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| Essential Avengers, Vol. 6 (Marvel Essentials) | 
| Authors: Steve Englehart, Roy Thomas, Jim Starlin, Gerry Conway, Bob Brown, John Buscema, Don Heck, Dave Cockrum, Joe Staton, George Tuska, Tom Sutton, Rich Buckler, Joe Giella
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Category: Book
List Price: $16.99
Buy New: $8.99
You Save: $8.00 (47%)
New (21) from $8.99
Avg. Customer Rating:  5 reviews
Sales Rank: 188491
Media: Paperback
Reading Level: Young Adult
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 576
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.4
Dimensions (in): 9.8 x 6.6 x 1.8
ISBN: 0785130586
Dewey Decimal Number: 741.5973
EAN: 9780785130581
ASIN: 0785130586
Publication Date: March 5, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
 Classic Avengers Action August 13, 2008
Essential Avengers Volume 6 is a good addition to the other volumes - it contains some of the core stories that inform things to come. It doesn't have as much of the beautiful art of John Buscema or George Perez (but wait for volume 7, Perez's run is in there most likely).
Some of the George Tuska art inside this volume is very classy - it's old dschool but he really knows how to draw people and their emotions. The character development of the Swordsman in this one is pretty cool, and there is a romantic triangle between Scarlet Witch, Vision, and Mantis.
Also, you get the first appearance of the Legion of the Unliving (although I like the one that happened in the 80's Avengers Annual #16, where the Legion of the Unliving was stacked with undead powerhouses! check that one out if you have not already - great story with art by a lot of different artists - in that one, undead Bucky swats the Wasp and undead Korvac fights Silver Surfer).
The plotlines of the issues in this one are particularly good from start to finish, and it includes a decent origin of the Vision that was retconned out later.
Does Anybody Remember Mantis? May 25, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
The Avengers have seen their share of ups and downs as a comic. Despite a stellar assembly of stars (or not) - in reality, the title often struggled to live up to what it proclaimed to be: The World's Mightiest Heroes. By the last collection of Essential Avengers (# 5), the swinging sixties by Stan and gang were over, and a new cohort of writers took over.
Steve Englehart mans this period of the Avengers with pretty good plotting, but the same problem that plagued the previous collection remains: a lack of strong villains. I have never considered Cornelius Lunt and the Zodiac group (groan) a legit threat to the Avengers - a bunch of guys in animal suits just do not make threatening villains! And Kang the conquerer appears again, and again...
Kang has always been a 2nd rate Dr Doom to me. However, we do get Thanos and Ultron 5 in this - serious baddies. With a dearth of bad guys, Engleheart does a novel turn and even summons up the undead - Frankenstein, Baron Zemo, The Ghost, The Human Torch and Wonder Man - in a strange but colorful yarn.
Much of the book focuses on Mantis (who?). This Asian heroine and the dear Swordsman - feel strained and out of place in the Marvel pantheon. Looking back now, they were hardly the stuff of Marvel legend - but they occupy a sizable part of the narrative here. Although I care little about Mantis, the storyline that Engleheart weaves is compelling enough to follow, Zodiac warts and all. I'm still confused about what a Celestial Madonna is and anyone reading the book, pls. let me know.
Most importantly, we get the Vision's origin story extensively told. And a nice origin of the Kree-Skrull war which I never knew about. This is the highlight of the book. But why Marvel had to employ so many artists and inkers - from Don Heck to George Tuska to John Buscema to Dan Adkins to Rich Buckler to Don Heck and Johnny Craig, etc - it's amazing how many artists took the reigns issue after issue. Although this affects the style and consistency - it's interesting to see how the different styles (many dated now) pan out. No artist took ownership of the Avengers during this period, which reflects badly on Marvel.
Overall, the Avengers were destined for greater things. Engleheart's sometimes convoluted storylines (remember his work on Dr Strange) may not be for everyone. But this is a readable book overall. Not the classic Avengers Assemble we've all come to love, but more like the Avengers Roll Along!
 Avengers Assemble! April 20, 2008
An excellent collection of The Avengers and their ongoing adventures! How could you not like the introduction of Thanos and the recruitment of Beast?!
a Vision discovered April 7, 2008
how's that for a pretentious title? this and vol. 5 of the Avengers have contained most of my favorite stories so far. in this one, we finally get to the origin of the Vision, my favorite Avenger. we learn how and from when he came (i won't ruin it for you if you don't know, but i'd be surprised if anyone reading this doesn't) and his purpose in life.
we also get a double wedding ceremony, magic, racism and all sorts of guest stars.
the reprinting in this is OK. it was designed as a color book, so sometimes the shading is missing, but overall you can tell what is supposed to be going on. besides, for the price, you can't beat it!
now, when's v. 7 coming out?
Avengers Assembled #6 March 16, 2008
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
I've been a long time fan of the Avengers comic book, but I have never fully understood the name. The Fantastic Four were a quartet, the Defenders defended the Earth against evil and the X-Men owed their name to Professor Xavier. The Avengers, however, weren't truly avenging anything. It's just one of those random thoughts that ran through my head as I read Essential Avengers Volume 6.
This volume covers issues 120-140 of the Avengers comic, along with Giant Size Avengers 1-4, Captain Marvel #33 and Fantastic Four #150. Although the exact lineup would change over this time span, the central members would be the Vision, Scarlet Witch, Mantis, Iron Man and Thor. Among others also participating are Black Panther, Hawkeye, Captain America, Beast, Yellowjacket, Wasp and Swordsman. And since this is the team of Earth's Mightiest Heroes, the villains are pretty tough too, including Ultron, Thanos, the Zodiac, Dormammu and Klaw.
The main villain, however, during this set of issues is clearly Kang the Conqueror, who, among other things, has his eyes set on marrying the Mantis who apparently is also something called the Celestial Madonna. Of course, as always, he will fail, but there are a number of marriages in this issue, most notably between the Vision and Scarlet Witch and between Quicksilver and Crystal. This volume will also provide the full origins of both the Mantis and Vision.
As always, the Avengers remain entertaining, and these issues are helped by the presence of many core members - Thor, Iron Man, Hawkeye, Vision and Scarlet Witch - although the other superheroes typically associated with the team - Captain America, Yellowjacket and Wasp - only appear a limited amount. If you are a fan of either the Avengers or mid-70's Marvel, this volume should be read.
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