Avengers: Four

Avengers (2016) (Collected Editions)

by Mark Waid (Writer), Barry Kitson (Artist)

The Old Order Changeth - more than you ever suspected! For the first time ever, learn what really happened all those years ago when the founding Avengers turned their membership over to a set of new recruits. The recently thawed Captain America is joined by three reformed super villains - Hawkeye, Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch - as a new group of Earth's Mightiest Heroes takes shape! But when a stranger comes to New York, they may have to draft a new member to help them defeat him! It's a new story of Cap's Kooky Quartet that has direct ramifications for the Avengers of today!

COLLECTING: AVENGERS 1.1-5.1

Genres: Comics, Marvel, Graphic Novels, Superheroes, Fantasy, Graphic Novels Comics, Fiction

112 pages, Paperback

First published May 16, 2017

About the author

Mark Waid is an American comic book writer widely known for shaping modern superhero storytelling through influential runs on major characters at both DC Comics and Marvel Comics. Raised in Alabama, he developed an early fascination with comic books, particularly classic stories featuring the Legion of Super-Heroes, whose imaginative scope and sense of legacy would later inform his own writing. He first entered the comics industry during the mid 1980s as an editor and writer for the fan magazine Amazing Heroes, before publishing his first professional comic story in Action Comics. Soon afterward he joined DC Comics as an editor, contributing to numerous titles and helping shape projects across the company. After leaving editorial work to focus on writing, Waid gained widespread recognition with his long run on The Flash, where he expanded the mythology of the character and co-created the youthful speedster Impulse. His reputation grew further with the celebrated graphic novel Kingdom Come, created with artist Alex Ross, which imagined a future DC Universe shaped by generational conflict among superheroes. Over the years he has written many prominent series, including Captain America, Fantastic Four, Daredevil, and Superman: Birthright, bringing a balance of optimism, character depth, and respect for comic book history to each project. Waid has also collaborated with notable artists and writers on major ensemble titles such as Justice League and Avengers, while contributing ideas that helped clarify complex continuity within shared superhero universes. Beyond mainstream superhero work, he has supported creator owned projects and experimental publishing models, including the acclaimed series Irredeemable and Incorruptible, which explored moral ambiguity within the superhero genre. He later took on editorial leadership roles at Boom Studios, guiding creative direction while continuing to write extensively. In subsequent years he expanded his involvement in publishing and digital storytelling, helping launch online comics initiatives and advocating for new distribution methods for creators. His work has earned numerous industry awards, including Eisner and Harvey honors, reflecting both critical acclaim and enduring popularity among readers. Throughout his career Waid has remained a passionate student of comic book history, drawing on decades of storytelling tradition while continually encouraging innovation within the medium. His influence extends across generations of readers and creators, and his stories continue to shape the evolving language of superhero comics around the world today through enduring characters imaginative narratives and thoughtful reinventions of familiar myths within popular culture and modern graphic storytelling traditions.

Reviews

[Chad · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent untold story from when Captain America, Scarlet Witch, Quicksilver, and Hawkeye took over for the original Avengers. They fight a villain who shows up for a couple of issues in volume 2 of the series. She's kind of stereotypical and one note with no motivations beyond being evil. I've liked Barry Kitson's art going back to his days on L.E.G.I.O.N. and it's just as good here.

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

An entertaining-enough little jaunt into Avengers history, but hardly what I'd consider essential reading.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was this needed? Not exactly. Does it fit perfectly in the established timeline / canon? Not sure ( . . . that I care - ha!). Was I entertained for thirty minutes? Hell yeah. "Cap's Kooky Quartet" gets featured in a quasi-origin story that haphazardly blurs the line between 1967 and 2017. It was a fun, lightweight read (the mood was akin to Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 1.1: Learning To Crawl) featuring the newly-assembled lineup encountering the usual stumbling blocks and personality conflicts on their way to greatness.

[Tiag⊗ the Mutant · Rating 3 out of 5]

A trip to the past, good fun.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

Waid and Kitson def give this book that 60’s feel. And yet other than the Stan-like intro blurbs, the dialogue and plotting themselves were totally up to modern standards, and were lightweight fun!

I don’t know the early Avengers comics to know how closely they cleaved to the stories these pay homage to - but there’s lot of obscure references that unimaginable this’d be pretty extra-amazing for the true fans.

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

Here we go to the past. The original Avengers, Iron Man, Hulk, Thor and Pym are stepping away and pass the torch to Captain America to lead the Avengers with Scarlet Witch, Quicksilver and Hawkeye. But the real reason for this throwback tale is to introduce us to the character that was teased in the last volume, Avenger X. After joining the team, we learn she was secretly plotting against them. This can only spell trouble for what’s to come in the next volume as it looks like she is about to be brought back. Rough times ahead for the unsuspecting Avengers. Some solid art here and while being just decent, this volume did boost up my curiosity for the next book.

[Shannon Appelcline · Rating 2 out of 5]

Four is set in the final pages of The Avengers #15 and prior to The Avengers #16. It could have been a great comic, but it's pretty much not.

Much of the problem may be its focus on introducing Avenger X, a retcon to Avengers continuity who isn't very interesting, who has murky motives, and who leaves a trail a bodies that no one cares about.

But beyond that, the volume is badly focused. Waid dumps a bunch of different period villains into the story and calls it a plot. He also introduces a lot of rivalry and unhappiness into the team that just didn't exist at the time. Worst of all, he makes not one but two uses of the "you're too strong for us to beat, but then we come back and beat you" trope. It's never good, because it makes it obvious that the whole storyline revolves around authorial fiat.

I'm also not sure how Cap's Kooky Quartet got over being dead. (Presumably, unlike every other single person affected by X's power, they weren't quite dead, but that's another bit of nasty authorial fiat.)

Overall, it's hard to believe this is by Mark Waid, because the writing is so sloppy.

[Hazel · Rating 1 out of 5]

Is that all you graphic marvel books got? NOT EMOTIONAL, NOT THRILLING, NOT SCARY AND NOT WORTH MY MY TIME!!

Sorry, but the movies are so much better. I actually develop connections to the characters unlike in the graphic books.

[Oneirosophos · Rating 1 out of 5]

Remember Sentry?

This is just another Sentry origin story, taking place before the classic Avengers #17, setting things for the vol.2...

Enter Avenger X. And she is boring as hell...

[Dawn Livingston · Rating 4 out of 5]

I used to collect The Avengers off and on when I was younger but because of the movies I like characters a lot that I never used to care about, like Iron Man, Captain America, Hawkeye. The Avengers movies have had such an impact on me that anything I read now about them, any comic is compared to the movies. And not as good in comparison. The movies took characters that at best I had a passing interest in and made me love them, made me care about them. So where does that leave this graphic novel? It's not the movies so I don't like it as well, but considering it on it's own merits and not comparing the two, it's worth reading. Some depth but not much, enough to get an idea as to the dynamic between the characters, Cap's view on the rest of his team, seeing them in a way that hadn't occurred to me.

[Juan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was genuinely entertaining to me. Had I been lucky enough to have read the original series from way back when, I am sure this would have been really nostalgic for me. Regardless, this story was funny when it didnt need to be and some what emotional such as when Captain really goes off on Hawkeye. The best line of the whole series was Captain referring to him as a "carney with a bow and arrow." Terrific! I swear! I am glad Marvel decided to do this interesting little throwback series and I hope they decide to do some more in the future. By the end, I totally bought in on what it means to work as a team.

[Alex E · Rating 2 out of 5]

We travel back into the Avengers' history to find see how the "changing of the guard" occurred, and how the team grew together. But more importantly, we see the origins of this "Avenger X" that keeps popping up in the current book.

Mark Waid is a great comic book writer, one of my favorites in fact. And part of the reason why I like him, is because he can integrate some of that classic comic book type plots and style that harkens back to the golden and silver age. Here in this volume, he goes full force with this style to the point where it really does feel and read like a golden/silver age book. And that's where I have a problem with the book. It's a bit too authentic. Its very "convenient" and very "on the nose". Which look, I get it, they were going for a style here and they very much hit it. But I dont think this will really appeal to readers who enjoy the more modern style of writing, such as myself.

The story is about how Cap makes Quicksilver, Scarlett Witch, and Hawkeye into a team. It also details who Avenger X is, and what her powers are. Also, it shows us the origin of the grave stone that is being shown in the main series. The art is also very much in the style of days gone by, so... yeah take that for what it's worth to you.

If you are a fan of golden and sliver age comic books, you will probably love this.

[Adan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A weird little story featuring the first, untold adventure of the second team of Avengers. The Avenger X character was a strange addition who left a ridiculously large body count that no one seemed to care about afterwards.

[Marco · Rating 2 out of 5]

By far, one of Mark Waid's weakest and unnecessary stories I've ever read. He can do way much better than this.

[Roman Colombo · Rating 4 out of 5]

O haven't read any of Mark Waid's Avengers run yet, but I liked this throwback to Cap's Kooky Quartet. A good nostalgia piece.

[AN · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pretty much one of the least necessary story arcs to be put into ink and color. The first issue has Captain America whinging about his new team, the second issue has them bringing an unknown into the team (after all the trouble they've had getting to work together as a team, they're just totes willing to bring a fifth on, no questions asked? Suuure.), there is no explanation for why Avenger X wants to be their nemesis in issue four, and the final issue is wrapped up with them completely missing the gravestone of Avenger X.

Mildly entertaining, but that's about it. There is too much modernity mixed into what is supposed to be an origin story for the original 1960s arc, and as a whole, it wasn't necessary to show the growing pains of this group of "new" Avengers. Skip it.

[Carl · Rating 2 out of 5]

Storyline 2 stars
Artwork 4 stars
A messy incoherent story meant to take place between issues of the classic 60's run of the Avengers that muddles things in away that is greatly disappointing. No story supposedly set in the "60's" will have a news outlet called cable news 1 or have Pietro argue with Wanda about her seeking publicity and whining that she'll have her own reality show?

I would like to think Waid knows better and was sloppy and not that he wants to make this early avengers episode exist in a non- specific time where past and present mix.

Add to this his seeming inability to get characters right. Captain America, even a 60's recently defrosted Cap, is not going to blowup and whine about the team he has. I was also saddened that the Avengers would go so readily into getting the superhero equivalent of Anabolic Steroids so willingly and so blindly. Also I find it deeply troubling that we are to believe that the Avengers cannot find a clearly marked "tombstone" left by the Frightful Four and just shrug their shoulders and move on, making painfully obvious that the "current" Avengers will find Cressida and fight her anew . Yawn.

The lettering, meant to evoke 60's style lettering is more annoying and distracting than a plus.

The saving grace is Barry Kitson's artwork. he mixes healthy doses of reverent kirbyesque artwork but also allows his own style to come through.

[Scott Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun, in a weird way. It is neither entirely comfortable in its own time-line (Cap, Pietro, Wanda, and Hawkeye made up the second Avengers line up in the sixties...the first official "new team" moment) with a few time-muddling elements like references to Wanda "getting her own reality show" and cable news, nor of the present moment.

It could believably fit in the cracks of the classic run, although given the events of Avengers: Kang War One I'm assuming that it was written almost entirely to give a background to a new character that Waid wanted to establish "in continuity" (i.e. in the past) so she could be used in future volumes in that line.

I'd pick this up again. It's not fantastic, but it's an interesting take on this lineup and these characters, and its fun.

[Agustina Uliarte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Muy buena historia, se lee súper rápido, esperamos poder continuar con la colección!

[Erik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like to know what happens between the original Avengers run? Then you'll really enjoy this.

[Emmett Spain · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun throwback from long-time comic writer Mark Waid, he and artist Barry Kitson capture the early comics vibe nicely.

[Fizzgig76 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reprints Avengers (5) #1.1-5.1 (January 2017-May 2017). The Avengers are looking for new members. When the original team decides to take a hiatus from active duty, Captain America finds himself helming a new team of Avengers. With a reformed criminal and two former mutant terrorists, the Avengers must first gain the trust of the public. The arrival of a mysterious woman named Cressida could literally boost the Avengers powers to where they need to be in order to protect the world. Unfortunately, the Avengers find “Avenger X” has her own agenda…and the Avengers could pay the price.

Written by Mark Waid, Avengers: Four is a retcon flashback story occurring after Avengers (1) #16 (May 1965). The story was published as “.1” issues with the fifth relaunch of The Avengers. The series features art by Barry Kitson, Mark Bagley, Sean Izaakse, and Ro Stein.

I gave up on The Avengers during the Bendis period which seemed to sap the fun from the team and kept getting interrupted by “big events” storylines. I tried to hop back on with the fourth relaunch of the title but the Infinity storyline bogged down that comic. With a return to the original numbering I decided to leap back to the beginning of the Waid relaunch and see how it was set-up. This throwback collection was mixed in with the new title…and it feels like more of the same.

Mark Waid is a solid comic book writer, but he isn’t a great comic book writer. He is consistently good, but generally provides really basic, traditional comic book stories. More dynamic comic book writers (Grant Morrison would be an example) often have success, but when their stories hit, they are inventive and different (if they miss they can be real bad). Waid generally dodges that risk with his writing, and this collection is no different.

The goal of this book is to make it feel like it is seamless with the original Kirby-Lee run of The Avengers. It is close, but it just feels flat beyond the novelty of a throwback story. A better example of this type of storytelling is Busiek’s Untold Tales of Spider-Man which does feel more seamless while introducing new characters and ideas. This collection provides a big letdown at the end with a fake funeral and a magic science solution to restore the Avengers to health (just forget about all the people killed by Cressida before). It seems like a throwaway.

I also am not a fan of how the comic was released. Comics are expensive and attracting new readers is difficult. If a kid has just seen one of the Avengers movies and rushes to the comic bookstore to buy Avengers comics, he or she is first confused by the numbering system and second has a story that jumps back and forth…it doesn’t really help the brand as part of Avengers (Volume 5)…let Avengers: Four be its own series like Fantastic Four: 1 2 3 4.

Avengers: Four is a very generic comic book. There is nothing really wrong with it (besides the fake funeral part), but there is also nothing special or distinctive about it. It is completely forgettable (though I can’t fault the artists, it seems like Mike Allred or Marcos Martin would have been a better choice for the retro look). Avengers: Four can be skipped but runs in conjunction with Avengers Unleashed: Kang War One.

[David Palazzolo · Rating 2 out of 5]

This peek into a hidden early Avengers adventure had a wonderful set up by Mark Waid and beautiful illustrations by Barry Kitson and Mark Farmer but sadly did not live up to expectations. Taking place between issues 16 and 17 of the original series we see some of the growing pains of Captain America, Hawkeye, Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch as they go from strangers to teammates (including one instance where they have to return to Avengers Mansion on a public bus. You have to read it to believe it, True Believer 😉!!) Unfortunately, as the series progressed it lost the drive for character development and expansion of Avengers lore to a simple slugfest between the team and a moustache twirling antagonist that even Waid seems to give up on. Near the end of part four, the villain teases “…you still don’t know how much you owe me…” then elaborated that her actions were payback “…for past sins. I wanted to break the Avengers in secret for reasons you can’t even guess…” What those reasons are we’ll never know because she changes her motivation to simply one of creating as much death, mayhem and destruction as possible in the final part. (Nerd note: the villain will return to battle the Avengers in the ‘present day’ two months after this final chapter is published, but if anything is even less interesting an antagonist and still no answer as to why)

Other things that burn me about the series is that Waid tossed a cliffhanger of the apparent death of our heroes, but has this resolved off screen by the Weird Science of Hank Pym, who also grants immunity to Cap and friends against the villain’s powers—but just Cap and friends. None of the allies who come to their aid at the conclusion are granted immunity to the villain (despite their aid being planned ahead of time), and no one ever gets any kind of immunity against similar powers of the villain, ever. A pity as it would have come in useful at least once or twice.

[Gyan Chansrichawla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Avengers: Four is lackluster. Mark Waid is a legend and he’s probably one of, if not, my favorite comic book writers of all-time but here, everything feels so underdeveloped. Not only do the dynamics and eventual payoff of these characters as a team not feel fleshed out, some of them have nothing to go through here. I feel like five issues simply wasn’t enough for Waid to have this team come together while also adding in Cressida as a surprise antagonist. I like the way Waid shows Captain America and his optimism throughout the series and how he and the team deals with the public back-clash. The problem comes when there isn’t enough time to create an earned arc where there’s a mutual respect between the new Avengers and the public. The villain writing is surprisingly lazy for Mark Waid too. Definitely a disappointing Avengers story but I can’t lie, I was relatively entertained for less than an hour.

[Villain E · Rating 3 out of 5]

As the cover suggests, this takes place when the second lineup of Avengers was still new. Captain America, Hawkeye, Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch learn to deal with each other while the media does the whole "Not my Avengers" thing. The team encounters a new character who seems friendly but has her own goals while also facing off against the original Frightful Four, the Mad Thinker and other threats.

The classic team of Mark Waid and Barry Kitson know how to tell a superhero story. Captain America is still fresh out of the ice, Hawkeye is still irresponsible. Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch honestly haven't changed much. When Cap and Hawkeye are in plain clothes with their masks off, it can be hard to tell them apart.

[Ilan Preskovsky · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a huge fan of JLA: Year One by this same creative team I had high hopes for this miniseries, but was sadly left feeling disappointed by it. Admittedly, it probably doesn't help that I'm much more of a DC guy, but whereas Year One was as great as it was because of Waid's perfect characterization of those founding JLA members, I never really felt all that invested in the characters here, despite liking all of them already from other things.

And though the writing certainly isn't bad, nothing about this book really stood out for me outside of Barry Kitson's always super solid, classic superhero art.

A missed opportunity.

[Rocky Sunico · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book genuinely surprised me. I figured it would be some rehash of older Avengers stories somehow but instead, it was an interesting look at a weird period in Avengers history. When the Avengers line-up changed and the team was filled out by former villains Hawkeye, Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch, it must have been strange for the public to see all this. And this Mark Waid comic nicely explores this idea while showing just how tenuously the team was held together by very feeble relationships until circumstances truly brought them together.

[Sean · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was unfortunate. Mark Waid seems like an ideal choice to tell an untold story of Cap's Kooky Quartet's first moments. Instead he delivers a mundane and disjointed story that introduces a wildly overpowered character that is the central focus and kind of connects to the author's modern Avengers run. I'm not sure of this series' point. The Cap/Hawkeye interactions were fun though. Barry Kitson's are was very good. Overall, a golden chance to tell a story in a huge moment in history is completely wasted.

[Garrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who needs a fuckin' reboot? Simply alter some baseline background details and you can spin new stories into the cracks between the old ones. More good stuff from Waid, if a little simplistically told, one can assume that's the period making itself part of the story. Any fan of this era of the Avengers, the clunky, what-do-we-do-now version before they morphed into what would become an institution, will like this story.

[James Bowman · Rating 3 out of 5]

A flashback story featuring "Cap's Kooky Quartet", the first lineup of the Avengers after the founding members left. Similar to Waid and Kitson's earlier JLA: Year One, it does a great job of adding personality and flavor to the early days of an iconic superhero team. The finale is a little rushed (and they never follow up on the big bad's hints about a specific grudge), but overall this is solid and entertaining. (B+)