Avengers #1Avengers #1
Title: "The Coming of the Avengers!”
Writer: Stan Lee
Penciller: Jack Kirby
Inker: Dick Ayers
In Asgard, Loki is still prisoner on the dreaded isle of silence plotting revenge against Thor. Loki says that it is Thor’s fault that he is trapped there, but that even though his body is trapped there that no one can stop his magical powers from roaming the universe looking for revenge. Using thought projection, Loki sends his disembodied self down the Rainbow Bridge so he can draw Thor back to Asgard where he can defeat him. Loki watches Donald Blake treating a patient. Loki says that defeating Blake would be nothing to him and that it would be a hollow victory. Loki says that only by defeating Thor will his revenge be complete. Loki says that it will require a fearful menace to make the “dull doctor become the mighty thunder god!” Loki sets out to find the menace.
After hours of looking, Loki spots the Hulk leaping through the air. He wonders how the human figure is flying, but realizes that Hulk is leaping. Loki realizes that he is looking at the Hulk. Loki says that though there is no evil in his heart that mankind still fears him because of his awesome strength. Loki says that Hulk will be the perfect foil for him. Hulk is leaping over a railroad trestle. Loki causes him to see a few sticks of dynamite on the trestle. Hulk reaches for the dynamite, but because he is not there Hulk smashes into the railroad tracks. The train conductor says to stop the train because something smashed into the tracks, but the man with him says that there is no way to stop in time. Loki says that this will work perfectly. He says that when the train crashes the Hulk will be blamed and Donald Blake will turn into Thor to come after the Hulk. Loki watches as Hulk carries a boulder under the trestle. Hulk gets up on the rock and looks through the tracks at the coming train. The conductor sees the Hulk and says that he must be the one that did the wreckage to the tracks. Hulk braces himself against the rock and holds up the tracks until the train has passed over safely. The tracks fall apart as Hulk lets go after the train is completely over. Loki says that Hulk saved the train, but that he is the only one that knows. The humans will think that he was trying to kill them and the hunt will be on. Loki says that Thor will live again all because of his scheming.
Hours later, the newspapers are released with the headline, “HULK IN ATTACK ON TRAIN!” Rick Jones is reading the newspaper and says that he knows that the Hulk would never do anything like that, but then even Rick wonders if the Hulk would do that. Rick gathers together his newly formed Teen Brigade, a group of ham radio enthusiasts. Rick says that if the Hulk is innocent that he is going to need help fast, but that if he is guilty that it will take more than an army to bring him in. Rick says that they have to contact someone with equal powers like the Fantastic Four. He tells them to start sending out on the FF’s special wavelength to contact him before anyone gets hurt. As the radio waves fly through the air Loki spots them and says that the Fantastic Four will ruin everything. He says that it is Thor that he wants and no one else. Loki uses his mental powers to divert the radio waves to a frequency that Loki knows that Donald Blake is listening to.
The message comes through to Don Blake with, “…contact Teen Brigade! Hulk must be found! Do you read us?” Don Blake says that sounds like a call for Thor. Dr. Blake recalls that the Teen Brigade is located in the southwest, and that if it involves the Hulk that it must be serious. He taps his cane against the ground and is transformed into Thor.
Unknown to Loki, others have also heard the radio message and figured it was for them. Wasp hurries back as Ant-Man is preparing to go to find the Teen Brigade. Wasp says to wait for her. Ant-Man says that he didn’t think she was coming, and that he doesn’t understand why she has to stop and powder her nose every time they have a mission. Wasp says that Hank is starting to sound like a “stuffy old bachelor again. Hank says that he intends to remain that way. He tells her to be quiet long enough for him to activate the double catapult. The catapult shoots them into the air and they land on a couple of flying ants. Wasp asks why she has to use the flying ants since she has wings of her own.
Tony Stark also hears the message. He says that it is lucky that he was listening because things have been pretty dull around there. As he gets into the Iron Man armor, Stark says that he always wondered if the Hulk really existed and if Iron Man’s strength could match him. Stark says that he will propel himself most of the way on his solar battery. He says that it is slower than the transistors, but that it lasts longer. After a few hours of cross-country flying, Iron Man switches back to transistors and speeds along.
Meanwhile in the main clubroom of the Teen Brigade, they sit around waiting for word from the Fantastic Four. They wonder if maybe the Fantastic Four never got the message, but Rick wonders if they just can’t be bothered answering a bunch of kids. Suddenly Rick hears something. He says that it is the Fantastic Four. Reed tells Rick that they just intercepted Rick’s message. He says that it was broadcast on the wrong frequency somehow. Thing mumbles that every time there is something heavy to be lifted that Reed gets a message from the radio. Sue says that Thing knows that he always gets mike fright when he tries to use the radio. Reed says that they are wrapped up in another case right now, but that according to his calculations there are others that should have gotten the message. Reed says that if they don’t get help soon to give him a call back.
After the transmission is cut, they are wondering what Reed meant by others helping them. Rick says that he thinks that Reed was just passing the buck, but suddenly Thor is standing behind them. The Teen Brigade is stunned, but Thor asks why they look so surprised. He asks if they didn’t send for him. Ant-Man, Wasp, and Iron Man all enter the room as well. Iron Man says that it looks like the gang is all there. Wasp asks Hank if he saw that “gorgeous Thor”. She wonders how she can get him to notice her. Hank tells her to stop acting like a lovesick female and slip behind the lens that he brought with him. He says that he is adjusting it so that it will project their images on the wall. Ant-Man and Wasp appear on the wall. Ant-Man says that they heard that he needed help and that it looks like they are going to get it. Rick says that this is more than they had dared hope for.
Back in Asgard, Loki says that this complicates things for him. He says that he is only interested in Thor and that he doesn’t want anything to do with the others. Loki creates a mental image of the Hulk and has it leap past Thor’s line of vision. Thor runs outside. He says that there is no need to disturb the others, and that no matter how fast the Hulk can leap that he can follow. Thor follows Hulk and says that it is strange that Hulk isn’t reacting to him following him at all. “Hulk” finally goes to pick up a boulder so Thor throws his hammer at him. The hammer passes right through Hulk and Thor realizes that only Loki could be responsible. Thor speaks out loud to Loki. He says that he doesn’t know what his plan is, but that he warned him about meddling in the affairs of Earth. Thor says that now Loki is defying him. Thor goes up the Rainbow Bridge to contend with Loki. Loki says that when Thor gets there however that he is the one that will emerge victorious.
Iron Man says that Thor has disappeared, but that he is sure he and Ant-Man can find the Hulk and learn the truth. Rick says that if Hulk really is on a rampage to be careful because Hulk is stronger than anyone suspects, but if he is innocent that he should not be hurt.
As he is being hunted and hounded, Hulk
takes refuge with a traveling circus as he wonders what to do
next. 
Hulk is
performing in a clown outfit. He is juggling an elephant, a
horse, and a seal. The ringmaster calls attention to
“Mechano” the world’s most powerful life-like
robot on Earth. As Hulk performs, the ringmaster is telling some
people that finding that robot was the greatest thing that ever
happened to them. He says that they have been sold out every
night since then. One of the men says that Mechano sure does look
alive, but that it couldn’t be because nobody could be that
strong. “Mechano” lifts the entire cage with the
lion-taming act into the air. An ant is watching the act from the
ground and sends a message to Ant-Man.
Ant-Man says that an ant has seen an incredibly strong performer in a circus that could be the Hulk. Ant-Man and Wasp go ahead to give the ants their orders. He says that Iron Man will follow them. Wasp says that Iron Man is hideous and that she wishes that he had disappeared instead of the “dreamy Thor”. Hank asks if she ever thinks about anything else, but then he spots the circus and sends ahead some orders for the ants.
The ants dig below the Hulk as he performs and weakens the ground. The ants cause a cave in and Hulk falls into a hole. Hulk is trapped in the crevice. He says that this can’t be a coincidence, and that someone must be wise to him. Hulk says that he has to get out. Hulk flexes his muscles and pounds until he is free. Hulk leaps out of the ditch. Ant-Man flies by and sees that it is indeed the Hulk. Hulk sees the bugs fly by his face, but then realizes that they were tiny people. Hulk says that he doesn’t like this and that he is getting out of there. Ant-Man sees Hulk leaving and goes to the microphone to try and talk to Hulk. Wasp says that she wouldn’t want to meet Hulk in a dark alley… or even a light one. Ant-Man says, “Wait! This is Ant-Man talking! I know who you are! I must speak to you! If you’re innocent, I’ll help you! I’m your friend!” Hulk tells him to go away. He says that he doesn’t speak to anyone and that he has no friends. Ant-Man says that if Hulk won’t stop that he will make him stop. Ant-Man commands his flying ants to release a steel cylinder. Hulk says that Ant-Man is a fool and that nothing can hold him, but Ant-Man tells him not to be so sure as the steel cylinder falls over Hulk.
The crowd thinks that this is all part of the show and cheers wildly. Hulk shreds the steel cylinder and says that they won’t stop hounding him. He wipes off the clown make-up off and says that he doesn’t care who knows who he is. Hulk says that he is going to tear the whole place apart with his bare hands and that nothing can hurt him. The audience starts to panic. Ant-Man tells Wasp to lure him out under the trapeze net and that he will do the rest. Wasp tells Hank not to let him down and that she wouldn’t want Hulk for a permanent playmate. Wasp buzzes around Hulk. Hulk says that she must be an enemy. Wasp wonders how anything as big as the Hulk could move as fast as he does. Hulk says that she thinks that she can escape him because of her size, but that no one escapes the Hulk. Hulk grabs a fireplace blower and blows the air out at Wasp. The wind is so strong that it feels like a hurricane to Wasp. She hurtles out of control and shouts for Henry to help her. Hulk picks Wasp up between his finger and thumb and says that no one can save her now. Suddenly Iron Man is charging Hulk. Hulk forgets about Wasp and she flies out of his hand. Ant-Man radios a message to Iron Man to get Hulk to run towards the center of the arena. Ant-Man explains that he has a trap set up for Hulk. Hulk leaps through the top of the circus net, but gets caught in the trapeze net. Hulk’s leap is so powerful however that he just keeps on going and takes the entire net and circus tent with him as he goes.
Hulk rips off the tent and leaps away again.
Iron Man flies right behind Hulk and says that there is no where
Hulk can go that he cannot follow. Hulk drops to the ground and
Iron Man is unable to stop in time and flies over him. Hulk then
leaps up and smashes into Iron Man damaging his propulsion
battery. 
Hulk starts to
leap into the air. Iron Man says that he can’t go after him
until he has repaired his battery. He calls out to Hulk and says,
“Hulk… wait! I want to help you! Trust me! You
can’t remain a fugitive forever! Come back!” Hulk leaps
away and says that he doesn’t trust anyone.
In Asgard, Thor kneels before Odin and asks
permission to go and see Loki in the Isle of Silence so he can
learn if Loki is responsible for some deviltry on Earth. Odin
says that Thor can go, but warns him that even though he is the
son of his heart that Loki is also his son and that he can’t
interfere with what happens between them. Thor says that he
understands and sets out at night across the Sea of Mist. Thor
says that he knows that Loki must know that he is coming and that
he has must have set traps for him, but that he dare not turn
back no matter what the risk. Thor’s small ship is suddenly
wrapped up in tangle roots that sprout out of the water. Thor
says that he will become overwhelmed in seconds. Thor spins his
hammer around and around. The hammer acts as both a propeller and
smashes the tangle roots into pieces. Thor then comes to an
active volcano. Thor says that must be Loki’s doing, as only
he and Loki know the magic incantation to bring that volcano to
life. Thor sees that the volcano is spewing forth volcanic gas
globules. Thor says that they are capable of sapping the strength
of any god and then leaving him weak and helpless when they
explode. Thor dives into the water to avoid them. Thor swims the
rest of the way underwater to the isle. Loki sees Thor’s
ship approaching and notices that it is empty. He wonders if he
could have defeated Thor so early. A gigantic water spout shoots
into the air and Thor says that the battle is just beginning.
Thor hurls his hammer, but Loki erects an ice shield strong
enough to deflect the blow. Thor says that Loki was expecting him
which means he has committed some foul deed that he knew would
bring him coming to avenge it. Thor says that he will avenge it
and smashes the ice shield into pieces. Thor says that nothing
can save Loki from him this time. Loki asks Thor if he has
forgotten the name of the isle they are on and for whom the isle
was named. Loki says, “The Silent Ones, who live below! The
natural enemies of the gods!… The trolls!” A troll hand
comes out of the ground and grabs Thor’s ankle. Loki says
that Thor has been gone from Asgard for too long if he had
forgotten. Loki says that they are all immortals and super
powerful. Loki says that nothing that lives in Asgard can break
the grip of a troll. The troll wraps around Thor and starts to
drag him below ground. Loki says that this was the trap that he
had planned for him. Loki says that he made a bargain with the
trolls that if they would obey him that he would deliver the
mightiest god to them. Loki says that the troll is going to drag
him below where he will slave in their mines forever. Thor stamps
his hammer and brings a bolt of lightning. The lightning is so
bright that the troll’s eyes cannot bear it. The troll lets
go and falls down its own cavern. Thor says that now it is time
for Loki top taste his vengeance. Thor swings his hammer, but it
passes right through Loki. 
Loki says that
was just a mental image of him, and that he can match Thor trick
for trick. Loki creates many mental images of himself. Thor
starts spinning his hammer so fast that it creates a wind that
carries all the Loki’s off a cliffside. Thor says that only
the true Loki would need to hold onto something to save himself.
Loki says that Thor still isn’t going to get him. He says
that he will jump first. Thor rubs his hammer on the ground and
absorbs the strong flow of magnetic currents that give life to
the trolls below. Loki tries to jump, but he is pulled to
Thor’s hammer like a magnet. Loki asks what Thor is going to
do with him. Thor says that with Odin’s permission that he
is going to take him to Earth where he will find others who are
waiting for him and are almost as powerful as him.
Hulk leaps through the air and is spotted by two pilots on a commercial flight. Iron Man flies up to the window and asks if they have seen the Hulk. The pilots say that it looks like the Hulk was headed to Detroit. Hulk goes inside a huge auto factory. Iron Man tells all the workers to take cover, as the Hulk must be stopped. Iron Man lobs a bunch of tires at the Hulk. Hulk says that Iron Man is wasting his time, and that these can’t hurt him. Hulk says that he is sick of running and that now it is his turn to attack. Hulk uses a belt stretched between two gears as a slingshot and shoots a large metal pole at Iron Man. The pole smashes into Iron Man’s chest and staggers Iron Man backwards. Iron Man tales the pole and reshapes it into a four pronged steel grapple. He says that he has tried to reason with Hulk, but now he is going to play it his way. Iron Man fires the steel grapple and traps Hulk against the wall. Hulk pushes backwards and knocks the wall over. Hulk says that he needs room to move and fight. Iron Man says that he wants to help Hulk, but that maybe the police are right and the Hulk is a menace. Hulk says that does it. He says that once he gets his hands on him that even his iron suit isn’t going to help him. Hulk says that he is done being hounded. Suddenly Thor descends from the sky holding Loki against his hammer. Thor tells them to stop and says that they have no reason to fight. Hulk wonders who Thor is holding on his hammer. Thor says that this is Loki, and that he was the one that planned the train wreck and framed the Hulk for it. Thor says that Loki did it to try and trap him. Iron Man says that it looks like Loki trapped himself. Hulk says that Loki got him into this jam, and tells Thor to let him have Loki. Loki flares up and says that no mortal can lay a hand on him. He says that he has powers that they have never dreamed of. Hulk wonders what is happening, but Iron Man observes the Loki has made himself radioactive. Loki says that he will give Hulk and Iron Man ten seconds to leave so that he and Thor can continue their fight or they are doomed. As Loki is speaking an army of ants swarm over a nearby switch. Loki falls through a trap door and down into a lead lined tank. Wasp closes the door and says that Ant-Man did it.
Iron Man, Hulk, and Thor come down to find
where Loki landed. They find Ant-Man and Wasp there with Loki
trapped. Thor says that this is where the trucks that carry
radioactive wastes from atomic tests bring their loads for
eventual disposal in the ocean. Ant-Man tells Thor that they have
Loki all sealed up. Thor says that Loki can’t stay
radioactive for more than a few minutes and then he will take
Loki back where he belongs. Ant-Man says that before they
separate that he and the Wasp have something to say. Ant-Man
says, “Each of us has a different power! If we combined
forces, we could be almost unbeatable!” Iron Man says that
he is up for working as a team. Thor says that there is much good
that they could do. Hulk says that he is sick of being hunted and
hounded. He says that he would rather be with them than against
them. Hulk says that he will join, but asks what they are going
to call themselves.
Wasp says that
it should be something like the Avengers. Ant-Man says that it
will be the Avengers. Iron Man says that they will fight together
or separately if need be. Hulk says that he pities the guy that
tries to beat them. Thor says that they will never be defeated
because they are the Avengers!
Avengers Files rating: 10 out of 10
Okay the story is a little hokey, but it’s still a classic by any standards. Loki tries to frame Hulk for a train wreck and inadvertently helps create perhaps the greatest superhero team in history. It’s an odd first issue as only Iron Man, Ant-Man, and Wasp really work as a team. Hulk is fighting against them and Thor is working on his own. Kirby does a great job with this issue. Besides Fantastic Four #12 this is one of the first hero vs. hero books and he does a great job especially with the Hulk/Iron Man fight.