed reading this. Only having a four person Avengers team made for an entertaining dynamic. Hawkeye and Captain America constantly bickering with each other was the highlight. The Power Man stuff was entertaining, got a good Kang story, and enjoyed the ending of Black Widow reuniting with Hawkeye. If you’re an Avengers fan, you should check this era out.
April 3, 2015
The Avengers face off against Power Man (Erik Josten, not Luke Cage), Kang, Doctor Doom, Attuma, the Collector, the Swordsman, and Black Widow. Yet another membership adjustment is made as Wasp and Henry Pym (renaming himself from Giant-Man to Goliath) re-join the team.
The multi-issue story arcs continue to be more interesting than the single issues. First the Avengers are discredited, then Kang pulls the Avengers into the far future to defeat in order to impress a potential mate, and then Power Man, Swordsman, and Black Widow team up over two issues. Hawkeye continues to challenge Captain America, which was getting old by this point. There does seem to be some regression here as the Avengers travel to Latveria and somehow forget that Dr. Doom is the ruler; the Circus of Crime is also involved in another issue, which is probably the lamest villain group ever created. Still mostly fun, with more solid art by Don Heck.
The multi-issue story arcs continue to be more interesting than the single issues. First the Avengers are discredited, then Kang pulls the Avengers into the far future to defeat in order to impress a potential mate, and then Power Man, Swordsman, and Black Widow team up over two issues. Hawkeye continues to challenge Captain America, which was getting old by this point. There does seem to be some regression here as the Avengers travel to Latveria and somehow forget that Dr. Doom is the ruler; the Circus of Crime is also involved in another issue, which is probably the lamest villain group ever created. Still mostly fun, with more solid art by Don Heck.
October 9, 2018
The third volume of The Avengers continues the story of Captain's Kooky Quartet: Cap, Hawkeye, Quicksilver, and the Scarlet Witch. Unfortunately, their one-note characterization has gotten old in this second volume of their antics: Cap is authoritarian, Hawkeye is rebellious, Scarlet Witch is hopelessly in love with Steve, and Quicksilver is there. When the Wasp and Giant-Man (now Goliath) rejoin the team in this volume's final issues, it's definitely to the comic benefits, as it helps shake up the already stale group dynamics a bit. (But then they become the new Kooky Quartet, as Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver very temporarily depart.)
One of the most interesting things about this volume is that it's clearly continuing to develop a mythology for the Avengers separate from the stories of these individual heroes. So, Enchantress from the Masters of Evil returns (#21-22) and uses their Wonder Man process to create another villain, Power Man (Erik Josten, who much later became Atlas). Then Kang returns (#23-24) and his storyline expands with the introduction of Ravonna in what's probably the best story of this volume. Then we're back to Power Man, now teamed up with Swordsman and the Black Widow (#29-30), the latter from Tales of Suspense. It definitely feels like a unique setting is being created.
We also get some one totally new villain that will later be of note: The Collector (#28) really doesn't seem like so much in his first appearance, so it's impressive that he'd go on to be revealed as an Elder of the Universe. Meanwhile, the Avengers continue to play in the larger Marvel universe, meeting foes like Dr. Doom (#25) and Atuma (#26-67), but it's more obvious that these stories don't feel quite like your typical Avengers yarn.
Amidst all of this, the stories remain pretty simple: there a story about heroes suddenly being on the wrong side of the law, then a rebellion and a kidnapping, then an attempt to destroy the surface world. None of it is particularly notable, other than that aforementioned Kang story, which is the only one to go a beat deeper.
Rating-wise, this one is very comparable to v2, which I gave 3.5 stars, but by now I'm a little more tired of it and ready for somethign new.
One of the most interesting things about this volume is that it's clearly continuing to develop a mythology for the Avengers separate from the stories of these individual heroes. So, Enchantress from the Masters of Evil returns (#21-22) and uses their Wonder Man process to create another villain, Power Man (Erik Josten, who much later became Atlas). Then Kang returns (#23-24) and his storyline expands with the introduction of Ravonna in what's probably the best story of this volume. Then we're back to Power Man, now teamed up with Swordsman and the Black Widow (#29-30), the latter from Tales of Suspense. It definitely feels like a unique setting is being created.
We also get some one totally new villain that will later be of note: The Collector (#28) really doesn't seem like so much in his first appearance, so it's impressive that he'd go on to be revealed as an Elder of the Universe. Meanwhile, the Avengers continue to play in the larger Marvel universe, meeting foes like Dr. Doom (#25) and Atuma (#26-67), but it's more obvious that these stories don't feel quite like your typical Avengers yarn.
Amidst all of this, the stories remain pretty simple: there a story about heroes suddenly being on the wrong side of the law, then a rebellion and a kidnapping, then an attempt to destroy the surface world. None of it is particularly notable, other than that aforementioned Kang story, which is the only one to go a beat deeper.
Rating-wise, this one is very comparable to v2, which I gave 3.5 stars, but by now I'm a little more tired of it and ready for somethign new.
April 4, 2018
Still cringe-worthy stuff of the time back then, so I guess I'm going to excuse the fuck out of it once again.
But yeah. It was fun.
But yeah. It was fun.
February 1, 2021
Cap’s Kooky Quartet continues, but not for much longer as yet another line-up change sees the return of some original Avengers to the mix, just in time for some truly odd villains to show up. Don’t worry, Hawkeye is still on hand to complain about everything.
Well, this is definitely a bit of a ‘business as usual’ for The Avengers. It’s got some wobbly plotting, the typical ‘I don’t want to explain this so here’s some handwave science’ moments (obedience potion my Aunt Fanny), and, on a personal level, I really can’t stand underwater action scenes.
The first story is a two-parter featuring the creation of Power Man, which is a great idea. Basically, Wonder Man nearly wiped the floor with the original team and they make a new guy using the same process since the first only failed because cold feet. More villains should take this path!
It all goes to plan until Power Man basically loses his gumption because of a woman and it’s... really... lame. He basically just gives up and walks away (don’t worry, he’ll be back).
This leads into another big throw-down with Kang and, as always, do not try to make sense of the chronology of how that story should progress. This one turns its premise pretty smartly, although it’s layered with vintage Stan Lee schmaltz.
After the aforementioned water battle with Attuma, who is basically “more evil” Namor, we get Giant-Man back on the team with an actual costume and then he manages to get stuck at ten feet. Ironically this is only one of many, many indignities Hank Pym will come to suffer as an Avenger.
We end with the introduction of The Collector and I have to admit I love his gimmick of fighting with myriad things he’s obtained over the years, even if they are almost all legitimately insane. Yes, sure, a flying carpet from Persia, why not. Oh, you have the beans from Jack & the Beanstalk and they... summon giants... story checks out. Shout-out to the bizarre old school design of the Beetle’s costume though.
3 stars. There’s been nothing in these runs thus far to make me want to bump up or down by any appreciable amount. I will say that it feels like Stan’s running himself ragged (I love the continuity notes where he can’t remember an issue something happened in), but that will come to a head next volume... Not quite as good as volume 2.
Well, this is definitely a bit of a ‘business as usual’ for The Avengers. It’s got some wobbly plotting, the typical ‘I don’t want to explain this so here’s some handwave science’ moments (obedience potion my Aunt Fanny), and, on a personal level, I really can’t stand underwater action scenes.
The first story is a two-parter featuring the creation of Power Man, which is a great idea. Basically, Wonder Man nearly wiped the floor with the original team and they make a new guy using the same process since the first only failed because cold feet. More villains should take this path!
It all goes to plan until Power Man basically loses his gumption because of a woman and it’s... really... lame. He basically just gives up and walks away (don’t worry, he’ll be back).
This leads into another big throw-down with Kang and, as always, do not try to make sense of the chronology of how that story should progress. This one turns its premise pretty smartly, although it’s layered with vintage Stan Lee schmaltz.
After the aforementioned water battle with Attuma, who is basically “more evil” Namor, we get Giant-Man back on the team with an actual costume and then he manages to get stuck at ten feet. Ironically this is only one of many, many indignities Hank Pym will come to suffer as an Avenger.
We end with the introduction of The Collector and I have to admit I love his gimmick of fighting with myriad things he’s obtained over the years, even if they are almost all legitimately insane. Yes, sure, a flying carpet from Persia, why not. Oh, you have the beans from Jack & the Beanstalk and they... summon giants... story checks out. Shout-out to the bizarre old school design of the Beetle’s costume though.
3 stars. There’s been nothing in these runs thus far to make me want to bump up or down by any appreciable amount. I will say that it feels like Stan’s running himself ragged (I love the continuity notes where he can’t remember an issue something happened in), but that will come to a head next volume... Not quite as good as volume 2.
October 24, 2023
A fine collection of stories. I agree with one of the other reviews, the rivalry with Cap and Hawkeye is just plain annoying, thank God in the last five issue within the book, it changes to a kind of bromance.
These stories are wonderfully filled with Kang the Conqueror, The Mad Thinker, Namor, The Sons of the Serpent and more.
Stan Lee's soapbox regarding what America stands for is wonderful to read. I wish again, that the politicians and greedy, hurtful, bigoted people in the world would read this and take to heart what is said and what the Avengers stand for. What Captain America stands for, and what America is supposed to stand for as we send more aid to another war in the Middle East, Russia colluding with China, Lebanon on the back side of Israel, the Palestinians fighting for a bit of freedom and a strip of land that -- ah, who knows any more. It is a mess, but if they listen to the Avengers plea in the Sons of the Serpent issues--maybe the world could be a better place.
I know I am idealistic. It is probably why I am a huge Captain America and Superman fan.
These stories are wonderfully filled with Kang the Conqueror, The Mad Thinker, Namor, The Sons of the Serpent and more.
Stan Lee's soapbox regarding what America stands for is wonderful to read. I wish again, that the politicians and greedy, hurtful, bigoted people in the world would read this and take to heart what is said and what the Avengers stand for. What Captain America stands for, and what America is supposed to stand for as we send more aid to another war in the Middle East, Russia colluding with China, Lebanon on the back side of Israel, the Palestinians fighting for a bit of freedom and a strip of land that -- ah, who knows any more. It is a mess, but if they listen to the Avengers plea in the Sons of the Serpent issues--maybe the world could be a better place.
I know I am idealistic. It is probably why I am a huge Captain America and Superman fan.
August 12, 2023
Stan Lee's storytelling improves in leaps and bounds here. There's still the occasional misfire, like Dr. Doom's appearance in #25 (it's such a convoluted mess and feels like an attempt to drive up sales!) but the two-part stories featuring Kang the Conqueror (#s 23 & 24) and Attuma (#s 26 & 27) are incredibly entertaining. The rivalry between Quicksilver, Hawkeye and Captain America reaches boiling point here, bringing the book down a bit. It's just so annoying and repetitive (They're supposed to be professional superheroes, so give it a rest!) If I remember correctly, it starts to simmer down in the upcoming issues.
Don Heck really improves as the book's artist here. His art looks a lot more crisp & refined and it's simply much more enjoyable to look at than before.
Definitely an improvement overall.
Don Heck really improves as the book's artist here. His art looks a lot more crisp & refined and it's simply much more enjoyable to look at than before.
Definitely an improvement overall.
March 8, 2025
I will admit to it being fun to be in Avengers comics I have read once and over 10 years ago. That almost slid this up to 3. Honestly, on a different read, these could easily hit 3.
But the team dynamic is just too excessive. Clint, who still has years before he’ll be named Clint, is incessant. Cap takes the bait, making him a failed leader. The Maximoffs are still struggling to feel fleshed out.
Bringing Hank back at the end of this and giving him hindrance (accompanied by the mopes) is a positive step here. The team of four was just too small especially given their character struggles. I think Wasp is back too, though oddly, they never say that.
First appearances:
Power Man (who is important for the next identity he takes)
Ravonna
The Collector (totally forgot he appears this early)
But the team dynamic is just too excessive. Clint, who still has years before he’ll be named Clint, is incessant. Cap takes the bait, making him a failed leader. The Maximoffs are still struggling to feel fleshed out.
Bringing Hank back at the end of this and giving him hindrance (accompanied by the mopes) is a positive step here. The team of four was just too small especially given their character struggles. I think Wasp is back too, though oddly, they never say that.
First appearances:
Power Man (who is important for the next identity he takes)
Ravonna
The Collector (totally forgot he appears this early)
January 8, 2019
Perhaps it's because the innovations Stan Lee brought to comic story telling in the 1960s are just a necessary part of good comics storytelling now are the reason I give this collection an "average" rating. The standout story here is a two part Kang arc that introduces Princess Ravonna--this arc ends up causing problems between the Avengers, Kang and Immortus for the next twenty years. This is not where I would start when looking for the classic Avengers story arcs (maybe Kurt Busiek's Avengers Forever or the Kree/Skrull War) but probably still worth reading from a historical perspective. You can be kind of nerd and still enjoy this.
January 23, 2021
Don Heck’s art is actually pretty spiffy. He’s got the Kirby style down pat: lots of crazy devices and a lot of cinematic shots.
Stan Lee’s voice is absolutely the reason why Marvel was tops. His voice is heard throughout. I enjoy the Cap/Hawkeye bickering, especially since they’re basically the same person. Get a room, guys.
Wanda and Pietro don’t really have much personality.
The villains were pretty good this go around. Power man, Enchantress, Kang, Doctor Doom, Attuma.
I actually remember reading many of these comics “in the raw.” I think a neighbor let me read his copies. There’s a lot of nostalgia at work here, which is why it gets 4 stars.
Stan Lee’s voice is absolutely the reason why Marvel was tops. His voice is heard throughout. I enjoy the Cap/Hawkeye bickering, especially since they’re basically the same person. Get a room, guys.
Wanda and Pietro don’t really have much personality.
The villains were pretty good this go around. Power man, Enchantress, Kang, Doctor Doom, Attuma.
I actually remember reading many of these comics “in the raw.” I think a neighbor let me read his copies. There’s a lot of nostalgia at work here, which is why it gets 4 stars.
July 2, 2017
By far the weakest of the books. Stan seemed to be struggling hard here. There's some good stuff, but man there's a lot of paint by numbers wash rinse and repeat garbage too. The final issues do bring back Jan and Hank, and the team of Cap, Hawkeye, Goliath, Wasp, Quicksilver, and Witch are one of my favorites, so goodness is right around the corner. And Roy Thomas is on deck, so there's a big uptick coming.
August 4, 2018
I continue to not like this line-up of the Avengers as they spend more time bitching and fighting with each other than they do bitching and fighting with any villains. Especially that pain in the butt, Hawkeye. Why does Cap put up with him? Perhaps this is why Stan the Man brought back Wasp and Giant Man/Goliath. The in-fighting does get cut down a bit in order to make room for the returning characters.
March 12, 2021
The series has gotten a bit better since the Kooky Quartet took over but wow it's still boring. Conceptually, I love what they're doing here. But the art isn't anything special, the dialogue is mostly painful, and it's still dated as heck. I can barely remember what happens other than "Goliath" shows up at one point, also Black Widow becomes an 'antagonist' of sorts. Otherwise it's a forgettable collection of stories.
January 23, 2022
A pretty good set of adventures. Don Heck provides capable art and the stories are pretty decent, too. The Wasp and Goliath return, and their addition doesn't detract from the interaction of the new Avengers. Cap still shines as leader, a role he has taken on since the other Avengers left. The Avengers are establishing a history as a formidable team, and they face foes that are seemingly unbeatable. Recommended for any Avengers fan.
December 31, 2023
Avengers #21-22 - While there’s some weird and completely contrived narrative convolutions, this story offers some interesting insights into Cap’s Kooky Quartet of Avengers. Our antagonist’s are the Enchantress and a new character, Power Man (he’ll eventually become Atlas of the Thunderbolts in later years), that has gone through the same empowerment process that gave us Wonder Man (technically this is the Masters of Evil, but only technically). In any case, everyone jumps through staged hoops to get the dry from A to B to Contrived. While there’s some good stuff, the appearance of the Circus of Crime was fun (I always forget they’re in this story at all), the overall narrative is just weak.
Avengers #23-24 - Kang! But certainly not at his finest. Again, the basic narrative structure is ridiculously contrived, but it’s still a fun, fast-paced adventure tale. Also the introduction of Ravonna into the sprawling Kang saga.
Avengers #25 - Doctor Doom! But certainly not at this finest. This is Doom being petty and nothing more than a plot device. Another contrived story, but again a fun one. And seriously? Let me press this button and activate the unbreakable dome that will encompass my entire kingdom. 😳🙄🤨🤦🏻♂️ Yep, a lot of these old Stan Lee stories are … can we just say hard to swallow and leave it at that, although maybe Don Heck was responsible for this one. And this is also the unofficial end of Cap’s Kooky Quartet as the next issue offers the unofficial return of the wonderful Wasp.
Avengers #26-27 - This starts off with the usual bickering that’s never worked as well in the Avengers as it does in the Fantastic Four, but Lee (bless him) just didn’t get the differences between the teams and kept trying. Then there’s a Namor cameo, and a brief return by Dr Pym and the Wasp before the threat is revealed: a tumor? A tuna? No, it’s Attuma. It’s another convoluted plot that meanders and is rather nonsensical at times (but then almost every single surface hero who invade the undersea world are ludicrously nonsensical, so what can we do?). Fun but a lot of unnecessary complications like the Beetle invading Avengers mansion (more on that next issue) and the team back together after getting them separated. Attuma’s civilization altering machine is almost forgotten until a last second retcon save takes care of that whole. But a lot of the threads here were really nothing more than window dressing for …
Avengers #28 - The return of Giant-Man! Except NOW he’s Goliath and he needs help rescuing the Wasp from … wait for it … The Collector! And he wants nothing more than a complete set of Avengers to match his super-villain, The Beetle, for his collection. Can we just pause her for a moment and think about the subtle meta nature of this “villain” who collects Avengers and wants to have them all. What the heck Don (pun intended), are you saying comic book collectors obsessed with having a complete set of Avengers are willing to be villains to get what they want? I mean this pretty bold dude. Still, we get the return of Giant-Man, the solved mystery of the Beetle, the introduction of the Collector and (eventually) the return of the Wasp (again). It’s all a little crazy, but it’s a classic Avengers crazy.
Avengers #29 - Unable to change his size or die, Goliath falls victim to depression. If you follow Dr. Pym’s tragic arc from mad scientist to Ant-Man to Giant-Man to Goliath, you see a sad progress of insecurities and bluster, a drive for recognition and power (see: Ant-Man/Giant-Man Epic Collection, Vol. 1: The Man in the Ant Hill and Ant-Man/Giant-Man Epic Collection, Vol. 2: Ant-Man No More, as well as Avengers Epic Collection, Vol. 1: Earth's Mightiest Heroes). This is man with a huge inferiority complex and everything he seems to try to give himself more strength and power, more recognition and glory, only seems to end up exasperating the fundamental psychological problem (surprise, surprise). While it’s great to have two of the founders of the team back, the Wasp was ALWAYS better at being a superhero than Pym. And we haven’t even mentioned the return of the Black Widow, the traitorous Avenger the Swordsman, and the original Power Man. Another fundamental turning point for the team?
Avengers #30 - Part one of a 2-part story that starts off with Quicksilver & Scarlet Witch suddenly leaving the team, Goliath looking for expect help with his inability to change size , and Hawkeye running off to tackle Black Widow, Swordsman and Power Man all on his own.
Avengers #23-24 - Kang! But certainly not at his finest. Again, the basic narrative structure is ridiculously contrived, but it’s still a fun, fast-paced adventure tale. Also the introduction of Ravonna into the sprawling Kang saga.
Avengers #25 - Doctor Doom! But certainly not at this finest. This is Doom being petty and nothing more than a plot device. Another contrived story, but again a fun one. And seriously? Let me press this button and activate the unbreakable dome that will encompass my entire kingdom. 😳🙄🤨🤦🏻♂️ Yep, a lot of these old Stan Lee stories are … can we just say hard to swallow and leave it at that, although maybe Don Heck was responsible for this one. And this is also the unofficial end of Cap’s Kooky Quartet as the next issue offers the unofficial return of the wonderful Wasp.
Avengers #26-27 - This starts off with the usual bickering that’s never worked as well in the Avengers as it does in the Fantastic Four, but Lee (bless him) just didn’t get the differences between the teams and kept trying. Then there’s a Namor cameo, and a brief return by Dr Pym and the Wasp before the threat is revealed: a tumor? A tuna? No, it’s Attuma. It’s another convoluted plot that meanders and is rather nonsensical at times (but then almost every single surface hero who invade the undersea world are ludicrously nonsensical, so what can we do?). Fun but a lot of unnecessary complications like the Beetle invading Avengers mansion (more on that next issue) and the team back together after getting them separated. Attuma’s civilization altering machine is almost forgotten until a last second retcon save takes care of that whole. But a lot of the threads here were really nothing more than window dressing for …
Avengers #28 - The return of Giant-Man! Except NOW he’s Goliath and he needs help rescuing the Wasp from … wait for it … The Collector! And he wants nothing more than a complete set of Avengers to match his super-villain, The Beetle, for his collection. Can we just pause her for a moment and think about the subtle meta nature of this “villain” who collects Avengers and wants to have them all. What the heck Don (pun intended), are you saying comic book collectors obsessed with having a complete set of Avengers are willing to be villains to get what they want? I mean this pretty bold dude. Still, we get the return of Giant-Man, the solved mystery of the Beetle, the introduction of the Collector and (eventually) the return of the Wasp (again). It’s all a little crazy, but it’s a classic Avengers crazy.
Avengers #29 - Unable to change his size or die, Goliath falls victim to depression. If you follow Dr. Pym’s tragic arc from mad scientist to Ant-Man to Giant-Man to Goliath, you see a sad progress of insecurities and bluster, a drive for recognition and power (see: Ant-Man/Giant-Man Epic Collection, Vol. 1: The Man in the Ant Hill and Ant-Man/Giant-Man Epic Collection, Vol. 2: Ant-Man No More, as well as Avengers Epic Collection, Vol. 1: Earth's Mightiest Heroes). This is man with a huge inferiority complex and everything he seems to try to give himself more strength and power, more recognition and glory, only seems to end up exasperating the fundamental psychological problem (surprise, surprise). While it’s great to have two of the founders of the team back, the Wasp was ALWAYS better at being a superhero than Pym. And we haven’t even mentioned the return of the Black Widow, the traitorous Avenger the Swordsman, and the original Power Man. Another fundamental turning point for the team?
Avengers #30 - Part one of a 2-part story that starts off with Quicksilver & Scarlet Witch suddenly leaving the team, Goliath looking for expect help with his inability to change size , and Hawkeye running off to tackle Black Widow, Swordsman and Power Man all on his own.
May 4, 2018
Not as enjoyable for me as the previous two volumes of this Avengers series as it confirmed my general lowered expectations for Silver Age comics: formulaic stories, shallow character development, and general appeal geared to preteen males. That said, I still plan to read Volume 4 and applaud the overall presentation of Marvel Masterworks.
August 25, 2019
Love the early Avengers!
September 1, 2023
ugh, is this the lowest point of the Mighty Avengers..?
Lack-luster stories and workman art, with boring villains and plots.
Finished only to read all of the Avengers thru issue #200.
Lack-luster stories and workman art, with boring villains and plots.
Finished only to read all of the Avengers thru issue #200.
September 17, 2023
Avengers #21-30.
December 20, 2011
Good old-fashioned nonsense as the new team of Avengers, Hawkeye, Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver, find their feet as a fighting group, lead by stalwart hero Captain America.
Brimming with soap-opera bickering; Hawkeye is forever harassing Cap, or "Methuselah" as he keeps calling him, with an eye on being the leader of The Avengers himself. His other eye is on the beautiful Scarlet Witch, vehemently protected by her prickly brother Quicksilver, whereas Scarlet Witch has her own school-girl crush on the brooding Captain.
The stories can be quite hokey, "We've been invited on a trip to Latveria, oh wait, isn't Doctor Doom the ruler here? it was a trap all along!" *Facepalm*; or they can be nutty Saturday morning serial Flash Gordon style adventures with trips to the 25th Century to take on crazy Kang The Conqueror (with possibly the best Avengers cover ever), his mutineering army generals and Ravonna his unrequited love. Best line - "A short time later, back in the 20th Century" Nice.
On top of that, Wasp and Giant Man make a come back. Giant Man becomes Goliath (Scarlet made him a new costume in case he came back. How thoughtful) who struggles with his improved growing powers.
Over-all, a very enjoyable run of issues, with Stan Lee at his prime with his snappy dialogue and Don Heck confidently breezing through some of his best comics.
What makes this book especially gratifying is the care that has gone into the colour restoration. Early versions of the Marvel Masterworks were a disgraceful mess (Janet Jackson hang your head in shame), but the colours are a very good match to the originals and are printed on matt paper which softens the blow of the simple, but effective colouring. As opposed to glossy reprints that over-egg the 4-colour process and give you migraine seizures.
Brimming with soap-opera bickering; Hawkeye is forever harassing Cap, or "Methuselah" as he keeps calling him, with an eye on being the leader of The Avengers himself. His other eye is on the beautiful Scarlet Witch, vehemently protected by her prickly brother Quicksilver, whereas Scarlet Witch has her own school-girl crush on the brooding Captain.
The stories can be quite hokey, "We've been invited on a trip to Latveria, oh wait, isn't Doctor Doom the ruler here? it was a trap all along!" *Facepalm*; or they can be nutty Saturday morning serial Flash Gordon style adventures with trips to the 25th Century to take on crazy Kang The Conqueror (with possibly the best Avengers cover ever), his mutineering army generals and Ravonna his unrequited love. Best line - "A short time later, back in the 20th Century" Nice.
On top of that, Wasp and Giant Man make a come back. Giant Man becomes Goliath (Scarlet made him a new costume in case he came back. How thoughtful) who struggles with his improved growing powers.
Over-all, a very enjoyable run of issues, with Stan Lee at his prime with his snappy dialogue and Don Heck confidently breezing through some of his best comics.
What makes this book especially gratifying is the care that has gone into the colour restoration. Early versions of the Marvel Masterworks were a disgraceful mess (Janet Jackson hang your head in shame), but the colours are a very good match to the originals and are printed on matt paper which softens the blow of the simple, but effective colouring. As opposed to glossy reprints that over-egg the 4-colour process and give you migraine seizures.
June 9, 2016
The Wasp and Giant Man (now calling himself Goliath) rejoin the team, who fight against such villains as The Collector, The Enchantress, Doctor Doom, and the original Power Man. Fans of the classic Avengers line-up may be disappointed by the line-up herein, but don't despair because it soon changes once again...
February 15, 2016
The Marvel Masterworks volumes are fantastic reprints of the early years of Marvel comics. A fantastic resource to allow these hard to find issues to be read by everyone. Very recommended to everyone and Highly recommended to any comic fan.
January 28, 2011
Quite fun. The Avengers find their feet, Goliath joins them, and shock, horror, Hawkeye stops being irritating.
March 1, 2015
3.5 Stars - I got really annoyed by the constant bickering, although that did seem to be clearing up a bit by the end. Finally.
February 22, 2015
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