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The Avengers Omnibus
The Avengers Omnibus, Vol. 1
The Avengers comics' greatest super team, burst onto the scene in 1963 at the forefront of revolutionary Marvel Age of Comics. Iron Man, Thor, the Incredible Hulk, Ant-Man and the Wasp joined together to face the menace of Loki - and set off a streak of tales that nearly 50 years later still sets the trend for super-hero epics. From Captain America's return from the icy depths of the Atlantic to the first appearances of classic enemies like Kang the Conqueror to the game-changing introduction of a trio of former villains into their ranks - Avengers was a bona-fide comic-book blockbuster! And you'll experience every story, every villain, even every letters page in this painstakingly restored Omnibus collection - written by Stan "The Man" Lee, and illustrated by Jack Kirby and Don Heck. It's a must-have for every Marvel fan's collections - so reserve your copy today, True Believer! Collecting AVENGERS (1963) #1-30.
776 pages, Hardcover
Published July 18, 2023
20 people are currently reading
204 people want to read
About the author
Stan Lee
7,563 books2,342 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 - 21 of 21 reviews
November 13, 2013
This was all I could have hoped for and more. The Avengers, in all their 1960's cornball glory. Love, love, love this stuff. Even the old letters pages are gold. Bonus - my 6 year-old daughter has gotten into these books too. She's almost finished with the 700 page monster, and is asking for more! Give the girl a no-prize!
October 15, 2023
This collection is great. It has Jack Kirby artwork, one of my favorite single comic book issues of all time in Avengers #4, the introduction of many great villains that have stood the test of time, and some pretty great plots. The downside is that, although I genuinely don't mind most of Stan Lee's writing, it does often have the characters talking about what they're doing while we can clearly see from the pictures. Also, not all of the plots are good. Hawkeye constantly insulting Cap does get old pretty quickly as well. This collection is worth checking out for any fan of the team or Captain America in particular, but it's definitely not the best series of the Silver Age.
September 28, 2014
I was rather intrigued by Marvel's Omnibus format, but most of the volumes were priced through the rough, so getting one was a daunting task. But there are a few decent ones that are relatively cheap on the Amazon marketplace and eBay: The Avengers Omnibus #1 was one (at the time of this writing, the John Carter and X-Statix tomes are also relatively cheap).
This particular book is bascially three Marvel Masterworks editions enlarged and sewn together. It even includes Stan Lee's moronic introductions from those original books. What is interesting is that the publisher added the original letter's pages for each issue in the book, which I thought was a very nice touch. The final pages feature some reproductions of uncolored/uninked artwork, as well as the first twenty or so covers to Marvel Triple Action, which had originally reprinted a lot of the stories in this book, and Avengers Classics.
The reproduction is excellent and the book is predominated by the artwork of Jack Kirby and Don Heck, both at the near-apex of their careers and creative abilities. I'd have to recommend this one just for that fact. This features the original Avengers, and the adventures of the second team, known as "Cap's Kookie Quartet," so don't expect the movie version of the team (for that, go find the Ultimates trade paperbacks).
This book can be expensive; it retailed for $99.99. But you can usually find it in the $25-50 range. Often, it will be more economically sound to buy this than the original three Masterworks, especially factoring in shipping.
This particular book is bascially three Marvel Masterworks editions enlarged and sewn together. It even includes Stan Lee's moronic introductions from those original books. What is interesting is that the publisher added the original letter's pages for each issue in the book, which I thought was a very nice touch. The final pages feature some reproductions of uncolored/uninked artwork, as well as the first twenty or so covers to Marvel Triple Action, which had originally reprinted a lot of the stories in this book, and Avengers Classics.
The reproduction is excellent and the book is predominated by the artwork of Jack Kirby and Don Heck, both at the near-apex of their careers and creative abilities. I'd have to recommend this one just for that fact. This features the original Avengers, and the adventures of the second team, known as "Cap's Kookie Quartet," so don't expect the movie version of the team (for that, go find the Ultimates trade paperbacks).
This book can be expensive; it retailed for $99.99. But you can usually find it in the $25-50 range. Often, it will be more economically sound to buy this than the original three Masterworks, especially factoring in shipping.
May 10, 2016
This is a tough one, but this book is a rough read. Jack "The King" Kirby stands in for just less than a third of the book and then the drawing duties are handed over to Dandy Don Heck who, hindered by somme inexplicably sloppy inking, doesn't find a way to make The Avengers look interesting (?!) until the last 4 issues or so (when the inking also dramatically improves).
Now, I've never been a "Slam Stan Lee" kind of guy. Let's face it, a lot of these guys were not doing the caliber of work they did at Marvel with Stan in the 60s for sometimes decade long careers before, but... If I were to make an argument that Kirby deserved a little more authorship credit, this book would be a place to start. Packed with some great ideas ("Let's kick out the most famous heroes in the Marvel Universe and replacce them with 3 ex-villans!"), the second Kirby leaves the series the writing seems to fall apart. The stories lose their drive, the cliches become more awkward than fun, sometimes the books simply don't make any sense.
Kirby's assertion than he did a lot more to guide these stories sure seems evident here.
I suppose we'll never know, but I can only recomend this volume as a historical read and I suspect that's mostly because of Jolly Jack's absence.
However, fairly soon The Avengers become sommething far more special and as we approach Ultron and The Vision, Roy Thomas and John Buscema the legend finally will solidify.
Now, I've never been a "Slam Stan Lee" kind of guy. Let's face it, a lot of these guys were not doing the caliber of work they did at Marvel with Stan in the 60s for sometimes decade long careers before, but... If I were to make an argument that Kirby deserved a little more authorship credit, this book would be a place to start. Packed with some great ideas ("Let's kick out the most famous heroes in the Marvel Universe and replacce them with 3 ex-villans!"), the second Kirby leaves the series the writing seems to fall apart. The stories lose their drive, the cliches become more awkward than fun, sometimes the books simply don't make any sense.
Kirby's assertion than he did a lot more to guide these stories sure seems evident here.
I suppose we'll never know, but I can only recomend this volume as a historical read and I suspect that's mostly because of Jolly Jack's absence.
However, fairly soon The Avengers become sommething far more special and as we approach Ultron and The Vision, Roy Thomas and John Buscema the legend finally will solidify.
October 22, 2013
47th book read in 2013.
Number 114 out of 337 on my all time book list.
Follow the link below to see my video review:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwGFHE...
Number 114 out of 337 on my all time book list.
Follow the link below to see my video review:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwGFHE...
June 16, 2014
The stories are extremely silly, contrived, and full of holes...but they're kind of fun in an old-fashioned way.
March 1, 2015
Hokey dialogue and plot holes aside, it was great to see the beginning of Earth's Mightiest Heroes! Nostalgic itch totally scratched.
October 6, 2023
Jack Kirby & Stan Lee respond to the Justice League of America with The Avengers! Earth’s Mightiest Super-Heroes!
Avengers #1-3 - Loki uses the Hulk to try and defeat Thor, but the plan backfires and He ends up creating the Avengers. The Space Phantom attempts to invade the Earth, using the Hulk to trick the Avengers. Namor the Sub-Mariner attempts to ally himself with the Hulk, using him to help defeat the human population. Do you see a trend here? Basically the Avengers were created to deal with theHulk, even if he was one of their founding members. These stories only heighten the threat of the Hulk, the misunderstood nature of his existence, and the pathos of Robert Bruce Banner. And to be honest, the fact that Lee couldn’t even be bothered to remember Bruce Banner’s name, says exactly how much stock he put in the character’s concept. If Lee had believed in the potential of the character, he’d have been able to remember the Hulk’s alliterative name being Bruce Banner, not as Bob Banner. In the end though, these early Hulk centered tales are not the most promising start for this new team.
Avengers #4 - Taking a breather from the Hulk, Kirby & Lee being back the original Captain America. This just might be Marvel’s first retcon as well, as Captain America had been active in comics into the 1950s, Kirby’s take here is that this original Captain Marvel had not been around since sometime fairly early in WWII (this allows Marvel to unload all the baggage from the anti-communist comics staring the character). It’s an interesting tale, although it has even more issues with the relationship between Namor and Captain America in light of the eventual revelation of the WWII team The Invaders. The next appearance of the Avengers would be in the pages of Fantastic Four #26, sadly not included here (but you can find it in either: Incredible Hulk Epic Collection, Vol. 1: Man or Monster? or Fantastic Four Epic Collection, Vol. 2: The Master Plan of Doctor Doom).
Avengers #5 - This story almost brings the Hulk back into the Avengers fold. But the threat of the Lava Men never quite pulls him back to the team. We’re also seeing the continued rise of his anger at the human race as his uncontrollable bestial nature comes more into focus. This becomes even more prominent as his next couple guest-appearances demonstrate.
Avengers #6-7 - To match in indomitable might of the likes of Thor, Iron Man, Giant-Man, the Wasp & Captain America, you’d have to assemble a pretty powerful group of villains. So Cap’s old foe, Baron Zemo, does just that. He recruits the Black Knight, the Radioactive Man, and the Melter to his team the Master of Evil. They are soon joined by the Enchantress and the Executioner, who have recently been exiled from Asgard. This 2-parter firmly turns the Avengers away from the saga of the Hulk (see Incredible Hulk Epic Collection, Vol. 2: The Hulk Must Die for that odyssey).
Avengers #8 - This next story features the first appearance of Kang (check out either Fantastic Four Epic Collection, Vol. 2: The Master Plan of Doctor Doom or Kang: The Saga of the Once and Future Conqueror for the first appearance of Rama-Tut, and thus the official first appearance of the character) where it’s revealed that Kang and Rama-Tut are one and the same person. Already the web of complexity around the character grows, and it’s only just getting started. Another Kirby/Lee classic, but unfortunately this is also the last one in this collection. Kirby will be back to do some layouts for #14-16, but this is his last work as full penciler in this collection.
Avengers #9 - Brings us Wonder Man and the penciling talents of dynamic Don Heck. If I’m being honest, which I do try to be, Heck was never a favorite of mine as a kid, while I’ve since grown to appreciate his enormous talent, it just doesn’t have the same nostalgic kick that Kirby’s work gives me. Nonetheless, this issue provides the return of Zemo, Enchantress and Executioner with a plot to use a newly super powered Simon Williams to infiltrate and destroy the Avengers from within. And said dastardly scheme almost succeeds!
Avengers #10 - Immortus! A mysterious new threat arrives. And the Masters of Evil, Baron Zemo, Enchantress & the Executioner, decide to throw Immortus at the Avengers as a way of determining if he is worthy of joining them. With an ability to travel through time and seemingly be able to pluck anyone from anywhere in time, Immortus seems to be a truly impossible foe to beat. Looking back on this now, hindsight is 20/20 vision after all, I’m wondering if this even qualifies as Immortus. The foes he brings forward to battle the Avengers are nothing like the versions of many of these individuals we’ll come to know. Hercules and Merlin are nothing like those characters that readers will be seeing before to long. And while Paul Bunyan, Goliath, and Attila the Hun are not exactly Marvel characters, they don’t seem at any more genuine than Hercules and Merlin. And as Immortus doesn’t seem to even recognize the Avengers in any more detail than as one would know them as celebrities, is this really another facet of the man who is both Kang and Rama-Tut? Yes, yes, a lot got retconed in later years, but I still think there is untapped potential here.
Avengers #11 - Kang returns and he’s made a Spider-Man robot to defeat the Avengers. I know, I know, it’s as absurd as it sounds. While Spider-Man does make an appearance, there are so many problems with this story it’s not even worth going into.
Avengers #12 - The Mole Man confronts the Avengers. Wait? Seriously? The Mole Man against Thor, Iron Man, Captain America, the Wasp and Giant-Man. The previous issue was absurd, this one is just ridiculous. But wait, there’s more, as about halfway through we suddenly get the Red Ghost popping up and joining forces with the Mole Man. Because? Well, why not?
Avengers #13-14 - While this isn’t technically a two-part story, there are plot elements that carry over that link them rather solidly. The first issue finds the Avengers up against the organized crime syndicate known as the Mafia, oh sorry, make that the Maggia and it’s being led by Count Nefaria. It all gets wrapped up just fine, except the Wasp is injured and nearly dying. And there’s the linking cliffhanger. The second story features the Avengers trying to find the only, yes the ONLY, Doctor in the world capable of saving her life. And he’s apparently been kidnapped by … aliens? Wait … what? Yeah, it’s goofy and basically it turns into a pretty lame mess. The only thing that works with this second story is the threat of the Wasp dying and the return of Kirby to do the layouts.
Avengers #15-16 - This two-parter opens with the return of the Masters of Evil. Only this time it includes most of the members from both of the initial line-ups: Baron Zemo, Melter, Black Knight, Enchantress and Executioner (only the Radioactive Man is missing). Kirby is still doing the layouts, as he will for the second half as well, and it. Even feels like the Masters of Evil might just succeed until it’s revealed that the goal here is just to separate Captain America and lure him by himself to Baron Zemo’s location in South America. This leads us into the second half and the opening depicts the defeat of the villains in the most anticlimactic way imaginable. So much for that epic big battle royale. But this issue also offers the sudden departure of Iron Man, Giant-Man and the Wasp, and the introduction of three former “villain” who want a chance to reform. And enter: Hawkeye, Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver. And we arrive at the dawn of the era of Cap’s Kooky Quartet. The Avengers will never be the same again.
Avengers #17-18 - The first mission for the “New” Avengers is recruit the Hulk. Okay technically it’s find the Hulk, but the intent is to bring him back into the ranks of the team. But in either case, they fail on both counts. And I always forget that the Hulk does actually appear, albeit briefly, during his own adventures from the pages of Tales to Astonish #69. Instead the new team fights the Mole Man and his mighty Minotaur monstrosity. And while they defeat this lame Greek myth knock-off, they never do find the Hulk, let along recruit him. But we can already see just how “kooky,” and different from the old team, this new team is going to be. They’re second mission is too a Marvel fictional Asian nation overrun by communist tyranny where they fight said forces of authoritarianism and defeat a ridiculous robot of Red imperialism. All this alliteration means Stan Lee is definitely rubbing off on me. Neither of these are particularly good stories, but they’re fun and this is an Avengers era that I really enjoy. Make mine Cap’s Kooky Quartet!
Avengers #19-20 - Next up in this volume is a two-part that features a weirdly structured story that has the Swordsman try to join the Avengers, then fight them, then try to join them, then try to kill Captain America, then get kidnapped by the Mandarin, then actually join the Avengers, then try to kill them, then try to save them. While it’s an interesting point in Avengers history, the story ridiculously structured and makes zero sense.
Avengers #21-22 -
Avengers #23-24 -
Avengers #25 -
Avengers #26-27 -
Avengers #28-29 -
Avengers #30 -
Avengers #1-3 - Loki uses the Hulk to try and defeat Thor, but the plan backfires and He ends up creating the Avengers. The Space Phantom attempts to invade the Earth, using the Hulk to trick the Avengers. Namor the Sub-Mariner attempts to ally himself with the Hulk, using him to help defeat the human population. Do you see a trend here? Basically the Avengers were created to deal with theHulk, even if he was one of their founding members. These stories only heighten the threat of the Hulk, the misunderstood nature of his existence, and the pathos of Robert Bruce Banner. And to be honest, the fact that Lee couldn’t even be bothered to remember Bruce Banner’s name, says exactly how much stock he put in the character’s concept. If Lee had believed in the potential of the character, he’d have been able to remember the Hulk’s alliterative name being Bruce Banner, not as Bob Banner. In the end though, these early Hulk centered tales are not the most promising start for this new team.
Avengers #4 - Taking a breather from the Hulk, Kirby & Lee being back the original Captain America. This just might be Marvel’s first retcon as well, as Captain America had been active in comics into the 1950s, Kirby’s take here is that this original Captain Marvel had not been around since sometime fairly early in WWII (this allows Marvel to unload all the baggage from the anti-communist comics staring the character). It’s an interesting tale, although it has even more issues with the relationship between Namor and Captain America in light of the eventual revelation of the WWII team The Invaders. The next appearance of the Avengers would be in the pages of Fantastic Four #26, sadly not included here (but you can find it in either: Incredible Hulk Epic Collection, Vol. 1: Man or Monster? or Fantastic Four Epic Collection, Vol. 2: The Master Plan of Doctor Doom).
Avengers #5 - This story almost brings the Hulk back into the Avengers fold. But the threat of the Lava Men never quite pulls him back to the team. We’re also seeing the continued rise of his anger at the human race as his uncontrollable bestial nature comes more into focus. This becomes even more prominent as his next couple guest-appearances demonstrate.
Avengers #6-7 - To match in indomitable might of the likes of Thor, Iron Man, Giant-Man, the Wasp & Captain America, you’d have to assemble a pretty powerful group of villains. So Cap’s old foe, Baron Zemo, does just that. He recruits the Black Knight, the Radioactive Man, and the Melter to his team the Master of Evil. They are soon joined by the Enchantress and the Executioner, who have recently been exiled from Asgard. This 2-parter firmly turns the Avengers away from the saga of the Hulk (see Incredible Hulk Epic Collection, Vol. 2: The Hulk Must Die for that odyssey).
Avengers #8 - This next story features the first appearance of Kang (check out either Fantastic Four Epic Collection, Vol. 2: The Master Plan of Doctor Doom or Kang: The Saga of the Once and Future Conqueror for the first appearance of Rama-Tut, and thus the official first appearance of the character) where it’s revealed that Kang and Rama-Tut are one and the same person. Already the web of complexity around the character grows, and it’s only just getting started. Another Kirby/Lee classic, but unfortunately this is also the last one in this collection. Kirby will be back to do some layouts for #14-16, but this is his last work as full penciler in this collection.
Avengers #9 - Brings us Wonder Man and the penciling talents of dynamic Don Heck. If I’m being honest, which I do try to be, Heck was never a favorite of mine as a kid, while I’ve since grown to appreciate his enormous talent, it just doesn’t have the same nostalgic kick that Kirby’s work gives me. Nonetheless, this issue provides the return of Zemo, Enchantress and Executioner with a plot to use a newly super powered Simon Williams to infiltrate and destroy the Avengers from within. And said dastardly scheme almost succeeds!
Avengers #10 - Immortus! A mysterious new threat arrives. And the Masters of Evil, Baron Zemo, Enchantress & the Executioner, decide to throw Immortus at the Avengers as a way of determining if he is worthy of joining them. With an ability to travel through time and seemingly be able to pluck anyone from anywhere in time, Immortus seems to be a truly impossible foe to beat. Looking back on this now, hindsight is 20/20 vision after all, I’m wondering if this even qualifies as Immortus. The foes he brings forward to battle the Avengers are nothing like the versions of many of these individuals we’ll come to know. Hercules and Merlin are nothing like those characters that readers will be seeing before to long. And while Paul Bunyan, Goliath, and Attila the Hun are not exactly Marvel characters, they don’t seem at any more genuine than Hercules and Merlin. And as Immortus doesn’t seem to even recognize the Avengers in any more detail than as one would know them as celebrities, is this really another facet of the man who is both Kang and Rama-Tut? Yes, yes, a lot got retconed in later years, but I still think there is untapped potential here.
Avengers #11 - Kang returns and he’s made a Spider-Man robot to defeat the Avengers. I know, I know, it’s as absurd as it sounds. While Spider-Man does make an appearance, there are so many problems with this story it’s not even worth going into.
Avengers #12 - The Mole Man confronts the Avengers. Wait? Seriously? The Mole Man against Thor, Iron Man, Captain America, the Wasp and Giant-Man. The previous issue was absurd, this one is just ridiculous. But wait, there’s more, as about halfway through we suddenly get the Red Ghost popping up and joining forces with the Mole Man. Because? Well, why not?
Avengers #13-14 - While this isn’t technically a two-part story, there are plot elements that carry over that link them rather solidly. The first issue finds the Avengers up against the organized crime syndicate known as the Mafia, oh sorry, make that the Maggia and it’s being led by Count Nefaria. It all gets wrapped up just fine, except the Wasp is injured and nearly dying. And there’s the linking cliffhanger. The second story features the Avengers trying to find the only, yes the ONLY, Doctor in the world capable of saving her life. And he’s apparently been kidnapped by … aliens? Wait … what? Yeah, it’s goofy and basically it turns into a pretty lame mess. The only thing that works with this second story is the threat of the Wasp dying and the return of Kirby to do the layouts.
Avengers #15-16 - This two-parter opens with the return of the Masters of Evil. Only this time it includes most of the members from both of the initial line-ups: Baron Zemo, Melter, Black Knight, Enchantress and Executioner (only the Radioactive Man is missing). Kirby is still doing the layouts, as he will for the second half as well, and it. Even feels like the Masters of Evil might just succeed until it’s revealed that the goal here is just to separate Captain America and lure him by himself to Baron Zemo’s location in South America. This leads us into the second half and the opening depicts the defeat of the villains in the most anticlimactic way imaginable. So much for that epic big battle royale. But this issue also offers the sudden departure of Iron Man, Giant-Man and the Wasp, and the introduction of three former “villain” who want a chance to reform. And enter: Hawkeye, Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver. And we arrive at the dawn of the era of Cap’s Kooky Quartet. The Avengers will never be the same again.
Avengers #17-18 - The first mission for the “New” Avengers is recruit the Hulk. Okay technically it’s find the Hulk, but the intent is to bring him back into the ranks of the team. But in either case, they fail on both counts. And I always forget that the Hulk does actually appear, albeit briefly, during his own adventures from the pages of Tales to Astonish #69. Instead the new team fights the Mole Man and his mighty Minotaur monstrosity. And while they defeat this lame Greek myth knock-off, they never do find the Hulk, let along recruit him. But we can already see just how “kooky,” and different from the old team, this new team is going to be. They’re second mission is too a Marvel fictional Asian nation overrun by communist tyranny where they fight said forces of authoritarianism and defeat a ridiculous robot of Red imperialism. All this alliteration means Stan Lee is definitely rubbing off on me. Neither of these are particularly good stories, but they’re fun and this is an Avengers era that I really enjoy. Make mine Cap’s Kooky Quartet!
Avengers #19-20 - Next up in this volume is a two-part that features a weirdly structured story that has the Swordsman try to join the Avengers, then fight them, then try to join them, then try to kill Captain America, then get kidnapped by the Mandarin, then actually join the Avengers, then try to kill them, then try to save them. While it’s an interesting point in Avengers history, the story ridiculously structured and makes zero sense.
Avengers #21-22 -
Avengers #23-24 -
Avengers #25 -
Avengers #26-27 -
Avengers #28-29 -
Avengers #30 -
May 15, 2025
I started reading the Avengers Omnibus Vol. 1 after reading the first Fantastic Four Omnibus because there was a cross-over issue within that captured my attention from panel to panel. My honest thoughts are that at times, this does unfortunately drag and to be honest I'm not sure what to I can say about what holds it together enough to capture my attention between issues. The problem I kept having was that something exciting would happen that typically got answered in the same issue so I had no desire to move onto the next for that day which is why it took me over two months to complete.
My real issue with this is that I had no idea the original team of Avengers wasn't going to last long at all and although I absolutely love Captain America and Scarlet Witch they were not enough to give me the same feeling the original team did. Captain America makes sense as the leader, but when you throw someone like Hawkeye into the dynamic with the ego he has I get the intention behind it, but the execution of it wasn't really well done. Especially because QuickSilver was kind of a copy paste with the biggest difference being that Scarlet Witch was his sister and not someone he could flirt with.
I also didn't like the fact that the Hulk was only a "real" Avenger for like two issues and then just disappears after Captain America officially takes over. They had an entire issue of trying to recruit him because they need a real powerhouse on the team and then just completely cast that idea to the way-side once it doesn't work out. I get there were other series the authors were focused on at the time, but the idea of the Avengers only became possible because of popular characters and it felt like they changed that direction to give spotlight to characters who weren't so popular to build hype for them instead.
Don't get me wrong, as much as there was I felt was bad about the first 30 issues of this series, there was so much more good about it. The writing is once again absolutely fantastic. Stan Lee and Jack Kirby really do a fantastic job at story-telling and world-building that make this feel like it's our reality just with superpowered people. It's easy to form emotional connections with these people who can lift a car with one hand or even run to Argentina in the blink of an eye. They're made to feel like real people with real emotions.
The villains are absolutely the best part of this. Kang and Dr. Doom and all of the rest find their motivations for taking on the Avengers and they truly utilize their weaknesses against them to where you actually feel like they may have been defeated this time around. Lee listens to the audiences feedback and it plays a huge part on what happens next in the series which honestly makes for much better stories when they begin to evolve in a direction that even Lee himself probably never expected.
Although I believe that the concept of the Avengers is a fantastic idea, I think for me it just needs a little more time to develop itself. At times, the story did show its age especially with the dialogue. But again I can understand that from a series that's nearly 80 years old. Again, my biggest disappointment is not spending more time on developing the team dynamic between the original Avengers and new before they split from the team to do their own things.
My real issue with this is that I had no idea the original team of Avengers wasn't going to last long at all and although I absolutely love Captain America and Scarlet Witch they were not enough to give me the same feeling the original team did. Captain America makes sense as the leader, but when you throw someone like Hawkeye into the dynamic with the ego he has I get the intention behind it, but the execution of it wasn't really well done. Especially because QuickSilver was kind of a copy paste with the biggest difference being that Scarlet Witch was his sister and not someone he could flirt with.
I also didn't like the fact that the Hulk was only a "real" Avenger for like two issues and then just disappears after Captain America officially takes over. They had an entire issue of trying to recruit him because they need a real powerhouse on the team and then just completely cast that idea to the way-side once it doesn't work out. I get there were other series the authors were focused on at the time, but the idea of the Avengers only became possible because of popular characters and it felt like they changed that direction to give spotlight to characters who weren't so popular to build hype for them instead.
Don't get me wrong, as much as there was I felt was bad about the first 30 issues of this series, there was so much more good about it. The writing is once again absolutely fantastic. Stan Lee and Jack Kirby really do a fantastic job at story-telling and world-building that make this feel like it's our reality just with superpowered people. It's easy to form emotional connections with these people who can lift a car with one hand or even run to Argentina in the blink of an eye. They're made to feel like real people with real emotions.
The villains are absolutely the best part of this. Kang and Dr. Doom and all of the rest find their motivations for taking on the Avengers and they truly utilize their weaknesses against them to where you actually feel like they may have been defeated this time around. Lee listens to the audiences feedback and it plays a huge part on what happens next in the series which honestly makes for much better stories when they begin to evolve in a direction that even Lee himself probably never expected.
Although I believe that the concept of the Avengers is a fantastic idea, I think for me it just needs a little more time to develop itself. At times, the story did show its age especially with the dialogue. But again I can understand that from a series that's nearly 80 years old. Again, my biggest disappointment is not spending more time on developing the team dynamic between the original Avengers and new before they split from the team to do their own things.
July 14, 2020
I've not exactly sure why I own this voluminous tome. My interest is mainly in the first ten issues, illustrated by Jack Kirby, which would have been contained in a Marvel Masterworks volume, much thinner and easier on my bookshelf. Maybe it was on sale. In any case, something caused me to add this to my already burgeoning library, and now let's look at it, issue by issue.
#1: Loki wants to cause trouble to his brother Thor, and chooses the Hulk as his agent of chaos. He see Rick Jones and his Teen Brigade attempt to help the jade giant by attracting the attention of the Fantastic Four, which is not what Loki wants. He uses his mental powers to to jam the radio waves, which solves that annoying question the fanboy geeks always like to ask, "well, where were, uh, how the the FF didn't, uh, why come, uh..."..Iron Man, Ant-Man, and the Wasp get involved...Hulk is in clown make-up. I love a Kirby elephant. Asgardians trolls make a cameo. They all defeat Loki, agree to band together, Janet suggest a name colorful and dramatic like the Avengers, and they all agree. Hulk says "I pity the guy who tries to beat us", foreshadowing Mr. T. by 20 years.
#2: Villain: The Space Phantom, who trades places with people to further his treacherous plans. The team starts fighting from page one. Janet begins her habit of drooling over every man she sees, and Hank is equally ardent about serving his sexist attitude in nearly every utterance. Hulk quits on page seven taking that Rick Jones kid with him. The team vanquishes the foe, but Hulk still hates.
#3: Cameos from the F.F. and the X-Men as the team searches for the Hulk. Namor meet green skin, and they tussle with the foursome. There's a tug of war between Thor and Hulk over the enchanted hammer/mallet/club, but Hulk is not worthy.
#4: This is it! Captain America Lives Again! Found in block of ice in the arctic being worshipped by Eskimos, tossed angrily to sea by the jealous Namor, then found by the Avengers, who bring him on their boat. He comes to life, and after a brief struggle, show how agile he still is. No need for recuperation here. Back in New York harbor, the other four (but not Cap) get turned to stone by aliens who looks like broccoli stalks. It was all a plot by the Sub-Mariner! I love giant Kirby underwater sea monsters! Rick Jones knows the Cap wants him to be his new partner...but how will the Hulk feel? Jealous? Oooo
#5: Invasion of the Lava-Men! Return of the Hulk! 'Nuff Said!
#6" Meet the Masters of Evil!" Cap wishes he could fins Bucky's murderer. A sloth makes a guest-appearance, to let us know we're in South America. Baron Zemo hears of Cap's resurrection and stomps on some newspapers. The Black Knight, Radioactive Man and the Melter join him. Are trounced. Kirby Krackles.
#7: Their Darkest Hour. Maybe my favorite issue. Zemo teams up with the Enchantress and the Executioner to vex Thor and turn him against his team-mates. More great Chic Stone inks. Villains get away, Cap swears revenge.
#8: Arrival of Kang! The Conquerer!
#9: First appearance of Wonder Man! Don Heck takes over from the King! Well, who care, then? It's just not the same.
#10: The menace of Immortus! And the Avengers break up?
#11: Spider-Man! And Kang! But it's still Don Heck...
#12: The King is still doing covers, and this one's a knock-out, but the inside...eh. Stan Lee still can't write for women. The Mole Man and the Mad Thinker try to do stuff...Iron Man calls the Wasp "that little gal" for the hundredth time.
#13: Great Kirby cover, inside: eh. But Count Nefaria causes injury to Wasp, which leads to...
#14: Even an Avenger Can Die! Don't worry she doesn't. They fight some purple aliens. The Watcher guest stars. He displays a surprising theism by suggesting that everyone pray for her. More sexism: even the doctor says: "The girl will recover!" How old is she? Come on...I know, I know, it's the 60's...
#15: "Now, By My Hand, Shall Perish A Villain!" Jack returns on layouts. Masters of Evil return. No one dies.
#16: Four members quit, and Cap brings on 3 former villains. It was called Cap's Kooky Quartet. Hawkeye will continue to rag on Cap and call him Methuseleh. Quicksilver and he will continually plot to take over from Cap. Scarlet Witch sits behind and frets. Rick Jones hangs out with Cap and wishes he could get a uniform, like the Wasp did. She had super-powers, and you're just a teenager! I never understood that character.
#17: Moleman. A minotaur. Searching for the Hulk. again. Hawkeye keeps ragging on Cap. Why bother with this loser and his arrows. Also, he takes over the sexism from Hank Pym, this time directed to Wanda.
#18: The Commissar, big Russian dude.
#19: The Swordsman!
#20: Part Two!
#21: Power Man! (not Luke Cage)
With Wally Wood joining for the inks, which adds a little extra something nice...for a few issues.
#22: Part Two!
#23: Kang!
#24: Part Two!
#25: Dr. Doom! With The F.F.!
#26: Attuma!
#27: Part Two!
#28: Giant Man returns! First Collector!
#29: Drama! Black Widow!
#30: Why does Wasp have a W on her forehead? Worst costume ever!
Backed up with extra un-used covers, original pages, and more.
Worth it for the first half, the rest...not so hot.
#1: Loki wants to cause trouble to his brother Thor, and chooses the Hulk as his agent of chaos. He see Rick Jones and his Teen Brigade attempt to help the jade giant by attracting the attention of the Fantastic Four, which is not what Loki wants. He uses his mental powers to to jam the radio waves, which solves that annoying question the fanboy geeks always like to ask, "well, where were, uh, how the the FF didn't, uh, why come, uh..."..Iron Man, Ant-Man, and the Wasp get involved...Hulk is in clown make-up. I love a Kirby elephant. Asgardians trolls make a cameo. They all defeat Loki, agree to band together, Janet suggest a name colorful and dramatic like the Avengers, and they all agree. Hulk says "I pity the guy who tries to beat us", foreshadowing Mr. T. by 20 years.
#2: Villain: The Space Phantom, who trades places with people to further his treacherous plans. The team starts fighting from page one. Janet begins her habit of drooling over every man she sees, and Hank is equally ardent about serving his sexist attitude in nearly every utterance. Hulk quits on page seven taking that Rick Jones kid with him. The team vanquishes the foe, but Hulk still hates.
#3: Cameos from the F.F. and the X-Men as the team searches for the Hulk. Namor meet green skin, and they tussle with the foursome. There's a tug of war between Thor and Hulk over the enchanted hammer/mallet/club, but Hulk is not worthy.
#4: This is it! Captain America Lives Again! Found in block of ice in the arctic being worshipped by Eskimos, tossed angrily to sea by the jealous Namor, then found by the Avengers, who bring him on their boat. He comes to life, and after a brief struggle, show how agile he still is. No need for recuperation here. Back in New York harbor, the other four (but not Cap) get turned to stone by aliens who looks like broccoli stalks. It was all a plot by the Sub-Mariner! I love giant Kirby underwater sea monsters! Rick Jones knows the Cap wants him to be his new partner...but how will the Hulk feel? Jealous? Oooo
#5: Invasion of the Lava-Men! Return of the Hulk! 'Nuff Said!
#6" Meet the Masters of Evil!" Cap wishes he could fins Bucky's murderer. A sloth makes a guest-appearance, to let us know we're in South America. Baron Zemo hears of Cap's resurrection and stomps on some newspapers. The Black Knight, Radioactive Man and the Melter join him. Are trounced. Kirby Krackles.
#7: Their Darkest Hour. Maybe my favorite issue. Zemo teams up with the Enchantress and the Executioner to vex Thor and turn him against his team-mates. More great Chic Stone inks. Villains get away, Cap swears revenge.
#8: Arrival of Kang! The Conquerer!
#9: First appearance of Wonder Man! Don Heck takes over from the King! Well, who care, then? It's just not the same.
#10: The menace of Immortus! And the Avengers break up?
#11: Spider-Man! And Kang! But it's still Don Heck...
#12: The King is still doing covers, and this one's a knock-out, but the inside...eh. Stan Lee still can't write for women. The Mole Man and the Mad Thinker try to do stuff...Iron Man calls the Wasp "that little gal" for the hundredth time.
#13: Great Kirby cover, inside: eh. But Count Nefaria causes injury to Wasp, which leads to...
#14: Even an Avenger Can Die! Don't worry she doesn't. They fight some purple aliens. The Watcher guest stars. He displays a surprising theism by suggesting that everyone pray for her. More sexism: even the doctor says: "The girl will recover!" How old is she? Come on...I know, I know, it's the 60's...
#15: "Now, By My Hand, Shall Perish A Villain!" Jack returns on layouts. Masters of Evil return. No one dies.
#16: Four members quit, and Cap brings on 3 former villains. It was called Cap's Kooky Quartet. Hawkeye will continue to rag on Cap and call him Methuseleh. Quicksilver and he will continually plot to take over from Cap. Scarlet Witch sits behind and frets. Rick Jones hangs out with Cap and wishes he could get a uniform, like the Wasp did. She had super-powers, and you're just a teenager! I never understood that character.
#17: Moleman. A minotaur. Searching for the Hulk. again. Hawkeye keeps ragging on Cap. Why bother with this loser and his arrows. Also, he takes over the sexism from Hank Pym, this time directed to Wanda.
#18: The Commissar, big Russian dude.
#19: The Swordsman!
#20: Part Two!
#21: Power Man! (not Luke Cage)
With Wally Wood joining for the inks, which adds a little extra something nice...for a few issues.
#22: Part Two!
#23: Kang!
#24: Part Two!
#25: Dr. Doom! With The F.F.!
#26: Attuma!
#27: Part Two!
#28: Giant Man returns! First Collector!
#29: Drama! Black Widow!
#30: Why does Wasp have a W on her forehead? Worst costume ever!
Backed up with extra un-used covers, original pages, and more.
Worth it for the first half, the rest...not so hot.
August 12, 2023
So much happens in these first 30 issues of The Avengers that it's difficult to review.
Even though the introduction of the Avengers was a massive milestone in the comic book world, it's incredibly dated in some areas. To be blunt, many of these stories are poorly written. Things happen out of nowhere that make little sense, female characters are given the rough end of the stick, and the characters are often one-dimensional.
However, even in this first volume things do begin to change. Lee's storytelling ability improves tremendously and there's a definite improvement before reaching #30 at the end of the book. Stories begin to flow more naturally, there are more dramatic moments instead of continuous, meaningless fights, and it's just generally a lot more enjoyable to read.
As for the art, well, it's pretty basic. This may be down to the colouring techniques available at the time, but sometimes the art feels simplistic and blocky too. I will say though, that featured artists Jack Kirby and Don Heck also noticeably improve over the course of the 30 issues within.
Overall, Avengers Omnibus is incredibly important in a historical sense, but it's also quite flawed and is definitely a product of its time. There's definitely some enjoyment to be had if you can overlook these flaws.
Even though the introduction of the Avengers was a massive milestone in the comic book world, it's incredibly dated in some areas. To be blunt, many of these stories are poorly written. Things happen out of nowhere that make little sense, female characters are given the rough end of the stick, and the characters are often one-dimensional.
However, even in this first volume things do begin to change. Lee's storytelling ability improves tremendously and there's a definite improvement before reaching #30 at the end of the book. Stories begin to flow more naturally, there are more dramatic moments instead of continuous, meaningless fights, and it's just generally a lot more enjoyable to read.
As for the art, well, it's pretty basic. This may be down to the colouring techniques available at the time, but sometimes the art feels simplistic and blocky too. I will say though, that featured artists Jack Kirby and Don Heck also noticeably improve over the course of the 30 issues within.
Overall, Avengers Omnibus is incredibly important in a historical sense, but it's also quite flawed and is definitely a product of its time. There's definitely some enjoyment to be had if you can overlook these flaws.
December 26, 2024
This is a slog and a half to get through.
There’s a lot more intrigue to this in the earliest issues, when Kirby’s still clearly in control of basically everything and Lee is just providing (sometimes hilarious and contrary) dialog. As soon as Heck steps up for pencils, the art and words gel a lot better but the reading is infinitely duller.
I’d say I checked out roughly around issue 14, but there’re still 16 more to trudge through. If you can get a smaller collection, maybe just getting the first ten or twenty, that would probably be a lot more tolerable and intriguing than this over-bloated thirty-issue sludge of a book.
There’s a lot more intrigue to this in the earliest issues, when Kirby’s still clearly in control of basically everything and Lee is just providing (sometimes hilarious and contrary) dialog. As soon as Heck steps up for pencils, the art and words gel a lot better but the reading is infinitely duller.
I’d say I checked out roughly around issue 14, but there’re still 16 more to trudge through. If you can get a smaller collection, maybe just getting the first ten or twenty, that would probably be a lot more tolerable and intriguing than this over-bloated thirty-issue sludge of a book.
August 20, 2018
Stan Lee’s writing doesn’t hold up so hot decades later, but I think that’s to be understood. But, acknowledging the time it came from, the stories were novel and first of their kind. Plus, seeing the original adventures of the Avengers after reading years of crossovers is really interesting, especially for someone like me, that notices where little trivia nuggets and characters came from.
April 2, 2025
I feel bad for disliking this collection, but the era of constantly recapping events and clunky dialogue lead me to like these old Stan Lee collections less and less.
The cast changes and bland villains lead me to like this less then the fantastic four collection I read.
The cast changes and bland villains lead me to like this less then the fantastic four collection I read.
May 23, 2024
##1-15 — ⭐
#16-19 — ⭐💫
#20-30 — ⭐⭐
#16-19 — ⭐💫
#20-30 — ⭐⭐
March 19, 2025
Hank Pym continues to be one of my least favorite Marvel characters. Do love it when Mother (aka Wanda) finally joins the team.
February 24, 2017
The first 30 issues of the iconic Avengers, all handsomely reprinted in a book so heavy it will give you carpel tunnel and swollen ankles if read on a toilet. There's lots to like here. The stories for the most part are a lot of fun. The first twelve or so issues are Jack Kirby in full Kirby mode when he was drawing most of the books Marvel put out. Really the most impressive thing about these is that Kirby and Lee really were creating a universe of characters and stories. Any hero's missing from an issue has are explained away by a caption pointing you to the book out that month that they can be seen in. That kind of world building is completely lost in current books where they can't keep the chronology straight even in the event series. The only thing that doesn't really hold up is Stan Lee's writing, mainly due to him insisting on giving every person depicted in a panel at least one word balloon of dialogue.
Only other knock is the look to these is a bit weird due to the glossy paper used to reprint. I think the colours of these old books look better on newsprint. Newsprint wouldn't suit an archival book like this though, so I can't really complain. I think the EC Archives handle this better with re-colouring that fits the original but adds some tones. Which means the EC Archives aren't strictly archival. So it's a loss/loss in the end.
That said, it's fun to see these early adventures and the presentation on a whole is pretty great. And THAT said, I'm glad I didn't pay $100 for it. That's ENOUGH SAID!
Only other knock is the look to these is a bit weird due to the glossy paper used to reprint. I think the colours of these old books look better on newsprint. Newsprint wouldn't suit an archival book like this though, so I can't really complain. I think the EC Archives handle this better with re-colouring that fits the original but adds some tones. Which means the EC Archives aren't strictly archival. So it's a loss/loss in the end.
That said, it's fun to see these early adventures and the presentation on a whole is pretty great. And THAT said, I'm glad I didn't pay $100 for it. That's ENOUGH SAID!
January 6, 2026
This is a hard one to rate, I just don't think 60s comics are for me, art wise, it's exactly what I love about comics (Jack Kirby and Don Heck are perfect), but story wise and especially dialogue wise it's lacking
This is certainly better than X-men, I feel like this had more time and effort put into it, less misogyny (but still a lot, especially more towards the beginning)
and just overall more care put into it, which is surprising for a crossover series
Overall I do think I liked this book, it may have been kind of a hard one to get through at times, but overall enjoyable, some great villains and characters, and inbetween the problematic, boring and long texts, there was a nice moment, like Zemo's death, or the entire last issue to be real with you, that issue was so good, which makes me think that I may prefer a series about one character instead of a whole team
I like the new avengers team a lot, the series definitely improved with the new team, kind of strange Rick just dissappeared but whatever, also strange that the hulk was there for like 4 issues, and always got teased but still hasn't fully returned as a member of the team.
Hawkeye is the most annoying person in comic book history until like the second to last issue.
And I get that it's a crossover comic, so you can't really spend that much time on Hank and Janet's relationship, they have their own series for that, but maybe replace the Jan being in love with everyone dialogue with her liking her partner or something idk 😭, glad stuff like that kinda lessened as the omnibus went on.
One of the biggest problems in this omnibus however is the fact that Stan Lee was working on too many comics, and make a lot of mistakes because of it, and it's not even like he was doing his best to be honest, he just cranked bullshit out with too little care, cuz why would anyone care about silly little comics.
And that's sad because I do think he cared, he was just living too happy and rich to sit down, and write a really good story that showed he cared.
Anyway Attuma is really cool, and also Doctor Doom and Zemo, almost none of the villains were original to this series, but these are villains that I really liked nonetheless, the rest are forgettable or I just didn't like *cough cough* Kang and the Swordsman
This is certainly better than X-men, I feel like this had more time and effort put into it, less misogyny (but still a lot, especially more towards the beginning)
and just overall more care put into it, which is surprising for a crossover series
Overall I do think I liked this book, it may have been kind of a hard one to get through at times, but overall enjoyable, some great villains and characters, and inbetween the problematic, boring and long texts, there was a nice moment, like Zemo's death, or the entire last issue to be real with you, that issue was so good, which makes me think that I may prefer a series about one character instead of a whole team
I like the new avengers team a lot, the series definitely improved with the new team, kind of strange Rick just dissappeared but whatever, also strange that the hulk was there for like 4 issues, and always got teased but still hasn't fully returned as a member of the team.
Hawkeye is the most annoying person in comic book history until like the second to last issue.
And I get that it's a crossover comic, so you can't really spend that much time on Hank and Janet's relationship, they have their own series for that, but maybe replace the Jan being in love with everyone dialogue with her liking her partner or something idk 😭, glad stuff like that kinda lessened as the omnibus went on.
One of the biggest problems in this omnibus however is the fact that Stan Lee was working on too many comics, and make a lot of mistakes because of it, and it's not even like he was doing his best to be honest, he just cranked bullshit out with too little care, cuz why would anyone care about silly little comics.
And that's sad because I do think he cared, he was just living too happy and rich to sit down, and write a really good story that showed he cared.
Anyway Attuma is really cool, and also Doctor Doom and Zemo, almost none of the villains were original to this series, but these are villains that I really liked nonetheless, the rest are forgettable or I just didn't like *cough cough* Kang and the Swordsman
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 3, 2016
A more accurate rating of this title (for me) is 4.5 stars. While its initial run is somewhat klunky, filled with errors that original fans of the comic brought to the attention of the comic's front runners through letters published within the Marvel Bullpen/Avengers Assemble! sections of the comic, the omnibus is a must for any scholar seeking to study the structural changes between the original Avengers and the massively successful Marvel Cinematic Universe. Seeing the series from its conception reveals the evolution in quality that movie viewers see today and comic fans have seen over the past five decades. From issue #4 onward, the Avengers is a solid entry into comic book history that plays with philosophical tropes that, while they may not be as sophisticated as some of the work that would emerge with the likes of Man-Thing, the Punisher, and Howard the Duck, have a merit all on their own. The origins of the trademark Marvel humor also draws back to these comics, but sometimes this humor is sexist and xenophobic. Neither is enough for me to rate it strongly against the text, but the presence of these does make me add a disclaimer that the text may not be as well received by all. That being said, the other strength of the volume lies within the inclusion of the aforementioned Marvel Bullpen/Avengers Assemble! "Letters to the editors" section of the old comics. Through these the historian can create a historical context regarding how these comics were initially received, even if it this context is curated as Stan Lee includes praise and criticism in almost every issue, and it also transforms the omnibus into a larger commentary on the rhetoric of comics, revealing the role the author plays communicating with the audience in creating art. It is this last feature that strongly asserts my decision to round up to the 5 star rating.
August 24, 2014
Si bien los 4 Fantásticos fueron los que inauguraron la llamada "era Marvel de los cómics", fueron Los Vengadores quienes estuvieron destinados a erigirse como el mayor supergrupo de la casa de las ideas. Salidos a escena en 1963, fueron el epicentro de la revolución Marvel y la contracara de la políticamente correcta Liga de la Justicia de DC Comics. Formada inicialmente por Iron Man, Thor, Hule, el Hombre Hormiga y la Avispa para enfrentar en conjunto la amenaza de Loki en la Tierra, el equipo no tarda en rescatar de las profundidades del Atlántico al Capitán América, vieja creación de Kirby de la década del 40 para la vieja Tymely Comics. En las páginas de los primeros números de la colección hacen su debut personajes que llegarían a convertirse en centrales para el devenir del universo Marvel, como ser Kang el conquistador. The Avengers Omnibus trae los primeros 30 números de la colección, en una encuadernación de lujo. Una pieza necesaria para la biblioteca de todo cultor del género.
May 15, 2012
This is not the best collaboration between Lee and Kirby. The first two issues are basically nothing but Hulk-bashing (apparently, most people did that back then). Once Captain America arrives, the introduction to the Masters of Evil is a little long. I loved the stuff on Kang and Immortus, but a lot of the first issues of Avengers really lacked enough focus to keep me interested.
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