For over six decades, the Avengers have been Marvel’s premiere superhero team. It was initially composed of Thor, Iron Man, The Hulk, Ant-Man, and The Wasp, and Captain America joined the team shortly afterward. Since then, the team has seen countless roster changes, with most of the publisher’s big names having been part of the team at some point. It continues to be used to cross-promote Marvel’s comic line-up and is a flagship for universe-spanning events.
Best Avengers comics as of 2025
You can see some of the best Avengers comics from the last 60 years below. Some of Marvel’s most incredible adventures have taken place in the pages of these books, many of which tie into other series in the publisher’s line-up. As such, it makes a great place to jump off into some of Marvel’s other imprints.
Avengers #1
The first Avengers comic appears goofy by today’s standards, carrying the bombastic hallmarks of 1960s Marvel. Inside, Loki, having been captured by Thor and made a prisoner on the Isle of Silence, hatches a plot to trick the god of thunder into freeing him. To do so, he makes a fake Hulk image and commits a devious deed to attract Thor. As a result, the already misunderstood real Hulk tries to hide, but is chased by Iron Man, Ant-Man, and the Wasp. Eventually, Thor figures out Loki’s plot and clears Hulk’s name. In the aftermath, the heroes all agree they work well as a team and decide to form the Avengers.
Compared to the world and universe-threatening situations the Avengers find themselves in these days, the original issue of the comic is quaint. However, it’s worth a read to see just how much the Marvel universe has changed since the 1960s. If you want to see a modern take on this story, check out Avengers: The Origin, which retells and expands the team’s formation.
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Kree-Skrull War
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Published in 1972, Kree-Skrull War may be a contender for the best Avengers comic ever written. The premise is relatively straightforward: the Avengers find themselves caught in the middle of a war between two powerful alien races — the Kree Empire (who are basically space Nazis) and the Skrull Empire. When the conflict shifts toward Earth, the Avengers must step in to stop it, with a bit of help from the Fantastic Four. This storyline was a significant milestone for the team, as it was the first time they dealt with full-scale intergalactic warfare. This theme would have a lasting impact on the Marvel Universe, including the later Empyre storyline. It also marked the beginning of Scarlet Witch and Vision’s relationship — which, let’s be honest, we totally stan.
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Secret Invasion
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While the Secret Invasion TV series in the MCU fell flat (we won’t call it a total flop) thanks to pacing issues, some sloppy VFX, and inconsistent writing, the fact that it was chosen as source material shows just how strong the original comic is. And yes, the comic is far better and absolutely worth a read. Published in 2008, Secret Invasion is another crossover event (one of several on this list) written by Brian Michael Bendis, with artwork by Leinil Francis Yu.
After the Kree-Skrull War, a secret group of Earth’s most powerful heroes — including Iron Man, Mr. Fantastic, Doctor Strange, Professor X, Namor, and Black Bolt — confront the Skrulls with a warning: invade Earth again, and there will be consequences. Unfortunately, they’re captured and studied. Though they eventually escape, the damage is done, and the Skrulls, who are master shapeshifters, have already infiltrated Earth. Because they’ve been impersonating several superheroes, we end up with a “Who can you trust?” storyline that’s tense and a ton of fun.
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Avengers Disassembled
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Written in 2004, Avengers Disassembled is a crossover storyline that effectively tears the Avengers apart. Led by writer Brian Michael Bendis, the series was designed to shake up the Marvel Universe — and in comic terms, it absolutely delivered. It also arguably helped renew interest in key characters like Iron Man, which may have played a role in setting the stage for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. After all, the first Iron Man film hit theaters just four years later. That might sound like a long time, but in terms of pre-production, filming, and post, it’s really not. Just a personal hunch, but Bendis and this storyline likely had more influence on the MCU’s launch than people realize.
So, a lot is happening in this storyline, but the short version is that chaos erupts and the team starts to fall apart from within. A long-buried and painful memory resurfaces for Wanda Maximoff, triggering a chain reaction of events that pits the Avengers against each other. To name just a few bits of chaos, Iron Man becomes unexpectedly and frequently inebriated, and She-Hulk becomes bloodthirsty and takes down one of our favorite heroes. It’s a twisty mess of a read, but in the best (and also saddest) way possible. Beyond the plot, this series is hugely important because it closes the book on a classic era and sets the stage for a more complex Marvel Universe.
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House of M
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Another standout from writer Brian Michael Bendis is House of M, published in 2005. This eight-issue limited series reunites the Avengers and X-Men, focusing on Wanda Maximoff following the events of Avengers Disassembled. Wanda’s grief causes her to lose control of her powers, prompting the Avengers and X-Men to debate whether they should try to help or if she should be destroyed entirely. Soon enough, the Scarlet Witch casts a reality-distorting spell that leaves no part of the universe untouched. Not only is this series a solid read, but the consequences ripple through both Avengers and X-Men lore.
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The Children’s Crusade
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A direct sequel to House of M, The Children’s Crusade is a nine-issue series that wraps up the arc that began with Avengers Disassembled and continued through House of M. When the Young Wiccan’s reality-altering powers begin spiraling out of control, he sets out to find the one person who might be able to help him — and possibly restore powers to the mutant population: the Scarlet Witch, who is also rumored to be his mother. But she’s missing. Along the way, the Young Avengers clash with the adult Avengers, and the journey becomes as much about self-discovery as it is about saving the world. This superhero coming-of-age story also ties up major loose ends and brings long-running plotlines full circle, all while giving the Young Avengers space to grow into their powers.
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How we chose the best Avengers comics
We selected these Avengers comics not only for their enjoyment factor but also for the quality of the storytelling and artwork. We also factored in their impact on the Marvel Universe. It’s tricky to narrow things down, but ultimately, we felt the best Avengers comics are the ones that shape characters, redefine team dynamics and alliances, and leave us wanting more.
