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Age of Heroes #1-4
Age of Heroes
Marvel's top talent comes together to usher in the AGE OF HEROES! The Heroes are restored to their rightful place in this new era, and the world is safer for them. They defeated Osborn & his Siege on Asgard, now they have one last foe to face: the Mayor of New York -- J. Jonah Jameson! Also, MI13 come to the US, but one of them isn't leaving-they are defecting to the AVENGERS?! Plus Dr. Voodoo's Sorcerer Supreme duties infringe on "date night" and how much trouble can Spider-Man get into in one day? The answer: A LOT!
COLLECTING:
Heroic Age Anthology #1-4
COLLECTING:
Heroic Age Anthology #1-4
144 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
1 person is currently reading
36 people want to read
About the author
Kurt Busiek
1,859 books626 followersKurt Busiek is an American comic book writer notable for his work on the Marvels limited series, his own title Astro City, and his four-year run on Avengers.
Busiek did not read comics as a youngster, as his parents disapproved of them. He began to read them regularly around the age of 14, when he picked up a copy of Daredevil #120. This was the first part of a continuity-heavy four-part story arc; Busiek was drawn to the copious history and cross-connections with other series. Throughout high school and college, he and future writer Scott McCloud practiced making comics. During this time, Busiek also had many letters published in comic book letter columns, and originated the theory that the Phoenix was a separate being who had impersonated Jean Grey, and that therefore Grey had not died—a premise which made its way from freelancer to freelancer, and which was eventually used in the comics.
During the last semester of his senior year, Busiek submitted some sample scripts to editor Dick Giordano at DC Comics. None of them sold, but they did get him invitations to pitch other material to DC editors, which led to his first professional work, a back-up story in Green Lantern #162 (Mar. 1983).
Busiek has worked on a number of different titles in his career, including Arrowsmith, The Avengers, Icon, Iron Man, The Liberty Project, Ninjak, The Power Company, Red Tornado, Shockrockets, Superman: Secret Identity, Thunderbolts, Untold Tales of Spider-Man, JLA, and the award-winning Marvels and the Homage Comics title Kurt Busiek's Astro City.
In 1997, Busiek began a stint as writer of Avengers alongside artist George Pérez. Pérez departed from the series in 2000, but Busiek continued as writer for two more years, collaborating with artists Alan Davis, Kieron Dwyer and others. Busiek's tenure culminated with the "Kang Dynasty" storyline. In 2003, Busiek re-teamed with Perez to create the JLA/Avengers limited series.
In 2003, Busiek began a new Conan series for Dark Horse Comics, which he wrote for four years.
In December 2005 Busiek signed a two-year exclusive contract with DC Comics. During DC's Infinite Crisis event, he teamed with Geoff Johns on a "One Year Later" eight-part story arc (called Up, Up and Away) that encompassed both Superman titles. In addition, he began writing the DC title Aquaman: Sword of Atlantis from issues 40-49. Busiek was the writer of Superman for two years, before followed by James Robinson starting from Superman #677. Busiek wrote a 52-issue weekly DC miniseries called Trinity, starring Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman. Each issue (except for issue #1) featured a 12-page main story by Busiek, with art by Mark Bagley, and a ten-page backup story co-written by Busiek and Fabian Nicieza, with art from various artists, including Tom Derenick, Mike Norton and Scott McDaniel.
Busiek's work has won him numerous awards in the comics industry, including the Harvey Award for Best Writer in 1998 and the Eisner Award for Best Writer in 1999. In 1994, with Marvels, he won Best Finite Series/Limited Series Eisner Award and the Best Continuing or Limited Series Harvey Award; as well as the Harvey Award for Best Single Issue or Story (for Marvels #4) in 1995. In 1996, with Astro City, Busiek won both the Eisner and Harvey awards for Best New Series. He won the Best Single Issue/Single Story Eisner three years in a row from 1996–1998, as well as in 2004. Busiek won the Best Continuing Series Eisner Award in 1997–1998, as well as the Best Serialized Story award in 1998. In addition, Astro City was awarded the 1996 Best Single Issue or Story Harvey Award, and the 1998 Harvey Award for Best Continuing or Limited Series.
Busiek was given the 1998 and 1999 Comics Buyer's Guide Awards for Favorite Writer, with additional nominations in 1997 and every year from 2000 to 2004. He has also received numerous Squiddy Awards, having been selected as favorite writer four years in a row from 1995 to 1998,
Busiek did not read comics as a youngster, as his parents disapproved of them. He began to read them regularly around the age of 14, when he picked up a copy of Daredevil #120. This was the first part of a continuity-heavy four-part story arc; Busiek was drawn to the copious history and cross-connections with other series. Throughout high school and college, he and future writer Scott McCloud practiced making comics. During this time, Busiek also had many letters published in comic book letter columns, and originated the theory that the Phoenix was a separate being who had impersonated Jean Grey, and that therefore Grey had not died—a premise which made its way from freelancer to freelancer, and which was eventually used in the comics.
During the last semester of his senior year, Busiek submitted some sample scripts to editor Dick Giordano at DC Comics. None of them sold, but they did get him invitations to pitch other material to DC editors, which led to his first professional work, a back-up story in Green Lantern #162 (Mar. 1983).
Busiek has worked on a number of different titles in his career, including Arrowsmith, The Avengers, Icon, Iron Man, The Liberty Project, Ninjak, The Power Company, Red Tornado, Shockrockets, Superman: Secret Identity, Thunderbolts, Untold Tales of Spider-Man, JLA, and the award-winning Marvels and the Homage Comics title Kurt Busiek's Astro City.
In 1997, Busiek began a stint as writer of Avengers alongside artist George Pérez. Pérez departed from the series in 2000, but Busiek continued as writer for two more years, collaborating with artists Alan Davis, Kieron Dwyer and others. Busiek's tenure culminated with the "Kang Dynasty" storyline. In 2003, Busiek re-teamed with Perez to create the JLA/Avengers limited series.
In 2003, Busiek began a new Conan series for Dark Horse Comics, which he wrote for four years.
In December 2005 Busiek signed a two-year exclusive contract with DC Comics. During DC's Infinite Crisis event, he teamed with Geoff Johns on a "One Year Later" eight-part story arc (called Up, Up and Away) that encompassed both Superman titles. In addition, he began writing the DC title Aquaman: Sword of Atlantis from issues 40-49. Busiek was the writer of Superman for two years, before followed by James Robinson starting from Superman #677. Busiek wrote a 52-issue weekly DC miniseries called Trinity, starring Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman. Each issue (except for issue #1) featured a 12-page main story by Busiek, with art by Mark Bagley, and a ten-page backup story co-written by Busiek and Fabian Nicieza, with art from various artists, including Tom Derenick, Mike Norton and Scott McDaniel.
Busiek's work has won him numerous awards in the comics industry, including the Harvey Award for Best Writer in 1998 and the Eisner Award for Best Writer in 1999. In 1994, with Marvels, he won Best Finite Series/Limited Series Eisner Award and the Best Continuing or Limited Series Harvey Award; as well as the Harvey Award for Best Single Issue or Story (for Marvels #4) in 1995. In 1996, with Astro City, Busiek won both the Eisner and Harvey awards for Best New Series. He won the Best Single Issue/Single Story Eisner three years in a row from 1996–1998, as well as in 2004. Busiek won the Best Continuing Series Eisner Award in 1997–1998, as well as the Best Serialized Story award in 1998. In addition, Astro City was awarded the 1996 Best Single Issue or Story Harvey Award, and the 1998 Harvey Award for Best Continuing or Limited Series.
Busiek was given the 1998 and 1999 Comics Buyer's Guide Awards for Favorite Writer, with additional nominations in 1997 and every year from 2000 to 2004. He has also received numerous Squiddy Awards, having been selected as favorite writer four years in a row from 1995 to 1998,
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
November 27, 2020
This was okay but nothing special. It's mostly and anthology series featuring several short stories of lesser known marvel characters set during the "heroic age", which is the time right after Norman Osborn is exposed and overthrown. Fun enough read, just not much substance. Then we have a few reprints including the first appearance of Hawkeye and the first appearance of 3D Man, which was probably my favorite part of the entire collection.
This wasn't bad, but it was quite "skippable."
This wasn't bad, but it was quite "skippable."
March 1, 2015
This is a fun book! I like the idea--short stories of varying length set within the Marvel Universe. Some of them are teasers for upcoming (at the time) series. As with most anthologies, this is rather a mixed bag. Probably my favorite of the lot was the one about the Eskimos who were worshipping the block of ice with Captain America's body in it back in Avengers #4. It's such a wonderful expansion of a seemingly insignificant detail from a well-known story, and it works very well. Least favorite is probably the Brother Voodoo story, with an attempt at maintaining a secret identity so pathetic that 1960's Lois Lane wouldn't have fallen for it. The best I can say about it is that it's a cute story and doesn't overstay its welcome. Overall, this was a fun book.
December 20, 2020
Collection of a four-issue anthology series meant to introduce the new, heroic slant to the Marvel Universe after the Siege of Asgard and the fall of Norman Osborn. Basically, a lot of this stories - or more often just vignettes - only serve the purpose of teasers advertising upcoming titles, very few of which had any staying power whatsoever.
This volume is rounded out by an in-house special presenting new and revamped titles whose only interesting aspect is that it reprints the first appearances of 3D Man ("Who?", you say? "Google it," I say...), Hawkeye and a Free Comic Book Day issue of the Avengers from the previous year.
This volume is rounded out by an in-house special presenting new and revamped titles whose only interesting aspect is that it reprints the first appearances of 3D Man ("Who?", you say? "Google it," I say...), Hawkeye and a Free Comic Book Day issue of the Avengers from the previous year.
February 8, 2020
This is a kinda cool way to start off a new "event". Norman Osborne is no longer in power, the registration act is dead, Steve Rogers is head of SHIELD and Bucky is the new Captain America. Everything is back to the way it should be. Each of these comics had 3-5 short stories about what's happening with different heroes/villains now, and where they're headed. The only thing I thought was strange was that there were definitely some "d-listers" here, so maybe they were getting their own series or something, some I had never even heard of (a couple thousand Marvel comics later).
April 4, 2020
I got this on sale and I'm glad it was a sale book and not a full-price title since it was really a preview comic for the post-Dark Reign continuity of the Marvel Universe. It started with some fun anthology-style adventures for different Marvel characters that linked to their full comics as part of the re-launch. Then it follows with some write-ups about some of the new books and the multiple Avengers titles and threw in some re-tellings of older character origins for the likes of 3D Man and even Hawkeye.
February 6, 2023
Most of these are very short (1 to 4 pages) fragments that are little more than introductions to a larger story that you have to read somewhere else. Without proper context, many convey no real Story quality.
The few that actually are 'complete' short stories are pretty good. I really liked the Gravity story.
There is also a full Avengers / Dark Avengers story that is OK, and for some strange reason the reprint of Hawkeye's first appearance. Makes no sense to me to include it here, but I had never read it before so I was happy to get to now.
The few that actually are 'complete' short stories are pretty good. I really liked the Gravity story.
There is also a full Avengers / Dark Avengers story that is OK, and for some strange reason the reprint of Hawkeye's first appearance. Makes no sense to me to include it here, but I had never read it before so I was happy to get to now.
June 13, 2017
A book like this probably should never be published unless its free. That doesn't mean its horrible but its just a cash grab. Marvel had a ton of new storylines starting and this is a very very short prologue for many of them. The stories themselves were fine but nothing needed or that couldn't have been included in a free chapter zero book. Overall, an editorial blunder.
July 22, 2018
A bunch of vignettes. What's supremely irritating about them is that they don't have any sort of theme. Marvel announced "Age of Heroes" as a kind of pendulum counterswing to the Dark Avengers.
But a lot of this feels like Dark Avengers. Probably the Scorpio section was the one that left the foulest taste. It did not belong with any of the others and just felt gross.
But a lot of this feels like Dark Avengers. Probably the Scorpio section was the one that left the foulest taste. It did not belong with any of the others and just felt gross.
May 30, 2022
A series of short stories spotlighting a variety of characters in the aftermath of some dark times in the Marvel Universe. Some were lots of fun, others were pretty forgettable. My favourites were probably Blue Marvel and Squirrel Girl.
April 11, 2023
Transition stories between Norman's rule and the return of the heroes. Some stories were good and some were filler. My favorite was the Wakanda story. But I really wish Zodiac would go back under a rock. Really can't stand him.
November 10, 2025
As with most of these anthology previews there is little depth or meaningful story to be found. There are few quirky characters being (re-)introduced that make for a varied and for the most part enjoyable shallow read.
Format: Digital single issues through Marvel Unlimited.
Format: Digital single issues through Marvel Unlimited.
August 6, 2018
Picked up this book on the cheap, and decided to check it out against all the detractors' warnings. I should've left it on the clearance shelf.
October 1, 2019
I could use a lot of words, but they’d all just be fancy ways of saying “meh.”
April 8, 2020
This is a fine comic, but it’s basically a bunch of teasers for new comics coming out.....four issues worth of trailers. And like any anthology, some stories are stronger than others.
October 21, 2011
Antes que nada tengo que admitir que hice algo de trampa al marcar este libro como leído: de las 100 páginas que lo componen leí apenas más de 90, aunque sinceramente no creo que esas cuatro o cinco páginas de comic hubieran marcado diferencia alguna. Ahora sí, empieza la carnicería:
No me pareció un comic malo, está lleno de historias cortitas y entretenidas que cumplen la función de establecer cuál es el nuevo status quo tras el Reinado Oscuro de Osborn que viera su fin en asedio. Lo que me molesta es que los autores y editores me insistan con que estamos en los comienzos de una nueva "Edad Heroica", que ahora todo es optimista y luminoso de nuevo y que se puede volver a creer con la inocencia que teníamos hace décadas. Y me parece que no es así para nada. Uno no puede levantarse un día y decir "hoy comienza esta nueva era" por cuestiones de marketing y ya. Si querés dejá que pasen unos años y quizás ahí, en retrospectiva, puedas ver si algo cambió, que verdaderamente fue un quiebre con lo anterior. Pero no me recontraasegures que ahora todo es distinto porque ya me lo aseguraste unas veinte veces antes y el tiempo demostró que distinto las pelotas.
Todo eso al margen, muy bonitos los dibujos.
No me pareció un comic malo, está lleno de historias cortitas y entretenidas que cumplen la función de establecer cuál es el nuevo status quo tras el Reinado Oscuro de Osborn que viera su fin en asedio. Lo que me molesta es que los autores y editores me insistan con que estamos en los comienzos de una nueva "Edad Heroica", que ahora todo es optimista y luminoso de nuevo y que se puede volver a creer con la inocencia que teníamos hace décadas. Y me parece que no es así para nada. Uno no puede levantarse un día y decir "hoy comienza esta nueva era" por cuestiones de marketing y ya. Si querés dejá que pasen unos años y quizás ahí, en retrospectiva, puedas ver si algo cambió, que verdaderamente fue un quiebre con lo anterior. Pero no me recontraasegures que ahora todo es distinto porque ya me lo aseguraste unas veinte veces antes y el tiempo demostró que distinto las pelotas.
Todo eso al margen, muy bonitos los dibujos.
August 1, 2014
So, it's a compilation mostly used as a jumping off point for whatever new books Marvel was launching at the time. Black Panther's a lady. JJJ is the mayor. Gravity came back from the dead (which I think I read about a few years ago). It's fine for what it is, which is ephemera. Dan Slott's one-page comics are the highlight.
April 10, 2018
Some good stories some bad stories and lots of mediocre stories
August 22, 2016
It is a nice introdutction to the direction in which Marvel is taking things with some good appearances by beloved characters and some of the ideas fit well while others left me scratching my head.
May 26, 2013
Some of these stories were really fun and enjoyable, but generally speaking: no.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews