#korvac saga

[ginge1962]

Avengers #173 - July 1978, cover by George Perez + Terry Austin.

[donnatroyprincessofthemyscira]

Art Edit Credit to Roberto Coltro

[thequiver]

What is the Korvac Saga (1978)?

The Korvac Saga (1977) is a Marvel Comics event focusing around the Avengers and the Guardians of the Galaxy. The story follows the two teams going up against Michael Korvac, a 31st century computer technician punished by the Badoon to become a cyborg. Upon arriving on Earth-616, Korvac tried to download the knowledge of Galactus into himself and became imbued with cosmic power that made him an almost god-like being. Korvac then set out to try to create a global utopia.

You can read the story in the following issues:

Thor (1966) # Annual 6 The Avengers (1963) #167-168, 170-177

[ironmandirectorofsword]

Avengers 177 (1978) by Jim Shooter & David Wenzel

Cover: Dave Cockrum

Korvac Saga

[radroller]

One thing about superhero comics is you’ll see a character and think they’re hot and then one day George Perez will draw them and then you’ll know they’re hot.

[wanderingmind867]

I have opinions about things, sometimes without even having read the thing I'm talking about. This will be one of those times. But bear with me:

Steve Englehart wrote for the Avengers for a while. And his run seems really fun. The Avengers meet The Defenders, Mantis and The Celestial Madonna story sound trippy but fun, then it ends on a high note with him bringing Beast, Moondragon, Hellcat and Wonder Man to the Avengers.

So really I think I would like Steve Englehart's run. Shame everything after that seems miserable. Jim Shooter becomes the Avengers writer shortly after and does the Korvac saga. Now, I haven't read it. But listen: I've read a summary of the final issue. And the final issue in the saga is so stupid that I automatically hate it. Korvac kills all the Avengers except Moondragon and Thor. Moondragon stops him (or something) then erases everyone's memories. So nothing really happened, since nobody even remembers it! It's stupid! At least with Mantis her story doesn't end with her mind wiping everyone! Unless it does, in which case it's awful too. It's a cop-out to end your story like that, and I will not change my mind.

[bestmarvelcomics]

Korvac Saga 002 2015 - Comic Book

[prettywitchiusaka]

One of my favorite Avengers arcs, and all for a low price. How could I say no!?

[brw]

Simon is the Avengers' Jean Grey with how often he dies at this point. Jean has died 5 times in canon (I'm excluding Logan stabbing her a bunch of times in Phoenix: Endsong because I don't think those count, or like, event deaths where she is resurrected like 2 issues afterwards. I mean sustained, actual periods of death), and Simon has thus far died 4 times to date (excluding the Korvac Saga, because everyone died there). He wants to be Jean Grey soooooo bad.

[classicmarvelera]

Remembering The Keeper of Continuity: Mark Gruenwald

Mark Gruenwald stands as a towering figure in the history of Marvel Comics, his career spanning from the late 1970s until his untimely passing in 1996. From his humble beginnings as a writer and fill-in artist to his influential role as Marvel's Executive Editor, Gruenwald left an indelible mark on the comic book industry, particularly through his meticulous attention to continuity and his creative contributions to numerous iconic titles

Check Out Mark Gruenwald's Marvel Masterworks

Early Career and Rise to Prominence

Mark Gruenwald joined Marvel Comics in 1978 under the mentorship of Jim Shooter, quickly establishing himself as a reliable writer and artist. His journey from scripting and illustrating to editorial roles was meteoric. By the early 1980s, he had become an editor for flagship titles such as:

The Avengers: Gruenwald oversaw various story arcs during his tenure, including notable issues like "The Korvac Saga" (Avengers #167-177) and "Under Siege" (Avengers #270-277)

Captain America: His run on Captain America (#307-443) is considered one of the most definitive, exploring themes of patriotism, morality, and the burden of wielding great power

Iron Man: Gruenwald contributed to Iron Man during a pivotal period, overseeing storylines like "Armor Wars" (Iron Man #225-232) which delved into Tony Stark's ethical struggles

Thor: Though not the regular editor, Gruenwald's influence extended to significant storylines such as "The Surtur Saga" (Thor #340-353), which showcased epic battles and Norse mythology

Spider-Woman: He edited various issues during his editorial tenure, contributing to the character's development and narrative direction

What If: Known for exploring alternate realities and hypothetical scenarios, Gruenwald's editorial oversight ensured these stories expanded Marvel's multiverse while maintaining coherence

The Guardian of Continuity

Gruenwald was renowned for his stringent approach to continuity, ensuring that Marvel's vast universe remained cohesive and interconnected. His commitment to maintaining consistency across titles became a hallmark of his editorial philosophy, earning him respect and admiration from both colleagues and readers alike

Contributions as a Writer

Beyond his editorial duties, Mark Gruenwald distinguished himself as a talented writer, crafting compelling narratives that resonated with fans:

Captain America: His writing on Captain America not only shaped the character's moral compass but also introduced innovative storylines such as "The Captain" (Captain America #332-350) where John Walker took up the mantle

Quasar: Gruenwald's creation and stewardship of Quasar (Quasar #1-60) showcased his ability to develop new characters and explore cosmic themes within the Marvel Universe

Squadron Supreme: As both writer and editor, he penned the iconic "Squadron Supreme" series (Squadron Supreme #1-12), a deconstruction of superhero tropes that delved into complex moral and political dilemmas

Inspirations and Mentors

Gruenwald's impact extended beyond his creative work. He inspired characters such as Mobius in the Fantastic Four series (starting with issue #346 in 1990), conceived by Walt Simonson, reflecting Gruenwald's influence on Marvel's mythology of time and continuity. Moreover, he credited Dennis O'Neil, the esteemed comic book writer and editor, as a mentor whose guidance shaped his storytelling sensibilities

Legacy and Impact

Mark Gruenwald's sudden passing in 1996 marked the end of an era at Marvel Comics. His meticulous attention to detail, his unwavering commitment to continuity, and his innovative storytelling continue to inspire generations of comic book creators. His legacy lives on through the characters he shaped and the narrative foundations he laid, reminding us of the enduring power of storytelling to captivate and connect with audiences

In conclusion, Mark Gruenwald's journey from a young writer and artist to Marvel's Executive Editor epitomizes his dedication to comics and his profound impact on the industry. His contributions as a writer, editor, and guardian of continuity have left an indelible mark on the Marvel Universe. As we celebrate his life and work, we recognize his enduring legacy as one of Marvel's unsung heroes, whose dedication to storytelling continues to resonate with fans worldwide

Mark Gruenwald's story is a testament to the transformative power of creativity, dedication, and the profound impact one individual can have on an entire universe of imagination

Check Out Mark Gruenwald's Marvel Masterworks

[brevoorthistoryofcomics]

BHOC: AVENGERS #178

This issue of AVENGERS, frankly, baffled me. We were coming off of the climax of the Korvac Saga the previous month, where the entire Avengers line-up had been killed and only resurrected in the final moments. So my expectation is that we’d see these circumstances followed up on in some way. What I wasn’t anticipating was an unrelated fill-in story, one that looks to me like it may have been…

[sineala]

I am sorry if you have already gotten an ask like this, but I must admit that I am curious. Which avengers runs would you recommend as must reads? Of course, with special reference to stevetony.

So the thing is that there are A LOT of Avengers runs. We are currently on volume 9 of Avengers, and that numbering doesn't even include things like New Avengers, Mighty Avengers, All-New All-Different Avengers, all of which were the main team at some point. (There are of course also a bunch of other teams; Steve is currently on the Uncanny Avengers again.)

If you're looking for Steve and Tony specifically, off the top of my head, these are the main-team volumes that have had both Steve and Tony on them: Avengers vol 1, 2 (technically), 3, New Avengers vol 1, Avengers vol 4, Avengers vol 5, Avengers vol 8. They aren't always on the team at the same time, but that's everything that might conceivably contain them both.

So. I have a lot of recs.

For about the first half of volume 1, basically everything that shows up on lists of classic Avengers stories are a good bet. You definitely at least want the first 16 issues because that's when Steve and Tony first become teammates. But, yeah, things like the Korvac Saga and the Kree/Skrull War are probably things you will want to read anyway. (The Korvac Saga is the time Steve punches Tony in the face that, weirdly, fandom doesn't talk about much.)

I know volume 1 has nearly 400 issues but you can actually knock out everything after about #230 because that's approximately when Tony leaves the team because he's drinking again (there are some issues afterwards of the Avengers, mostly Steve, expressing concern) and eventually goes to the West Coast Avengers, and he and Steve aren't main-team together until vol 3. Tony does come back for the big events, though. But, yeah, you can basically stop slightly after Steve learns Tony is Iron Man (216) if you want them as regular teammates. In terms of what you might need to know from the second half of volume 1, the big thing that shows up in Steve/Tony fic is Operation Galactic Storm, because Steve and Tony have a big ol' fight by the end of it, and eventually end up resolving everything else they've fought about in arcs like Armor Wars (you did not ask for Iron Man recs, but, you know, maybe read that). Other than that, there's not much you need to know for Steve/Tony purposes because they mostly aren't together. But if you want to read things that are good anyway, I would highly recommend Under Siege, in which the Masters of Evil invade the Mansion (and destroy the only photograph Steve has of his mother). (There is a recent follow-up issue to Under Siege -- Avengers: Loki Unleashed -- by the original writer, Roger Stern, in which Tony does show up in New York to help the team rebuild.) It's not part of Avengers, but you might also want to consider reading some of the big events. I mostly mean Infinity Gauntlet when I say this. The other events in Avengers v1 that get fic mentions are The Crossing and Onslaught, but I swear you don't have to read them.

Volume 3 is my personal favorite and I think it really hits the sweet spot of being a classic Avengers run where everyone lives in the mansion and are friends together, but with more modern art and storytelling conventions. Steve and Tony aren't on the team together for the entirety of the Busiek/Pérez run which is the first half of the volume (and in fact Steve leaves for a reason that is Not Great), and it's not the absolute shippiest volume in the world but I think it's an incredibly solid run. Like, if you want A Really Good Avengers Run, read this run. Steve and Tony are back on the team for most of the second half of the run, which includes Red Zone. You absolutely want to read Red Zone.

After this, Marvel mostly starts new volumes when the creative team changes, which makes them slightly easier to keep track of, except then there's about five years where there isn't a comic called "Avengers," which is more confusing again, so there's really no winning here. Anyway, after vol. 3, we get Avengers Disassembled (which you probably should read just because you should know what happens) and the mansion explodes and everyone moves into the tower and we get New Avengers.

The first half of New Avengers vol. 1 -- which is the beginning of Bendis' Avengers run -- is what a lot of Steve/Tony fans (including me) imprinted really hard on. There are about twenty issues of them putting a team together and being co-leaders and it's really sweet and they work amazingly well together and you will probably really like it... and then Civil War happens and everything is bad and wrong and then Steve dies and stays dead for a few years and that is, uh. Less happy. You will probably want to read all the stuff after that anyway. I have a reading order for that around here somewhere.

Eventually Steve comes back to life and Avengers Prime happens (and you should read Avengers Prime) and we get Avengers vol. 4, which is the end of Bendis' Avengers run. I actually really enjoy vol 4. It is my Underrated Fave. Steve only rejoins the team, technically, for the second half of the run (for the first half he's running the Secret Avengers, which he hates), but he's around for a lot of the first half anyway because he just can't stay away from Tony. It's an interesting Steve/Tony dynamic because Steve remembers Civil War and he's pretty depressed and pretty angry and it's kind of like "what if you couldn't stand to be in the same room with the person you loved most?" because they clearly want to be around each other but they don't really seem to remember how to be friends with each other anymore but they still have a lot of feelings about each other and the best they can manage is A LOT OF SCREAMING and they're like "is this how friendship works???" and the rest of the team is like "no???? stop screaming." Because of course they want to scream at each other about their feelings in public in front of all their friends like two people who have a normal amount of feelings about each other.

This is Avengers v4 #9. This is their teammates watching them having a screaming fight. I wasn't kidding.

And then halfway through they figure out how to be friends again and because it's their particular kind of friendship it involves, like, Steve just gently touching Tony's neck while they are having a conversation.

That is Avengers v4 #18. You'd think Steve would rather put his hand on Tony's shoulder. Like a regular friend. You would really think he would do that. That doesn't appear to be the thing Steve is doing here.

Issue 19 gives us this panel which is basically their entire relationship:

The last arc of v4, where they get Jan back, is one of my favorite Avengers arcs. It's just... the classic Avengers being Avengers, and it's a lot of fun.

So, yeah, Avengers v4 is my Underrated Fave. But also it probably helps to have read the entire rest of Bendis' Avengers run first (or at least New, Mighty, and the major events -- Civil War, Secret Invasion, Dark Reign, Siege), which is a lot to ask.

And then you get Avengers vol 5, which is Hickman's Avengers run. Reading this run is kind of an all-or-nothing thing, because it tells one story that goes through Avengers v5, New Avengers v3 (if you're wondering what happened to v2, it's just that it's a team neither Steve nor Tony were on), Infinity, and probably also Secret Wars, in a very precise order. This is about a hundred issues. (If you are deeply into Hickman's work, before this you would want to read Secret Warriors and his Fantastic Four run. Which is about the same number of issues again.) It's a big commitment.

Hickman's run was the run that was going on when I joined this fandom -- I actually got into 616 Steve/Tony the week that Avengers v5 #29 came out, which was a hell of a week to pick -- and I think honestly I liked it better when it was coming out. Hickman is a very plot-driven writer, which means that a lot of big epic stuff happens, but it also means that characters often get slotted into positions in the narrative because someone needs to do a thing and I feel like there's often not a lot of consideration about whether this particular character would do that thing. When this was the first run I was reading, I didn't have a feel for the characters and I trusted that Hickman knew them better than I did, but at this point I have read enough Avengers that I have developed Opinions (as every comics fan does at some point; comics is kind of unique as a fandom in a "build your own canon" way) and my opinions are not really the same as Hickman's. Also at the time, it hadn't ended yet, and I thought the ending was a disappointment.

However, if what you want is a big, epic, universe-changing Avengers story in which Steve and Tony are main characters and how they feel about each other is absolutely integral to the plot... well. That's what Hickman's Avengers run will get you. As a Steve/Tony shipper, it's hard to imagine there ever being another Avengers run where Steve and Tony's feelings for each other are what so much of the run hinges on. So this is that.

After that, the universe ends (don't worry, it's fine), and then there's a period of time where Steve and Tony are on different teams. Then Steve is secretly evil for a while, and then Tony is dead for a while (while Steve is secretly evil), and then we get Avengers vol 8, which is Jason Aaron's run, which recently ended. Steve and Tony were both there and neither of them were evil or dead, which was nice, and somehow this run lasted five entire years and I just thought it was... mostly okay...? Steve and Tony didn't have a lot of interaction with each other. Some of the events during this time period were pretty good, though. AXE Judgment Day was the standout for me, though I think a lot of us who like villain AUs have mined and are continuing to mine Secret Empire for some angst material. That was before Aaron's run started, though.

Currently we are on Jed MacKay's volume 9, and Steve is not on the main team, though Tony is.

So, yeah, I'd have to say that my picks are some of the classic v1 arcs, v3, at least the beginning of NA v1, v4 provided you have read everything after NA v1, and v5/NA v3 if you're into that. Hope that helps!

[teatitty]

Wanda didn't really have anythin to do at the end of Korvac Saga unfortunately but overall Korvac Saga is easily one of the stronger arcs/events they've done so I do recommend it! And with that my read for the night is over I just wanted to get that event done

[ironmandirectorofsword]

Avengers 176 (1978) by Jim Shooter, David Michelinie & David Wenzel

Cover: John Romita Jr

Korvac Saga

[wanderingmind867]

I once mentioned how I had a reading list for Marvel in my phone's notes app. I've tried to sort it by character, and it's mostly just a collection of Marvel Masterworks so far. I'm mostly reading whatever I can find online, of course. (if I can't find a masterwork, I read whatever I can find online). Here's some of it:

Marvel Masterworks: The Fantastic Four Vols 1-19: Everything from issue #1 to issue #218, right before John Byrne starts writing. For me, all this is peak fantastic four. Because as previously noted, I don't think I'd care for John Byrne's run.

Marvel Masterworks: Iron Man Vols 1-12: Everything from the beginnings back in Tales of Suspense, down to Iron Man #112. So everything up to right before the Demon in a Bottle storyline, give or take a few issues.

Marvel Masterworks: The Avengers Vols 1-16 and 18: Everything from Issue #1 up to Issue #163. All of Stan Lee, Roy Thomas and Steve Englehart's runs. Then I refuse to read Masterwork 17, because I hate the Korvac saga. So we pick back up for our finale with volume 18 and issues #178-188. Or the issues directly preceding the disastrous issue #200, give or take a bit.

Marvel Masterworks: The X-Men Vols 1-7: All the old stuff. The entire original X-Men stories, from #1 to #66. Plus the solo Beast stories from the 70s, and some other solo or crossover related X-Men stuff. This is the last X-Men thing I'll read, as I hate Chris Claremont's X-Men. Quite a lot.

Marvel Nasterworks: Nick Fury, Agent of Shield Vols 1-3: All Nick Fury's classic spy stories. These seem fun, honestly. I haven't read much spy fiction, but this sure sounds more interesting than Nick Fury's old ww2 stuff.

This is just some of it. If you want me to share more, I can try to. it'll probably be a bit dull to read, but it might be nice to share it.