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Avengers Epic Collection
Avengers Epic Collection, Vol. 2: Once an Avenger
When Stan Lee turned the super hero world on its head by replacing Avengers founders Iron Man, Thor, Giant-Man and Wasp with a trio of former super villains, readers thought he'd gone mad. As it turned out, the only thing crazy was how insanely exciting the lineup of Captain America, Hawkeye, Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch would become! And the hits kept coming — with the first appearances of the Collector, the Swordsman and the Sons of the Serpent; the Black Widow's AVENGERS debut; and Giant-Man's transformation into Goliath! And despite the unbelievable heights the Avengers had reached under Lee, the sky was the limit when he passed the title to Roy Thomas!
Collects Avengers (1963) #21-40.
Collects Avengers (1963) #21-40.
434 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 2016
24 people are currently reading
123 people want to read
About the author
Stan Lee
7,565 books2,336 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 - 15 of 15 reviews
December 14, 2020
Mostly, this is delightful because everyone calls Giant-Man/Goliath “high-pockets,” but it’s also fun to watch Hawkeye evolve from thorn in Cap’s side to charter member of his fan club and to see a much less powerful team of Avengers try to fend off the baddies.
September 12, 2024
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 story 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 #30-31 - This 2-part story starts off with Quicksilver & Scarlet Witch suddenly leaving the team, Goliath looking for an expert to help with his inability to change size, and Hawkeye running off to tackle Black Widow, Swordsman and Power Man all on his own. The second half deals with the fallout of Goliath running off to South America for help and discovering an H. Rider Haggard style hidden civilization in (most likely) the Andes Mountains. Because, that’s the kind of thing that happens all the time. Captain America, Hawkeye and the Wasp southward to lend a hand and are just in time for the expert Goliath went in search of help informs him that there’s nothing he can do, but perhaps Dr. Pym might be able to help him cure his stature. Oh such irony.
Avengers #32-33 - First appearance of Bill Foster, who’ll become another Goliath/Giant-Man one day (see Ant-Man/Giant-Man Epic Collection, Vol. 2: Ant-Man No More). And the arrival of the Sons of the Serpent. This is an organization that is superficially suppose to represent the KKK and Christian Nationalist movement, basically Uber conservatives and right wing fanatics. Unfortunately, the strength of this monstrous organization is diluted with the revelation that the leader is in a communist foreign leader using the guise in an attempt to build dissent in order to divide and conquer only weakens the overall point of using the Sons of the Serpent as a metaphor for the KKK and Christian Nationalism by implying that it’s not actually “home grown.” Still it’s good see a comic from the 1960s illustrating that the MAGA agenda was around even back then 60 years ago, it’s not new and it’s still a dangerous and ugly point of view.
Avengers #34-35 - A new Don Heck villain debuts: The Living Laser. And the Avengers have to head south to the small country of Coste Verde, to prevent The Living Laser from becoming dictator. Also, we have a big change occurring midway through this story. Roy Thomas takes over as script writer and that means that there will be a lot of changes coming.
Avengers #36-37 - I can’t help but feel that the androids appearing here, Ultrana and the Ultroids, are a kind of precursor or inspiration for Ultron (who’ll be showing up in about a year or so). But in any case we get a fun story that brings the Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver back to the team and offers the first, half-hearted, attempt to grant Black Widow membership. Thomas continues to show that he can provide a more coherent and less convoluted script.
Avengers #38 - The vote for Black Widow’s membership in the Avengers? Captain America deserting his post and leaving the Avengers high & dry? The Enchantress attacks, with her latest thrall: Hercules! Even guest appearances by Nick Fury and Ares, Olympian God of War! Whoa Nellie! There’s a lot going on this issue. This is what I look at as the end of the second era of the Avengers. The first encompassed the initial 16 issues and ended when founding members Iron Man, Giant-Man, Wasp and Thor departed. The second era was issues #17-37, with Captain America at the helm, steering the group of former villains to prove they were just as good the original team. But this issue harkens in a new era of changing faces and new directions.
Avengers #39 - While the Black Widow seems to have returned to working for the communists, Hercules settles into as the Avengers house guest. Too bad the Mad Thinker & ridiculous cronies didn’t get the memo. What can you say about such villainous names like: Hammerhead, Pile Driver and (I’m not making this up) Thunderboot? We’re basically looking at the first iteration of the Wrecking Crew, but trio of antagonists are … laughable to say the least. Basically it’s just an excuse to have something to showcase that Hercules has moved into the mansion.
Avengers #40 - Rounding off this volume is an epic rematch, the Avengers vs. Namor, the Sub-Mariner. But this time, Hercules is here and itching for a brawl. It’s a fun little tale that’s complicated by the presence of a Cosmic Cube.
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 #30-31 - This 2-part story starts off with Quicksilver & Scarlet Witch suddenly leaving the team, Goliath looking for an expert to help with his inability to change size, and Hawkeye running off to tackle Black Widow, Swordsman and Power Man all on his own. The second half deals with the fallout of Goliath running off to South America for help and discovering an H. Rider Haggard style hidden civilization in (most likely) the Andes Mountains. Because, that’s the kind of thing that happens all the time. Captain America, Hawkeye and the Wasp southward to lend a hand and are just in time for the expert Goliath went in search of help informs him that there’s nothing he can do, but perhaps Dr. Pym might be able to help him cure his stature. Oh such irony.
Avengers #32-33 - First appearance of Bill Foster, who’ll become another Goliath/Giant-Man one day (see Ant-Man/Giant-Man Epic Collection, Vol. 2: Ant-Man No More). And the arrival of the Sons of the Serpent. This is an organization that is superficially suppose to represent the KKK and Christian Nationalist movement, basically Uber conservatives and right wing fanatics. Unfortunately, the strength of this monstrous organization is diluted with the revelation that the leader is in a communist foreign leader using the guise in an attempt to build dissent in order to divide and conquer only weakens the overall point of using the Sons of the Serpent as a metaphor for the KKK and Christian Nationalism by implying that it’s not actually “home grown.” Still it’s good see a comic from the 1960s illustrating that the MAGA agenda was around even back then 60 years ago, it’s not new and it’s still a dangerous and ugly point of view.
Avengers #34-35 - A new Don Heck villain debuts: The Living Laser. And the Avengers have to head south to the small country of Coste Verde, to prevent The Living Laser from becoming dictator. Also, we have a big change occurring midway through this story. Roy Thomas takes over as script writer and that means that there will be a lot of changes coming.
Avengers #36-37 - I can’t help but feel that the androids appearing here, Ultrana and the Ultroids, are a kind of precursor or inspiration for Ultron (who’ll be showing up in about a year or so). But in any case we get a fun story that brings the Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver back to the team and offers the first, half-hearted, attempt to grant Black Widow membership. Thomas continues to show that he can provide a more coherent and less convoluted script.
Avengers #38 - The vote for Black Widow’s membership in the Avengers? Captain America deserting his post and leaving the Avengers high & dry? The Enchantress attacks, with her latest thrall: Hercules! Even guest appearances by Nick Fury and Ares, Olympian God of War! Whoa Nellie! There’s a lot going on this issue. This is what I look at as the end of the second era of the Avengers. The first encompassed the initial 16 issues and ended when founding members Iron Man, Giant-Man, Wasp and Thor departed. The second era was issues #17-37, with Captain America at the helm, steering the group of former villains to prove they were just as good the original team. But this issue harkens in a new era of changing faces and new directions.
Avengers #39 - While the Black Widow seems to have returned to working for the communists, Hercules settles into as the Avengers house guest. Too bad the Mad Thinker & ridiculous cronies didn’t get the memo. What can you say about such villainous names like: Hammerhead, Pile Driver and (I’m not making this up) Thunderboot? We’re basically looking at the first iteration of the Wrecking Crew, but trio of antagonists are … laughable to say the least. Basically it’s just an excuse to have something to showcase that Hercules has moved into the mansion.
Avengers #40 - Rounding off this volume is an epic rematch, the Avengers vs. Namor, the Sub-Mariner. But this time, Hercules is here and itching for a brawl. It’s a fun little tale that’s complicated by the presence of a Cosmic Cube.
January 20, 2017
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... Now with more than half the team comprising of one-time villains, it was nice to have a few of the old team turn up, like Iron Man and Captain America. Plus there's the unofficial joining to the team of Hercules. Great fun!
January 25, 2017
Another round of classic adventures. When you look back at the early years of the genre you realise it was all about action, getting the characters into situations where they can break out or fight their way out. The dialogue is so dated ("yonder" anyone?) and the tech.... Nostalgia is what it's all about and the Heck Romita artwork!
January 25, 2019
Fun fact: Don Heck’s name was actually Don Hell, but they couldn’t print that in a Comics Code-approved book.
July 28, 2020
Classic Avengers - the perfect way to pass the time during a pandemic.
February 21, 2020
My rating is very much a YMMV thing, so be warned.
The Lee/Heck issues of this book suffer from the "Marvel Method" which had the artist doing a lot of the plotting; Don Heck has admitted that he was used to working from a full script and had trouble adapting (Stan Lee may not have provided much input into the plots, which wouldn't help). A lot of the plots are slapdash, padded and full of holes. Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch suddenly lose their powers, return to their home nation and two issues later the plotline's resolved (kindly scientist who's never seen before or again figures out how to recharge them).
Nevertheless they're infused with a sense of melodrama that I enjoy about Marvel in this era as the team copes with tragedies, romances, argue about everything then apologize (Hawkeye shows real growth in this period).
Roy Thomas tightens up the plotting some, and weaves the stories in with Marvel continuity; the last story in the book has cameos by Thunderbolt Ross and the Mole Man and ties in with Captain America's then-current continuity.
Storywise, the highlights are the battle with the white supremacist Sons of the Serpent and with the Collector, a much weirder and more colorful villain than in any of his later appearances.
The Lee/Heck issues of this book suffer from the "Marvel Method" which had the artist doing a lot of the plotting; Don Heck has admitted that he was used to working from a full script and had trouble adapting (Stan Lee may not have provided much input into the plots, which wouldn't help). A lot of the plots are slapdash, padded and full of holes. Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch suddenly lose their powers, return to their home nation and two issues later the plotline's resolved (kindly scientist who's never seen before or again figures out how to recharge them).
Nevertheless they're infused with a sense of melodrama that I enjoy about Marvel in this era as the team copes with tragedies, romances, argue about everything then apologize (Hawkeye shows real growth in this period).
Roy Thomas tightens up the plotting some, and weaves the stories in with Marvel continuity; the last story in the book has cameos by Thunderbolt Ross and the Mole Man and ties in with Captain America's then-current continuity.
Storywise, the highlights are the battle with the white supremacist Sons of the Serpent and with the Collector, a much weirder and more colorful villain than in any of his later appearances.
April 21, 2021
Avengers (1961): Issues #20-40. I love reading these original issues from the Golden Age of comics. They're not all gold, some are pretty mediocre, but most of them are pretty compelling. The overall feel of them is of a better time when a team had camaraderie and it was a lighter experience. Full of good-natured ribbing and hip slang from that era. Their Avengers code was to do no harm to any person at all costs, even while fighting the bad guys. Really enjoyed taking a trip back in time to read these. Great to get the original story from the very beginning.
August 17, 2023
Again, a lot happens in the second 20 issues of the Avengers comic book.
Stan Lee's writing goes from strength-to-strength, including more multi-issue storylines that allow for better characterisation and pacing, while Don Heck's artwork is as unpredictable as ever. Sometimes it looks great and sometimes it looks really rough. Maybe on some months he was struggling to reach deadlines or something. Roy Thomas takes over sole writing duties from issue 36 onwards and it's like he's playing it safe, not taking any risks with his decisions.
The first 10 issues are the best, while the second 10 lack any truly compelling villains.
Personal highlights include the 2-part stories featuring Kang the Conqueror (#s 23 & 24), Attuma (#s 26 & 27), and the Sons of the Serpent (#s 31 & 32).
Stan Lee's writing goes from strength-to-strength, including more multi-issue storylines that allow for better characterisation and pacing, while Don Heck's artwork is as unpredictable as ever. Sometimes it looks great and sometimes it looks really rough. Maybe on some months he was struggling to reach deadlines or something. Roy Thomas takes over sole writing duties from issue 36 onwards and it's like he's playing it safe, not taking any risks with his decisions.
The first 10 issues are the best, while the second 10 lack any truly compelling villains.
Personal highlights include the 2-part stories featuring Kang the Conqueror (#s 23 & 24), Attuma (#s 26 & 27), and the Sons of the Serpent (#s 31 & 32).
July 7, 2018
These issues are some of the titles lowest points. The Kooky Quartet era quickly becomes very repetitive, and while bringing back Hank and Jan should make the book more interesting, some of the stories here are all time lows in the book's history, with bland and uninspired one off villains. The two issue Sons of the Serpent storyline is the highlight.
November 4, 2024
Wow, this continues to be rought. I am shocked that this series survived the first years to go on to become the global franchise it is today.
In this we get the transfer of Stan Lee to Roy Thomas. And I guess my expectations were too high, but I was underwhelmed so far.
The best thing I can say is that Don Heck continues to be a workhorse. His artwork is solid.
In this we get the transfer of Stan Lee to Roy Thomas. And I guess my expectations were too high, but I was underwhelmed so far.
The best thing I can say is that Don Heck continues to be a workhorse. His artwork is solid.
November 5, 2018
Great stories
This is a very good run of stories. There is some nice stuff here with the masters of evil and the coming of hercules.
This is a very good run of stories. There is some nice stuff here with the masters of evil and the coming of hercules.
April 16, 2021
Another classic Marvel Epic that brings to the New Avengers to life.
September 21, 2024
An improvement over the first book pretty much all around but I still didn't love it either. Solid book overall.
Read
December 25, 2016I didn't give a star rating on this because I couldn't be fair. I read 1/8 of this and decided I'd missed the right age for it. Had I read it when I was 10 years old, I would have loved it. But the sophistication of contemporary comics has ruined the simpler days for me.
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