This week, TASCHEN will be releasing their latest Marvel Comics library edition with the Avengers' earliest adventures getting reprinted in an oversized format. The collection, which features the original Stan Lee and Jack Kirby stories, a foreword from Kevin Feige, and some incredible art, photographs, and documents, showcases the storied history of Earth's Mightiest Heroes. For Marvel Comics fans, Avengers. Vol. 1. 1963–1965 is a dream collection that's put together in a magnificent fashion.
The Avengers are one of, if not the most, recognizable teams in pop culture. Debuting nearly 60 years ago in Avengers #1 by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby from Marvel Comics, the likes of Thor, Iron Man, Hulk, Ant-Man, and the Wasp, would make up the first iteration of the team. They would soon be joined by Captain America in Avengers #4, solidifying the main version of the group that's appeared in their own comics, movies, books, and just about every piece of media one can imagine. The Avengers series still runs to this day and shows no signs of slowing down. Now, the Avengers' earliest adventures are getting a fantastic collection from TASCHEN.
We got a chance to look at Marvel Comics Libary. Avengers. Vol. 1. 1963–1965 from TASCHEN Books, known for their high-quality printings and collections. The massive collection collects the first 20 issues of the Avengers, which features the stories in oversized print that allows readers to see Kirby's incredible art in an even bigger format. The page quality, colors, and size change are masterfully done, as, unlike some other oversized collections, Avengers Vol. 1 never looks overstretched, faded, or overblown. It's incredible to see the nearly 60-year-old stories with such clarity without taking away anything from the original printings.
Going through each issue and seeing the formation of the Avengers, Earth's Mightiest Heroes meeting Spider-Man, Captain America, and Namor the Sub-Mariner, and the introduction of iconic villains and heroes like Wonder Man and Kang the Conqueror, immerses the readers like never before in the classic Avengers stories. Plus, considering some of the earliest Avengers' first print comics go for thousands of dollars each, it's probably the best way to read the issues without buying the originals themselves.
What makes TASCHEN's Marvel Comics Libary. Avengers. Vol. 1. 1963–1965 such an amazing collection besides the comics themselves is all the extras included within. The book is filled with illustrations, an amazing history of the Avengers from writer Kurt Busiek with original art from Kirby, photographs from the era, documents and notes, as well as a forward from Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige. Every page is showing something important that went into creating the Avengers or helping illustrate its storied history. The attention to detail is outstanding, even in the packaging, as the editions come in a gorgeous box that recreates Avengers #1 on the front and issue #20 on the back, just like the cover and back cover of the collection itself.
The care and quality of the oversized book are evident, as it does a masterful job showcasing the Avengers' earliest history. The Famous First Edition out of 5,000 can be pre-ordered now, while a special edition out of 1,000 is also available. TASCHEN's Marvel Comics Libary. Avengers. Vol. 1. 1963–1965 proves to be a dream collection for any Marvel Comics fan.