Marvel News & Views 9.29.03
Posted by Jim Trabold on 09.29.2003
Catching up on the FF insanity & 40 years of Avengers
Welcome again readers. It’s the Monday article. We’ve got a few news pieces of interest and a special feature
3 FF titles
In 1961 a rocketship carrying four friends was launched into the unknown of outer space and the Marvel Age of comics was launched along with it. Now beginning this December, the industry's #1 publisher will again place the First Family of comic books - the FANTASTIC FOUR - at its rightful place at the 'four front' of Marvel Comics' 2004 plans. Three ... (yes, THREE) major
launches featuring three diverse interpretations of the "World's Greatest Comic Magazine" are in the works, again signifying the launch of a resurgent creative and commercial era at Marvel Comics.
The three-month event kicks off in December with the launch of ULTIMATE FANTASTIC FOUR, by the all-star Ultimate creative team of Brian Michael
Bendis, Mark Millar and Adam Kubert! More details regarding the debut of this fourth cornerstone of the Ultimate Universe foundation can be found in
this month's MARVEL PREVIEWS (#2) and WIZARD (#145), and even more details and previews will be released as its December unveiling gets closer.
In January's FANTASTIC FOUR #509, Marvel welcomes "back" the fan-favorite regular creative team of writer Mark Waid and penciler Mike Wieringo (along with inker Karl Kesel), before they ever got a chance to leave! The special
"THEY'RE BACK" issue kicks off a brand new story arc called "Hereafter".
According to Mark Waid, "The story is about the Fantastic Three ...whoops, did I say 'Three'? ... the Fantastic Three taking their greatest adventure yet by storming a realm new to them, one they've heard of but have never before seen.
"Yes, the Fantastic Three..."
"Fandom spoke and so did our own hearts, and we listened to both," said Marvel Editor-in-Chief Joe Quesada, regarding the creative team's
less-than-popular exit a few month's ago. "Never let it be said that at Marvel we can't own up to our mistakes. I'm just thrilled that Mark and Mike
decided to stay after all the craziness that went down. Fandom rejoice, it's salad days for the FF you know and love!"
"The way Joe's apologized in public for what he feels was, in retrospect, Marvel's rather odd decision certainly went a long way in getting us back," commented Waid. "Mike and I had discussed other projects elsewhere, but in the end, the pull of the FF and the fun we're having there was indisputable. We look forward now to trying to outdo our FIRST (but now, not our last) year. Next up: Diablo!
"...Just kidding."
Waid's return to the FF will also pay dividends for eager readers in another venue later in 2004. But fans will have to wait a while for more details regarding a just-approved project called ... (wait for it) ... "FOURIGIN"!
The reloading of the FANTASTIC FOUR franchise heading towards the major 20th Century Fox motion picture doesn't end there, however. Continuing the
embarrassment of riches, in February a brand NEW FF ongoing series debuts, under the always-popular MARVEL KNIGHTS banner founded by Quesada before his ascension to Marvel E-i-C. This new series is created by the up-and-coming team of writer Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and artist Steve McNiven.
Aguirre-Sacasa and McNiven's take on the FF - more grounded, earthbound and edgy in comparison to the Waid/'Ringo "Imaginauts" style - is in the spirit of projects before it like FF: 1 2 3 4, and makes it a perfect fit for the Marvel Knights banner.
"What I love about Roberto and Steve's upcoming FF MK title is that no one knows what to expect or what they're in for," said Quesada. "It's going to be fun watching these two incredibly talented young guys rise to superstardom. Mark my words, this title will be a hallmark event."
"As far as I'm concerned, this is the best time to be writing the world's greatest characters - with not one, but TWO new titles spotlighting Marvel's First Family: THE ULTIMATE FF and Steve and my Marvel Knights series," said Aguirre-Sacasa. "There's tons of great stories to tell about the Family Fantastic, and so far it's been an amazing experience to work with an artist
like Steve (who draws the hottest Sue EVER) to showcase the more human, down-to-earth adventures of the FF."
"It used to be tough just to get one quality team on FF, today we have three," added Quesada. "There must be something in the air!"
And while now there IS certainly more FF to choose from, like Aguirre-Sacasa, all the creators involved are quick to point out none of
them is seeing this as a competition.
"I'm a big fan of the current FANTASTIC FOUR book, I love Mark's writing and Mike's art, and it's truly an honor to be working on Reed, Ben, Johnny and Sue at the same time they are," said the writer. "Ditto the superstars creating THE ULTIMATE FF. Different visions guide the three books, but what I hope comes across in all of them is our love and respect for what Stan Lee
and Jack Kirby created 40 years ago."
"I consider my former CrossGen colleague Mark Waid a good friend so I welcomed the news that Marvel was bringing him back to a book he writes so well," commented McNiven. "It seems to me like Mark & Mike were just getting warmed up creatively so this seems like a great thing for everyone as far asI'm concerned.
"I know first-hand how rewarding working on a well-written Fantastic Four book is, now being a few issues into the Marvel Knights FF with Roberto.It's a real lucky break for me to have hooked up with such a talented young writer and on top of that, to get a chance to put our stamp on four of Marvels greatest heroes."
"Now the FF has the best of all possible worlds - a Marvel Universe book, a Marvel Knights book drawn by Steve McNiven (not only a friend but an amazingartist who deserves to be comics' next superstar), and an Ultimate book,"concluded Waid. "And while each creative team may have a slightly different approach, there'll be no competitive sniping, no rivalry, because we ALL know what, at heart, the FF is all about - family, support, and teamwork."
For more, check out ComiX-Fan (who get credit for this article)
Three FF titles? What the hell is going on? I love the fact Waid is coming back and Wieringo. Hell, I’ve been saying that since they where let go. Joe was smart to get them back. I love Waid’s work with this team and I for one am happy to see this is going to happen. With Waid and Wieringo back it means all those fans that would’ve left because they did will be staying around. Also I do like that the Ultimate title is being done. It’s a smart move. That will likely make for two good series. The Marvel Knights run will be done by the two that would have replaced our current one. Not many fans seemed impressed at the fact that they where joining and also I wonder if the fans will pick the series up. We’ll find out.
Mystique #7
Buoyed by strong critical and fan reception, the buzz that continues to build around writer Brian K. Vaughan and the free full reprint of its debut issue in last month's MARVEL PREVIEWS #1, the ongoing series MYSTIQUE is breaking out as one of the fastest growing of the MARVEL TSUNAMI 'First Wave" titles. Sales of MYSTIQUE have risen 3 out of the last 4 issues, and sales will continue to rise as new readers discover the book when it begins its new, second story arc with October's MYSTIQUE #7, featuring a special "metallic ink on black' cover.
That issue also serves as the debut of new penciler Michael Ryan, who joins Vaughan as one-half of the series' regular creative team. Original artist Jorge Lucas moves over to IRON MAN beginning with October's issue #73.
In the new four-issue story arc entitled "Tinker, Tailor, Mutant, Spy", Mystique's new assignment from Xavier is to track down a possible new biological weapon - a deadly new strain of smallpox. But Mystique is getting restless following Xavier's orders... and he might not be the only boss she's working for these days. There's another mutant who wants to get his or her hands on this potentially apocalyptic bio-weapon!
MYSTIQUE #7 [AUG031535], the 32-page opening chapter of the four-part "Tinker, Tailor, Mutant, Spy", goes on sale October 15th with a cover price of $2.99. Retailers are reminded its Final Order Cut-off (FOC) date is Thursday, 9/25. Readers, ask your local comic book retailer to reserve your copy.
Pumping Mystique. Pretty smart seeing as some of the other TSUNAMI titles are falling apart. With the readers picking up so many titles it’s hard to pick up everything. Mystique although it’s TSUNAMI it’s also an X-title so I think it’s doing pretty well on it’s own. Getting more readers for it doesn’t hurt of course. Trying to do that for Runaways and Sentinel of course might even be smarter unless Mystique is also having problems we don’t know about.
40 years part II: Avengers
Last week I did a feature on forty years of X-Men to celebrate I covered most of the full series of Uncanny and New X-Men and even X-Treme. Today we’re going to cover the Avengers. This one of course will be even more complicated then the X-Men. You’ll see how the team has changed and even an issue by issue type of listing of team members. With the Avengers roster in constant change a lot it’s the only way to do this.
The X-Men and Avengers both started at the same time. The Avengers though where more like Marvels version of the JLA because the originals all already had some standing in the Marvel Universe and most of the other members would as well. The Avengers consist team consist of some of the most powerful Marvel characters. (excluding a ton of mutants and some really powerful cosmic and mystic characters.) Although the Avengers have been through change they follow their charter (http://www.classicmarvel.com/special/avengers_charter.htm). The title itself started thanks to Stan and Jack who co-created most of the titles at the time. But it would a be villain that would bring them together.
The five originals would be all introduced in separate titles:
Thor: The God of Thunder made his first appearance in JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY #83. Being the God of Thunder himself meant that Thor had the power to control storms and carried his hammer Mjolnir. He was trapped in the body of Jake Olsen at the time when we first meet him.
Iron Man: (Anthony "Tony" Stark) First appearance TALES OF SUSPENSE #39. Good old shell head. Tony is an inventor who created some of the most powerful armor in the world. Back then he had that big bulky armor. Of course his armor changed almost as much as the line up.
Ant-Man: (Dr. Henry "Hank" Pym) First appearance TALES TO ASTONISH #27. The Biochemist could shrink and communicate with ants. Pym would change his powers through the series.
Wasp: (Janet Van Dyne) First appearance TALES TO ASTONISH #44. She was introduced as Ant-Man’s partner in crime. She’d name the team after it formed.
Hulk: (Robert Bruce Banner) First Appearance: HULK #1 The big green guy was scientist Bruce Banner who got hit by his own creation the Gamma Bomb saving a young man named Rick Jones,
The team formed to stop the Hulk when Loki made them all believe he was a villain. The team found out the truth and Hulk joined them to defeat the foe. Ant-Man would become Giant-Man in his own series and would be a member of the team as Giant-Man for most of the rest of the time with the team before leaving. Hulk would be the first Avenger to leave in issue 3 when he joined Namor to battle the team. A new Avenger would appear to replace him.
In issue 4 a classic hero from the 40’s was revived from ice. His name Captain America (Steve Rogers) First Appearance: CAPTAIN AMERICA COMICS #1 (1941) The super soldier with agility, strength, speed, endurance, and reaction time superior to any Olympic athlete. Also Rick Jones (Richard M. "Rick" Jones) First appearance HULK # 1 would join the team as an honorary member. Hulk would even come back for one issue to help defeat the Lava Men. The team would stay the same and even have it’s first battle with a group of villains called the Masters of Evil and even another foe who would keep returning in Kang. They’d also meet a future member in Wonder Man.
The team would have a full roster change in issue 16. A group of former villains would join Cap as the rest of the Avengers left.
Hawkeye (Clinton Francis Barton) First appearance: TALES OF SUSPENSE #57 Being an expert marks men. He was Iron Man’s former foe who Iron Man helped reform.
Scarlet Witch (Wanda Maximoff ) First appearance: X-MEN (first series) #4 the former X-Foe joined the team with her brother. Being a magic user because of her probability fields she would learn later how to use more magic.
Quicksilver (Pietro Maximoff) First appearance: X-MEN (first series) #4 the former X-Foe joined the team with his sister. The super speedster.
This team would be together till issue 20 when they gained another new member
Swordsman (Jacques Duquesne) another former villain was an expert Swordsman and friend of Hawkeye. First Appearance: AVENGERS #19. He would be the first member to join that came out of the series.
He lasted one issue and the team would stay the same until 28 when Henry Pym came back again with yet another new identity in Goliath. He would join to help save Wasp. In 29 Wasp would join again. Wanda and Pietro left the team from 30-36. The team would consist of Goliath, Hawkeye, Wasp and Cap for that time. In 37 they came back. Cap would be gone from the book from 39-41. The team would battle Hercules. Cap would come back and in Avengers 45 the team would get a new member
Hercules the Olympian son of Zeus. He first appeared in THOR ANNUAL #1. With his super human strength the team would regain what they lost in Thor.
Captain America would leave yet again after issue 46. Even Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch left in 49. In issue 50 Hercules left for time as well. In 51 Thor and Iron Man would check in on the team before yet another new member would join to help battle Grim Reaper.
Black Panther (T'Challa) King of Wakanda. He first appeared in FANTASTIC FOUR Vol. 1 #52. Having natural strength and abilities
BK would join Hawkeye, Wasp, and Goliath to be the Avengers from 52-57. The team would battle Ultron and Vision during that time and in the end they would get Vision to switch sides and join them in 58
Vision First appearance AVENGERS (Vol. 1) #57 The android who was created by Ultron would gain Wonder Man’s brain patterns to help him keep in check. Being an android he has many different powers
In 58 Cap, Iron Man and Thor would all check in even with the new member but would not stay.. In 59 Pym would take yet another new identity in Yellowjacket. Him and Wasp would leave from 61-62. Hawkeye would become Goliath II when they came back in 63. In 66 BK would leave and Thor and Iron Man would come back. He’d return in 68. Even Cap would return in 69. In 73 the team would shorten up again. Black Panther, Goliath II, Vision, Wasp, and Yellowjacket would be the team.
Black Panther, Goliath II, Vision would join Cap as Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch would come back in 75. The team would have different line ups almost every issue. With Black Panther, Goliath II, Quicksilver, Scarlet Witch, and Vision as the main team with Cap, Thor, Iron Man, and Wasp. BK would leave in 87. The team of Cap, Iron Man, Thor, Goliath II, Quicksilver, Scarlet Witch, and Vision would help out and old friend in Hulk in 88.
In issue 89 the team would have it’s first big storyline and would gain a new member (honorary after dying)
Captain Marvel (Mar-Vell) Protector of the Universe and member of the Kree. He had a ton of power thanks to his nega-bands. First Appearance: MARVEL SUPERHEROES #18.
Kree/Skrull War #89-97 would have a team of Captain America, Goliath II, Iron Man I, Quicksilver, Scarlet Witch, Thor, Vision, Rick Jones, Wasp.
Earth becomes a disputed battleground in the interstellar war between the Kree and the Skrull empires! The Avengers and Captain Marvel are Earth’s last hope as usual.
In 98 the team returned home and Goliath II would become Hawkeye again and also Hercules would rejoin. A team of Captain America, Hawkeye, Hercules, Iron Man, Quicksilver, Scarlet Witch, Thor, and Vision would stay on. In 99 BK and Henry Pym would make cameos. It’s a battle with Ares . As 100 comes around a full roster of Ant-Man, Black Panther, Captain America, Hawkeye, Hercules, Hulk, Iron Man, Thor, Quicksilver, Scarlet Witch, Swordsman, Vision, and Wasp would be there.
Also new member Black Knight (Dane Whitman) First appearance: AVENGERS #47 his Ebony Sword would be his most powerful weapon.
Of course most would leave again. The team of Captain America, Hawkeye, Iron Man, Quicksilver, Scarlet Witch, Thor, and Vision stayed. That would be the team though 104. Blakc Panther rejoins the team for bit in 105. Also in 106 Rick Jones/Captain Marvel comes back also. In 109 Black Panther, Hawkeye, Iron Man, Scarlet Witch, and Vision are all there when Hawkeye quits. In 110 the team is now missing Hawkeye. In 111 the team gains a new member
Black Widow (Natalia Alianovna Romanova) First Appearance: TALES OF SUSPENSE #52. Another former villain but now a hero. She’s a normal human who’s a great athlete.
The team with BW would Black Panther, Black Widow, Captain America, Iron Man, Scarlet Witch, Thor, and Vision. This team would last till 113 when BW went missing. Also in 114 Swordsman rejoined the team with a new member
Mantis The Celestial Madonna First Appearance: AVENGERS #112. She is a master of martial arts and also has the powers empathic ability
The team would meet and battle the Defenders in the Avengers-Defenders War. With a team of Black Panther, Captain America, Iron Man, Mantis, Scarlet Witch, Swordsman, Thor, and Vision. The two team would battle last from Avengers (Vol. 1) #115-118 and Defenders (Vol.1) #8-11. They would be fighting thanks to Dormammu and Loki. The team would stay the same with a few characters missing in some issues but still being members. In 126 both Black Panther and Captain America would take a leave. In 130 Hawkeye would return. The team would basicly stay the same till 133. Yet another new member.
Moondragon (Heather Douglas) First appearance: IRON MAN #54. With her vast mental powers she would be an on and off member.
She would join a team of Hawkeye, Iron Man, Mantis, Moondragon, Scarlet Witch, Thor and Vision. They would stay together for some time and gain yet another new member in 136
Beast (Henry "Hank" Peter McCoy) First appearance: X-MEN (first series) #1. With his strength, agility, endurance, speed and dexterity.
In 137 Yellowjacket and Wasp would also return. While Mantis and Swordsman leave. So this new team of Beast, Hawkeye, Iron Man, Moondragon, Scarlet Witch, Thor, Wasp, and Yellowjacket would last till 140. In 141 Yellowjacket and Wasp had left. Cap had returned. In 144 a new member is introduced as well.
Hellcat (Patricia "Patsy" Walker Hellstrom) First Appearance: FANTASTIC FOUR #3. She would put on the costume of the Cat (aka Tigra) and be a member in training.
Hawkeye would stay in the past after a mission there. This team (even though some members aren’t official would last till 150. In 151 a new team would be introduced and yet another old friend would return and join unofficially
Wonder Man (Simon Williams) First Appearance: AVENGERS #9. With his ionized powers he is basicly immortal and super strong.
Thor would leave as well Hellcat and Moondragon and a team of Beast, Captain America, Iron Man, Scarlet Witch, Vision, Wasp, and Yellowjacket would be introduced. Also Beast, Moondragon, and Hellcat would officially be members of the team also. This would be the team till 153 when an honorary member would join them
Whizzer (Robert L. Frank) First (modern) Appearance: GIANT-SIZE AVENGERS #1. Being yet another super speedster for the team.
Whizzer would hang around till 156. Even others would join again. Thor would return in 159 and Black Panther in 160. In 161 Henry Pym would return to Ant-Man. He’d go back to Yellowjacket in 164. In 168 the Guardians of the Galaxy would come to the past and become honorary members
Vance Astro (Vance Astrovik a.k.a. Major Victory) First Appearance: Marvel Super Heroes Vol.2 #18 Possesses psionic powers
Yondu (Yondu Udonta) First Appearance: Marvel Super-Heroes Vol.1 #18. An expert archer.
Also in 170 Hawkeye and Quicksilver would return and Black Panther would leave for a short time. In 171 though two new members would join
Jocasta First appearance: Avengers 164. A robot created by Ultron who betrayed him and joined the team
Ms Marvel (aka Warbird. Carol Susan Jane Danvers) First Appearance: MARVEL SUPER HEROES #13 with superhuman strength, a high degree of durability.
With most of the team disappearing (thanks to the Collector and Korvac) the roster would be enlarged Beast, Black Panther, Black Widow, Captain America, Captain Marvel, Hawkeye, Hercules, Iron Man, Jocasta, Moondrgaon, Ms Marvel, Quicksilver, Scarlet Witch, Thor, Vision, Wasp, Whizzer, Wonder Man, and Yellowjacket. Thus group would be involved in the Korvac Saga. Also having a new member join in 174
Two-Gun Kid (Matthew J. Hawk) First Appearance: TWO-GUN KID #60. Was one of the fastest and best gunfighters
With a few fill in issues with Beast, Black Panther, Iron Man, Scarlet Witch, Thor, Vision, Wasp, Wonder Man, and YellowJacket. In 181 a more uniform group would be formed by Henry Gyrich. With almost everyone that had been an Avenger at the time gathered. Another new member would join
Falcon (Samuel "Sam" Wilson) First Appearance: Captain America #117. With jet powered glider wings that allow him to fly.
Beast, Captain America, Falcon, Iron Man I, Scarlet Witch, Vision, Wasp are the main team with Hawkeye, Jocasta, Quicksilver, and Wonder Man as reserves. Ms. Marvel would replace Scarlet Witch when she left the team to find Quicksilver in 183. Iron Man would not be part of the main team for a few issues also from 186-189. In 194 Wonder Man and Yellowjacket would be part of the team as Falcon went away from the team. Hawkeye would rejoin the team in 199 and Ms Marvel would leave in 200. 201 is one of favorite stories as it centers on Jarvis. Captain America, Beast, Iron Man, Jocasta, Scarlet Witch, Thor, Wasp, and Wonder Man would be the main team. This would last till 211 when yet another new roster would be needed. A new member would join
Tigra (Greer Grant Nelson) First appearance: The Cat #1. Who was human cat type creature with the powers of a wild cat.
A ton of Marvel heroes showed up as well thanks to Moondragon. Angel, Beast, Black Panther, Black Widow, Dazzler, Hawkeye, Hercules, , Jocasta, Moon Dragon, Moon Knight, Scarlet Witch, Wonder Man, and Vision all appeared.. With Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, Tigra, Wasp, and Yellow Jacket as your new team. Yellowjacket is court martialled in 213 forcing him to leave the team. Wasp would stay to support her husband when the team battle Molecule Man. Tigra would leave also in 217. The team even had to battle Moondragon when they returned. The team would need new blood again in 221. A new member would join
She-Hulk (Jennifer Walters) First appearance: SHE-HULK #1. Like her cousin she’s green and has super human strength.
Also Hawkeye would rejoin Captain America, Iron Man I, She-Hulk, Thor, and Wasp. Black Knight would also return from 225-226 and leave. Another new member would join though
Captain Marvel II (aka Photon Monica Rambeau) First Appearance: AMAZING SPIDER-MAN ANNUAL #16. Can transform into energy.
Henry Pym’s trial starts and the Masters of Evil show up again. Henry Pym retires and Iron Man leaves the team as well in 231. Also yet another new member joins in 232
Starfox (Eros) With super human strength and psionic pleasure powers. First appearance: Iron Man #55
Hawkeye would not be a member because a broken leg for a short time. Scarlet Witch would also show up for a mission. When Wonder Man appeared on David Letterman he had some friends show up in 239. Black Panther, Black Widow, and Hawkeye. In 242 part of the main team left for the Secret Wars (Thor, Captain America, Wasp, She-Hulk, Photon, and Iron Man (but not Stark)
Iron Man IV (aka War Machine James Rhodes) First Appearance: Iron Man Vol.1 #118. With the same armor that Tony had at the time.
They would return in 243 and Vision would become leader and send Hawkeye to form the West Coast team. She-Hulk also left to join the FF. Leaving a team of Captain America, Captain Marvel, Scarlet Witch, Starfox, Vision and Wasp in the East. Cap would leave the team for a short time in 246. In the West a team was formed by Hawkeye with a new member
Mockingbird (Barbara "Bobbie" Morse Barton) First appearance ASTONISHING TALES #6. Being a great athlete.
The West team would start with Hawkeye, Iron Man IV, Mockingbird, Tigra, and Wonder Man. In the East Hercules rejoins in 250 and Cap A returns in 251. As well as Black Knight in 252. In 255 Vision would have to be stopped from taken over the world and he resigns. In the west team would have the original Iron Man come back. As well as Henry Pym. Both teams would stay the same for the most part.
A new member would join each group.
East in 262: Namor (Namor (McKenzie)) King of Atlantis and super humanly strong. First Appearance: MOTION PICTURE FUNNIES WEEKLY #1
West in 9: Thing (Benjamin Jacob Grimm) First Appearance: FANTASTIC FOUR #1. The super humanly strong former FF member. He would stay only two issues.
Namor would leave in 272. The East team would get attacked by the Masters of Evil and it would be a major attack. The team would get major injuries to some of the team. Hercules in a coma, Jarvis in the hospital. To make up for it Thor and She-Hulk rejoin in 273. Also a new member is introduced
Doctor Druid (Anthony Druid) First Modern Appearance: WEIRD WONDER TALES # 19 a master of certain special disciplines of the mystical arts
The West Team deal with it’s own crisis in "Lost in Space-Time". They would have new members in
Firebird (Bonita Juarez) First Appearance: HULK #265 possesses the ability to summon and manipulate as-yet-unknown forms of energies
Moon Knight (Marc Spector) First Appearance: Werewolf By Night Vol.1 #32. Skilled gymnast and acrobat, trained as a boxer,
In the East Namor would return as well in 282. He stays on. In 286 Cap A and Thor leave the team again. Also a new member is introduced
Marrina (Marrina Smallwood) First Appearance: ALPHA FLIGHT #1 possesses numerous superhuman traits making her totally amphibious
Thor would also return in 291. The West team would have changes. Iron Man would leave in 31. Wasp would join as a member in 32. In the East Marrina is killed by Namor. Namor would leave the team to grieve. Also Photon left the team after growing into an old woman thanks to over using her powers in 394. Druid betrays the team and causes a rift tearing apart. The group all left separate ways.
The West team would also split up in 37 of their series. The remaining members would be Hawkeye, Scarlet Witch, Vision, and Wonder Man. Mantis would also show up also.
East would reform in Inferno. But before this would get two new members.
AVENGERS ANNUAL # 17, 1989 has Yellowjacket II (Rita DeMara) First Appearance: Avengers Vol.1 #264 The former foe has Expertise in cybernetic technology and uses Pym particles.
CAPTAIN AMERICA # 349, 1989 would have Demolition Man (Dennis Dunphy) First Appearance: The Thing #28 With Superhuman strength speed, stamina, durability, agility and reflexes
Captain America (called the Captain at this point) would have to reform the team. Alongside him would be Thor. Three new members would join as well.
Mister Fantastic (Reed Richards) First Appearance: FANTASTIC FOUR #1. Has the ability to convert the mass of his entire body into a highly malleable state at will
Invisible Woman (Susan Storm Richards) First Appearance: FANTASTIC FOUR #1. psionic ability to manipulate ambient cosmic energy enables her to bend light around her body without distortion, thus rendering herself invisible.
Gilgamesh First Appearance Eternals Vol.1 #13. Superhuman strength, agility and reflexes, metahuman stamina and durability
Over in West the team starts a storyline called Vision quest (42-45) Team of Hawkeye, Henry Pym, Mockingbird, Scarlet Witch, Tigra, Wasp, and Wonder Man. Also a new member joins in 45
U.S. Agent (John F. Walker) First Appearance: CAPTAIN AMERICA #323 With superhuman strength and stamina
Over in East Mister Fantastic and Invisible Woman go back to the FF in 303. A new member would replace them
Quasar (Wendell Elvis Vaughn) First Appearance: Captain America Vol.1 #217. Supersonic flight speed, metahuman durability, has the ability to create energy constructions
In 305 Cap calls all the Avengers into a meeting to form the group into one team. All members that made it where Beast, Ben Grimm (Thing), Black Panther, Black Widow, Doctor Pym, Falcon, Firebird, Gilgamesh, Hawkeye, Hellcat, Invisible Woman, Mockingbird, Monica Rambeau (Captain Marvel) , Moondragon, Mister Fantastic, Quasar, Scarlet Witch, She-Hulk, Starfox, Sub-Mariner, Thor, Tigra, Vision, Wasp, and Wonder Man. Thus making a larger pool of characters that would be available. The roster would be rather large for some time. (although the Westerners would appear sometimes they would be less available and the FF members would worry about their team first) The East team did lose Gilgamesh to injury. But he would be healed. In 310 a more unite team was available Captain America, Gilgamesh, Quasar, She-Hulk, Starfox, Sub-Mariner, and Thor.
Over in the West the team gain a new member in issue 50
Human Torch First Appearance: MARVEL COMICS #1 possesses the mental ability to control ambient heat energy and the physical ability to envelop his entire body or portions of his body with fiery plasma without harm to himself.
In 51 Iron Man would return to the West team as well. Both teams would have the Acts of Vengeance happen. The teams would be the focus of the crossover through Marvel. West (53-55): Henry Pym, Human Torch, Iron Man, Scarlet Witch, U.S. Agent, Vision, Wasp, and Wonder Man. East (311-313): Black Widow, Captain America, Falcon, Hawkeye, Hellcat, Mockingbird, Quasar, Starfox, and Thor. The teams would survive the battle and East would get a new member.
Sersi First Appearance: Strange Tales Vol.1 #109 Superhuman strength, speed, stamina, durability, agility and reflexes; able to manipulate cosmic energy.
The teams out of AOV are East: Captain America, Sersi, Thor, and Vision. West: Dr. Pym, Human Torch I, Iron Man I, US Agent, Wasp, and Wonder Man.
East would go to space and battle Nebula gaining a new member.
Spider-Man (Peter Parker) First Appearance: AMAZING FANTASY #15. Possesses superhuman strength, reflexes, and equilibrium; the ability to cause parts of his body to stick with great tenacity to most surfaces; and a subconscious premonitional "danger" sence.
Spidey would stay till 318. Quasar who missed out on the mission would rejoin the squad then. In 319 a new member also joined.
Stingray (Walter Newell) First Appearance: Tales to Astonish #95 Has a battle suit that enhances his strength, allows flight, and fires electricity
Over in West Human Torch leaves and then later rejoins the team. The team would reach 65 atleast with the same basic team. She-Hulk would rejoin the East team in 327 and new roster would be introduced in 329 With two new members as reserves.
Rage (Elvin Halliday) First Appearance: Avengers Vol.1 #326. With superhuman strength, speed, stamina and durability
Sandman (William Baker) First Appearance: Amazing Spider-Man Vol.1 #4. Has the ability to tranform himself into a malleable sand-like substance
The main roster of Thor, Sersi, Quasar, She-Hulk, Vision, Black Widow, and Captain America. Reserves of Sandman, Rage, Spider-Man, Black Knight, Falcon, Hercules, and Captain Marvel where announced. The West team added Quicksilver in 65 and Tigra in 66. Quicksilver left in 68 with U.S. Agent. Over in the East the main roster changes in 332 Herc replaces Thor. While in the West two new members join the team in 74
Living Lightning (Miguel Santos) First Appearance: Avengers West Coast Vol.2 #63. Able to transform body into plasma and generate electrical current
Spider-Woman (Julia Carpenter) First Appearance: Marvel Super-Heroes Secret War #6. "psi-web" of psionic energy plus other powers much like Spider-Man
In the East they have storyline called the Collection Obsession (334-339) in which the main team gets some help from more of the Avengers. A team of Beast, Black Knight, Black Panther, Black Widow, Captain America, Hank Pym, Hercules, Iron Man, Quasar, Quicksilver, Rage, Sersi, and Vision. The team fights the Collector. With the West staying the same for the most part from 75-82. The Avengers East on the other hand would have a roster of Black Widow, Captain America, Falcon, Rage, and Vision for a team up with the Warriors in 342. Two new members would join in 343.
Crystal (Crystalia Amaquelin Maximoff) First Appearance: FANTASTIC FOUR #45 This Inhuman can sustain a certain elemental phenomenon
Thor II (aka Thunderstrike Eric Kevin Masterson) First Appearance: Thor Vol.1 #391. With the same basic powers as Thor.
The team of Black Knight, Black Widow, Captain America, Crystal, Hercules, Thor II, and Vision would be the roster going into Operation Galactic Storm
Operation Galactic Storm was a crossover that involved every Avenger title at the time (Avengers (345-347), West Avengers (80-82), Thor (445-446), Captain America (398-400), Iron Man (278-279), Quasar (32-34) and Wonder Man (7-9))
The team would get involved in a Galactic War involving the Kree and Shi’ar.
A roster of Black Knight, Black Widow, Captain America, Captain Marvel II, Crystal, Falcon, Hawkeye, Hercules, Iron Man, Rick Jones, Living Lightning, Mockingbird, Henry Pym, Quasar, Scarlet Witch , Sersi, She-Hulk, Spider Woman, Starfox, Thor, U.S. Agent, Vision, Wasp, and Wonder Man would all be available. They would split into 3 groups.
Kree Strikeforce: Iron Man, Sersi, Hercules, Black Knight, Crystal, Goliath (Hawkeye) and Captain America.
Shi’ar Strikeforce: Thor, Captain Marvel II, Vision, Wonder Man, Living Lightning, Scarlet Witch, and Starfox.
Home team: Falcon, Gilgamesh, Human Torch, Mockingbird, Hank Pym, Quicksilver, She-Hulk, Spider Woman II, Tigra, USAgent, and Wasp.
In AWC 83 a new member also joined. Machine Man (X-51 a.k.a. Aaron Stack) First Appearance: 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY #8. A robot with many different features.
Captain America and Quasar would leave the team when they returned home. The East team would even get Sersi back in 350. Black Widow would not go on a mission against the Grim Reaper from 352-354. She would return in 355. The West team would get a line up of Hawkeye, Living Lightning, Scarlet Witch, Spider-Woman II, U.S. Agent, and Wonder Man in issue 87. Thor II would leave the East team in 356. Another new member would join in 357 (honorary one)
Swordsman II (Phillip Jarvert) A master Swordman like the one of Marvel Universe. First Appearance AVENGERS # 343.
In 360 with the Gatherers making their moves Cap A comes back. Vision is replaced by his Gatherer counterpart as well. The West team would be in constant flux for a few issues of their series. In 88 Living Lightning left the team for college. Mockingbird would return in issue 89. Wonder Man would leave in 91. Hawkeye would re become Goliath II in 92. In 94 War Machine would join them alongside a new member.
Dark hawk (Christopher Powell) First Appearance: Darkhawk #1. With the body is an techno-organic android
While in Avengers 363 two new members join
Magdalene (Marissa Darrow) possess some degree of superhuman strength and invulnerability, but may be properties of her armor. First Appearance AVENGERS # 343
Deathcry She possesses superhuman reflexes, hyper-sensitive senses, and claws. First appearance AVENGERS # 363
Back over in AWC Darkhawk leaves in 96. With the teams both teaming up for Bloodties alongside the X-Men. The team: Black Knight, Black Widow, Captain America, Giant Man, Hawkeye, Hercules, Scarlet Witch, Sersi, Spider-Woman, USAgent, Vision, and War Machine. All gathered to stop Exodus and Fabian Cortez in Genosha. After the story in AWC 101 the West Coast team was disbanded. Iron Man, Scarlet Witch, Spider-Woman and U.S. Agent all left the Avengers to form Force Works.
So there would be one series again (although Force Works was basicly West Coast team with a new name. I won‘t cover tem though.) The east team of Black Knight, Black Widow, Captain America, Crystal, Giant Man, Hercules, Sersi, and Vision would be the roster for time. BW would miss 370-371. In 374 Thunderstrike came back to help battle the Gatherers. In 375 Sersi and Black Knight go to Malibu Universe after defeating the Gatherers. A few solo missions would be in the series from 376-377. In 378 Quicksilver rejoined the team. Also Thunderstrike left the team but would be a reserve for the most part. Vision would leave in 383. With Cap even only making cameo appearances during the time Also Deathcry would be also an on and off team member. The team was mostly Black Widow, Crystal, Giant Man, Hercules, and Quicksilver for the time between 379-385. The team started Taking A.I.M. in 386
Taking A.I.M. (Cap 440-441, Avengers 386-388): Black Widow, Captain America, Crystal, Falcon, Giant Man, Hercules, and Quicksilver would battle A.I.M. and the Red Skull.
Cap left more perminately after the mission. As did Falcon. The team would stay the same till the Crossing.
The Crossing (Avengers Crossing, 390-394, Iron Man 324-) The roster: Black Widow, Crystal, Deathcry, Giant Man, Gilgamesh (he’s killed in 391) Hawkeye, Hercules, Iron Man, Magdalene, Quicksilver, Scarlet Witch, Swordsman II, Vision, Wasp (who gets hurt and gets a new form), Yellowjacket II (who came back in time only to be killed by Iron Man)
It’s a battle with Kang and Mantis for the future as Iron Man turns traitor as well killing Yellowjacket and Marilla. Also bankrupting Wasp.
A new member join in 393: Masque ("bio-duplicate" of Whitney Frost) First appearance Avengers 393. Is a suburb martial artist and marksman.
The battle against Kang would continue in Avengers Time slide (Avengers Timeslide, Iron Man 325-
With Force Works and Avengers forming a group to stop Iron Man. Black Widow, Captain America,, Crystal, Giant-Man, Gilgamesh, Hawkeye, Hercules, Masque, Quicksilver, Thor, Vision, and Wasp. A few others would help as well:
Force Works own: Century First Appearance Force Works # 1. Has "alien strength" and can teleport using his staff, Parallax.
Also new Avenger:
Iron Man IX (alternate reality Tony Stark) with armor like the current Im’s. First Appearance: AVENGERS: TIMESLIDE
The team would be Black Widow, Captain America, Crystal, Giant Man I, Iron Man IX, Quicksilver, Thor, Vision, and Wasp for the First Sign storyline. Afterwards Hawkeye and Scarlet Witch would rejoin in 397. In 400 most of the Avengers still around (including a ton of former members) combat Loki and many past villains. Finally for Onslaught it would be the Captain America, Giant-Man, Hawkeye, Iron Man, Quicksilver, Scarlet Witch, Thor, Vision, and Wasp. Most of the team would be reborn into a new universe after defeating Onslaught.
In the second series the Avengers would consist of Ant-Man (Pym), Captain America, Hawkeye, Hellcat II (a new Hellcat), Iron Man, Scarlet Witch, Swordsman III (a new Swordsman), Thor III (a new Thor for the first 9 issues), Vision, and Wasp.
When we returned to the Marvel Universe the Avengers reunite. Almost everyone that’s been an Avenger gets involved in the first mission vs. Morgana Le Fey. Beast, Black Knight, Black Panther, Black Widow, Captain America, Warbird, Crystal, Darkhawk, D-Man, Falcon, Firebird, Giant-Man, Hawkeye, Hercules, Iron Man, Living Lightning, Machine Man, Magdalene, Moondragon, Namor, Photon, Quasar, Quicksilver, Rage, Sandman, Scarlet Witch, Sersi, She-Hulk, Spider-Woman, Starfox, Stingray, Swordsman, Thor, Tigra, USAgent, Vision, and Wasp. The FF couldn’t make it. Hulk rejected the offer and Spider-Man had his own problems. Justice and Firestar would also help on the mission. Even Wonder Man would return in the first three issue.
In issue 4 a new roster is set Captain America, Hawkeye, Iron Man, Scarlet Witch, Thor, Vision and Warbird. Two new members as Reserves.
Justice (Vance Astrovik) First appearance: Giant-Size Defenders #5. Has extensive telekinetic powers
Firestar (Angelica Jones) First Appearance: X-MEN #193. Possesses the superhuman ability to project microwave energy
Wonder Man would also be on the team with Wanda’s powers bringing him back to save her from time to time. Quicksilver would also help in 5-7. Warbird would leave the team in issue 7 as well. Thor would miss out on issue 9. Hawkeye would quit in issue 9. Giant-Man and Wasp would be at the celebration of the Avengers in 10 when the Legion of Unliving Avengers arrived. In the end of the battle Wonder Man is finally brought back to live in issue 11. In 12 Hawkeye officially leaves the team to help reform the Thunderbolts. Firebird also helps the teams join forces in the battle. The Avengers and New Warriors team up in issue 13. Beast makes an appearance in 14 to see Wonder Man. Lord Templar and the Triune Understanding start becoming the main threat for the team. As IM rejoins a team of Captain America, Firestar, Iron Man, Justice, Scarlet Witch, Thor, Vision, and Wonder Man. The Wrecking Crew show up looking for Photon for Doomsday Man (who sent them to find Warbird). Warbird is captured by Doomsday Man. Blakc Knight would help the team also in the battle with the Wrecking Crew and Doomsday Man. With Wasp and Giant-Man also now part of the team.
Ultron Unlimited (Avengers 0,19-22) With a team of Black Panther, Captain America, Firestar, Justice, Scarlet Witch, Thor, Vision, Wasp, and Wonder Man. They would battle Ultron until he is destroyed.
The Avengers start having protestors demanding a racially-equal Avengers' roster show up thanks to the Triune Understanding . Duane Freeman the Government Liason is part of that group. The team would have to battle the Exemplars and Juggernaut. After the battle Cap leaves the team. Taskmaster dresses as Cap and forms a new group of Avengers. Warbird would be joined by 3 new recruits
Silverclaw (Maria de Guadalupe Santiago) First Appearance AVENGERS Vol 3 # 8. Superhuman ability to mimic the physical characteristics of various animals native to her homeland.
Captain Marvel III (Genis-Vell) First Appearance: SILVER SURFER ANNUAL #6. Can absorb and channel cosmic energy.
Ant-Man II (Scott Edward Lang) First Appearance: (as Lang) Avengers #187. Possesses the power to reduce himself to size of an ant.
The real Avengers are forced to change their team. Most of the team leaves because this. A new member joins
Triathlon (Delroy Garrett, Jr) First Appearance AVENGERS Vol 3 # 9. With strength, speed and agility are three times that of the fastest, strongest and most agile human.
The lineup of Goliath (Henry Pym), Iron Man, Scarlet Witch, She-Hulk, Triathlon, Wasp and Warbird is revealed to the public. This tam would last a good amount of issues. In 30 Silverclaw becomes a reserve and we meet a new member.
Yellowjacket III (Henry Pym’s other half) First Appearance AVENGERS Vol 3 # 30. With the same powers as Yellowjacket I and II.
The team returns to battle Maggia. Vision helps the team out and Masque also returns. She-Hulk would leave the team allowing Vision to join again in 32. We also find out the truth of Masque as Wonder Man and Black Widow also shows up to help. It’s an all out battle as they even team up with the Thunderbolts and Cap comes to help out defeating Nefaria. We then see the Avenger Infinity team (aka cosmic Avengers) show up in 35. The team of MoonDragon, Photon, Quasar, Starfox, Thor, and Tigra. With a new member.
Jack of Hearts (Jack Hart) First Appearance: DEADLY HANDS OF KUNG FU #22. Possesses the ability to project concussive energy from his body.
The team would split up after returning to the mansion with part of the group going to help Cap and the others staying home to fight another battle. Cap and Wasp form a new group in 38. Captain America, Iron Man, Jack of Hearts, Goliath, Quicksilver, Scarlet Witch, Thor, Triathelon, Vision, Warbird, Wasp, and Wonder Man. With Firebird and Hulk helping defeat an island of Hulks. The team also would have a problem of Yellowjacket (from Avengers Forever) taking Pym’s place on the team.
The team would get Kang coming back to cause some trouble as of 41. Kang War (41-56) starts and the Avengers would have to face many threats at once. The team of Black Knight, Captain America, Firebird, Firestar, Hercules, Iron Man, Jack of Hearts, Justice, Living Lightning, Photon, Quasar, Quicksilver, Scarlet Witch, She-Hulk, Silverclaw, Stingray, Thor, Triathlon, Vision, Warbird, Wasp, Wonder Man, and Yellowjacket. Also we learn the truth about Yellowjacket and him and Goliath are reformed before the team goes to battle Kang.
Kurt finishes his run in 56 with a smaller team. A new team is introduced in 57 as the team has to take leadership of the UN in a time of crisis. Ant-Man II, Black Panther, Captain America, Falcon, Iron Man, Jack of Hearts, Namor, Scarlet Witch, She-Hulk, Vision, Warbird, Wasp, and Yellowjacket. They run the show and defeat Scorpio in the end. Avengers Mansion becomes the Avengers Embassy in 61. The team of Ant-Man II, Black Panther, Captain America, Falcon, Iron Man, Jack of Hearts, Scarlet Witch, She-Hulk, Vision, Warbird, Wasp and Yellowjacket is announced. They would stay together til RED ZONE.
Red Zone (65-) Ant-Man, Black Panther, Captain America, Falcon, Iron Man, Jack of Hearts, She-Hulk, Warbird, Wasp, and Vision have to battle a mysterious Red mist. Red Skull is found out to be the villain. Of course this storyline is ongoing so stay tuned.
Over the years the Avengers have been through a lot of change as you can see. With other Avengers groups even forming (Avengers Forever group, Great Lakes Avengers, Avengers Support Group) it would be hard to cover every character in one shot. I did what I could for everyone. Maybe next week I could do more on that or just another fun article. That’s up to you fans as well. Write in and tell me if you want to see more features like this and know more about a series.
Pretty full issue here this week folks. I know many Avengers fans should enjoy this one and I hope I did the series justice. I might come back to this in a later edition of Marvel Handbook or Marvel News and Views so stay tuned. Also some good news as well. I will see everyone on Wednesday. Reporting from the Marvel Universe this is Jim Trabold. Have a great week.
STAY CURRENT