All 20 issues #21-40 from 1965-1967 were officially republished in 2016 (same year Captain America: Civil War came out) as part of Marvel’s Epic Collection. It’s a series of paperback combining several issues in one package. As you all know, the highly anticipated “Avengers: Doomsday” will be released next year on December 18, 2026. Which is approximately a week before Christmas. As I prep up for the upcoming MCU installment, I’m gonna read and review several storylines set in the Marvel Universe. Which ones should I review next? Please leave a comment.
Today’s review contains no SPOILERS.
Assembled & Disassembled
Assembled: Stan Lee & Roy Thomas both did a good job (mostly) co-writing all issues.
Don Heck’s artwork resembles Jack Kirby’s vision.
Action Sequences display the team’s skills and abilities against their adversaries.
Chemistry between team members serve as the main highlight. They often squabble yet work as equals.
Pacing for each issue felt stable. 20 issues in one package. More bang for your buck.
You might be wondering why Black Widow’s costume is a black unitard instead of a spy suit. This her early appearance prior to becoming a S.H.I.E.L.D.
The main storyline mostly focuses on Hank Pym trying to reduce back to normal size. After Iron Man & Thor went on their own solo adventures Captain America is left in charge leading the team along with new recruits, Hawkeye, Quicksilver & Scarlet Witch as well as returning original Avenger, Wasp. Together they square off with Enchantress, Power Man, (not Luke Cage) Ringmaster, Kang the Conqueror, Doctor Doom, Attuma, The Collector, Beetle, Swordsman, The Living Laser & Namor.
Hank acquires a new suit renaming himself as Goliath.
If you feel totally lost, callbacks in other comics are brought up in footnotes. You don’t have to got through of ‘em. Stick to the one you’re reading. You’ll be fine.
Once An Avenger feature new characters introduced in a specific issue.
- The Collector – #28
- Bill Foster – #32
- The Sons of the Serpent – #32
Disassembled: Unlike Jeremy Renner’s portrayal of Hawkeye in the MCU, his early days depicts him as a condescending meanie towards Cap.
Issue #22 has a temporary break-up with the team. They later get back together. I find it utterly predictable. Why? Because you pair or more will put their differences aside and get back together.
I swear to The Watcher I’m not making this up. In issue #35, Living Laser hires a group of Hispanic mercenaries to battle The Avengers. During a fight, one of them yells, “Caramba!” I couldn’t take them seriously. As if this were a scene from “Blazing Saddles.” Just like this one line, “We don’t need no stinkin’ badges!”
The Final Verdict: B-
Despite blemishes, The Avengers: Once An Avenger is an average follow-up to the first twenty issues in the first volume, “Earth’s Mightiest Heroes.” If you’re interested in reading Avengers early comics, either buy physical copies from Marvel’s Epic Collection or subscribe digitally to Marvel Unlimited. It’s your call. They’ll keep you busy until Avengers: Doomsday comes out next year.
Nickthemoviecritic.com 