The Avengers first appeared in Avengers #1 in 1963, created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby. The comic book team was originally formed to unite Earth's mightiest heroes—Iron Man, Thor, Hulk, Ant-Man, and the Wasp—against a common threat, Loki, who was attempting to conquer Earth. The Avengers comics became a major part of Marvel's publishing universe, with numerous iterations, storylines, and characters joining over the years. Key arcs included the Kree-Skrull War, the formation of the West Coast Avengers, and stories involving the villainous Ultron and Thanos. Over time, new characters like Captain America, Black Panther, and Hawkeye were integrated into the team, and the series expanded into various spin-offs, miniseries, and crossovers. The Avengers' storylines often explore the dynamics of a team of superheroes from different backgrounds and the challenges they face while defending the Earth from powerful threats, including cosmic entities and interdimensional invaders.
In addition to its comics, the Avengers were brought to life on-screen, beginning with the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) film The Avengers in 2012, which brought together established characters from previous MCU films such as Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Hulk, Black Widow, and Hawkeye. The MCU's Avengers films built upon the team's comic roots, incorporating major story arcs like the Infinity Saga, which culminated in Avengers: Infinity War (2018) and Avengers: Endgame (2019). These films adapted key comic storylines, particularly the Infinity Gauntlet arc, where Thanos seeks the powerful Infinity Stones to reshape the universe. The Avengers films, directed by Joss Whedon, Anthony Russo, and Joe Russo, not only redefined the superhero genre but also expanded the Avengers' influence beyond comic pages into pop culture, with new characters like Black Panther, Spider-Man, and Doctor Strange joining the team in later MCU installments. The Avengers franchise has inspired a wide range of merchandise, including action figures, toys, gifts, collectibles, and apparel, allowing fans to bring home their favorite heroes and iconic moments from the comics and films.