Waiting for the Trade by Bill Miller Avengers: The Big Three by Steve Englehart, Stan Lee, Gerry Conway, Jim Shooter, Kurt Busiek, George Perez, Jack Kirby and many others. collects Captain America 176, Avengers 150-151, 215-216 and 224, The Terminatrix Objective 1-4, Avengers (vol3) 21 and Thor 81. Why I Bought This: This was in the discount bin of my favorite comic shop and as I love me some Avengers and this premise could be interesting (see below), why not? The Plot: Released in conjunction with the first Avengers movie, this is not so much a plot as a collection of stories over the years that focus on the relationship of the Avengers “Big Three” of Captain America , Thor and Iron Man. (spoilers below)

Waiting for the Trade Iron Man: Iron Monger by Denny O’Neil (and five artists) collects Iron Man 193-200   Why I Bought This: I always loved Iron Man 200 and thought it would be worth owning the entire Iron Man/Iron Monger saga in trade. The Plot: Tony Stark lost everything due to alcoholism including his company (to Obidiah Stane) and his superhero identity (which he handed off to James Rhodes). Now having recovered from alcoholism he starts putting his life back together.   (Spoilers below)

Waiting for the Trade Emperor Doom by David Michelinie and Bob Hall Why I Bought This: So this is an original graphic novel from the 80s that I had never seen or even heard of until about a year ago when something on the Internet referenced it and I was like that sounds interesting. I eventually tracked it down on Amazon in fair condition for $15.   The Plot: Dr. Doom successfully conquers the world by releasing a mind control contaminant into the atmosphere. Wonder Man, who is made of living energy and doesn’t breathe, proves to be immune. He has to find a way to get through his Avengers teammates and save the day. Spoilers below:

Waiting for the Trade By Bill Miller   Shadowland: Thunderbolts By Jeff Parker, Kev Walker and Declan Shalvey Collects Thunderbolts 148-151   Why I Bought This: It was in the discount bin of my favorite local comic shop and has a hell of an intriguing cover of the Avengers big three taking on Juggernaut, Crossbones and Ghost. Those first two villains can usually both be counted on for a good story, and even though he hasn’t been used since the 80’s Ghost was presented as a serious threat back in the day during Michelene’s Iron Man run. Throw in The Avengers have always been my favorite title and sometimes you just buy a book because the cover looks like it promises a fun fight.   The Plot: The Thunderbolts, now a group of inmates working towards parole by taking government missions under the supervision of Luke Cage, are sent into the Shadowland. Then in the main event for issue 150 three of the most unrepentant members of the team: Crossbones, J...

Waiting for the Trade   by Bill Miller   Avengers Assemble by Brian Michael Bendis and Mark Bagley collects Avengers Assemble #1-8 Why I Bought This: Created in the wake of the film, this features the team from the film taking on Thanos. Despite my distrust of Bendis, I couldn’t wait to read this and as soon as it was collected in trade earlier this year, I ordered it from Amazon. That it also features Mark Bagley’s art and the Guardians of the Galaxy is just gravy. The Plot: Thanos hires the Zodiac to steal items of cosmic power found on Earth and it’s up to the Avengers to stop him.

Waiting for the Trade By Bill Miller Avengers Prime by Brian Michael Bendis and Alan Davis Collects Avengers Prime 1-5 Why I Bought This: I actually rented this from the library, as I don’t like/trust Bendis enough to buy books he writes. Also this is kind of Asgard heavy and that’s not my favorite setting. However, the premise of a mini-series that focuses on the Avengers’ “big three” is definitely something that interests me, so when I decided to rent some trades at the library this was the first one I picked up. The Plot: In the immediate aftermath of Siege Cap, Thor and Iron Man are warped away to Asgard’s nine realms and must battle their way back to each other/home.

Waiting for the Trade By Bill Miller Avengers Assemble Vol. 2 by Kurt Busiek and George Perez Collects 12-23, 0 and Annual ’99 Why I Bought This – As I mentioned a few times the week of The Avengers movie I purchased several trades. This was first on the list with a bullet as I’d waited literally years to read this since the original hardcover volume has been out of print for some time, and I absolutely loved volume 1. Thankfully the movie caused this to be re-released in soft cover. The Plot – This is a collection of sequential issues so it doesn’t have one plot, although the Ultron story at the end is what this collection is famous for. Spoilers ahead.

Waiting for the Trade By Bill Miller Iron Man: I am Iron Man by Peter David Adaptation of the film Iron Man plus Iron Man 200. Why I Bought This: About every three months I get emails from an online comic dealer when they are having overstock trade sales usually with headlines like $3 or less, (and never more than $5 or less). The last time they had that sale this book was listed for $2 with the words “by Peter David” near the title. I’d probably give a phone book written by Peter David a chance if it was only $2.

Waiting for the Trade By Bill Miller Marvel Adventures: Black Widow and the Avengers by Paul Tobin Collects Marvel Adventures Super Heroes 17 – 21. Why I Bought This: There is no comic franchise I love more than the Avengers. The impending movie has my anticipation building to a full on geek-gasm. I stumbled upon this on Amazon at just $4 (and that includes shipping costs) and was like Hell Yeah I’m up for some Avengers stories I haven’t read before the movie comes out. Plus the description promised Diablo and he’s actually my favorite FF villain so I’m more than happy to see him switch foes since I like the Avengers a lot more than the FF.