johnkmccubbin91

This user has not updated recently.

3897 11900 306 197
Forum Posts Wiki Points Following Followers

My Top Avengers Stories

This is a list of my most favourite Avengers stories including Story Arcs and TPB's (trade paper backs/graphic novels), as well as Marvel Events that centre around the Avengers.

I have been an Avengers fan for a long time now, and have nearly every major Avengers story since Avengers Disassembled, with about half being in comics, and half in TPB's. Due to this most are written by Brian Michael Bendis who did a brilliant job through most of his run, but I also have some older stories by the likes of Stan Lee, and Mark Gruenwald, as well as some of the newer series' stories that Jonathan Hickman, and Rick Remender have written.

The list will change from time to time if I've either read a new story or read a old one again feeling I've ranked it too high or too low.

I am also going through my Avengers stories again and due to that will only add to this list once I have to save confusion on the ratings.

WARNING: THERE MAY BE THE ODD SPOILER IN THIS LIST

List items

  • 5/5 Reviewed TPB

    This was one of the first stories I read when I started to collect graphic novels, and is one of the best stories I've ever read. Mark Millar killed it on this story, putting Avengers, against Avengers with the Super-Human Registration Act making heroes chose a side, and ultimately fight against one another. The action during this story was amazing, and artist Steve McNiven did an excellent job, like he's done with the entire artwork on this story. I also loved how there was emotion throughout, and how it was obvious that people on both sides didn't like fighting their friends. It also had some shocks, that were very exciting, and overall it was a phenomenal story and it'd take a special crossover event to top this crossover event.

  • 5/5 Reviewed TPB

    I was going to add both Young Avengers volumes, Sidekicks, and Family Matters, but due to the fact that I read this series as a whole in this book, as well as the fact that it forms into one huge story I felt I'd add it like this. Allan Heinberg just made something magical with this new team that was introduced to fill the void the Avengers left after Avengers Disassembled. It had plenty of action, emotion, magic, and entertainment, and is one of the most fun books I've ever read. The character development was also phenomenal, and some of the best I've ever seen, and it also managed to balance both the fun, and serious tones perfectly. The art from Jim Cheung was also simply outstanding, as although Andrea Divito's work on the few issues in the middle were good, they were nothing on Cheung's art.

  • 5/5 Reviewed TPB

    This was probably my favourite story out of Brian Michael Bendis' earlier work on Avengers, as although it probably isn't his best work overall, it showed ton's of emotion, whilst re-introducing Sentry perfectly, whilst also exploring his past. It was also a very interesting story, which featured the Illuminati for the first time (even though they didn't do much), also having some amazing action sequences that Steve McNiven drew perfectly.

  • 5/5 Reviewed TPB

    This was an amazing volume, with two fantastic stories, that merged together nicely. The feature on Spider-Woman's secret was simply outstanding, adding ton's of suspense, and drama. The second story introducing the mysterious Ronin (Echo) was also amazing, being very mysterious and suspenseful, as well as having drama. Frank Cho, and David Finch did amazing job on art, with Cho's standing out more. Rick Mays' contribution on the Giant Sized Spider-Woman issue was also decent, but not to my taste.

  • 5/5 Reviewed TPB

    Although Avengers Disassembled was the first Avengers story by Brian Michael Bendis, this was the one that would change the Avengers as they were, putting previous Avengers, and soon to be new Avengers in a position where they have to work together, forming the New Avengers. Now this wouldn't be Bendis' best Avengers story, but it was the first sign of his great talent, and although he would be inconsistent near the end of his run, the start was amazing. It was explosive, and fun, with real drama, and suspense. David Finch also once again produced fabulous artwork, making for an overall brilliant story.

  • 4/5 Reviewed as individual issues

    When this story initially came out in comic form it was hurt badly by scheduling problems, making it hard to fully appreciate. I have however read it all together since, and it was much better. The return of the Red Skull was brilliant, and well handled by Rick Remender, and although it's not one of his best stories ever, it was a decent start to this series. It also has some interesting plot twists, and developments, as well as some lovely set-up work. John Cassaday's was outstanding, although not as awe-inspiring as usual, with a few of imperfections. Olivier Coipel's art on the last issue was however did a much better job, and although I love Cassaday's art, I'd have preferred Coipel's on the entire story.

  • 4/5 Reviewed TPB

    This was a brilliant start to Brian Michael Bendis' amazing Avengers run. The development of the backstory prevented this being a perfect story, but it had plenty of excitement, and action. The story itself also shook up the Avengers universe, setting up changes, as well as future events, having some shocking, and emotional points throughout. The art from David Finch was also awesome, as although he had problems with facial expressions, he more than made up in the action sequences.

  • 4/5 Reviewed TPB

    Although the main Civil War event was phenomenal, the New Avengers tie-in wasn't quite as good. This was mainly due to it consisting of five separate stories, which made the book slightly inconsistent. There were however a few very good stories in this tie-in, showing perfectly how the event effected certain members of the team, as their different views on the subject. It also at times had brilliant action, and emotion, and although there was also a much slower story, overall Brian Michael Bendis did a great job, and this is by far one of the best tie-in books that I've read. It also had some phenomenal art by Leinil Francis Yu, Olivier Coipel, and Jim Cheung, as well as some decent art by Pasqual Ferry. Howard Chaykin's art on the first story was however a little disappointing though.

  • 4/5 Reviewed New Avengers #1

  • 4/5 Reviewed TPB

    This was one of the weaker books in Brian Michael Bendis' early run, being the worst out of his first five stories. The story itself had a good mysterious background, with some very exciting action. The story did however not quite hit the mark, as it was a bit slow, and didn't have as much depth as Bendis stories prior to it. The art by Mike Deodato Jr., and Steve McNiven was amazing, but Deadato Jr.'s art stood out more, being truly phenomenal.

  • 4/5 Reviewed Avengers #1-2

  • 3.5/5

  • 3.5/5 Reviewed Avengers vs. X-Men #9-12

  • 3/5 Reviewed as individual issues

    This was a highly disappointing story, as after all the hype, and build-up it had, taking over two years to even come out. It was very slow, and mundane. It did however have action from time to time, but it didn't make up for it's slow pace. It also had a lot of questionable points, with certain aspects being a bit unpleasant. The art from Bryan Hitch, Carlos Pacheco, Brandon Peterson, and others was mostly amazing, with Hitch's standing out most. It was however a shame that Brian Michael Bendis' mostly great Avengers run ended in such a disappointing fashion.

17 Comments

Avatar image for arkhamc1tizen
Arkhamc1tizen

2320

Forum Posts

674

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 6

User Lists: 33

Secret Invasion?????????????????????????

Avatar image for johnkmccubbin91
johnkmccubbin91

3897

Forum Posts

11900

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 672

User Lists: 103

@arkhamc1tizen: It will be added, just working through my volumes again so adding once I've re-read them to save confusion on the ratings (as I may feel it was worse, or better than it actually is).

Avatar image for theincrediblesuperhulk8642
TheIncredibleSuperHulk8642

5433

Forum Posts

50

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 2

Read pretty much all of these agree with the ratings. Loved Bendis run and Hickman's run so far.

Avatar image for johnkmccubbin91
johnkmccubbin91

3897

Forum Posts

11900

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 672

User Lists: 103

@theincrediblesuperhulk8642: Yeah I plan on adding the rest since then rest of New Avengers as well as second New Avengers run, Dark Avengers, Mighty Avengers, and Secret Avengers. Plus I also have a couple of older stories I may re-read and add, but that won't be for a while, as these are the priority Avengers wise.

Avatar image for theincrediblesuperhulk8642
TheIncredibleSuperHulk8642

5433

Forum Posts

50

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 2

@johnkmccubbin91: what about Bendis The Avengers vol 4 run. and never ead Secret Avengers but I did read both volumes of NA completely Dark Avengers Mighty Avengers(just Bendis run not Slott's) and The Avengers vol 4.

Avatar image for johnkmccubbin91
johnkmccubbin91

3897

Forum Posts

11900

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 672

User Lists: 103

@theincrediblesuperhulk8642: Yes that as well (forgot to name that, it's in the pile). I also got the Slott Mighty Avengers as I'd already had the Siege tie-in book, and only needed two others to complete the series. Got Secret Avengers when it was out, but still need to get the issues that followed after AvX (didn't realise it was ending so dropped it, if I knew it wasn't ending I wouldn't have).

Avatar image for theincrediblesuperhulk8642
TheIncredibleSuperHulk8642

5433

Forum Posts

50

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 2

@johnkmccubbin91: Oh okay so you pretty much have every Avengers related title in the Bendis era but what about Avengers Initiative, Young Avengers and Avenger Academy lol just kidding those technically count too but they are more of a "Young Avengers" related books.

Avatar image for johnkmccubbin91
johnkmccubbin91

3897

Forum Posts

11900

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 672

User Lists: 103

Edited By johnkmccubbin91

@theincrediblesuperhulk8642: I have added the first Young Avengers series and have another couple of Young Avengers stories (with Runnaways in Civil War, and Secret Invasion tie-ins). I also have the second volume of Avengers Initiative, and am considering getting the rest, as well as the other Young Avengers stories (mainly Children's Crusade). I will however be adding any Avengers stories I have, though as my collection is mainly Bendis' work (which would be hard not to considering how much he contributed to the Avengers).

Avatar image for theincrediblesuperhulk8642
TheIncredibleSuperHulk8642

5433

Forum Posts

50

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 2

@johnkmccubbin91: Yep this is a great work in progress. Loved anything Alan Heinberg did of the Young Avengers (Young Avengers Vol 1 #'s 1-12 Young Avengers One Shot Young Avengers Children's Crusade One Shot and Avenger's Children's Crusade #'s 1-9) anything by any other writer wasn't all that great.

Avatar image for johnkmccubbin91
johnkmccubbin91

3897

Forum Posts

11900

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 672

User Lists: 103

@theincrediblesuperhulk8642: Yes I also plan on adding other stories like Enemy Within (from Avengers Assemble and Captain Marvel), as well as some other stuff. There will be somewhere between 50, and 100 stories on this list by the time I finish going through them again (and that's not counting new stories that are released). I actually had never read anything by him prior to getting the Young Ultimate Collection, but it was amazing. I have also read the first five issues of the new series by Keiron Gillen which was slightly poor, and Civil War tie-in with the Runnaways by Zeb Wells which I really enjoyed (but it wasn't quite as good as Heinberg's).

Avatar image for theincrediblesuperhulk8642
TheIncredibleSuperHulk8642

5433

Forum Posts

50

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 2

@johnkmccubbin91: indeed. haven't read the marvel now title but have heard mixed feelings on the book. You'll be happy to know I just replaced Superman with Batman/Superman which I think is a good decision.

Avatar image for johnkmccubbin91
johnkmccubbin91

3897

Forum Posts

11900

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 672

User Lists: 103

Avatar image for theincrediblesuperhulk8642
TheIncredibleSuperHulk8642

5433

Forum Posts

50

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 2

@johnkmccubbin91: Good to hear I made the right choice even though I`m not a big fan of the art (I like Ben Oliver`s but honestly hate Jae Lee`s) I can live with it since the writing is superb.

Avatar image for johnkmccubbin91
johnkmccubbin91

3897

Forum Posts

11900

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 672

User Lists: 103

Avatar image for theincrediblesuperhulk8642
TheIncredibleSuperHulk8642

5433

Forum Posts

50

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 2

Avatar image for lykopis
lykopis

10845

Forum Posts

40100

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

I am getting into more Avengers stories, awesome list.

Avatar image for johnkmccubbin91
johnkmccubbin91

3897

Forum Posts

11900

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 672

User Lists: 103

@lykopis: Thanks very much. The early Bendis run is well worth getting. To be honest it's really after Fear Itself that it went down hill, with most prior being good to a certain extent. Also although it's not on the list yet I'd highly recommend the Dark Avengers series if you've not read it.