Comic Book: Avengers (1996 series)

Avengers #1

November 1996
"Awaken The Thunder!"
Script: Jim Valentino
Loki materializes in the Heroes Reborn universe, drawn to it for largely unspecified reasons. His mind is clouded, disconnected from the majority of his memories, save one: his hatred for his step-brother Thor. Looking around he realizes there is no Rainbow Bridge and therefore no Asgard. [...]

Avengers #2

December 1996
"First Blood"
Script: Jim Valentino
Following their return from Norway, Hank Pym runs some tests on Thor to determine the limits of his strength. They are unable to properly find it and give up for the day. The Vision's attempts to analyze Thor's war hammer fail when he is unable to match it with on the periodic table. [...]

Avengers #3

January 1997
"In Love & War"
Script: Jeph Loeb
Nick Fury and his troops approach Kang's ship. When their presence is detected, a platform descends to the ground carrying Mantis and Kang, who is wearing the weapons of the captured Avengers. When Fury leads the charge, Kang responds. [...]

Avengers #4

February 1997
"That Which Gods Have Joined Together ... "
Script: Jeph Loeb
The Hulk makes his way to Marlboro, NY where he is found by General Ross' special Gamma Force. Despite making clear identification of the creature, he manages to escape. [...]

Avengers #5

March 1997
"... Let No Man Tear Asunder! "
Script: Jeph Loeb
Thor engages in a solo fight against the Hulk. After a long exchange, he goes to the extreme of summoning a lightning bolt to take out the gamma-powered creature. This lasts a few seconds before the Hulk recovers and starts again. Their fight continues through the entire complex. [...]

Avengers #6

April 1997
"Industrial Revolution Pt. 1: A Hard Day's Night"
Script: Jeph Loeb
Bruce Banner breaks into the Baxter Building surprising its occupants, the Fantastic Four. He has come here to ask for Reed Richards' help. Banner explains that he built the gamma core that provides power for Avenger's Island. [...]

Avengers #7

May 1997
"Help!"
Script: Jeph Loeb
Loki is fully aware that he is in an alternate dimension. Despite the advantage of an Odin-less universe, he still has been unable to defeat Thor or the Avengers. He and the Enchantress decide that now is the time to correct that. [...]

Avengers #8

June 1997
"Shadowplay"
Script: Walt Simonson
Peru: High above the Andes Mountains, Kang the Conqueror recuperates in his ship from the injuries he received fighting the Avengers. Mantis attempts in vain to talk him out of his next encounter with the Avengers. [...]

Avengers #9

July 1997
"Shadowbox"
Script: Walt Simonson
The Masters of Evil are quickly defeated by the Avengers. Captain America arrives after the battle, but just in time to stop Thor from killing Klaw. Thor doesn't understand their philosophy and finally quits the team. [...]

Avengers #10

August 1997
"Shadow War! "
Script: Walt Simonson
Captain America and Iron Man quickly determine that this new arrival is the real Thor after he uses Mjolnir to seal the crack in the containment field. They reconnect with their long-lost comrade and begin their investigation into the cause behind the sudden activity of the deactivated reactor. [...]

Avengers #11

September 1997
"Shadow Victory!"
Script: Walt Simonson
Once Loki achieves his ultimate goal, he betrays his comrades to assume complete and unconditional control of this dimension. Left with little choice the Avengers bring in their former enemies to plan a new strategy to take out Loki. [...]

Avengers #12

October 1997
"Heroes Reunited Pt. 2/4: Shadow's End!"
Script: Walt Simonson
Story continued from FANTASTIC FOUR Vol.2 #12.The original Thor holds an authentic viking funeral for his twin, placing him on a traditional ship out in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. The Avengers and Nick Fury watch from the heli-carrier. [...]

Avengers #13

November 1997
"World War 3, Part 2: Winning And Losing"
Script: James Robinson
Story continued from FANTASTIC FOUR Vol.2 #13 Reed Richards meets with the assembled teams of the Avengers, Stormwatch, and WildCATS. Wetworks has not arrived yet. They soon learn that they are on a mission in Venice, Italy to investigate rumors of a biological weapons site. [...]