The Avengers in the Late 1960s: A Marvel Comics Review!
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MARVEL ESSENTIAL: AVENGERS VOLUME 3: The Vision Debuts as the Comic Book Series Matures!
Marvel Essential: Avengers Vol. 3 contains issues 47 to 68 of the comic's original series, as well as Avengers Annual No. 2. For the most part this collection is a great run of comic books as writer Roy Thomas matures as the series goes along. The Marvel Essential series of books, each topping several hundred pages, contain the original stories in black & white rather than color.
As Strong a Collection of Late 1960s Comics That You'll Ever Find!
X-Men, Bucky, Dr. Strange, Ultron and More!
Roy Thomas is the writer for the entire run in this collection but he really only hits his stride with issue No. 52 when he adds the Black Panther to the team and ties the issue's bad guy, the Grim Reaper, to Wonder Man from issue No. 9. From that issue to No. 68 is as strong a run of comics that you're going to find from that time period: A crossover with the X-Men; Bucky's death revisited; the introduction of the Vision and Yellowjacket; the marriage of the Pyms; Hawkeye becoming Goliath; and several battles with Ultron.
Throw in guest appearances of the Black Knight and Dr. Strange as well as a fight with the original Avengers. Wow!
Also, except for some issues by Don Heck and George Tuska, the collection for the most part has excellent art. John Buscema does the bulk of the work, with a handful of issues done by Gene Colan, Barry Smith and Sal Buscema.
Throw in guest appearances of the Black Knight and Dr. Strange as well as a fight with the original Avengers. Wow!
Also, except for some issues by Don Heck and George Tuska, the collection for the most part has excellent art. John Buscema does the bulk of the work, with a handful of issues done by Gene Colan, Barry Smith and Sal Buscema.
Marvel Essential: Avengers Vol. 3
Available on Amazon Now!
You may notice that on Amazon the book has a slightly different cover. Don't worry, it has the same content. For no reason that I can figure out Marvel Comics published different editions of its Marvel Essential books with different covers. I'm trying to find out why and if I do I will update this lens to explain it!
John Buscema, THE Avengers artist!
Fantastic Four, Conan the Barbarian and More!
Jack Kirby drew the first issues of the Avengers, but it was John Buscema's long run on the series that really gave the Avengers its style and look. Buscema, who died in 2002, drew 30 of 44 issues starting with No. 41, which gave the series a consistent, clean look.
I can't say he was underrated, because he was always very respected. But he never got the accolades that Neal Adams or Jim Steranko received in the late 1960s and early 1970s. I think that's because Adams, Steranko, even Kirby, had styles that almost overwhelmed the storytelling. Buscema's art was much more complementary to the story being told, which I really appreciated.
Buscema later went on to become Marvel Comics' main artist for Conan the Barbarian, as well as the Fantastic Four. I have read that he eventually did an issue of almost every series in the 1960s and 1970s but I don't have any way of checking that. All I do know is that his art was always enjoyable.
I can't say he was underrated, because he was always very respected. But he never got the accolades that Neal Adams or Jim Steranko received in the late 1960s and early 1970s. I think that's because Adams, Steranko, even Kirby, had styles that almost overwhelmed the storytelling. Buscema's art was much more complementary to the story being told, which I really appreciated.
Buscema later went on to become Marvel Comics' main artist for Conan the Barbarian, as well as the Fantastic Four. I have read that he eventually did an issue of almost every series in the 1960s and 1970s but I don't have any way of checking that. All I do know is that his art was always enjoyable.
John Buscema's Avengers Art!
A Great Example of a Great Artist's Work!
Gene Colan, Fill-In Artist Extraordinaire!
Hawkeye Becomes Goliath!
Gene Colan filled in as artist for Avengers No. 63 to 65, three issues in this volume that focused on one of my favorite characters, Hawkeye! Unfortunately, Roy Thomas decided to have Hawkeye succeed Henry Pym to become the new Goliath, a change that I wasn't very fond of and one that lasted until Avengers No. 97.
In issue no. 63 he changes to Goliath to rescue the Black Widow, and then in issues No. 64 and 65 we find out his history. Amazingly, Hawkeye had been in comics for five years without ever being given a secret identity or even a real name! But in this two-parter we find out he is Clint Barton, brother of a criminal, and we learn more about his past connection with the Swordsman.
Colan does a great job ranging from the grittiness of small-time hoods and back alleys to outer space.
In issue no. 63 he changes to Goliath to rescue the Black Widow, and then in issues No. 64 and 65 we find out his history. Amazingly, Hawkeye had been in comics for five years without ever being given a secret identity or even a real name! But in this two-parter we find out he is Clint Barton, brother of a criminal, and we learn more about his past connection with the Swordsman.
Colan does a great job ranging from the grittiness of small-time hoods and back alleys to outer space.
Gene Colan's Avengers on eBay!
Get Your issues today!
I think the Marvel Essential series is a great way to read all the old comics, but if you'd prefer to read the originals there's always eBay. The three issues of the Avengers that Gene Colan drew are up for sale so grab them today!
Gene Colan: An Appreciation
My Lens Dedicated to a Great Artist!
Gene Colan died on June 23 after more than six decades of drawing comic books. He was probably best known for his runs on Daredevil and the Tomb of Dracula. But he also known as an artist with a unique style that no one ever tried to copy, and I really enjoyed. I respected the art so much I wrote about his work in a separate lens. I hope you visit it and learn more about what a wonderful contribution this man made to comic books!
Gene Colan Collections on Amazon!
Tomb of Dracula and Daredevil
Gene Colan's work has been collected in numerous volumes in the last few years. These collections are a great way to appreciate this artist's contribution to the world of comics. My favorites are his Tomb of Dracula and Daredevil runs, but he did many others that were really good. Check them out today!
Early Barry Windsor-Smith Art!
Before he was acclaimed for Conan the Barbarian!
This collection contains two early works by Barry Windsor-Smith, who would later become famous for his work on Marvel Comics' Conan the Barbarian series. Known at the time simply as Barry Smith, he drew issues No. 66 and 67. Those are the first two parts of a great three-part story in which the Vision betrays the Avengers and rebuilds Ultron. Smith's work had a drama all its own, with varied angles and panel layouts that were different from what other artists were doing at the time.
This is one case where I prefer reading the original comics in color, because I think the colors aid Smith's work. But he uses such strong lines that in this black-and-white collection his talent still comes through.
This is one case where I prefer reading the original comics in color, because I think the colors aid Smith's work. But he uses such strong lines that in this black-and-white collection his talent still comes through.
Barry Windsor-Smith on Amazon
Amazing Work by a True Artist!
The Marvel Essential Series
Spider-Man, X-Men and much more!
The Marvel Essential series reprints many of Marvel Comics' stories from the 1960s on in large volumes that usually top several hundred 500 pages. The series began in 1997 with the publication of the Essential X-Men No. 1 and The Essential Spider-Man No. 1. Many of the volumes have been printed more than once, with different covers on some of them, so don't let that throw you off when buying. Carefully check to make sure which volume number you are considering. The huge advantage to these volumes is cost: a reader can get 30 or more stories for about what a half dozen new comic books cost, and the old stories have more pages of action per issue. The Essential books are much more cost-effective than buying all the original comics as well.
Marvel Essential Books on Amazon
Collect Them all!
Are Marvel Essentials worthwhile?
Some say the Essential series is a great way for fans to read all their favorite series without having to scout down the old comics and spend a great deal of money. Others say the books just aren't worthwhile because the reprints are in black & white and losing the original colors of the art makes everything look drab. I agree the colors are a major part of enjoying a comic, but I do think the Essentials books are a great deal. I no longer have to go through my collection and pull the original comic out of its protective bag to enjoy an old story. Now, they can sit in a handy volume on my bookcase for me to dip into whenever I want!
Is the Marvel Essentials series worth collecting?
Yes, the books are a great deal for the money!
No, without the original coloring the books just aren't as interesting!
Which Character is Your Favorite?
The Vision? Yellowjacket? Ultron? You Decide!
Roy Thomas introduced a number of characters in this run of the Avengers that have become mainstays of the Marvel Universe. It is amazing that stories more than 40 years old are still influencing comic books today, but that's also what makes the comic books so much fun. I'd like to hear which of the characters introduced in this volume is your favorite. The image here of the Vision fighting Ultron is from the back cover of the Marvel Essential book. Both characters debut in this collection. I think the Vision is probably the one that is the most popular and most important, but I always liked Yellowjacket as he appeared here and in the Defenders. Now it's your turn to speak up!
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Buy This Classic Avengers Cover For Your Wall!
The Second Appearance of the Vision!
New York Comic Convention 2011
Thousands of Comic Book Fans in One Place!
My daughter and I were able to attend the New York Comic Convention in New York City in October, 2011, and wrote a review of our day there. It was a blast, and we highly recommend a visit to the convention next year for any true comic book fan!
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Don't Forget to Order Essential Avengers Vol. 3!
What Do You Think of the Avengers?
Here's Your Turn to Speak up!
What do you think of this Marvel Essential: Avengers Vol. 3, The Avengers, the artists or just this lens? This is your chance to comment!
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sabrebIade
Feb 15, 2012 @ 8:53 pm | delete
- I really liked Colan, but I liked him better on Dr.Strange, Daredevil and Dracula. He just had this really good atmospheric style
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by goldenrulecomics
I was a big, big fan of comics back in the 1960s and 1970s, and still have thousands of Marvel comics and DC comics in my attic. The Avengers was one... more »
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