Key modern Avengers issues include New Avengers #1 (2005, Bendis) at $40-80 in CGC 9.8, Hickman's Avengers #1 (2012) at $30-60 in CGC 9.8, and Jason Aaron's Avengers #1 (2018, Fresh Start) at $25-50 in CGC 9.8: accessible entry points with valuation potential tied to MCU adaptations at come.
The modern era of The Avengers, from 2004 to present, has profoundly redefined the team and produced dozens of key issues that are shaping today's market. From the deconstruction by Brian Michael Bendis to the cosmic reconstruction of Jonathan Hickman, via the Jason Aaron era, each run brings its share of first appearances, pivotal moments and sought-after examples.
This guide maps modern key issues by creative era, with current ratings, recommended grades, and factors likely to influence their future value. An essential tool for the collector who wants to target intelligently without spending thousands of dollars on Silver Age.
Bendis era: New Avengers and Mighty Avengers (2004-2012)
Brian Michael Bendis transformed the franchise by disbanding the classic team (Avengers Disassembled, #500-503) to rebuild an iconic roster in New Avengers. This era introduced characters and concepts that are now central to the MCU.
Avengers Disassembled key numbers
- Avengers #500 (2004): Start of Disassembled, death of several Avengers. CGC 9.8: $50-$100. Pivotal moment in Marvel history.
- Avengers #503 (2004): End of the first series, Scarlet Witch destroys the Avengers. CGC 9.8: $30-$60.
New Avengers (2005-2010)
- New Avengers #1 (2005): Formation of the new team (Spider-Man, Wolverine, Luke Cage, Spider-Woman). CGC 9.8: $40-$80.
- New Avengers #7 (2005): First appearance of the Sentry (Robert Reynolds) in an Avengers context. CGC 9.8: $30-$50.
- New Avengers #31 (2007): Revelation of the Skrull invasion. CGC 9.8: $20-$40.
- New Avengers #48 (2009): Luke Cage and Jessica Jones key moment. CGC 9.8: $15-$30.
Mighty Avengers and Dark Avengers
- Mighty Avengers #1 (2007): Tony Stark pro-registration team. CGC 9.8: $20-$40.
- Dark Avengers #1 (2009): Norman Osborn forms his team. CGC 9.8: $30-$60. Potential Thunderbolts MCU.
- Dark Avengers #13 (2010): The Sentry kills Ares. CGC 9.8: $15-$25.
Hickman era: Cosmic Avengers (2012-2015)
Jonathan Hickman has elevated the Avengers to a cosmic scale with concepts like Incursions, the Multiverse and the Beyonders, now at the heart of Phase 6 of the MCU. His numbers are steadily increasing in value.
- Avengers #1 (2012, Marvel NOW!): Launch of the Hickman run. CGC 9.8: $30-$60. Secret Wars 2015 Foundation.
- New Avengers #1 (2013, Hickman): The Illuminati versus the Incursions. CGC 9.8: $25-$50. Central concept of Secret Wars MCU.
- Avengers #24.NOW (2014): First appearance of a new roster including Sunspot and Cannonball on the team. CGC 9.8: $15-$30.
- Infinity #1 (2013): Major cosmic event by Hickman. CGC 9.8: $30-$60.
- Secret Wars #1 (2015): Culmination of the Hickman run, destruction of the Multiverse. CGC 9.8: $25-$50.
Jason Aaron era: Avengers (2018-2023)
Jason Aaron took over the Avengers with a roster mixing classics (Captain America, Thor, Iron Man) and major additions (She-Hulk, Ghost Rider Robbie Reyes, Blade). His run introduced mythological concepts with the prehistoric Avengers.
- Avengers #1 (2018, Fresh Start): New start with the extended team. CGC 9.8: $25-$50.
- Avengers #8 (2018): First appearance of the Avengers from 1,000,000 BC AD in detail. CGC 9.8: $20-$40.
- Avengers #17 (2019): Blade officially joins the team. CGC 9.8: $15-$30. The Blade MCU movie could boost this number.
- Avengers #38 (2021): Phoenix Tournament, Moon Knight beats everyone. CGC 9.8: $20-$40.
- Avengers #50/#750 (2021): Legacy anniversary number. CGC 9.8: $20-$35.
Current era and numbers to watch (2023-2026)
The post-Aaron era saw Jed MacKay take the reins with a critically acclaimed run, repositioning the Avengers as Earth's first line of defense.
- Avengers #1 (2023, MacKay/Immonen): New volume with Captain America, Thor, Iron Man, Scarlet Witch, Vision, Black Panther. CGC 9.8: $20-$40. Long term potential if the run becomes a classic.
- Avengers #14 (2024): Blood Hunt tie-in event, Blade central. CGC 9.8: $15-$25.
- Uncanny Avengers #1 (2023, Duggan): Captain America forms a Unity Squad. CGC 9.8: $15-$30.
The modern issues remain the most accessible on the Avengers market. Their valuation potential depends heavily on MCU Phase 6 and beyond announcements, including Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and Secret Wars.
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Frequently asked questions
The three most cited entry points are New Avengers #1 (2005, Bendis), Jonathan Hickman's Avengers #1 (2012, Marvel NOW!) and Jason Aaron's Avengers #1 (2018, Fresh Start). Each launches a major creative era and remains more accessible than the Silver Age keys.
Brian Michael Bendis dissolves the classic team in Avengers Disassembled (#500-503), then rebuilds a roster in New Avengers (#1 with Spider-Man, Wolverine, Luke Cage and Spider-Woman). It also includes New Avengers #7 (Sentry), #31 (revelation of the Skrull invasion), Mighty Avengers #1 and Dark Avengers #1, where Norman Osborn forms his team.
Jonathan Hickman raises the Avengers to a cosmic scale with Incursions, the Multiverse and the Beyonders, now at the heart of MCU Phase 6. Avengers #1 (2012), New Avengers #1 (2013), Infinity #1 (2013) and Secret Wars #1 (2015) are its milestones.
Besides Avengers #1 (2018), #8 shows the prehistoric Avengers in detail, #17 sees Blade officially join the team, #38 stages the Phoenix Tournament and #50/#750 is an anniversary issue in legacy numbering. The MCU Blade film could boost #17.
Avengers #1 (2023, MacKay/Immonen), Avengers #14 (2024, Blood Hunt tie-in with Blade at the center) and Uncanny Avengers #1 (2023, Duggan), where Captain America forms the Unity Squad. Their potential depends heavily on upcoming MCU announcements, notably Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and Secret Wars.