The three essential Avengers runs: Busiek/Pérez (1998-2002) for the quintessence of the super-group, Hickman (2012-2015) for the cosmic ambition culminating in Secret Wars, and Roy Thomas (1966-1972) for the mythological construction of the team.
The Avengers represent the pillar of the Marvel Universe as a team. Since 1963, the greatest authors have come one after the other to orchestrate this all-star cast, each bringing their vision of what it means to be an Avenger. Some runs redefined the supergroup genre for decades.
Collecting the Avengers means crossing six decades of Marvel history. The major runs cover a wide spectrum — from the Silver Age accessible in reprints to modern single issues. Here is the definitive ranking to direct your acquisitions towards the storylines that really matter.
Top 1 — Kurt Busiek & George Pérez (Avengers vol. 3 #1-56, 1998-2002)
Screenwriter:Kurt Busiek |Designer:George Perez
The perfect run. Busiek masters Marvel continuity like no one else while Pérez draws dizzying double pages populated by dozens of characters. “Ultron Unlimited” and “Kang Dynasty” are monumental arcs. It’s THE gold standard of the title, the standard against which every Avengers run is measured.
Key numbers:#1 (Heroes Return relaunch), #19-22 (Ultron Unlimited), #41-55 (Kang Dynasty).Current rating:#1 in NM: €15-25, #19: €20-30.
Top 2 — Jonathan Hickman (Avengers #1-44 + New Avengers #1-33, 2012-2015)
Screenwriter:Jonathan Hickman |Designers:Jerome Opeña, Steve Epting, Mike Deodato
Hickman thinks like an architect: two parallel series that converge on Secret Wars, Marvel's most ambitious event. The Incursions, the Beyonder, the destruction of the multiverse — a cosmic fresco of unprecedented scale. Demanding but masterful for those who invest in reading the entire book.
Key numbers:Avengers #1, New Avengers #1, Avengers #35 (Time Runs Out).Current rating:Avengers #1 in NM: €10-15, New Avengers #1: €8-12.
Top 3 — Roy Thomas (Avengers #35-104, 1966-1972)
Screenwriter:Roy Thomas |Designers:John Buscema, Neal Adams, Sal Buscema
Thomas built the Avengers mythology: the Kree-Skrull War, the Vision and Scarlet Witch, the Squadron Supreme. His work on continuity created the connective tissue of the Marvel Universe. The Neal Adams issues of Kree-Skrull War are among the finest comics of the Bronze Age.
Key numbers:#57 (1st Vision), #89-97 (Kree-Skrull War), #93 (Neal Adams).Current rating:#57 in VG: €200-400, #93 in VF: €150-250.
Top 4 — Roger Stern (Avengers #227-279, 1983-1987)
Screenwriter:Roger Stern |Designers:Al Milgrom, John Buscema
Stern excels at characterization and long-winded plots. "Under Siege" (#270-277), where the Masters of Evil invade the Manor, remains one of the most intense arcs ever written. His work with Monica Rambeau as leader is visionary. A connoisseur's run, often cited by professionals.
Key numbers:#227 (Monica Captain Marvel joins), #270-277 (Under Siege).Current rating:#270 in NM: €20-35, #277: €15-25.
Top 5 — Brian Michael Bendis (New Avengers #1-64, 2004-2010)
Screenwriter:Brian Michael Bendis |Designers:David Finch, Leinil Francis Yu, Stuart Immonen
Bendis dynamited the status quo with “Avengers Disassembled” then rebuilt the team around Spider-Man, Wolverine and Luke Cage. Its street-level, dialogue-driven approach modernized the franchise for the 21st century. “Secret Invasion” and “Dark Reign” are events that redefined Marvel.
Key numbers:New Avengers #1 (new team), #31-32 (Secret Invasion preludes).Current rating:#1 in NM: €15-25.
Top 6 — Jim Shooter (Avengers #158-211, 1977-1981)
Screenwriter:Jim Shooter |Designers:George Pérez, John Byrne
Shooter brings the Shakespearean drama: the court-martial of Hank Pym, the Korvac Saga, the internal tensions. His Avengers #200 remains controversial, but the Korvac Saga (#167-177) is unanimously recognized as a peak for the title. The Pérez numbers from this period are magnificent.
Key numbers:#167-177 (Korvac Saga), #181 (Scott Lang 1st app).Current rating:#181 in NM: €80-150, #167: €30-50.
Top 7 — Jason Aaron (Avengers vol. 8 #1-66, 2018-2023)
Screenwriter:Jason Aaron |Designers:Ed McGuinness, Javier Garron
Aaron connects the prehistoric Avengers (1,000,000 BC) to modern heroes in a saga that spans all of Marvel history. Mephisto as the great antagonist, the Avengers of the past with a mammoth Ghost Rider — ambitious and entertaining, even if critical consensus is divided.
Key numbers:#1 (Fresh Start relaunch), #26 (debut "Age of Khonshu").Current rating:#1 in NM: €8-12.
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