The Avengers

Biodata

History

Battle of New York and founding

Stark brings the Avengers together on the roof of Stark Tower as the Chitauri invasion begins. Fighting alongside the military, they take on the main pressure of the ground assault around the tower 224 226. Iron Man, Thor, and Loki later combine their attacks against a giant Space Beast; Captain America, Black Widow, and Hawkeye defeat Proxima Midnight; and Hulk defeats Cull Obsidian 237.

After the battle, Tony Stark announces the Avengers' formation and converts Stark Tower into Avengers Tower, their base. The team operates independently, drawing pressure from officials who object to a private superpowered force based in New York 246.

Later operations

• The Serpent's crisis — The Avengers work to contain a rampaging Hulk, then travel to Asgard as volunteers. Several receive weapons made in Nidavellir and fight alongside Thor against Jormungandr, although the enemy is beyond what their combined strength can defeat alone 285 301 302 304.
• Skull Island — During a group trip, they protect noncombatants from mutated beasts. They later support Kong against Dark Mephisto II 319 325 328.
• A.I.M. assault — Iron Man and Thor break an energy shield that had held back Hydra's army. The Avengers push through A.I.M.'s defenses and Extremis soldiers; Hulk intervenes when Aldrich Killian overwhelms Iron Man 362 363.
• Shi'ar encounter — The team investigates a warship approaching Earth and defeats its initial defenders. They cannot overcome its leader, Gladiator, who holds back while defeating them one by one 393 394 395 396.
• Skrull conflict — The Avengers capture a Skrull impersonating the president after the genuine president is rescued. Remaining Skrull forces then begin uncoordinated attacks 612.
• Celestial battle — Stark and the other Avengers join the fight against Exterminator, though their attacks have little effect. The arrival of nine more Celestials leaves even the battle-hardened team struggling to see a way forward 717 720.

Members and associates

• Loki — Fights alongside Iron Man and Thor during the Battle of New York; the context does not establish him as a member 237.
• Black Panther / T'Challa — Receives an invitation to join and supplies a spacecraft for the Shi'ar mission, but initially says he needs time to decide 393.
• Ultraman / Richard Li — Fights alongside the Avengers but is not a member. Captain America nevertheless promises that the team will not abandon him against Izmael 246 469.

Team resources

• Avengers Tower — Stark Tower, remodeled as the team's New York base 246.
• Avenger — A specially modified Stark aircraft used for support; it has not yet been adapted for spaceflight when the Shi'ar warship approaches 362 393.
• Nidavellir weapons — Dwarven-made equipment includes Hawkeye's wind-magic bow, Black Widow's spear, Rhodes's hammer, and Banner's battle axe. Captain America and Iron Man decline new weapons 302.
• Extravehicular suits — Stark equips teammates who cannot otherwise fight in space with suits fitted with propulsion devices 394.

Internal tensions

• Iron Man and Captain America — Their different ideals lead to frequent arguments, though their teammates expect them to reconcile afterward 300.
• Independence and oversight — The team's autonomy attracts government opposition from its founding. Tensions deepen after Stark becomes director of S.H.I.E.L.D.; his Avengers teammates, including Captain America, grow colder toward him 246 660.