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The Avengers Omnibus
The Avengers Omnibus, Vol. 4
Caught in the crossfire, Earth has become the staging ground for a conflict of cosmic proportions. The merciless Kree and the shape-changing Skrulls have gone to war, and humanity is on the frontline. It's Roy Thomas and Neal Adams'classic Kree-Skrull War! Then, every Avenger from day one returns to battle Ares and the Enchantress. There's no time wasted upping the ante when the mutant-hunting Sentinels return from the heart of the sun. Next, enter: Steve Englehart! The Avengers' new writer doesn't miss a beat as he builds to Marvel's fi rst hero-vs.-hero epic -the Avengers/Defenders War. Also featuring Mantis' first appearance, Magento and the X-Men, and Vision and the Scarlet Witch's growing romance. COLLECTING: AVENGERS (1963) 89-119, DAREDEVIL (1964) 99, DEFENDERS (1972) 8-11
856 pages, Hardcover
First published December 1, 1973
7 people are currently reading
81 people want to read
About the author
Roy Thomas
4,479 books271 followersRoy Thomas was the FIRST Editor-in-Chief at Marvel--After Stan Lee stepped down from the position. Roy is a longtime comic book writer and editor. Thomas has written comics for Archie, Charlton, DC, Heroic Publishing, Marvel, and Topps over the years. Thomas currently edits the fanzine Alter Ego for Twomorrow's Publishing. He was Editor for Marvel comics from 1972-1974. He wrote for several titles at Marvel, such as Avengers, Thor, Invaders, Fantastic Four, X-Men, and notably Conan the Barbarian. Thomas is also known for his championing of Golden Age comic-book heroes — particularly the 1940s superhero team the Justice Society of America — and for lengthy writing stints on Marvel's X-Men and Avengers, and DC Comics' All-Star Squadron, among other titles.
Also a legendary creator. Creations include Wolverine, Carol Danvers, Ghost Rider, Vision, Iron Fist, Luke Cage, Valkyrie, Morbius, Doc Samson, and Ultron. Roy has also worked for Archie, Charlton, and DC among others over the years.
Also a legendary creator. Creations include Wolverine, Carol Danvers, Ghost Rider, Vision, Iron Fist, Luke Cage, Valkyrie, Morbius, Doc Samson, and Ultron. Roy has also worked for Archie, Charlton, and DC among others over the years.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
August 15, 2019
Having gone through the first four omnibus collections of The Avengers this summer, I can easily say that this is the best one.
I've read many of the early Marvel comics in my life, and while The Avengers are near and dear to my heart, it's plain to see that it was one of the most inconsistent series early in the Marvel age of comics. (Note: Next three paragraphs are basically my reviews of the first three books. Just skip them if you're not interested.)
The first collection feels more like a harried cash grab than incredible stories, with heroes mashed so tightly together that they all either clash for the spotlight or blend together into the same alpha male personality fighting for control. It gets a little better with the first line-up change, but it's clear that the magazine still hadn't gained it's footing in comparison to individual comics like Spiderman or team comics with more naturally developed chemistry between characters like the Fantastic Four.
The second collection is slow to gain momentum, but hits it's stride with the sons of the serpent and mostly keeps picking up the pace as Roy Thomas, who I might credit as the one who boosted the team from a concept to a team with personality and real relationships between characters. It gets even better with the addition of Black Panther, and then caps off beautifully with The Vision's introduction and backstory.
The third collection is... Kinda boring by comparison. There are some good bits with the return of Ultron and The Squadron Sinister, but mostly the stories feel either forgettable, or good for action but not character development.
Okay, now that you have some reference for what this book is competing with, or have already read the first three, let's get into it.
This is a great introduction to the early iteration of Avengers; it collects some of the most iconic and important stories to the team. We start off with the Kree-Skrull war, still considered one of the most iconic story arcs in the teams history, and rightfully so, with INCREDIBLE art by Neal Adams, intriguing plot twists that even refer to several important moments in Marvel comics without being confusing about it, and all of the character development that should have been seen WAY earlier in the series but was just forgotten for some reason.
SPOILER PARAGRAPH: Important character moments include the first proof that Vision and Scarlet Witch are in love, Ant-Man's BEST adventure ever, the culmination of the arc making Rick Jones important for once, and much more. SPOILER PARAGRAPH END.
But it doesn't end there. After a somewhat shaky story arc involving an Olympus-Asgard war that somehow isn't as epic as it sounds, Thomas has a few more fun issues before passing the torch to Steve Englehart. Although Englehart is somewhat controversial for some of his later writing in the series, this doesn't stop his wrap-up of what Thomas had going from RULING. Like it or not, he is a good writer in this book!
The collection ends with the Avengers-Defenders war, a mostly fun and simple arc that finally starts to show off the female heroes of Marvel as forces to be reckoned with, a massive step forward from the dainty-fainty portrayals seen far too much in the 60s. If you ever wanted to see Vision and Silver Surfer duke it out in a volcano, and see a pretty great Hulk versus Thor match, this one's for you.
I can't recommend this collection enough for Avengers fans curious about the best of the team's early adventures, especially in an age where the avengers have made themselves one of the biggest household names around!
I've read many of the early Marvel comics in my life, and while The Avengers are near and dear to my heart, it's plain to see that it was one of the most inconsistent series early in the Marvel age of comics. (Note: Next three paragraphs are basically my reviews of the first three books. Just skip them if you're not interested.)
The first collection feels more like a harried cash grab than incredible stories, with heroes mashed so tightly together that they all either clash for the spotlight or blend together into the same alpha male personality fighting for control. It gets a little better with the first line-up change, but it's clear that the magazine still hadn't gained it's footing in comparison to individual comics like Spiderman or team comics with more naturally developed chemistry between characters like the Fantastic Four.
The second collection is slow to gain momentum, but hits it's stride with the sons of the serpent and mostly keeps picking up the pace as Roy Thomas, who I might credit as the one who boosted the team from a concept to a team with personality and real relationships between characters. It gets even better with the addition of Black Panther, and then caps off beautifully with The Vision's introduction and backstory.
The third collection is... Kinda boring by comparison. There are some good bits with the return of Ultron and The Squadron Sinister, but mostly the stories feel either forgettable, or good for action but not character development.
Okay, now that you have some reference for what this book is competing with, or have already read the first three, let's get into it.
This is a great introduction to the early iteration of Avengers; it collects some of the most iconic and important stories to the team. We start off with the Kree-Skrull war, still considered one of the most iconic story arcs in the teams history, and rightfully so, with INCREDIBLE art by Neal Adams, intriguing plot twists that even refer to several important moments in Marvel comics without being confusing about it, and all of the character development that should have been seen WAY earlier in the series but was just forgotten for some reason.
SPOILER PARAGRAPH: Important character moments include the first proof that Vision and Scarlet Witch are in love, Ant-Man's BEST adventure ever, the culmination of the arc making Rick Jones important for once, and much more. SPOILER PARAGRAPH END.
But it doesn't end there. After a somewhat shaky story arc involving an Olympus-Asgard war that somehow isn't as epic as it sounds, Thomas has a few more fun issues before passing the torch to Steve Englehart. Although Englehart is somewhat controversial for some of his later writing in the series, this doesn't stop his wrap-up of what Thomas had going from RULING. Like it or not, he is a good writer in this book!
The collection ends with the Avengers-Defenders war, a mostly fun and simple arc that finally starts to show off the female heroes of Marvel as forces to be reckoned with, a massive step forward from the dainty-fainty portrayals seen far too much in the 60s. If you ever wanted to see Vision and Silver Surfer duke it out in a volcano, and see a pretty great Hulk versus Thor match, this one's for you.
I can't recommend this collection enough for Avengers fans curious about the best of the team's early adventures, especially in an age where the avengers have made themselves one of the biggest household names around!
May 26, 2020
The majority of this is actually a reread, having already experienced both Kree-Skrull War storyline as well as the Avengers/Defenders War.
As far as the Kree-Skrull War, the highlight to me is Adams' art. His anatomy and panel designs and layouts truly break the standard in a visually exciting way. Storywise, the build-up is excellent, but the finale left much to be desired. I plan to do some research to see if the resolution of the plot has ever been expanded upon and explained. If not, it comes out of left field and feels like a cop out.
The rest of the book is written by Steve Englehart, who I've read before in the Defenders series. For the most part I like his work. At times it is brilliant, with a subtlety adding in a topical or important theme among the standard superhero fare, in particular, the relationship between Wanda and Vision, and the resulting bigotry resulting from it. While other times, it's very quirky. The team members talk and even bicker more than in previous runs, which I actually like, emphasizing their human qualities. Black Panther's dialogue though just doesn't seem to fit him. Also, Hawkeye's male chauvinism and womanizing deserves a shudder (although Englehart at least recognizes and comments on it for what it is.)
The Avengers/Defenders War is excellent though. While it is still Silver Age superheroics, it has a little more to it, pairing off members to see how they interact. It also occurs during a time when all of the Marvel heroes don't really know each other and aren't friends.
All in all an outstanding volume.
As far as the Kree-Skrull War, the highlight to me is Adams' art. His anatomy and panel designs and layouts truly break the standard in a visually exciting way. Storywise, the build-up is excellent, but the finale left much to be desired. I plan to do some research to see if the resolution of the plot has ever been expanded upon and explained. If not, it comes out of left field and feels like a cop out.
The rest of the book is written by Steve Englehart, who I've read before in the Defenders series. For the most part I like his work. At times it is brilliant, with a subtlety adding in a topical or important theme among the standard superhero fare, in particular, the relationship between Wanda and Vision, and the resulting bigotry resulting from it. While other times, it's very quirky. The team members talk and even bicker more than in previous runs, which I actually like, emphasizing their human qualities. Black Panther's dialogue though just doesn't seem to fit him. Also, Hawkeye's male chauvinism and womanizing deserves a shudder (although Englehart at least recognizes and comments on it for what it is.)
The Avengers/Defenders War is excellent though. While it is still Silver Age superheroics, it has a little more to it, pairing off members to see how they interact. It also occurs during a time when all of the Marvel heroes don't really know each other and aren't friends.
All in all an outstanding volume.
September 24, 2023
Fantastic volume. The quality of storytelling only improves as we move from the Silver to the Bronze age of comic books. Roy Thomas and Steve Englehart do a wonderful job, even if it is still a little dated by today's standards.
Lots of different artists on display here too, most notably John & Sal Buscema, Neal Adams, Barry Windsor-Smith and Don Heck. There is no bad art here though, even from the artists I haven't mentioned. It's all very nice and clean.
Highlights include the Kree-Skrull War and the Avengers/Defenders War, although there are also a lot of enjoyable smaller stories featuring the likes of the Sentinels, Grim Reaper, and the Space Phantom.
The best Avengers Omnibus yet.
Lots of different artists on display here too, most notably John & Sal Buscema, Neal Adams, Barry Windsor-Smith and Don Heck. There is no bad art here though, even from the artists I haven't mentioned. It's all very nice and clean.
Highlights include the Kree-Skrull War and the Avengers/Defenders War, although there are also a lot of enjoyable smaller stories featuring the likes of the Sentinels, Grim Reaper, and the Space Phantom.
The best Avengers Omnibus yet.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews