The Avengers are on the pinnacle of the Marvel Universe, because the benchmark for superheroism. Earth’s Mightiest Heroes is not only a tagline to promote comics. It’s consultant of the significance these heroes maintain over the Marvel Universe, and as such, most main storylines revolve round them.

All of Marvel’s largest, greatest crossover occasions have the Avengers in an lively position, or at the very least are so huge that the Avengers cannot be overlooked of the festivities. Even if it isn’t a company-wide occasion, crossovers particular to the Avengers workforce are necessary sufficient to warrant all eyes of the Marvel Universe on them due to how necessary the squad is to Marvel. As crucial workforce that Marvel has to supply, their presence has given the Marvel model a few of its greatest and most thrilling storylines. The following are just a few examples of the easiest.

15 The Kang Dynasty (2001)

by Kurt Busiek, Alan Davis, Kieron Dwyer, Rick Remender, Ivan Reis, and Manuel Garcia

All eyes are on Marvel now as audiences eagerly anticipate how they deal with their Kang Dynasty of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, however the saga initially started with the 2001 comics storyline of the identical title. Longtime Marvel villain Kang the Conqueror combats the Avengers to embark on plans for world domination, however this time, he succeeds.

Several villains have tried to takeover the world and failed earlier than him, however at this level at the very least, Kang the Conquerer turned the primary Marvel villain to really conquer the world. Even although the disaster is ultimately averted and his reign of terror involves an finish, simply the truth that Kang is the primary to deliver the world to his knees is stunning sufficient to earn this arc a spot on this record.

14 Jed MacKay’s The Avengers Vol.1, “The Impossible City”

by Jed MacKay and C.F. Villa

Speaking of Kang the Conquerer, Jed MacKay’s first arc as head author of The Avengers begins with a bang as they shortly are confronted by a wounded Kang, refusing to die earlier than delivering a dire warning to the super-team. Soon sufficient, the Avengers are met by the Ashen Combine, a God-tier group of villains who actually give the Avengers a run for his or her cash. Not solely that, however this arc introduces a brand new residing headquarters for the Avengers referred to as The Impossible City.

This arc does precisely what readers wish to see out of a brand new established order for a collection: spotlight the stakes, spotlight the brand new dynamic of the central characters, introduce a brand new menace, and introduce new components that change the present lore.

13 Uncanny Avengers (2023)

by Gerry Duggan, Jonathan Hickman, and Javier Garron

(*15*)

This is one other current addition to the Marvel Universe that might be greater if it wasn’t so recent in everybody’s minds. When historical past does present that revisiting this arc solely improves with age, then it will likely be actually appreciated, however for now, that is one of the spectacular iterations of the Uncanny Avengers. Not to say, this was the proper time to reintroduce the Uncanny Avengers into the lexicon of Marvel whereas the mutant group was in the midst of a warfare with anti-mutant group, Orchis.

The themes which might be usually current in X-Men tales have been ever-present for this one. Not solely did it make for an incredible super-team of mutants and Avengers, however Captain America led the instance of what a literal ally to these in want seems like by stepping onto the frontlines when wanted.

12 Infinity (2013)

by Jonathan Hickman, Jim Cheung, Jerome Opeña, and Dustin Weaver

The phrase “Infinity” in the Marvel Universe, in any context, is at all times going to echo the Infinity Gauntlet storyline (extra on that later) and the artifact of the identical title. However, Jonathan Hickman’s penning Infinity helped add a brand new definition to the phrase infinity in the Marvel lexicon. For many at the moment, Infinity is the phrase shared by Hickman’s collection in which Thanos targets the Earth, profiting from the Avengers’ absence whereas they’re in area coping with The Builders.

Many of the weather launched in Infinity – together with the Mad Titan’s Black Order, and Thanos’ battle with Thor – can be thrilling sufficient to be carried out into Marvel’s Cinematic Universe. In its personal method, Jonathan Hickman’s Infinity collection would show simply as important to the Marvel Universe because the Infinity Gauntlet, even having main repercussions for the Avengers and the Inhumans after the actual fact.

11 The Korvac Saga

Avengers #167-177 by Jim Shooter and John Buscema

The central determine of the “Korvac Saga” is Michael Korvac himself, somebody beforehand launched as a product of the thirty first century in an alternate universe. There, he betrays the human race in favor of collaborating with the conquering Badoon alien race, however finally ends up being betrayed himself when the Badoon flip the human traitor right into a cyborg. He flees into Earth-616, the place a visit into Galactus’ spaceship offers him the God-tier talents of the Power Cosmic, turning him right into a menace that calls for the mixed efforts of the Guardians of the Galaxy and the Avengers to cease.

This is an area opera in each sense of the phrase, and in that sense, stays completely entertaining in its episodic sci-fi drama.

10 Secret Invasion (2008)

by Brian Michael Bendis and Leinil Francis Yu

Those aware of the Secret Invasion comedian arc are nonetheless reeling from the MCU flop, however the stained title should not let the concept of a Secret Invasion put a nasty style in anybody’s mouth. Secret Invasion in comedian guide type made for a few of the most compelling and suspenseful studying for any Avengers storyline. The storyline in query provided readers the stunning revelation that a few of the heroes not solely have been changed by shapeshifting Skrulls, however the Skrulls had been impersonating sure heroes for years.

On bated breath, readers eagerly anticipated week in and week out ready to seek out out who was a Skrull and who actually was who they stated they have been. The TV present struggled to re-produce that very same magic, however Secret Invasion managed to provide the identical pleasure in written type that audiences solely get from weekly tv, which isn’t a simple feat to drag off.

9 Siege

by Brian Michael Bendis and Olivier Coipel

Not to be confused with Under Siege (don’t be concerned, we’ll get to it), Siege spins instantly out of Dark Reign, the place Norman Osborn not solely took over S.H.I.E.L.D., rebranded it into H.A.M.M.E.R., and launched his new Avengers line-up comprised of notorious villains. Needless to say, it was time for the precise Avengers to take motion, motion certainly was taken. Action is really the theme of this arc, as there are some enjoyable motion set-pieces all through the arc, together with when Carol Danvers turns into Venom’s host and storms throughout Asgard.

Siege is definitely suffering from memorable moments all whereas housing an entirely compelling Avengers vs. Avengers storyline.

8 The Avengers: Under Siege (1986)

by Roger Stern and John Buscema

Under Siege could not maintain the identical type of important weight in Avengers historical past that lots of storylines on this record appear to carry, however it does handle to be one of the stunning tales to emerge in Avengers historical past. In an assault orchestrated by Baron Zemo, Avengers Mansion is beneath assault when the heroes least anticipate it. Never have the heroes been made to look as weak towards the supervillains at this level as they do right here, particularly on such a psychological stage.

It was uncommon to see villains handle to get the one-up over superheroes in the Marvel Universe. That’s why it was such a shock to see the superheroes defeated like this in a method that appears to return out of nowhere each for them and the reader.

7 The Infinity Gauntlet (1991)

by Jim Starlin, George Pérez and Ron Lim

The Infinity Gauntlet could very nicely be the head of Marvel storytelling. So a lot of contemporary Marvel tales, each on-panel and onscreen, appear to hint again to The Infinity Gauntlet. Every superhero that Marvel needed to provide on the time, together with The Avengers, have been on the board to attempt to cease Thanos and, for a second at the very least, it appeared as if none of them can be sufficient to cease an Infinity Gauntlet wielding Thanos decided to impress Death.

Thanos was not at all a brand new character in Marvel lore, however this six-part collection and its associated tie-ins have been sufficient to immediately elevate him into changing into the last word villain. Thanos definitely made an impression as an enemy of the Avengers that stands to at the present time, however actually, this set him up as the most important of Big Bads to the whole Marvel Universe. As a complete, the story set the bar for what Marvel seems like at its most charming and few storylines, even these on this record, have managed to fulfill that bar.

6 Kree-Skrull War (1972)

by Roy Thomas, Sal Buscema, Neal Adams, and John Buscema

Some will argue that the Kree-Skrull War could also be the perfect storyline to ever come out of the Avengers comedian line-up. The concept was merely to place the Avengers and the planet Earth smack dab in the center of a raging warfare between two unforgiving races of alien. On paper, it is a easy premise, however the execution managed to stay related years later.

Introducing the Kree, Skrull, and their relationship proved important to the Marvel Universe’s progress, particularly as that very same relationship continues to evolve over time. Speaking of relationships, this storyline launched the love affair between Scarlet Witch and Vision, which itself would have long run ramifications for the Marvel Universe shifting ahead.

5 Avengers Disassmbled (2004)

by Brian Michael Bendis

The idea behind Avengers Disassembled was easy – create an occasion that might ultimately result in the exit of core members of the workforce, and ultimately result in the top of the Avengers roster as readers knew them on the time. Brian Michael Bendis and co. have been in a position to take a easy premise and stretch it to an necessary second of intrigue.

What makes this occasion most necessary is Scarlet Witch’s storyline, which leads instantly into House of M. As later in the record will present, House of M is a pivotal level in the Marvel Universe general – not only for the Avengers – however audiences can’t probably get to that time with out Avengers Disassembled first laying the groundwork for it. For that purpose alone, Avengers Disassembled is a must-read for any fan of the workforce.

4 House of M (2005)

by Brian Michael Bendis and Olivier Coipel

This is a difficult one to categorize as a result of the storyline is simply as rooted in the X-Men franchise as it’s the Avengers franchise. Some will argue that that is extra of an X-Men storyline than an Avengers one however, actually, this story arc managed to have an effect on all sides of the Marvel Universe leaving no stone unscathed. This is very the case for Scarlet Witch, because the story affectively re-painted Wanda Maximoff right into a tragic hero consistently in search of redemption. It took years for mutants to recuperate from her actions. Wanda’s penalties introduced concerning the revival of Hawkeye and the Shadow King, in addition to Wolverine’s full reminiscences.

For these nonetheless not satisfied, the truth that the story is a direct sequel to Avengers Disassembled, follows Wanda’s friction with the workforce, and places a number one highlight on Wolverine throughout his Avengers run helps justify this as an Avengers story.

3 Avengers Disassembled

Multiple writers and artists led by Brian Michael Bendis

On high of serving as a follow-up to House of M, it additionally serves because the Avengers as they have been identified to be on the time. The workforce actively broke down, main the best way for a brand new roster simply in time for the Brian Michael Bendis period. It was a harrowing street to get there, and for anybody who beloved the prior period, completely bittersweet. To mark a brand new starting, a revamp was in order that modified the course of Avengers – and Marvel – historical past completely.

Not each new aspect launched in this storyline was a slam dunk or caught round long run (i.e. Spider-Man gaining natural internet shooters) however the try at one thing new whereas closing out the prior period in an emotional method was commendable, to not talked about pulled at heartstrings.

2 The Children’s Crusade (2010)

by Allan Heinberg and Jim Cheung

The placement of this entry on the record could also be deemed controversial, as House of M proved extra important to the Marvel Universe in the long term. However, Avengers: The Children’s Crusade is a direct sequel to House of M, finishing the trifecta of storytelling that started with Avengers Disassembled. After Scarlet Witch went lacking after the occasions of House of M, her son Wiccan units off to seek out her in hopes of serving to her restore the injury she’s executed and return powers again to the mutant group.

The Children’s Crusade gives a satisfying little bit of closure that closes out one among Marvel’s largest storylines and opens the door for a drastic future that includes the subsequent technology of heroes, two of whom – Wiccan and Hulkling – turned main Marvel gamers beginning with this story arc.

1 Civil War (2006)

Civil War collection by Mark Millar and Steve McNiven

One can argue that Civil War must be crucial storyline to happen in the Marvel Universe, as a lot stemming from this occasion remains to be affecting the Marvel Universe at the moment. Iron Man and Captain America’s relationship largely hinges on their feud throughout this arc, with Iron Man nonetheless apologizing for his half. The entire purpose Spider-Man and Mary-Jane nonetheless aren’t collectively anymore is as a result of Peter Parker offered his soul to Mephisto in the direct aftermath of this occasion.

Even past its significance in the grand scheme of issues, Civil War is only a mighty gripping learn from begin to end. It begins on a excessive observe and ends with a bang that nobody noticed coming. Civil War was stuffed with thrilling twists and turns, however the truth that it stays as related at the moment as when its books first began hitting the cabinets in 2006 is what makes it a major tentpole in Avengers historical past.