Since they were created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in 1963, the Avengers have been a staple supergroup. The members of this team, which has had dozens of different rosters, usually work solo. However, they assemble when they need to deal with a special threat, generally of a cosmic level. As such, most Avengers comics follow incredibly complex stories that are full of formidable villains and epic battles.
It's difficult to choose which Avengers comics offer the most exciting stories, but no one can deny there are great options for anyone seeking a fascinating read. Some thrilling stories include different Avengers rosters and villains and fans can't stop reading them.
10 Avengers Arena Is Simple But Exciting
After 16 teenage superheroes are kidnapped by Arcade, the villain forces them to fight to the death in Murderworld. Created by Dennis Hopeless and Kev Walker, Avengers Arena tells the heroes' story as they fight each other and try to communicate with the outside world.
Inspired by Battle Royale, Avengers Arena has a simple but terrifying premise: sixteen heroes enter but only one can leave Murderworld. Given that they're all so powerful, it's difficult to know who will win. Readers will find it impossible to stop reading Avengers Arena until they reach issue #18.
9 Infinity's Pages Are Full Of Action
When the Avengers assemble, it’s usually to deal with only one dangerous villain. In Infinity, by Jonathan Hickman, Jim Cheung, Jerome Peña, and Dustin Weaver, the Avengers are pit against two villains. While the Avengers are in outer space dealing with the Builders, Thanos attacks Earth. These heroes must survive a war on two different fronts.
Infinity is a dynamic, complex story that doesn't give readers a break. From the first issue, its plot unravels and raises the stakes. Although its core story is only six issues, this event involved around 40 different tie-ins that fans won't want to miss.
8 Few Comics Are As Grim As The Last Avengers Story
Peter David, Ariel Olivetti, and Jim Novak created The Last Avengers Story, a two-issue series that depicts a dystopian future where most Avengers were murdered by Kang the Conqueror after Ultron provided him with the right tools. To stop him, Hank Pym forms a new team with Wasp, Hawkeye, and the descendants of his former colleagues.
What follows is an epic showdown against Kang, who has now allied with Ultron, Oddball, and the Grim Reaper. Before knowing the result of this fight, the reader will have to learn the gruesome fate of the deceased heroes. It's a good thing that The Last Avengers Story only has two issues because it will have any readers glued to its pages until the end.
7 Avengers: Under Siege Features One Of The Team's Most Difficult Battles
Found in Avengers #273-277, "Under Siege" depicts the Avengers' efforts to recover the Avengers Mansion after Baron Zemo and his Masters of Evil take these heroes by surprise, claiming their base. While trying to escape these villains, the Avengers are tortured both physically and emotionally, with Hercules beaten into a coma.
Since the very first scene, "Under Siege" puts the Avengers in a pickle. Even if they have defeated the villains in all funky locations, like outer space, these terrifying antagonists are in the Avengers' own home. Created by John Buscema and Roger Stern, this comic depicts Earth's Mightiest Heroes at their most vulnerable.
6 Avengers: The Children's Crusade References Many Crucial Marvel Moments
In an attempt to find Scarlet Witch, Magneto and the Young Avengers embark on a journey that takes them to Latveria. Here, they learn Scarlet Witch has been working with Doctor Doom to bring her children back. Logically, this risky attempt has unforeseeable consequences.
Avengers: The Children's Crusade, by Allan Heinberg and Jim Cheung, doesn't hold any punches. This series goes from one epic moment to another, retconning core moments of Marvel history such as Scott Lang's death and Wanda's intentions during House of M. Any hardcore fan will quickly notice the references to previous iconic Marvel events.
5 Avengers Disassembled Was The End Of An Era
After a series of bizarre and inexplicable events, such as She-Hulk losing control and killing Vision, or Jack of Heart's resurrection killing Scott Lang, the Avengers take it upon themselves to investigate what's happening. The magic trail takes them to Wanda, who is changing reality while mourning her kids.
Avengers Disassembled is definitely a Marvel must-read. First, because it marks the end of the early 2000s Avengers, opening the door for new rosters. Additionally, it's full of shocking moments that will linger in the fans' minds for a while after reading it.
4 JLA/Avengers Is A Crossover For The Ages
One of the most ambitious DC/Marvel comic crossovers ever, JLA/Avengers follows both the Justice League and Earth's Mightiest Heroes as they attempt to save their universes from Krona and the Grandmaster. To do this, they must fight each other to collect 12 items, 6 from each reality. This may prove harder than expected.
JLA/Avengers, by Kurt Busiek and George Pérez, is a four-issue miniseries that aims to please both DC and Marvel fans. Any reader who enjoys both teams will find this adventure exhilarating. It offers an exciting, complex plot, and getting to see Captain America and Superman in the same panel is a dream come true.
3 The Avengers Feared For The State Of The Earth During Avengers Vs. X-Men
When it becomes apparent that Hope Summer will be the next Phoenix host, the X-Men realize the teenage girl merging with this cosmic entity is their only hope to revive the mutant race after House of M. Unfortunately, the Avengers learn Hope's destiny could potentially destroy Earth. This causes a lot of tension between both groups.
After many series where Earth's Mightiest Heroes team up with everyone's favorite mutant supergroup, Avengers vs. X-Men pits them against each other in an epic battle where it's impossible to choose sides or predict who will win. It was written by Jason Aaron, Brian Michael Bendis, Ed Brubaker, Jonathan Hickman, and Matt Fraction, with John Romita Jr., Olivier Coipel, and Adam Kubert as artists.
2 Avengers: The Kree-Skrull War Remains A Fan Favorite
Written by Roy Thomas and drawn by Sal and John Buscema and Neal Adams, "The Kree-Skrull War" storyline takes place in Avengers #89-97. This arc follows the Avengers' adventures after they get caught in the middle of a cosmic war between two powerful alien races.
Considered a highlight of its time, "The Kree-Skrull War" is Thomas's attempt to create an epic, cosmic war without really knowing where it would go. The story was an absolute success and introduces central ideas to the Avengers lore that would remain for decades, such as Scarlet Witch's relationship with Vision. Hardcore fans will find "The Kree-Skull War" impossible to put down.
1 Kang Actually Conquers The World In Kang Dynasty
When Kang the Conqueror and his son Marcus arrive on Earth ready to establish a new order, many villainous groups around the world join them, like the Deviants and the Presence. Of course, this doesn’t dissuade the Avengers from trying to stop Kang, but things only get more complex when the Triple Evil joins the war.
“Kang Dynasty,” in Avengers #41-55, goes for the jugular from the very beginning. Without any preamble, it introduces the main conflict from the very beginning. Besides, this series marks the first time a villain actually conquered the world in an Avengers comic. Readers won’t be able to stop reading once they begin.