Avengers Reading Order

This reading order is designed to give an outline of major storylines featuring the Avengers throughout Marvel Comics. It may not encompass every one of the team’s appearances, but is an outline of the major ones and the stories that affect them.

The continuity details relating to each specific storyline are explained in the “Review” of each storyline. Every “Review” link will provide a detailed continuity breakdown of that story and will explain any reference the story makes to other aspects of the DC Universe. All of this can be found under the “Continuity” section of each link.

Jump to: Silver Age – Marvel NOW!

Silver Age

The Avengers are first introduced near the beginning of Marvel’s Silver Age. Before this point, the team did not exist, though all of the members had their own solo adventures.

The team makes their first appearance in Avengers #1 and their activities mostly take place over the course of this same series. As the series progresses, the team’s lineup changes and they face a variety of different villains. However, throughout this era, their adventures are relatively straightforward and only rarely extend into other comics.

In this era, the Avengers are founded by Ant-Man (Hank Pym), The Hulk (Bruce Banner), Iron Man (Tony Stark), Thor (Odinson), and the Wasp (Janet van Dyne). Later on, prominent members like Captain America (Steve Rogers), Hawkeye (Clint Barton), Scarlet Witch (Wanda Maximoff), Vision, Quicksilver (Pietro Maximoff) and more join the team.

Avengers issues are from the Vol. 1 series.
Fantastic Four issues are from the Vol. 1 series.
X-Men issues are from the Vol. 1 series.
Amazing Spider-Man issues are from the Vol. 1 series.
Sub-Mariner issues are from the Vol. 1 series.
Captain Marvel issues are from the Vol. 1 series.
Captain America issues are from the Vol. 1 series.
Iron Man issues are from the Vol. 1 series.
Incredible Hulk issues are from the Vol. 1 series.

Notes

1. These two Fantastic Four issues contain the first team-up between the Avengers and the Fantastic Four. These issues also continue an ongoing narrative involving conflict between the Hulk and the Avengers. The Avenger's role in Fantastic Four #25 is extremely small but their role in Fantastic Four #26 is more sizable.
2. This comic shows the first meeting between the Avengers and the X-Men. It isn't essential to the Avenger's story but is referenced a few times after this point.
3. This issue is centered around the wedding of Reed Richards and Sue Storm. It contains appearances from a large portion of the entire Marvel Universe. Specifically, the Avengers play a small role in the wedding.
4. This issue essentially explains why Spider-Man does not appear in most Avengers comics. The Avengers have a rather large role throughout the issue.
5. These comics are light on Avengers appearances. However, they detail a larger story arc that comes to a head in Avengers #64. Because of this, it may be of some interest to fans.
6. The Avengers only have a small role in this comic. However, the events taking place here have a large impact on later issues of the Avengers. This impact is felt in Avengers #102 (part of the Avenger's Bronze Age adventures).
7. The Avengers have a somewhat small role here, but the events of this comic directly continue in Avengers #69.
8. The Avengers have a prominent role throughout this comic. This issue is also somewhat of a continuation of the general conflict between the Avengers and the Hulk.

Bronze-Modern Age

ComicBookWire is currently working on researching and developing the reading orders for these eras. The reading orders for them will be available at some point in the future.

Marvel NOW!

This era began with an immediate restructuring of the Avengers as an organization. This newly refined team consisted of many past members but also went on to add a few new ones. Though it is different from earlier versions of the team, at its core, this new version of the Avengers still retains the development the team has undergone since their adventures began.

In this era, the bulk of the Avengers' adventures take place over the course of the Avengers series. This put them at the forefront of many major Marvel events, including Age of Ultron (Reading Order), Infinity (Reading Order), Inhumanity (Reading Order), Original Sin (Reading Order), Time Runs Out (Reading Order), and, finally, Secret Wars. Meanwhile, the Avengers Assemble and Avengers World series expanded upon the team's actions. Plus, the Avengers make a number of brief appearances in other comic series.

In this era, the Avengers are a large group with many members. However, these members all rotate around a core group consisting of Black Widow (Natasha Romanova), Captain America (Steve Rogers), Hawkeye (Clint Barton), The Hulk (Bruce Banner), Iron Man (Tony Stark), and Thor (Odinson).

It is also worth noting that, in this era, the Avengers' actions are intricately tied to the actions of the Illuminati (Reading Order), which are seen in the New Avengers series. For a straightforward way to approach the narrative stretching through both of these comics, see our "Avengers by Jonathan Hickman Reading Order".

Avengers issues are from the Vol. 5 series.
Avengers Assemble issues are from the Vol. 2 series.
All-New X-Men issues are from the Vol. 1 series.
Uncanny X-Men issues are from the Vol. 3 series.
Superior Spider-Man issues are from the Vol. 1 series.
Amazing Spider-Man issues are from the Vol. 3 series.
Amazing X-Men issues are from the Vol. 2 series.
Hulk issues are from the Vol. 3 series.
New Warriors issues are from the Vol. 5 series.

Notes

1. These issues show a few members of the Avengers on smaller missions. The events in these comics often include only a few members of the team and involve lower stakes.
2. Both of these issues help show the current relationship between the Avengers and different groups of mutants. They are not necessary in understanding the Avengers' story but may be of interest for fans who want to know more about the Avengers' approach to superhero politics.
3. The Avengers star in all "Main Event" issues from Age of Ultron (Reading Order).
4. All of these issues detail an ongoing story arc about the Avengers' investigation into Spider-Man's current situation. They do not heavily feature the Avengers but together help show their unique relationship with Spider-Man during this era. 
5. This is mostly a Captain Marvel/Carol Danvers event. However, members of the Avengers play a significant supporting role in it and, therefore, readers interested in their actions may be interested in seeing them here.
6. All Infinity, Avengers, Avengers Assemble, and Captain Marvel issues, from the "Infinity Reading Order", are relevant to this reading order.
7. Only the Inhumanity and Avengers Assemble issues, from the "Inhumanity Reading Order", are relevant to this reading order.
8. These are both quick Avengers adventures that have little impact on the main Avengers narrative. They both stand almost entirely on their own and can be read or skipped with little impact on the development of the team.
9. This issue features the Avengers in a somewhat minor role. However, it discusses their history in a way that might be interesting for longtime fans.
10. This is a mostly standalone Avengers adventure. However, it does slightly expand upon themes from the main Avengers series.
11. These issues of Amazing X-Men are mostly centered around the X-Men. However, the Avengers play a decent role and some readers may be interested in seeing them team up.
12. These issues of Hulk are mostly centered around the Hulk. However, the Avengers play a large role in fixing the situation and some readers may be interested in seeing how this happens.
13. Like the issues of Uncanny X-Men and All-New X-Men, this issue helps show the current relationship between the Avengers and another superhero group, the New Warriors. It is not necessary in understanding the Avengers' story, but it may be of interest for fans who want to know more about the Avengers' approach to superhero politics.
14. Only Original Sin #1-8, from the "Original Sin Reading Order", are relevant to this reading order.
15. These issues, from the Avengers series, do not really focus on the Avengers as a group. However, they highlight the team's newest members, Hyperion, Star Brand, and Nightmask, in a way that is not done in any other comic.
16. This is small team-up between the Avengers and the Guardians of the Galaxy. It does little to build on the team's progression through this era but may be of interest for fans of both groups.
17. Ultron Forever (Review) is a small event starring an Avengers team composed of Avengers from different periods in time. It is mostly standalone and does not really have an impact on many other comics. However, it may be of interest for readers who want to see Avengers from different eras put together on one team.
18. The AXIS event is mostly centered around the Avengers Unity Squad. However, it still features the main Avengers team. ComicBookWire will be working on a separate reading order to explain how these events relate.

All Marvel Comics Reading Orders