The Mighty Avengers

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This article is about the comic book series. For the 1960s British pop group, see The Mighty Avengers (band).
The Mighty Avengers
The Mighty Avengers #1 (May 2007)
Cover art by Frank Cho
Publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
ScheduleMonthly
Publication dateMay 2007 – April 2010
Main character(s)Current members
Blue Marvel
Luke Cage
Captain America (Wilson)
Kaluu
Power Man
She-Hulk
Spectrum
Spider-Man
White Tiger
Creative team
Created byBrian Michael Bendis
Frank Cho
Written byBrian Michael Bendis
Dan Slott
Penciller(s)Frank Cho
Mark Bagley
Khoi Pham
Inker(s)Danny Miki
Colorist(s)Jason Keith

The Mighty Avengers is a comic book series that was published by Marvel Comics. Originally written by Brian Michael Bendis, also the writer of New Avengers, the title first featured an officially sanctioned Avengers team of registered superheroes, residing in New York City as part of the Fifty State Initiative, as opposed to the unlicensed team featured in The New Avengers. This first incarnation of the team is led by Iron Man and Ms. Marvel, with the second lineup featuring Hank Pym as the leader, and the third led by Luke Cage and Monica Rambeau.

Publication history[]

The team first appears in The Mighty Avengers #1 (May 2007), written by Brian Michael Bendis and pencilled and inked by Frank Cho. The roster, led by Ms. Marvel, also consisted of Ares, Black Widow, Iron Man, Sentry, Wasp and Wonder Man. In the wake of the superhero "Civil War", Iron Man recruits Ms. Marvel as leader of the revamped team. Together they select the first roster.[1]

The Mighty Avengers was originally intended to run parallel with New Avengers, with characters and events crossing over and being viewed from both perspectives. However, artist Cho fell behind schedule, and left the book after six issues and an additional cover.[2] Successor Mark Bagley drew the series from issues #7–11 (early March – late May 2008).

The series was canceled with The Mighty Avengers #36 (April 2010), at the conclusion of the Siege storyline.[3]

The team was relaunched in September 2013 under the creative team of Al Ewing and Greg Land. The new team is more street-level, and is led by Luke Cage.[4] The team contains new versions of Ronin, White Tiger and Power Man, plus Blue Marvel, the Superior Spider-Man, She-Hulk, Spectrum, and the Falcon.[5] It ran for fourteen issues.

In November 2014 as part of the Marvel Now initiative, a third volume was launched called "Captain America and the Mighty Avengers". This volume was written by Al Ewing and illustrated by Luke Ross and Iban Coello.[6] This volume was cancelled in June, 2015, after 9 issues.[7]

Fictional team biography[]

See also: List of Mighty Avengers story arcs

Following the federally sanctioned creation of this iteration of the Avengers, Iron Man (Tony Stark) is discredited and publicly vilified after his inability to anticipate or prevent a secret infiltration and invasion of Earth by the shape-shifting alien Skrull race, and by the Skrull disabling of his StarkTech technology, which had a virtual monopoly on worldwide defense.

Following the Skrulls' eventual defeat and the subsequent dissolution of S.H.I.E.L.D., the officially sanctioned team of Avengers, now led by Norman Osborn under the H.A.M.M.E.R. banner, is spun off into the pages of Dark Avengers.[8]

In response, Henry Pym, in his latest superhero persona as the new Wasp, leads an Avengers team outside the U.S. and H.A.M.M.E.R.'s jurisdiction. With the apparent help of the Scarlet Witch—actually, a disguised Loki, the Norse trickster god—he summons the Vision and Stature of the Young Avengers, U.S. Agent, Jocasta, Hercules, Amadeus Cho, and Iron Man.

Claiming to be the only authentic team of Avengers due to being the only team operating under that name to have a founding member on the roster, the team operates from an interdimensional headquarters. It is granted official recognition outside the U.S. by the international organization G.R.A.M.P.A., and combats supervillains and other entities including Chthon,[9] and the Unspoken.[10]

During the events of Infinity, a new team of Mighty Avengers are formed during Thanos' invasion of Earth. With the main Avengers branch off in space, the defense of New York falls to a group of former Avengers and the remnants of Luke Cage's recently disbanded Heroes for Hire squad. They are given the name "Mighty Avengers" after a Twitter hashtag used to describe the group.[11]

During the Inhumanity storyline, Luke Cage keeps the Mighty Avengers together and made the remodeled Gem Theater as their base. The Mighty Avengers now have the purpose of helping those in need. During this time, the Spider Hero becomes the new Ronin.[12]

During the "Last Days" part of the Secret Wars storyline, Steve Rogers tells the Mighty Avengers team that the world is ending and asks them to side with him or the Illuminati. Two weeks before the end of the world, the Mighty Avengers join Steve Rogers in a fight against the Illuminati.[13] The Mighty Avengers help out in the incursion against Earth-1610.[14]

Team Roster[]

Initiative Team (2007–2008)[]

The Mighty Avengers were founded by Ms. Marvel and Iron Man, as New York's team under the Fifty State Initiative.[1]

Character Real Name Joined in Notes
Iron Man Anthony Edward Stark Mighty Avengers #1 (May 2007) Removed from being director of S.H.I.E.L.D. in Secret Invasion #8.
Ms. Marvel Carol Susan Jane Danvers Became member of the New Avengers.
Wonder Man Simon Williams Resigned in Secret Invasion #8.
The Wasp Janet van Dyne
(a.k.a. Janet Pym) 		Died in Secret Invasion #8. Later revealed that she was actually shunted to the Microverse[15]
Black Widow Natalia Alianovna Romanova
(a.k.a. Natasha Romanoff) 		Resigned in Secret Invasion #8.
Sentry Robert Reynolds Became member of the Dark Avengers. Presumed deceased as of Siege #4.
Ares Ares
(a.k.a. John Aaron) 		Became member of the Dark Avengers. Presumed killed in Siege #2.

Later turned up alive in Contest of Champions #8 (2016).

Infiltrator (2007)
Spider-Woman Veranke
(posing as Jessica Drew) 		Mighty Avengers #7 (November 2007) A double agent with the New Avengers. Revealed to be a Skrull in Secret Invasion #3 (May 2008). Died in Secret Invasion #8.

International Team (2009–2010)[]

After the events of "Dark Reign", the Mighty Avengers were followed by a reorganized Initiative team published in Dark Avengers, and a new international team was featured in Mighty Avengers.

Character Real Name Joined in Notes
Ant Man Dr. Henry Jonathan "Hank" Pym Mighty Avengers #21 (March 2009) Chosen by the "Scarlet Witch", who was actually Loki. Challenged for leadership by Iron Man, but assumed full leadership after defeating Chthon.
Hercules Heracles Presumed killed in the Assault on New Olympus. Returned in Chaos War #1 (Oct. 2010).
Amadeus Cho Amadeus Cho
Jocasta Jocasta
U.S. Agent John Frank Walker,
Jack Daniels (alias) 		Mighty Avengers #22 Former member of Omega Flight, chosen in the place of an incapacitated Captain America. Removed by Norman Osborn in Mighty Avengers #33.
Stature Cassandra Lang Concurrent members of the Young Avengers.
Vision II Jonas (alias)
Quicksilver Pietro Django Maximoff Mighty Avengers #24 Joined the team after helping them defeat Titan.
Infiltrator (2009)
Scarlet Witch Loki
(posing as Scarlet Witch) 		Mighty Avengers #21
(March 2009) 		Joined and assembled the Mighty Avengers in Mighty Avengers #21 (March 2009). Revealed in Mighty Avengers #29 (November 2009).

Infinity recruits (2013–2014)[]

During the Infinity storyline, a new team was assembled. "The Mighty Avengers" volunteer organization is based out of the old Gem Theatre in Times Square, offering their services as non-profit heroes for free or a charitable contribution.[4]

Character Real name Joined in Notes
Luke Cage Lucas Cage (born Carl Lucas) Mighty Avengers Vol. 2 #1 Founder and business director.
Spectrum Monica Rambeau Field leader, former member of Nextwave
Ronin Eric Brooks (aka Blade)[16] First appeared as "Spider Hero." His identity was leaked in an earlier draft of a script. His identity was officially revealed in Mighty Avengers #9.
Blue Marvel Adam Brashear Mighty Avengers Vol. 2 #2
Power Man Victor Alvarez Mighty Avengers Vol. 2 #3 Former students at Avengers Academy, former members of the Heroes for Hire.
White Tiger Ava Ayala
Falcon
aka Captain America 		Samuel "Sam" Wilson Mighty Avengers Vol. 2 #4 Also a member of the main Avengers team as Captain America.
She-Hulk Jennifer Walters Mighty Avengers Vol. 2 #6 Legal counsel for the Mighty Avengers and concurrent member of the Future Foundation.
Infiltrator (2013)
Superior Spider-Man Otto Octavius's mind in Peter Parker's body Mighty Avengers Vol. 2 #1 Self-declared member, also member-on-probation of the main Avengers team. He leaves the team in Mighty Avengers Vol. 2 #5.[17]

Avengers NOW! (2014–2015)[]

The new team was relaunched under the title of Captain America and the Mighty Avengers as part of "Avengers NOW!"[18]

Character Real name Joined in Notes
Kaluu Kaluu Captain America and the Mighty Avengers #1 (November 2014) Current members of the Mighty Avengers.
Spider-Man Peter Benjamin Parker Captain America and the Mighty Avengers #3 (January 2015)

Reception[]

The first issue of Mighty Avengers was the second highest selling comic for that month based on Diamond Publisher's indexes.[19]

IGN reviewer Richard George said Brian Michael Bendis' writing for The Mighty Avengers #1 "manages to move through the roster selection, convey their basic information and personality, marshal them against a huge threat and leave us with a solid cliffhanger". George also praised Frank Cho's artwork, saying, "The artist not only delivers with some excellent action sequences, he does a great job with the increasingly standard widescreen format that many are adopting."[20]

Circulation[]

Issue Qty icv2 Top 300 Ranking
1 141,288 [19] 2
2 121,365 [21] 8
3 115,440 [22] 8
4 107,768 [23] 8

Collected editions[]

# Title Material collected Publication date ISBN
Volume 1
1 The Ultron Initiative Mighty Avengers #1–6 2008 978-0785123682
2 Venom Bomb Mighty Avengers #7–11 2008 978-0785123699
3 Secret Invasion (Book 1) Mighty Avengers #12–15 2009 978-0785130109
4 Secret Invasion (Book 2) Mighty Avengers #16–20 2009 978-0785136507
5 Earth's Mightiest Mighty Avengers #21–26 2009 978-0785137467
6 The Unspoken Mighty Avengers #27–31 2010 978-0785137474
7 Siege Mighty Avengers #32–36 2010 978-0785148005
1-2 Mighty Avengers Assemble The Mighty Avengers #1–11 March 11, 2009 978-0785137580
3-4 Mighty Avengers: Secret Invasion The Mighty Avengers #12–20 March 24, 2010 978-0785142614
5-7 Mighty Avengers: Dark Reign The Mighty Avengers #21–36 August 17, 2011 978-0785156697
Volume 2
1 No Single Hero Mighty Avengers Vol. 2 #1–5 April 1, 2014 978-0785188742
2 Family Bonding Mighty Avengers Vol. 2 #6–10 August 12, 2014 978-0785188759
3 Original Sin – Not Your Father's Avengers Mighty Avengers Vol. 2 #11–14 December 23, 2014 978-0785190721
Volume 3 (Captain America & the Mighty Avengers)
1 Open for Business Captain America & the Mighty Avengers #1–7 July 7, 2015 978-0785193821
2 Last Days Captain America & the Mighty Avengers #8–9, Captain Britain & the Mighty Defenders #1–2, Avengers Assemble #15AU November 3, 2015 978-0785198031

In other media[]

The Mighty Avengers appear in the Avengers: Ultron Revolution animated television series.[24] In the episode "Civil War, Part 2: The Mighty Avengers", Truman Marsh assembles Ant-Man, the Black Panther, Captain Marvel, Ms. Marvel, the Red Hulk, Songbird and the Vision to become the eponymous Mighty Avengers after the original Avengers disassociate themselves from the Inhuman Registration Act. The Mighty Avengers are dispatched to a HYDRA facility to stop Baron Strucker from stealing Marsh's exo-suit, only to encounter the original Avengers and get into an altercation, during which Hawkeye convinces Songbird to defect to the original Avengers before they are arrested. In "Civil War, Part 3: The Drums of War", the Mighty Avengers join forces with the original Avengers upon learning Marsh plans to pit Inhumans and humans against each other and confront Marsh together before discovering he is actually Ultron. In "Civil War, Part 4: Avengers Revolution", the two Avengers groups fight Ultron's forces while working to free Inhumans from the android's mind-control.

References[]

  1. ^ a b Richards, Dave (July 20, 2006). "CCI, Day 1: Still the Mightiest: Bendis talks "Mighty Avengers"". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on May 29, 2019. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
  2. ^ Kean, Benjamin Ong Pang (September 27, 2007). ""Frank Cho: On Leaving The Mighty Avengers"". Newsarama. Archived from the original on December 1, 2009. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
  3. ^ George, Richard (January 15, 2010). "Siege Ends the Avengers". IGN. Archived from the original on April 17, 2019. Retrieved January 15, 2010.
  4. ^ a b Siegel, Lucas (June 7, 2013). "MIGHTY AVENGERS Creative Team, Details Revealed". Newsarama. Archived from the original on June 23, 2018. Retrieved July 14, 2014.
  5. ^ Grey, Melissa (June 7, 2013). "The Mighty Avengers Return to Marvel". IGN. Archived from the original on April 17, 2019. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
  6. ^ Narcisse, Evan (February 28, 2014). "Why Mighty Avengers Is My Favorite Marvel Comic Right Now". Kotaku. Archived from the original on May 24, 2019. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
  7. ^ Pitts, Lan (September 6, 2017). "EXCLUSIVE: Captain America & The Mighty Avengers Enter Their "Last Days"". Comicbook.com. Archived from the original on June 17, 2018. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
  8. ^ Dark Avengers #1 (March 2009)
  9. ^ The Mighty Avengers #21 (March 2009)
  10. ^ The Mighty Avengers #27 (Sept. 2009)
  11. ^ Mighty Avengers (vol. 2) #1–3
  12. ^ Mighty Avengers #4.INH
  13. ^ Captain America and the Mighty Avengers #8
  14. ^ Captain America and the Mighty Avengers #9
  15. ^ Avengers vol. 4, #32
  16. ^ Sunu, Steve (28 October 2013). "Marvel Inadvertently Leaks Mighty Avengers Mystery Member ID". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
  17. ^ Mighty Avengers Vol. 2 5
  18. ^ Siegel, Lucas (July 25, 2014). "SDCC 2014: Marvel Comics AVENGERS NOW! Panel ANGELA, CAP & MIGHTY AVENGERS Announced". Newsarama. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
  19. ^ a b "Top 300 Comics Actual—March 2007". icv2.com. Retrieved 2009-01-05.
  20. ^ George, Richard (March 5, 2007). "Advance Review: Mighty Avengers #1". IGN. Archived from the original on March 22, 2016. Retrieved January 16, 2009.
  21. ^ "Top 300 Comics Actual—April 2007". icv2.com. Retrieved 2009-01-05.
  22. ^ "Top 300 Comics Actual—May 2007". icv2.com. Retrieved 2009-01-05.
  23. ^ "Top 300 Comics Actual—June 2007". icv2.com. Retrieved 2009-01-05.
  24. ^ Whitbrook, James (January 26, 2017). "Civil War Is Coming to the Avengers Animated Series, Too". io9. Archived from the original on June 8, 2017. Retrieved May 29, 2019.

External links[]

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