What do you think you really know about Avengers comic books? Do you know that in the Marvel comic books, Jarvis is a real person? Are you aware that the Avengers comic books only exist because an artist in 1963 missed his deadline on another comic book?
Do you know that there is another Avengers team that existed before the comic book?
Here are five things you should know about Avengers comic books, especially if you are a casual or new to comic books.
1. Jarvis is a Real Person in the Avengers Comic Books
In the MCU Avengers and Iron Man films, everyone knows who J.A.R.V.I.S. is – the sentient A.I. and confidente computer program employed by Tony Stark.
J.A.R.V.I.S. is an acronym for “Just a Rather Very Intelligent System.” Some of the best scenes in 2008’s Iron Man is Stark all alone, perfecting his armor and being cautiously guided by J.A.R.V.I.S. (J.A.R.V.I.S. is voiced in the early MCU films by Paul Bettany, who would later portray Vision.)
Jarvis the Human
However, in the early Avengers comic books, J.A.R.V.I.S., the A.I. program did not exist. J.A.R.V.I.S. was Jarvis, the human butler. (Jarvis did exist in the MCU, but in the early 20th century as a worker for Howard Stark. The character was portrayed in the Peggy Carter TV show, but that is another can of worms.)
In the comic books, Jarvis is the human, witty, and caring butler for the Avengers. Jarvis is to the Avengers what Alfred is to Batman.
If you want to understand what Jarvis, the human butler, means to the Avengers, I recommend reading Avengers comic books #273 through #277. In this 1987 storyline, the Master of Evil, as led by Baron Zemo, invade Avengers Mansion and destroy it.
The Absorbing Man and Titania, superpowered villains, beat Hercules into a coma. Mr. Hyde, a Marvel iteration of the Jekyll and Hyde character, then savagely beats Jarvis in front of a bound Captain America, who can do nothing but watch. The poignant storyline would show how dangerous it is for a human butler to serve Earth’s Mightiest Heroes.
2. Captain America was NOT an Original Member
Modern comic book storytelling is not produced in the same manner as it was in the 1960s.
Before 2008, Iron Man was not popular. The Guardians of the Galaxy were not popular. Captain America was NOT popular.
Comic book characters like Dr. Strange, Captain America, and the Guardians of the Galaxy had staunch fans, but their popularity would wane or surge over decades. So, comic book publishers would use various tactics to gauge the popularity of characters.
In the 1950s and 1960s, anthology comics were popular. And comic books were heavily regulated by censorship authorities. Comic book characters had to prove they would sell to get a book.
Captain America was not a member of the Avengers at first. In the first Avenger comic books, the first members were Ant-Man, Thor, Hulk, and Iron Man. Captain America did not join the team until issue #4.
3. The Avengers Comic Books Only Exist Because of a Missed Daredevil Deadline
The Avengers comic books as we know them would not exist at all if a Marvel artist had not become woefully late on his deadlines.
Artist Bill Everett was tasked with drawing Daredevil #1, which was supposed to come out in 1963. However, Everett would end up being several months late producing the comic. Daredevil #1 was not published until 1964.
Marvel comics had already booked printing time for Daredevil #1. And if they didn’t use it, they would lose a lot of money.
Legendary writer and artist Stan Lee and Jack Kirby were renowned for working quickly and meeting deadlines. The duo quickly brainstormed the Avengers comic, and its printing took the place of the delayed Daredevil.
Think about it – if Daredevil #1 had been printed on time in 1963, the Avengers comic books might never have existed.
4. The Avengers Comic Books Were Inspired by The Justice League
As previously mentioned, the Avengers comic books exist because of a missed Daredevil publishing deadline.
The inspiration for Stan Lee and Jack Kirby’s brainstorming was to model the Avengers after DC Comic’s Justice League. The Avengers #1 came out in 1963. The first Justice League comic came out in 1960.
5. Marvel Trademarked “The Avengers” Too Late
There was a 1960s spy series called The Avengers that debuted in the UK in 1961. It starred Patrick Macnee and Diana Rigg as British spies fighting evil.
The UK Avengers appeared two years before Marvel Avengers comic books.
Marvel did not get around to trademarking the “Avengers” name until 1970. When the MCU film debuted in the U.K. in 2012, it was titled “Marvel Avengers Assemble” so as not to infringe on the U.K. trademark.
Avengers By Busiek & Perez Omnibus
This 1,248-page hardcover collects some of the greatest Avengers comics from the late 1990s. Depending on who you ask, this is one of the best eras for Avengers comics. This hardcover collects Avengers #24 through #56 by writer Kurt Busiek and legendary artist George Perez from their 1998 run.
The Avengers must contend with the new team on the block, the Thunderbolts. The team also has to fight rampaging Hulks, Count Nefaria, and the continuous threat of Ultron. One of the major storylines from this run involves the Avengers fighting Kang the Conquerer, and losing.
Buy the hardcover now for only $65 at Amazon. The trade is also a great jumping on point for casual readers and Normies who are new to Avengers comics and don’t know where to start.
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