I Have Been Avenging!! (sort of)

 Well, I've just spent three hours trying to sort out my Marvel Comics -specifically The Avengers and what a **** mess it is.

Straight forward we had the first volume and, no, I do not have #1 just reprints of this great comic.  A joy to read even now and ***** off Brevoort.

The seemingly forgotten volume 2 is...bad.  But volume 3 had Busiek and Perez who, while on the title made it a real Avengers book for fans. But let's have a look at what I've been going through.

Avengers #1 vol. 1
 

 Luckily I've already catalogued volume 1 and the distractions it caused...great covers and stories.

 Of course, due to the constant selling off and screwing about (read Sean Howe's Marvel The Untold Story) Marvel was, once again, on the very edge of ceasing publication so it tried some of the new "hot talents".

I have tried reading this short run (I think 13 issues in all) but it is just awful and, in the end, was a failure.

Avengers #1  vol. 2
 


And that failure meant that someone at Marvel had to stress-out over what to do next.  They got George Perez who they asked to also write the book.  George had a better idea and he "strongly" suggest Kurt Busiek and Busiek accepted like a shot (see the interview on the animated film Ultimate Avengers).

The Avengers were back. Beautiful art and great stories.

Avengers #1  vol. 3
 

Avengers The Domination Factor (mini series tie in with Fantastric Four Domination Factor)
 


Sadly, things went wrong and as Marvel jumped issue numbering again so that it continued on from the first volume, the rot set in with Avengers Disassemble.  Awful, awful, awful -by this time Busiek and Perez had been kicked off  decided to move aside for a 'better team'.  I believe 'em.

I think the last storyline was "Siege"

But then, oh my gods...it almost looked as though Marvel had realised their mistake and their titles re-launched as The Heroic Age.

Avengers #1  vol. 4
 

Yeah, and that didn't last long before it got messy again.  Don't give a crap: Bendis ruined the whole thing and it's that simple.  **** Bendis.

Hmmm. I seem to be getting a wee bit angry.  Anyway, the Avengers Assemble movie was a big deal and Disney now owned Marvel (not to mention Star Wars) and everything has become science fiction orientated.  And to cap it all off probably the best Marvel animated series ever -Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes got ****** over by Disney.  Screw all the story lines and that fans loved the two series -I've even seen Justice League Animated fans rave about "the opposition". 

And what did they replace this great animated series with -throwing out all the storylines?  "Avengers Assemble" a piece of puerile crap -but it has the same title as the hit movie so who gives a ****?!

Avengers #1 Volume 5




But you have to remember there was Avengers United They Stand -an animated series so awful I tried to blind myself -and the comic? aaaagh

Avengers Solo, Avengers Strikefile, Avengers Unplugged, Avengers Infinity, Avengers Celestial Quest, Avengers The Last Story, Avengers---oh. And of course....
Young Avengers   #1


Yeah, milk it!

Young Avengers #1 vol.2


 

"How can we screw more money out of the morons, Joe?"

The Initiative #1
 
"Joe -we need more and more sucker money!"

 Secret Avengers #1  vol.1


"Joe, I can't, you know, be a "real man" for my wife unless I see more money squeezed out of the jerks!"

Secret Avengers #1  vol. 2


"Joe.....Jooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooe!"

New Avengers #1  vol. 1



"Uh, this is better than viagra -more sucker money! More! MORE!!!!!!"

New Avengers #1 vol. 2


And to help that bunch of executives -because money spread sheets are better than porn....

Avengers 1959


The number of Avengers titles goes on.  I have two shelves which includes West Coast Avengers mini series and volume 1 (complete).  So you are sat there thinking I'm looking at gold.  I can ask whatever I want for these Fine to Near Mint comics, right? 

I tried to work it out but I've paid over the years a couple thousand on just these books.  Their ACTUAL value?  I'd be very lucky if I even got £100 for all of them.  Seriously, I checked it all out and the only ones asking big prices are the dealers and traders who are milking stupidity.

It's all very sobering and now I need to catalogue this lot before bed....I'm tempted to start tonight and end tomorrow.  Who knows?  My comics aren't going anywhere!