The definitive, chronological, and up-to-date guide on collecting Young Avengers, Avengers Academy, and other youthful and in-training Avengers comic books via omnibuses and trade paperback graphic novels. A part of Crushing Krisis’s Collecting Avengers Graphic Novels: A Definitive Guide. Last updated April 2024 with titles scheduled for release through July 2024.
The Avengers has not historically included division for younger heroes, unlike the X-Men, whose entire premise was based upon a school. That made sense, since being an Avenger was a serious duty and frequently a job. A random team couldn’t declare themselves Avengers, though they could could be mutants by birth. And from a publishing standpoint, Avengers never had the cache to support more than a handful of titles.
That all changed in 2005 in a series created by budding superstar artist Jim Cheung and TV and film writer Allan Heinberg. In the wake of Avengers Disassembled fundamentally altering the team, a group of teen heroes arose to take on the mantles of their heroes – some of whom had fallen in battle. Inspired by Avengers members like Captain America, Thor, Hulk, Hawkeye, Vision, Iron Man, and Giant-Man, this new group declared themselves Young Avengers.
With the proverbial seal broken and the Avengers brand hotter than ever thanks to the stewardship of Brian Bendis, Marvel seized the opportunity for a decade-long run of titles focused on a next generation of Avengers. While the Young Avengers continued in a string of mini-series, an official training-squad was coined in Avengers: The Initiative, followed by an actual Avengers school in Avengers Academy.
The line-wide Marvel Now relaunch in 2012 brought with it not one but three Avengers titles focused on training squads – a redux of Young Avengers from the hip team of Kieron Gillen and Jamie McKelvie, the Hunger Games inspired Avengers Arena (which became Avengers Undercover), and finally a team of android and robot characters in Avengers A.I.
- Young Avengers (2005) #1-12
- Young Avengers mini-series (2006 – 2011)
- Avengers: The Initiative (2007) #1-35 & Annual 1, Special, & The Initiative Featuring Reptil #1
- The Heroic Age:
- Avengers Academy (2010) #1-39, 14.1, & Giant-Size by Christos Gage
- Marvel Now
- Young Avengers (2013) #1-15 by Kieron Gillen & Jamie McKelvie
- Avengers Arena (2013) #1-18 & Avengers Undercover (2014) #1-10 by Dennis Hopeless
- Avengers A.I. (2013) #1-12 by Sam Humphries
- in All-New, All-Different Marvel & Marvel Legacy (2015 – 2018)
- in Marvel Fresh Start (2018 – Present)
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Young Avengers (2005) #1-12 & Special
While this series relies on the fact that Avengers Disassembled just occurred, there is no prior reading or knowledge required – it’s a fresh start and entirely self-contained! Note that Kate Bishop as Hawkeye has her appearances tracked individually in the Guide to Hawkeye.
This story begins just after Avengers Disassembled and continues across the first 12 issues of New Avengers.
in a single oversize hardcover…
Young Avengers By Heinberg & Cheung Omnibus
(2o22 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1302933890 / digital)
This is effectively a complete edition of every Young Avengers story from 2005 to 2012! Collects Young Avengers (2005) #1-12, Special, & #1 Director’s Cut, Civil War: Young Avengers & Runaways (2006) #1-4, Young Avengers Presents (2008) #1-6, Secret Invasion: Runaways/Young Avengers (2008) #1-3, Dark Reign: Young Avengers (2009) #1-5, Siege: Young Avengers (2010) #1, Avengers: the Children’s Crusade (2010) #1-9, Avengers: The Children’s Crusade – Young Avengers (2011) #1, and Children’s Crusade material from Uncanny X-Men (1963) #526.
in a single comprehensive collection, in multiple formats…
Young Avengers Ultimate Collection (ISBN 0785149074)
Also available in oversized hardcover (ISBN 0785130330). Reprinted in 2017 as Complete Collection.
as originally collected…
#1-6: Young Avengers, Vol. 1: Sidekicks (ISBN 0785120181)
Also available in hardcover (ISBN 078511470X)
#7-12: Young Avengers, Vol. 2: Family Matters (ISBN 0785117547)
Includes Special #1. Also available in hardcover (ISBN 0785120211)
Young Avengers mini-series (2006 – 2011)
The Young Avengers title continued to be evoked for special events through Avengers: The Initiative until the launch of Avengers Academy (which does not feature any of the same characters).
in a single oversize hardcover…
Young Avengers By Heinberg & Cheung Omnibus
(2o22 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1302933890 / digital)
This is effectively a complete edition of every Young Avengers story from 2005 to 2012! Collects Young Avengers (2005) #1-12, Special, & #1 Director’s Cut, Civil War: Young Avengers & Runaways (2006) #1-4, Young Avengers Presents (2008) #1-6, Secret Invasion: Runaways/Young Avengers (2008) #1-3, Dark Reign: Young Avengers (2009) #1-5, Siege: Young Avengers (2010) #1, Avengers: the Children’s Crusade (2010) #1-9, Avengers: The Children’s Crusade – Young Avengers (2011) #1, and Children’s Crusade material from Uncanny X-Men (1963) #526.
as originally collected…
Civil War: Young Avengers & Runaways (ISBN 0785123172)
Collects Civil War: Young Avengers & Runaways (2006) #1-4. Reprinted in 2016 (2016 paperback, ISBN 978-0785195726 / digital)
Secret Invasion: Runaways/Young Avengers (ISBN 078513266X)
Secret Invasion: Runaways/Young Avengers (2008) #1-3
Young Avengers Presents (ISBN 0785129758) out of print
Collects Young Avengers (20o8) #1-6 one-shots focusing on each member of the team.
Dark Reign: Young Avengers (ISBN 0785139095)
Collects Dark Reign: Young Avengers (2009) #1-5 limited series following the events of Secret Invasion.
Siege: Battlefield (ISBN 0785147667)
Siege: Young Avengers (2010) #1 is collected in Siege: Battlefield. Available in hardcover.
Avengers: The Children’s Crusade (ISBN 0785135499)
Collects Avengers: The Children’s Crusade #1-9, which re-introduces Scarlet Witch after a half-decade away from the spotlight. Also includes the B-story from Uncanny X-Men (1963) #526 and Avengers: The Children’s Crusade – Young Avengers (2011) #1. (In X-Men books, this occurs prior to Schism). Also available in oversized hardcover. Reprinted with seemingly no changes in a 2017 paperback.
Avengers: The Initiative (2007) #1-35 & Annual 1, Special, & The Initiative Featuring Reptil #1
This series picks up from the events of Civil War, alongside The Mighty Avengers. However, this book maintains the “Avengers in-training” vibe, and (somewhat) precedes the Avengers Academy ongoing.
in a pair of Complete Collections…
#1-19 & Annual 1: Avengers: The Initiative – The Complete Collection, Vol. 1 (ISBN 978-1-302-90411-1)
#20-35: Avengers: The Initiative – The Complete Collection Vol. 2
Collects Avengers: The Initiative #20-35, Avengers: The Initiative Special #1, Avengers: The Initiative Featuring Reptil #1
as originally collected…
#1-6: Avengers: The Initiative, Vol. 1 – Basic Training (ISBN 0785125167)
Also available in hardcover (ISBN 0785121609)
#4-5: World War Hulk: X-Men (ISBN 0785128883)
This is sometimes titled as “World War Hulk: Marvel Universe.” Includes Avengers: The Initiative #4-5, Ghost Rider #12-13, The Invincible Iron Man #19-20, The Irredeemable Ant-Man #10, and World War Hulk: X-Men #1-3.
#7-13: Avengers: The Initiative, Vol. 2 – Killed in Action (ISBN 0785128611)
Includes Annual 1. Also available in hardcover (ISBN 0785128689).
#14-19: Avengers: The Initiative, Vol. 3 – Secret Invasion (ISBN 0785131671)
Also available in hardcover (ISBN 0785131507). #16-19 later recollected in Skrulls Must Die!: The Complete Skrull Kill Krew
#20-25: Avengers: The Initiative, Vol. 4 – Disassembled (ISBN 078513168X)
Includes the one-shot “Featuring Reptil,” which occurs before issue 20. Also available in hardcover (0785131515).
#26-30: Avengers: The Initiative, Vol. 5 – Dreams & Nightmares (ISBN 0785139052)
Also available in hardcover (ISBN 0785139044).
#31-35: Avengers: The Initiative, Vol. 6 – Siege (ISBN 0785148183)
Includes Avengers: The Initiative Special, which takes place chronologically before issue #20. Also available in hardcover (ISBN 0785148175).
The Heroic Age:
Avengers Academy (2010) #1-39, 14.1, & Giant-Size by Christos Gage
Though this book continues the theme of the Avengers training younger heroes, all of them were invented newly for this title – there is no complex back story to catch up on! Your humble editor feels this was the best and most-consistent Avengers title out in 2011.
as reprinted in paperback Complete Collections…
Avengers Academy: The Complete Collection Vol. 1
(2018 paperback, ISBN 978-1302909468 / digital)
Collects Avengers Academy (2010) #1-12, Avengers Academy Giant-Size #1, Thunderbolts (1997) #147, material from Enter The Heroic Age (2010) #1
Avengers Academy: The Complete Collection Vol. 2
(2018 paperback, ISBN 978-1302909451 / digital)
Collects Avengers Academy (2010) #13-20, #14.1; material from Amazing Spider-Man (1999) #661-662, Fear Itself: The Home Front #1-7, and Avengers: Solo #1-5
Avengers Academy: The Complete Collection Vol. 3
(2021 paperback, ISBN 978-1302923143 / digital)
Collects Avengers Academy (2010) #21-39
as originally collected…
#1-6: Avengers Academy, Vol. 1: Permanent Record (ISBN 0785144951)
Includes portions of Enter the Heroic Age. Also available in hardcover (ISBN 0785144943).
#7-13: Avengers Academy, Vol. 2: Will We Use This in the Real World? (ISBN 0785144978)
Available in hardcover (ISBN 078514496X). Issue #7 also in Ant-Man/Giant Man: Growing Pains.
Avengers Academy: Arcade – Death Game (ISBN 0785156305)
Collects Avengers Academy Giant Size, as well as two classic Arcade stories from Marvel Team-Up (1972) #89 and Spider-Man (1990) #25.
#14.1 & 14-20: Fear Itself: Avengers Academy (ISBN 0785152016)
Available in hardcover (ISBN 0785152008) [Ed. Note: This is really quite good, and not your typical event tie-in fare.]
#21-28: Avengers Academy: Second Semester (ISBN 0785152032)
Available in hardcover (ISBN 0785152024)
#29-33: Avengers Academy: Avengers vs. X-Men (ISBN 0785165819)
These issues are also collected in oversize format in the AvX Companion Omnibus.
#34-39: Avengers Academy: Final Exams (ISBN 0785160329)
Available in hardcover.
Marvel Now:
Young Avengers (2013) #1-15 by Kieron Gillen and Jamie McKelvie
Fan-beloved creators Kieron Gillen and Jamie McKelvie present their take on the Young Avengers with a team of familiar faces Wiccan, Hulking, and Kate Bishop as Hawkeye – plus new additions Marvel Boy, Miss America Chavez, and Loki, and guest stars Speed and Prodigy.
Loki continues from this series to Loki: Agent of Asgard – see Guide to Loki.
in a single oversize hardcover…
Young Avengers Omnibus by Kieron Gillen & Jamie McKelvie
(2014 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-0785191711 / 2021 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1302930059 / digital)
Also includes the introductory Loki & Ms. America Chavez story from Marvel Now! Point One (2012) #1.
in a single paperback complete collection…
Young Avengers by Kieron Gillen & Jamie McKelvie Complete Collection
(2020 paperback, ISBN 978-1302925680 / digital)
Also includes the introductory Loki & Ms. America Chavez story from Marvel Now! Point One (2012) #1.
as originally collected…
#1-5: Vol. 1: Style > Substance (ISBN 0785167080)
Also includes an introductory story from Marvel Now! Point One (2012) #1.
#6-15: Vol. 2: Alternative Cultures
#11-15: Vol. 3: Mic Drop at the End of the Universe
Marvel Now: Avengers Arena (2013) #1-18 & Undercover (2014) #1-10 by Dennis Hopeless
This book pits the Avengers Academy cast and a number of other young heroes against each other in a Hunger Games knockoff designed by joke character Arcade. The creators have promised the senseless deaths of number of the characters in the cast … but the premise may be more than what it seems.
The cast includes Hazmat, Mettle, Reptil, Juston Seyfert, and X-23 from Avengers Academy; Nico and Chase Stein from Runaways; Cammi from the Annihilation events; the newly created Kid Briton, Nara, Bloodstone, Anachronism, and Apex from Braddock Academy; the newly created Death Locket (a teen Deathlok); and Darkhawk.
as recollected in 2018…
Avengers Arena: The Complete Collection
Avengers Undercover: The Complete Collection
as originally collected…
#1-6: Avengers Arena, Vol. 1: Kill or Die (ISBN 0785166572)
#7-12: Avengers Arena, Vol. 2: Game On (ISBN 0785166580)
#13-18: Avengers Arena, Vol. 3: Boss Level (ISBN 0785189289)
Most of the surviving cast members continue to Avengers Undercover, but X-23 continues to All-New X-Men.
#1-5: Vol. 1: Decent
#6-10: Vol. 2: Going Native
Avengers A.I. (2013) #1-12 by Sam Humphries
Spinning out of Age of Ultron, this title focuses on Hank Pym and a team of robotic Avengers.
#1-6: Vol. 1: Human After All
#7-12: Vol. 2: 12,000 AD
Young Avengers in All-New, All-Different Marvel & Marvel Legacy (2015 – 2018)
For Kate Bishop, see Guide to Hawkeye. Wiccan and Hulkling appear in Al Ewing’s New Avengers (2016) & U.S.Avengers (2017) – Guide to New Avengers. Miss America Chavez stars in Al Ewing’s pair of Ultimates series, see Guide to Mighty Avengers & Ultimates and later merits her own 2017 series, simply titled America – collected in America, Vol. 1 and America, Vol. 2.
Young Avengers in Marvel Fresh Start (2018 – Present)
For Kate Bishop, see Guide to Hawkeye.
War of the Realms: War Scrolls (2019) #2 – See Guide to Marvel Universe Events – War of the Realms. Includes a Wiccan and Hulkling story by Anthony Oliveira, “My Drag Brunch with Loki.”
Empyre (2020) – See Guide to Marvel Universe Events – Empyre. Hulkling is the star of this event, and it includes a major change in status quo for him!
King in Black: Wiccan and Hulkling (2021) #1 – See Guide to Marvel Universe Events – Empyre. A one-shot tie-in that follows up on Empyre by Tini Howard, Luciano Vecchio, Espen Grundetjern, & Ariana Maher
Hulkling & Wiccan Infinity Comic (2021) #1-4 AKA Hulkling & Wiccan (2022) #1 – Not collected. A story by Josh Trujillo, Jodi Nishijima, & Matt Milla. A brief magical mishap briefly distracts our couple from their loving relationship.
America Chavez: Made in the USA (2021) #1-5 (2021 paperback, ISBN 978-1302924454 / digital)
The Last Annihilation: Wiccan and Hulkling (2021) #1 – See Guardians of the Galaxy. A story by Anthony Oliveira, Jan Bazaldua, Rachelle Rosenberg, and Ariana Maher that was part of an Al Ewing event between Guardians of the Galaxy and X-Men’s SWORD.
Marvel’s Voices: Pride (2021) #1 – Includes Wiccan & Hulkling and America Chavez. Collected in Marvel’s Voices: Pride (2022 paperback, ISBN 978-1302933692 / digital)
Who Is… America Chavez Infinity Comic (2022) #1 – Not collected
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Original Sins (with an “s”) #1-5 feature the Young Avengers in backup stories throughout all five issues
This guide could definitely use an update with the remainder of the Marvel Now and then the ANAD action from the kids!
The Civil War and Secret Invasion crossovers are also collected together in Runaways Complete Collection Vol 2
Missing Avengers Academy: The Complete Collection Vol 3 which collects; Avengers Academy (2010) 21-39
Also, Avengers Academy Giant Size comes between issues #12 and #13
Marvel Now: Young Avengers is also collected in a paperback Complete Collection from 2020 with all the same content; 978-1302925680
Issue #7 of Avengers A.I. is an Inhumanity tie-in
Issue #8 of Avengers A.I. is stated to take place before Uncanny Avengers (2012) #14
Issue #9-10 are also stated to occur before Uncanny Avengers (2012) #14