Broken Frontier

As new chapters unfold in the pages of New Avengers, Mighty Avengers and Avengers: The Initiative, BF looks back at the rich history of the Avengers’ roster.

The Avengers have been one of comicdom’s most enduring groups.  Over the course of nearly 50 years, the team has endured upheavals, expansions and dissolutions, making the squad’s constantly shifting roster one of the few consistent things about The Mighty Avengers.

The Founding Team (1963-1965)

The team first appeared in their own self-titled book (by writer Stan Lee, artist Jack Kirby and inker Dick Ayers) in September 1963.  The first incarnation of the team, one of the shortest-lived, was brought together by chance with a helping hand from perennial sidekick, Rick Jones.  The book featured a classic Marvel misunderstanding after Loki, the God of Mischief, baited the Incredible Hulk into a destructive rampage. 

By the conclusion of the book, Ant Man, the Wasp, Iron Man, the incredible Hulk and the Mighty Thor joined forces, thwarting Loki’s scheme and agreeing that The Avengers would be able to face evils that no one hero could stand against.  By the very next issue (November 1963) however, the shifting nature of the roster was apparent, as Ant Man was rechristened Giant Man and the Hulk quit.  The Avengers did not remain a team of four for long however, as in issue #4 (March 1964), Stan Lee revived the Golden Age hero Captain America, who in recent years has retroactively been granted “founding member status” on the team.

The First Recruits (1965-1972)

Although the instability of the Avengers roster had been established very early, Avengers #16 (May 1965) featured a near-complete revision.  Captain America was promoted to Avengers Chairman, recruiting an eccentric squad of former super-villains to replace the departing members.   Joining Cap was the archer Hawkeye, the chaos-magic wielding Scarlet Witch and the super-speedster, Quicksilver.  As the team continued to amass their own gallery of rouges, Giant Man rejoined the team under the moniker Goliath (Avengers #28, May 1966).

Beginning with issue #36 (January 1967), Roy Thomas took over from Lee as sole scripter on the title.  As the tone of The Avengers shifted away from the traditional Marvel 1960’s feel to one more focused on the characters and personalities, Thomas infused new blood to the roster.  Both the Russian spy, the Black Widow, and the God Hercules became supporting cast members (with Hercules being granted full membership in #45, October 1967).  The next recruit, the athletic African king The Black Panther (#52, May 1968), was introduced in a unique manner, given an entire issue spotlight.  The density-altering android The Vision was introduced in issue #57 (October 1968), and officially was inducted the next month. 

Thomas also revised some past members, as feelings of inadequacy caused Hawkeye to hang up his bow in favour for adopting the vacated role and powers of Goliath, who had in turn become the shirking Yellowjacket (#63, April 1969).  As almost a footnote, the medieval-inspired Black Knight officially became an Avenger in issue #71 (December 1969) after being a recurring supporting character since his introduction back in #48 (January 1968).  His would be one of the shortest runs, having ended by the beginning of #72.

The Steve Englehart Era (1972-1976)

Passing the landmark Avengers #100 (June 1972), Roy Thomas’ run gave way to Steve Englehart.  Like Thomas, Englehart focused on the dynamics between the Avengers, and continued the trend of pitting them against grander cosmic foes.  His first addition to the team was the official induction of long-time guest-star Black Widow (#111, May 1973). 

Mere months later (#114, August 1973), the reformed Swordsman (who, as a villain, had previously infiltrated the team as a mole) joined the team, in the same issue the character Mantis was introduced.  Swordsman and Mantis’ stories played out over the next several years, mixing them in a four-way romantic subplot with the Vision and Scarlet Witch.  The tale continued even after Swordsman’s death, climaxing in Giant-Size Avengers #4 (June 1975), in which Mantis was officially made a member before marrying the ghost of the Swordsman and ascending as the Celestial Madonna.  

As the 1970’s reached the midway point, the Avengers launched an active recruitment drive, gaining characters such as the X-Men’s The Beast (#137, July 1975), the telepathic Moondragon (also #137), the feline derived Hellcat (#141, November 1975) and the old-West gunslinger the Two-Gun Kid (#142, December 1975).

The Jim Shooter & David Michelinie Years (1976-1982)

Early in his Avengers run, Jim Shooter resurrected Wonder Man, the super-strongman who as a villain had once infiltrated the team (back in issue #9).  This time the tragic hero gained a legitimate membership (#158, April 1977), and was frequently used in triangles involving Vision and Scarlet Witch.  One of Shooter’s most loved story arcs was the immense Korvac Saga, which featured every living Avenger teaming against a threat of cosmic proportions. 

Over the course of this story, The Guardians of the Galaxy (a superhero team from the 30th Century) joined the battle.  As such, Yondu, Martinex, Charlie-27, Nikki, Starhawk, Aleta and Vance Astro were all granted honorary memberships (#168, February 1978).  A short-term member – brought into association with the team due to the erroneous assumption that he was the father of the Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver – was the Golden Age hero, The Whizzer (#173, July 1978). 

Not long after, David Michelinie assumed writing duties on Avengers.  Although her role was relatively minor in during her first tenure, Ms. Marvel (#183, June 1979) has played a larger role in recent years.  Close behind her came the high-flying Falcon (#184, June 1979), a long-time partner of perennial Avenger, Captain America.  The android Jocasta (#197, July 1980) was another of Michelinie’s additions, one of the least significant team members from his time on the title. 

From this point on, both Shooter and Michelinie worked on the book in various writing and plotting capacities, adding Tigra (#211, September 1981) and She-Hulk (#221, July 1982).

Second Comings (1983-1988)

Roger Stern, one of the most significant Avengers creators of the 1980s began his run with the introduction of future Avengers chairperson, Captain Marvel (#227, January 1983), followed by the alien Starfox (#232, June 1983).  With the property firmly established, Stern was also a driving force behind the development of the first Avengers spin-off – The West Coast Avengers (September 1984). 

Beginning with their own 4-issue limited series, the inaugural line up for this team consisted of chairman Hawkeye, Tigra, Wonder Man and new inductees Mockingbird (Hawkeye’s super-spy wife) and the new Iron Man (James Rhodes, later known as War Machine).  The West Coast team was used as supporting cast for the core title and, based on their popularity, were given their own ongoing book in late October 1985.  As Stern continued on the core book, Steve Englehart took on the affectionately nicknamed “Wackos”, establishing the team’s lighter, West Coast tone. 

With 2 teams and 2 books, the 1980s saw many additions to the active Avengers roster; Namor the Sub Mariner (Avengers #262, December 1985), the flame powered Firebird (who began working with the team in West Coast Avengers #4, January 1986, but was not “officially” inducted until 3 years later), the Fantastic Four’s The Thing (West Coast Avengers #9, June 1986), occultist Dr. Druid (Avengers #278, April 1987), Namor’s aquatic bride Marrina (Avengers #286, December 1987) and the Egyptian themed anti-hero Moon Knight (West Coast Avengers #33, June 1988).

Dissolution & Reconstruction (1988-1989)
Following disagreements on direction, Stern left the title and was replaced with Walter Simonson.  Once again the Avengers were infiltrated by a rival, this time the villainess known as Ravonna (who was posing as the character known as Nebula).  Using powers of mindcontrol, she was inducted onto the team (Avengers #291, May 1988), quickly becoming the chairperson and leading the complete dismantling and dissolution of the East Coast Avengers team (Avengers #297, November 1988).

A new incarnation of the team appeared in 1988’s Avengers Annual #17.  Hastily assembled by Captain America (who at this point was operating under the alias “The Captain”), this squad only existed for the one adventure and consisted of the Hulk, Hercules, Jocasta, The Falcon, The Beast and new inductee, Yellowjacket II.  The character Demolition Man had also been inducted by The Captain (Captain America #349, January 1989), but was killed before he could actually fight alongside the team.  Simonson debuted his official new Avengers in the landmark Avengers #300 (February 1989), a group made up of The Captain, Thor, and a trio of new recruits – the mythological Gilgamesh and Mr. Fantastic & the Invisible Woman of the Fantastic Four. 

Continued tomorrow with a look at the Avengers incarnations throughout the 1990’s and the present.