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Young Avengers Reading Order

When Brian Michael Bendis took over the Avengers in 2004, the writer started by dismantling the team in the “Avengers Disassembled” crossover storyline. The Earth’s Mightiest Heroes were no more, raising the question: who would protect the Earth? From the aftermath of this story, two new Avengers teams emerged. The New Avengers took over the place of the classic Avengers, with the creative team of Brian Michael Bendis and David Finch, while another team was introduced not long after: The Young Avengers.

Created by Allan Heinberg and Jim Cheung, the Young Avengers focused on teenage heroes who were either inspired by the classic Avengers or related to them. These young heroes united to fill the gap left by the original Avengers, despite facing disapproval from the Avengers themselves and skepticism from Marvel Comics and its readers!

The Young Avengers quickly gained both critical and public success, securing their place in the Marvel Universe despite only having two official runs. Since then, several members have become popular characters in the Marvel Universe.


Who are The Young Avengers? Meet the members of the team!

While the classic Avengers are no more, the Young Avengers are assembled by Iron Lad to carry on their legacy. Meet the members of the Young Avengers: 

  • Iron Lad (Nathaniel Richards) —  Founder of the team. The adolescent version of Kang the Conqueror, who wears armor granting him superhuman strength and the ability to fly. Inspired by Iron Man and War Machine.
  • Hulkling (Theodore “Teddy” Altman) — As a shapeshifter, he can change his appearance and body shape, as well as his skin color to green.Inspired by Hulk.
  • Patriot (Elijah “Eli” Bradley) — Grandson of Isaiah Bradley, who held the Captain America mantle at some point in WWII. Inspired by Cap, Bucky, and Luke Cage.
  • Wiccan (William “Billy” Kaplan) — A sorcerer with magical abilities. Inspired by Thor and The Scarlet Witch.
  • Hawkeye (Kate Bishop) — A high-skilled archer and athlete inspired by Hawkeye and Mockingbird.
  • Stature (Cassie Lang) — The daughter of Scott Lang, she can change her size at will. 
  • Speed (Thomas “Tommy” Shepherd) — Possesses supersonic speed. Inspired by Quicksilver.
  • Vision (Jonas) — A combination of the original android Vision’s program files and the armor and brain patterns of Iron Lad. Inspired by Iron Man and mostly Vision.

When the team reunited for a second Volume, Wiccan, Hulkling, and Hawkeye are back and joined by…

  • Marvel Boy (Noh-Varr) — A superpowered Kree hero.
  • Miss America (America Chavez) — Can create portals to travel across space and time, among other things 
  • Kid Loki (Loki Laufeyson) — The Asgardian god Loki reincarnated as a young boy.
  • Prodigy (David Alleyne) — Former member of the X-Men who lost his powers to absorb knowledge and skills following the events of House of M. 

Young Avengers Comics Collection

And now, let’s read the Young Avengers that you can collect in distinct formats: Modern Era Epic Collection, Omnibus, and in a more detailed reading order with the classic trade paperbacks. 

A part of Young Avengers comics was previously reprinted in the Ultimate and Complete Collection lines, which are now being replaced by the Modern Epic Collection. For this reason, those collections are not listed. 

Young Avengers Modern Era Epic Collection

Young Avengers Omnibus 

  • Young Avengers by Heinberg & Cheung Omnibus
    Collects Young Avengers (2005) #1-12, Young Avengers Special (2005), 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, Young Avengers (2005) #1 Director’s Cut, And Material From Uncanny X-Men (1981) #526.
  • Young Avengers by Kieron Gillen & Jamie McKelvie Omnibus
    Collects Young Avengers (vol. 2) #1–15; material from Marvel Now! Point One #1 (Young Avengers Story)

Young Avengers Reading Order: Classic Trades

Young Avengers Vol. 1 (2005-2011)

Young Avengers was Allan Heinberg’s first comic book, a screenwriter on television who had worked previously on Party of Five, Sex and the City, Gilmore Girls, and The O.C. before creating the team. For this reason, Young Avengers wasn’t developed as an ongoing series but as a 12-issue limited series to be closer to the format of a short season on television. 

Young Avengers: Civil War, Secret Invasion, Dark Reign, Siege, and The Children’s Crusade

Allan Heinberg and Jim Cheung returned to the Young Avengers four years after their initial run ended with Children’s Crusade. During their absence, other writers worked on the team while the Marvel Universe was being put through the wringer by Bendis, event after event. However, none of these writers were able to resolve the major plot threads left unresolved from the first series, as Marvel Comics was waiting for Heinberg to return and conclude the story himself.

Allan Heinberg and Jim Cheung reunited twice afterwards. The first was a one-page story titled “The Celebration Dinner,” which appeared in Marvel Comics #100. They reunited a second time in 2021 for “Marvel’s Voices: Pride #1,” with the story “The Vows.” Both stories have been reprinted in the Omnibus.

Marvel Now! Young Avengers Vol. 2 (2013)

As a new era was launched at Marvel Comics, the Young Avengers started a new chapter under the creative team of writer Kieron Gillen and artist Jamie McKelvie, who are today well-known for The Wicked + The Divine. This latest iteration of the team unites Wiccan, Hulkling, and Kate “Hawkeye” Bishop, with Kid Loki, Marvel Boy, and Ms. America.

If you want to learn a little about the new members before jumping into this new Young Avengers run, we invite you to check out the following comics: 

What to read after Young Avengers?

Where to find the members of the Young Avengers after the disbanding of the team? Discover the exploits of our young superheroes in other titles! 

Note: An earlier version of this guide appeared on our site in 2021. It has been refreshed and updated with more information, the latest releases, and new pictures.

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