38 years ago, I read Avengers #162, and it forever cemented my allegiance to Earth's Mightiest Heroes. I was never an "X" man, and while I enjoyed The Fantastic Four, The Avengers were always my team. I was fortunate enough to come of age in the midst of George Perez's masterful run on the book (and was there when he returned 20 years later). I'm sure his beautiful, detailed, and dizzying panels had everything to do with my attraction to the book. His artwork was (and is) as kinetic as true motion.
This issue is actually Part 2 of a story that featured Ultron decimating the Avengers in a dastardly sneak attack assisted by the mind-controlled Hank Pym (AKA Ant-Man, Yellowjacket, Giant-Man, etc). At the outset of this issue, the remaining Avengers are under the impression their comrades are dead, and while such a thing would never truly be the case, it gives the story an air of tension and rage that fuels The Avengers to live up to their name. This is a battle to the death, and only four members are left standing to beat back their ultimate foe.
Of course, they are victorious, and of course Ultron returned to plague them time and again. He was their Lex Luthor, their Dr. Doom, their Red Skull, their ultimate nemesis.
Back then, and for many years after, I could only imagine what such a battle would look like on the big screen. Once superhero films started being made, I still could not imagine that Avengers would ever be possible. As we all know, Marvel made it happen through meticulous planning and shrewd world building. The first film was a dream come true for me.
Age of Ultron is the icing on that particular cake. Nearly 40 years later, the battle I have longed to see is being realized on screen. I'm sorry Black Panther and Wonder Man could not partake, but I look at it as the distillation of every battle The Avengers ever fought with Ultron on the four color page, with callbacks to nearly all of them (and don't get me started on seeing The Vision on the screen).
I know people are probably getting sick of superhero films and to a degree, they have a right to be. These films (and other blockbusters of its ilk) are making it nearly impossible for so-called average films to be made anymore, and it's entirely possible this particular bubble will burst at some point. However, I will happily ride this wave until it crashes, and I will be forever grateful to the talented men and women who created and chronicled these wonderful characters for what amounts to my entire life.
Avengers Assemble!
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