Avengers
The Avengers are a team of superheroes formed in 1963. Originally a ragtag assembly of disparate heroes, the Avengers have quickly become an institution, earning the nickname of Earth's Mightiest Heroes. The team's original lineup consisted of Thor, Iron Man, Ant-Man (later Giant-Man), the Wasp, and the Hulk, who came together to stop a plot by Thor's brother Loki—Wasp is responsible for coining the team's name. The Hulk left the team shortly after its formation, unsatisfied with his treatment by the rest of the heroes. Captain America joined them shortly after, having recently been rescued from being frozen in ice. Captain America now leads the team, the other members having taken a leave of absence. They recruited Hawkeye, Quicksilver, and Scarlet Witch to the team, creating a largely new and unproven set of heroes. Rick Jones, leader of the Teen Brigade, serves as an associate to the team, and a pseudo-sidekick to Captain America. They operate out of a mansion on the east side of New York City donated by Tony Stark, whom the other Avengers don't realize is secretly Iron Man. They are served in the mansion by butler Edwin Jarvis.
History
1963-1964
- Full article: History of the Avengers, 1963-1964
The Avengers formed largely by accident, as Iron Man, Thor, Ant-Man, the Wasp, and the Hulk found themselves antagonized by Thor's malicious brother Loki. They defeated Loki with their combined might, and decided to team up more in the future, calling themselves the Avengers per Wasp's suggestion. Hulk left the team after only one more adventure together, as he saw the other members as treating him unfairly. Rick Jones, a friend of Hulk's alterego Bruce Banner, came to be an ally of the Avengers and liaison to his ragtag Teen Brigade. The team later found the legendary World War II hero Captain America, thought dead for nearly twenty years, trapped in ice in the Gulf Stream. They freed him, and he joined the team, eager to return to his heroic ways. The Avengers went on to face a number of dangerous foes, including the Masters of Evil led by Cap's old foe Baron Zemo, and Kang the Conqueror.
1965
- Full article: History of the Avengers, 1965
Shortly after Baron Zemo's apparent accidental death at his own hands, three members of the Avengers sought time off, worn out from constant conflict. Iron Man, Giant-Man, and Wasp all decided to take a leave of absence, and recruited Hawkeye, Quicksilver, and Scarlet Witch—all former villains eager to reform themselves—to the team. Thor, meanwhile, found himself caught up in dangers in Asgard, and was also quietly phased out. Captain America officially became the team's leader, watching over his band of new heroes, while making it clear to his erstwhile allies that the door was always open for their return. On his way out, Iron Man suggested that Cap seek out the Hulk, recognizing a lack of raw power in the new lineup. The team failed on their initial outing to find the Hulk, but along the way decided that the four of them could handle themselves without him anyway. Later, the Swordsman joined the group thanks to a trick played by the Mandarin and a false hologram of Iron Man, but he was kicked out due to his apparent betrayal a few days afterward.
Members
Tagged chronologically by joining and leaving dates.
Associates
- Rick Jones, ally and organizer of the Teen Brigade[1]
- Edwin Jarvis, butler[3]
Former members
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 The Avengers #4: "Captain America Joins the Avengers!" (March 1964) Lee, Stan (w), Kirby, Jack (art), Simek, Artie (let).
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 The Avengers #16: "The Old Order Changeth!" (May 1965) Lee, Stan (w), Kirby, Jack (p), Ayers, Dick (i), Simek, Artie (let).
- ↑ Tales of Suspense #59b: "Captain America." (November 1964) Lee, Stan (w), Kirby, Jack (p), Stone, Chic (i), Rosen, Sam (let).
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 The Avengers #1: "The Coming of the Avengers!" (September 1963) Lee, Stan (w), Kirby, Jack (p), Ayers, Dick (i), Rosen, Sam (let).
- ↑ The Avengers #2: "The Space Phantom." (November 1963) Lee, Stan (w), Kirby, Jack (p), Reinman, Paul (i), Simek, Artie (let).
- ↑ The Avengers #20: "Vengeance Is Ours!" (September 1965) Lee, Stan (w), Heck, Don (p), Wood, Wallace (i), Simek, Artie (let).