A complete Avengers collection covers over 2,500 issues split between the main series (#1-402 vol. 1, 1963-1996), Heroes Reborn, vol. 3 (1998-2004), New Avengers (2005-2015), All-New All-Different, and the current series. Adding West Coast Avengers, Mighty Avengers, Secret Avengers, and the Annuals, the total exceeds 3,000 issues. Estimated budget for a full flight run. 1 in mid-grade: $40,000-80,000. Realistic approach: start with modern runs ($500-1,500), then work backwards chronologically.
The Avengers franchise is one of Marvel Comics' largest. From the first reunion of Iron Man, Thor, Hulk, Ant-Man and the Wasp in 1963 to contemporary incarnations, the title has spawned dozens of spin-off series and crossovers. Striving for absolute completeness is a life project, but a structured plan makes the goal achievable in phases.
Ce complete Avengers collection guide maps all publications, establishes an acquisition plan in progressive phases, and proposes realistic budgets for each stage. An essential tool for any collector who wants to tackle this monument of American comics.
Complete inventory: all Avengers series
Main series. The Avengers / Avengers
- The Avengers vol. 1: #1-402 (1963-1996): 402 issues. The backbone of any collection.
- Avengers vol. 2 (Heroes Reborn): #1-13 (1996-1997): 13 issues. Parallel universe by Rob Liefeld then Jim Valentino.
- Avengers vol. 3: #1-84 + #500-503 (1998-2004): 88 issues. Kurt Busiek/George Pérez era then Geoff Johns/Chuck Austen, “Disassembled” finale by Bendis.
- New Avengers vol. 1: #1-64 (2005-2010): 64 issues. Bendis era, team overhaul.
- Avengers vol. 4: #1-34 (2010-2012): 34 issues. “Heroic Age” era.
- New Avengers vol. 2: #1-34 (2010-2012): 34 issues. Luke Cage Team.
- Avengers vol. 5: #1-44 (2013-2015): 44 issues. Run Jonathan Hickman.
- New Avengers vol. 3: #1-33 (2013-2015): 33 issues. Illuminati by Hickman.
- All-New All-Different Avengers: #1-15 (2016): 15 issues.
- Avengers (2016-2018): #1-11 (Mark Waid): 11 numbers.
- Avengers vol. 8: #1-66 (2018-2023): 66 issues. Run Jason Aaron.
- Avengers vol. 9: #1-ongoing (2023+): Jed MacKay, in progress.
Major spin-off series
- West Coast Avengers: #1-102 (1985-1994): 102 issues + 4 mini-series issues (1984).
- Solo Avengers / Avengers Spotlight: #1-40 (1987-1991): 40 issues.
- Avengers West Coast: renamed continuation, included in the count above.
- MightyAvengers: #1-36 (2007-2010): 36 issues.
- Secret Avengers: #1-37 + vol. 2 #1-15 + vol. 3 #1-15 (2010-2015): 67 issues.
- Avengers Academy: #1-39 (2010-2012): 39 issues.
- Uncanny Avengers- vol. 1 #1-25 + vol. 2-4: approximately 60 numbers total.
- Young Avengers- vol. 1 #1-12 + vol. 2 #1-15 (2005-2006, 2013-2014): 27 issues.
Annuals, Specials and Giant-Size
- Avengers Annual #1-23 (1967-1994): 23 issues, including several major key issues.
- Giant-Size Avengers #1-5 (1974-1975): 5 issues.
- Avengers Annual (vol. 3+): sporadic issues.
Acquisition plan in 6 phases
Phase 1: Modern Age accessible (budget: $500-1,000)
Start with the most available and narratively satisfying runs:
- New Avengers vol. 1 #1-64 (Bendis): $80-150 in NM lot
- Avengers vol. 5 #1-44 (Hickman): $60-100 in NM lot
- Avengers vol. 8 #1-66 (Aaron): $80-130 in NM lot
- Young Avengers vol. 1-2 complete: $100-200 (note, YA #1 alone is worth $40-80 in NM)
- West Coast Avengers mini + ongoing in batch: $100-200 in VF/NM
Estimated duration: 2-3 months. Approximately 250 numbers acquired.
Phase 2: The heart vol. 3 and Copper Age (budget: $800-1,500)
- Avengers vol. 3 #1-84 + #500-503: $150-300 in NM lot
- Avengers vol. 1 #300-402 (1988-1996): $200-350 in VF/NM lot
- Avengers vol. 4 + New Avengers vol. 2: $80-150 in batch
- Modern annuals and remaining spin-off series: $150-300
Estimated duration: 3-6 months. About 350 additional numbers.
Phase 3: Bronze Age (budget: $2,000-4,000)
- Avengers #101-200 (excluding keys): $800-1,500 in FN/VF lot
- Avengers #201-299 (excluding keys): $500-1,000 in VF lot
- Giant-Size Avengers #1-5: $200-400 in FN lot
- Avengers Annuals #1-23 (excluding #10): $300-600 in FN lot
Estimated duration: 6-12 months. About 250 additional numbers.
Phase 4: Bronze Age Keys (budget: $3,000-8,000)
- Avengers #57 (1st Vision) CGC 5.0-6.0: $800-1,500
- Avengers #87 (Black Panther origin): $200-400 raw FN
- Avengers Annual #10 (1st Rogue) CGC 8.0: $400-700
- Avengers #181 (1st Scott Lang Ant-Man): $100-250 raw FN
- Avengers #196 (1st Taskmaster): $80-200 raw FN/VF
Phase 5: Silver Age non-key (budget: $5,000-15,000)
- Avengers #10-50 (excluding major keys): $3,000-8,000 in FN
- Avengers #51-100 (excluding keys): $1,500-4,000 in FN
Estimated duration: 1-3 years. Number by number, patience essential.
Phase 6: Silver Age key issues (budget: $20,000-100,000+)
- Avengers #1 (1963) CGC 4.0-6.0: $15,000-45,000
- Avengers #4 (Captain America returns) CGC 4.0-6.0: $5,000-15,000
- Avengers #8 (1st Kang) CGC 5.0-7.0: $2,000-6,000
- Avengers #16 (new roster): $500-2,000 depending on rank
- Avengers #48 (1st Dane Whitman Black Knight): $300-1,500 depending on rank
- Avengers #52 (1st Grim Reaper): $100-400
- Avengers #54-55 (1st Ultron): $500-3,000 per pair depending on grade
Tracking and organizing a massive collection
With 2,500-3,000 potential numbers, a professional tracking system is essential:
- Dedicated management application: essential for tracking missing items on 15+ series simultaneously. Import catalog lists so you don't miss any numbers.
- Physical classification by series: one box per series (or more for vol. 1), clear labels, separators for ten numbers.
- Fixed monthly budget: $200-500/month allows for regular progress without jeopardizing your finances. Plan big purchases (keys) in advance.
- Purchasing documentation: date, price, seller, estimated grade for each acquisition. Essential for wealth management and insurance.
Mistakes to avoid for an Avengers collection
The classic pitfalls in building an Avengers collection of this scale:
- Buy keys first: resist temptation. Build the bulk of the collection at a moderate cost first, then add keys as your budget allows.
- Neglecting derived series: West Coast Avengers and Secret Avengers contain excellent runs at modest prices.
- Ignoring crossovers: events like “The Crossing”, “Avengers vs X-Men” or “Secret Wars” require issues from other series to be complete.
- Buy lots without verification: always check the complete list of numbers included in a lot before bidding.
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Frequently asked questions
It runs past 2,500 issues across the main series and its relaunches. Adding West Coast Avengers, Mighty Avengers, Secret Avengers and the Annuals pushes the total beyond 3,000 issues.
The most realistic plan starts with the modern runs, such as New Avengers vol. 1 #1 to #64 (Bendis) or Avengers vol. 5 #1 to #44 (Hickman), then works backward chronologically. Phase 1 targets about 250 issues in two to three months.
It runs from #1 to #402, from 1963 to 1996, which makes 402 issues: the backbone of any collection. It is followed by the Heroes Reborn relaunch, then by volumes 3, 4, 5 and onward.
The main ones are West Coast Avengers (#1 to #102, 1985-1994, plus a 1984 miniseries), Mighty Avengers (36 issues), Secret Avengers (67 issues over three volumes), Avengers Academy (39 issues), Uncanny Avengers and Young Avengers.
For a truly complete collection, yes: Avengers Annual has 23 issues (1967-1994), including several major keys, and Giant-Size Avengers has 5 issues (1974-1975). They are usually bought in the Bronze Age phase, after the modern runs.