Kurt Busiek/George Perez
Busiek made his name in comics thanks to his humanistic portrayals of superheroes in the fully painted series Marvels in the 90s. Perez is a veteran artist well known for his hyper-detailed superhero art. Together, they created Avengers stories packed with multilayered characterization and mind-blowing spectacle. Busiek was highly reverent to their history while keeping in mind towards their future. Having Perez show these heroes at their most iconic is pure perfection.
Recommended Reads – Avengers: Ultron Unlimited and Avengers/JLA.
Mark Millar/Bryan Hitch
The roots of the MCU Avengers can be seen in The Ultimates, a contemporary reboot of our favorite heroes that started in 2002. A tougher-than-nails Steve Rogers, an alcoholic Iron Man, a hippy Thor, and a cannibalistic Hulk – this isn’t your father’s Avengers! Writer Millar gives these classic characters and their stories a gritty edge. Artist Hitch’s character designs gives Cap, Thor, Black Widow, Hawkeye, and Scarlet Witch cinematic looks that seem to be the inspiration for their MCU counterparts.
Recommended Reads – The Ultimates Vol. 1-2.
Roger Stern/John Buscema
This writer/artist team defined the team for the 80s. Their stories were all based on the classic Stan Lee template – heroes with relatable problems – executed skillfully. These heroes may save the world on a regular basis but their personal differences get in the way. Stern and Buscema use that as a key plot point in their best story “Under Siege” where the Masters of Evil take advantage of Avengers in-fighting to defeat them and hold them hostage. It’s a real page-turner!
Recommended Reads – Avengers: Under Siege.
Brian Bendis/Leinil Yu
Looking for a fast-paced Avengers story with quick quips and surprise twists? Bendis and our very own Leinil Yu have got you covered! Their stories are packed with so much wall-to-wall action and excitement that you won’t be able to put the book down. From a showdown with the ninja death cult, The Hand to a worldwide Skrull invasion, Yu’s sketchy yet kinetic style unleashes the Avengers like you’ve never seen them before!
Recommended Reads – New Avengers Vol. 6: Revolution, Vol.7: The Trust and Secret Invasion.
Rick Remender/John Cassaday
The Uncanny Avengers series was about the Unity Squad, a team composed of members from both Avengers and the X-Men, dedicated to easing the tension between mutants and humans. Their run was a rather quick four issues yet Remender and Cassaday managed to successfully mix in the X-Men soap opera dramatics with the Avengers’ pulse-pounding heroics. Surprisingly, it made for some grim storytelling – the Red Skull uses Prof. X’s brain to wield his telepathic powers to create a citywide massacre that Unity Squad must stop.
Recommended Reads – Uncanny Avengers Vol. 1: The Red Shadow.
Allan Heinberg/Jim Cheung
These creators injected some much needed youth into the Avengers in their title Young Avengers. Focusing on a group of teenage heroes who assume the mantles of Iron Man, Thor, Hulk, and Captain America, the older Avengers try to prevent them from becoming superheroes because of the risks involved. Things get even more complicated when some of these heroes have a real link with an Avenger gone evil. Heinberg captures the youthful voices of these heroes and it’s entertaining to watch them play off their adult counterparts and Jim Cheung’s character work is a sight behold.
Recommended Reads – Young Avengers Vol. 1: Sidekicks, Vol. 2: Family Matters and Avengers: The Children’s Crusade.
Kurt Busiek/Carlos Pacheco
Yes, Busiek is on this list twice because he also has great synergy with another awesome artist by the name of Carlos Pacheco. Pacheco’s line work is very smooth and has the skills to draw some truly epic crowd scenes that are pleasing to the eye. Plus, his stories with Busiek take the Avengers to some unexpected genres and places – whether it’s the Wild West or the future where Martians have invaded and the last of the Avengers make their last stand – Pacheco is incredibly versatile. Busiek’s scripts may seem outlandish but he always makes sure that his stories are first and foremost about compelling characters more than his exciting plots.
Recommended Reads – Avengers Forever
https://comicattack.net/2009/11/15/twcbgperez/
About the author:
JV Tanjuatco, comic book writer/editor/publisher, founded Comic Book Lab that publishes the comic book titles Mythopolis and War of Whispers (co-created and co-written by him). Comic Book Lab’s most recent project was the graphic novel anthology Stay: 21 Comic Stories authored by Palanca Award winner Angelo R. Lacuesta and illustrated by a stellar line-up of artists including Trese’s Kajo Baldisimo. He has also written articles/reviews for Spot.ph and Ain’t It Cool.
