One of Marvel’s earliest and most popular crossovers is recollected in the reprint of The Avengers/Defenders War Epic Collection.
The reissue of 2018’s Epic Collection contains the famous battle and team-up from the summer of 1973 as the combined might of The Avengers and Defenders is on display for nostalgic, long-time fans, as well as those first discovering the world of comics.
The Epic Collection includes the original six-part crossover from Avengers #115-118 and Defenders #8-11, as well as Avengers #119-128, Giant Size Avengers #1, Captain Marvel #33, and Fantastic Four #150.
In addition to the “The Avengers/Defenders War” storyline, the reprint is packed with other highlights from the early 70s era, including the origin of Mantis, a battle with the Zodiac, the first battle between the Avengers and Thanos over the Cosmic Cube, a visit from Golden Age heroes Miss America and the Whizzer, wedding bells for Quicksilver and Crystal, the returns of Ultron, Klaw, and the Collector, a two-part Avengers/Fantastic Four crossover, and a ton of drama caused by the developing love triangle between the Scarlet Witch, the Vision and Mantis.
Bonus material from Marvel magazine Foom! of rare Avengers pinups, profiles, etc. are also included in the collection.
The Avengers/Defenders War features the main title’s writer Steve Englehart, as well as the work of Jim Starlin, Roy Thomas, Gerry Conway, Bob Brown, Sal Buscema, John Buscema, Don Heck, Dave Cockrum, Mike Esposito, Frank Giacoia, Joe Staton, Frank McLaughlin, Frank Bolle, Dan Adkins, Klaus Janson, Joe Sinnott, and Rich Buckler.
This edition marks the sixth time that the storyline has been collected, beginning in 2002, followed by a variety of editions (including one hardcover edition) in 2007, 2011, 2018, 2019, and once again in 2022. All of the previous collections, other than 2018’s first print of the Epic Collection, only contain the original six issue crossover event.
The Avengers/Defenders War Epic Collection contains 456 pages for a suggested retail price of $39.99 and is now available at your local comic shop.
Check out John Romita Sr.’s cover below (originally published on the front of Avengers #119) and keep coming back to Conskipper for all of your classic comic news.
