The Avengers first appeared in The Avengers #1, dated September 1963. The team was created by the legendary duo of writer-editor Stan Lee and artist/co-plotter Jack Kirby. Their creation was a direct response to the success of DC Comics' Justice League of America, which had proven the commercial viability of a superhero team-up book featuring a company's flagship characters. The genesis of the team was famously a matter of circumstance. Martin Goodman, Marvel's publisher, needed a new book to fill a printing slot, but the title intended for it, Daredevil, was not yet ready. Lee, faced with a tight deadline, decided to gather several of Marvel's existing heroes into a single story. He chose Iron Man and Thor, who had their own titles, along with Ant-Man and the Wasp from the anthology series Tales to Astonish, and the Hulk, whose own series had recently been canceled. The initial conflict involved Thor's nemesis, Loki, manipulating the Hulk into a rampage. The name “The Avengers” was suggested by Janet van Dyne, the Wasp, in the first issue, and it immediately stuck. This hastily assembled team-up proved to be a massive success, cementing the concept of a shared universe where heroes could interact, a cornerstone of Marvel Comics' identity. A pivotal moment in the team's history occurred in The Avengers #4 (March 1964), when the team discovered the frozen form of Captain America. His revival and recruitment connected the modern Marvel Age to its Golden Age past, and Captain America quickly became the team's moral compass and arguably its most important member.
The formation of the Avengers was an unforeseen consequence of the schemes of Loki, the Asgardian God of Mischief. Seeking revenge on his half-brother, Thor, Loki used his magic to create an illusion of the Hulk destroying a railway trestle. His goal was to lure Thor into a battle with the powerful but misunderstood Hulk. The plan, however, had unintended witnesses. The Hulk's teenage friend, Rick Jones, and his “Teen Brigade” of ham radio enthusiasts witnessed the event and, believing the Hulk was being framed, sent out a distress call for help, specifically trying to reach the Fantastic Four. Loki, however, diverted the radio signal. The call was instead received by Tony Stark (Iron Man), Dr. Henry Pym (Ant-Man), and Janet van Dyne (The Wasp). Thor also learned of the Hulk's apparent rampage and flew to investigate. The heroes initially clashed with the Hulk, believing him to be a menace. It was the Wasp who first suspected a larger plot, noticing that the heroes seemed to be drawn together too perfectly. The team eventually tracked Loki to a factory and realized he was the true mastermind. They united their disparate powers, with Ant-Man using his ants to trip a switch and lock Loki in a lead-lined tank, preventing his escape. Thor then used his hammer, Mjolnir, to transport his captured brother back to Asgard for justice. Having successfully worked together to defeat a threat none of them could have handled alone, Ant-Man suggested they make the arrangement permanent. The Wasp enthusiastically dubbed the new group “The Avengers,” and Earth's Mightiest Heroes were officially born. Their initial lineup was Iron Man, Thor, Hulk, Ant-Man, and the Wasp. The Hulk, feeling distrusted by his teammates, quit the team in only the second issue. Their most significant early recruit came in issue #4, when they found and revived the cryogenically frozen form of World War II hero Steve Rogers, Captain America, who would go on to become the heart and soul of the team.
The origin of the Avengers in the MCU was a far more deliberate and orchestrated event, the culmination of Nick Fury's “Avengers Initiative.” The concept was first introduced to Tony Stark by Nick Fury, Director of S.H.I.E.L.D., following Stark's public reveal as Iron Man. The initiative was a response protocol designed to bring together a group of remarkable individuals to face threats that S.H.I.E.L.D. alone could not handle. The catalyst for the team's formation was the sudden appearance of Loki on Earth. Having been cast into a cosmic void following his defeat on Asgard, Loki made a pact with the alien warlord Thanos. In exchange for the Tesseract (containing the Space Stone), Thanos would provide Loki with a Chitauri army to conquer Earth. Loki arrived at a joint S.H.I.E.L.D./NASA facility, stole the Tesseract, and used its power to brainwash several key personnel, including Dr. Erik Selvig and Agent Clint Barton (Hawkeye). In response to this global threat, Fury and Agent Phil Coulson activated the Initiative. They recruited Tony Stark (Iron Man) and Dr. Bruce Banner (Hulk), brought Steve Rogers (Captain America) out of his modern-day isolation, and relied on Agent Natasha Romanoff (Black Widow) to bring them all together. Thor arrived on Earth in pursuit of his brother, initially clashing with Iron Man and Captain America before agreeing to join their cause. The team was initially dysfunctional, plagued by clashing egos, mistrust, and S.H.I.E.L.D.'s own secrets (namely, their plan to use the Tesseract to create weapons). It was the apparent death of Agent Coulson at the hands of Loki that finally galvanized the disparate heroes. Uniting in New York City as Loki opened a portal for the Chitauri invasion, the six heroes fought together for the first time. Their combined might—Captain America's leadership, Iron Man's technology, Thor's power, Hulk's strength, and the espionage skills of Black Widow and Hawkeye—proved successful in defeating the alien army and capturing Loki. The “Battle of New York” revealed the existence of superheroes and alien threats to the world, and the Avengers became a global symbol of protection. The founding members in the MCU were Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Hulk, Black Widow, and Hawkeye.
The Avengers' founding mission statement is simple and iconic: “To fight the foes no single superhero can withstand.” This core tenet has remained their guiding principle for decades. Initially a self-organized group, they quickly gained public support and official recognition. For much of their history, they have operated under a special charter granted by the United Nations Security Council, giving them international jurisdiction and access to resources. This relationship with global governments has often been a source of conflict, most notably during the Superhuman Registration Act crisis, which led to the team's fracture. Their mandate requires them to tackle threats ranging from terrestrial supervillains and alien invasions to temporal paradoxes and mystical incursions.
The structure of the Earth-616 Avengers is famously dynamic. While Captain America, Iron Man, and Thor are considered the “Big Three” and the foundational pillars, the team's day-to-day operations are typically overseen by a democratically elected Chairperson. This role has been held by many members over the years, including Captain America, the Wasp, Vision, Black Panther, and Captain Marvel. The roster is in a constant state of flux, a “revolving door” that has seen over a hundred different heroes claim the title of Avenger. This allows the team to adapt to different threats and reflects the ever-changing landscape of the Marvel Universe. Major roster shakeups are a recurring theme, such as the departure of the original founders (sans Captain America) in The Avengers #16, leading to the “Cap's Kooky Quartet” era with former villains Hawkeye, Quicksilver, and Scarlet Witch.
Beyond the founders, numerous heroes have had long and defining tenures:
The Avengers have utilized several iconic headquarters over the years:
The MCU Avengers began as a direct extension of S.H.I.E.L.D., a special projects team with a clear mandate: protect the Earth from extraordinary threats. After the collapse of S.H.I.E.L.D. in Captain America: The Winter Soldier, the team became a privately funded entity, bankrolled by Tony Stark, operating outside of government oversight. Their primary mission remained the same, as seen in their efforts to dismantle HYDRA and stop Ultron. This independent status became untenable following the catastrophic events in Sokovia. The global community responded by ratifying the Sokovia Accords, a legislative framework that placed the Avengers under the direct control of a United Nations panel. This act served as the central conflict of Captain America: Civil War, splitting the team. One faction, led by Iron Man, signed the Accords, believing in the need for oversight. The other, led by Captain America, refused, fearing that political agendas would prevent them from acting when needed. This schism effectively dissolved the team until the threat of Thanos forced their reunification.
The MCU team's structure was more rigid and mission-based than its comic counterpart. In the early days, leadership was a contentious point, shared unofficially between Captain America (tactical command) and Tony Stark (logistics and resources). The roster remained relatively small and stable for several years, focusing on the core founders and a few key additions. Following the Sokovia Accords, the team split into two distinct, unofficial groups:
The MCU roster is more defined, with a clear “original six” and subsequent waves of recruitment.
The “Avengers” brand is so powerful in the comics that numerous official splinter groups have been formed:
This sprawling, nine-part epic by Roy Thomas, Neal Adams, and John Buscema is considered one of the first true “event” comics. The story involves the Avengers being caught in the middle of a centuries-old interstellar war between the militaristic Kree Empire and the shapeshifting Skrull Empire. The conflict is brought to Earth when the Kree hero Captain Mar-Vell is targeted. The storyline elevated the Avengers from Earth-bound protectors to cosmic players, featuring political intrigue, massive space battles, and a deep dive into Marvel's cosmic lore. The team is forced to make difficult choices, and the climax sees them pleading with the Kree's Supreme Intelligence to save Earth, showcasing their role as diplomats as much as warriors. It permanently established the team's importance on a galactic scale.
Written by Roger Stern and drawn by John Buscema, “Under Siege” is a masterclass in storytelling that demonstrated the Avengers' vulnerability. Baron Zemo assembles the largest-ever incarnation of the Masters of Evil and orchestrates a meticulous and brutal assault on Avengers Mansion. They systematically neutralize the team's security, cut them off from help, and invade their home. The storyline is famous for its raw, street-level violence and the psychological toll it takes on the heroes. Hercules is beaten into a coma, the loyal butler Edwin Jarvis is tortured, and Captain America is forced to watch helplessly as his home and legacy are torn apart. It's a dark, grounded story that stripped the team of their invincibility and forced them to rebuild from their lowest point.
This explosive storyline by Brian Michael Bendis and David Finch served as a dramatic and violent end to a long-running era of the team. The story begins with a series of catastrophic, seemingly unrelated attacks on the Avengers: a zombified Jack of Hearts detonates at the Mansion, a fleet of Ultron robots attacks, and a Kree armada appears in the sky. It is revealed that the source of the chaos is one of their own: the Scarlet Witch. Driven mad by the trauma of losing her magically-created children, her reality-warping powers have run amok, subconsciously lashing out at her friends. The event results in the deaths of Ant-Man (Scott Lang), Vision, and Hawkeye, and the complete destruction of Avengers Mansion. The surviving members, heartbroken and disillusioned, vote to disband the team, marking the end of an era and paving the way for the “New Avengers” to rise from the ashes.
While a line-wide Marvel event, Civil War is fundamentally an Avengers story. Written by Mark Millar and penciled by Steve McNiven, the story revolves around the U.S. government passing the Superhuman Registration Act (SRA) following a tragedy involving reckless young heroes. The law requires all super-powered individuals to register their identities with the government and act as licensed agents. This creates a deep ideological schism that splits the superhero community, with the Avengers at its epicenter. Tony Stark, believing in oversight and accountability, leads the pro-registration side. Steve Rogers, championing civil liberties and fearing the potential for abuse, leads the anti-registration resistance. The conflict turns former allies and friends into enemies, culminating in devastating battles and the eventual surrender and assassination of Captain America. The event left deep scars on the team and the Marvel Universe for years to come.
Perhaps the most influential alternate version, The Ultimates were a complete reimagining of the team for the 21st century by writer Mark Millar and artist Bryan Hitch. Set in the Ultimate Universe, this team was a government-sponsored, militaristic black-ops unit assembled by General Nick Fury. The tone was cynical, political, and grounded in a post-9/11 sense of realism. The characters were flawed and often unlikable: Captain America was a jingoistic soldier out of time, Tony Stark was a self-destructive celebrity, and the Hulk was a cannibalistic monster. The visual style, “widescreen” cinematic action, and character designs of The Ultimates were a direct and profound inspiration for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, from Samuel L. Jackson's portrayal of Nick Fury to the design of the Helicarrier and the Chitauri.
In this dark, dystopian timeline where Professor X was killed before he could form the X-Men, the world is ruled by the tyrannical mutant Apocalypse. In this reality, the Avengers as a team never formed. Their would-be members met vastly different fates. Tony Stark was a high-ranking member of the Human High Council, but never became Iron Man in the same way. Donald Blake (Thor's human host) was a traitor working for Apocalypse. Steve Rogers was never found in the ice. This reality serves as a stark reminder of the team's importance by showing a world where they never existed to defend it.
The Squadron Supreme is Marvel's most famous pastiche of DC Comics' Justice League. They exist in a parallel universe and were initially introduced as heroic counterparts to the Avengers. The original team included characters clearly analogous to Superman (Hyperion), Batman (Nighthawk), Wonder Woman (Power Princess), Green Lantern (Doctor Spectrum), and the Flash (Whizzer). Later, a more mature and deconstructionist version of the team starred in a landmark 1985 miniseries by Mark Gruenwald, where, after a catastrophe, they decide to use their power to forcibly create a utopia on their Earth, exploring the dangerous philosophical line between superhero and benevolent dictator. They serve as a powerful “what if?” mirror to the Avengers, asking what would happen if Earth's Mightiest Heroes decided they knew best and took control.