Avenger #2: Iron Man

~Cover of Iron Man #2 (2008)

Intro: We can rebuild him. Stronger. Faster.Better. We have the technology...


No wait. That's the wrong guy! But in all seriousness, Iron Man is by far worth more than millions if you consider the level of technological ingenuity and power built into the nanotech and circuitry Tony Stark devised to save his own life.

Originally born to us in Tales of Suspense #39 (1963), Stark was a playboy millionaire and inventor caught in a terrible hostage situation which ended up nearly killing him. In an explosion, pieces of shrapnel became embedded near his heart: a mortal wound. To save himself, he contrived a metal suit that kept his heart beating. From that day forward, this device and the weaponry additions turned him into The Invincible Iron Man.

Iron Man, like many of those on this list, is also a founding member of The Avengers; at the time, he was a bulky shell often nicknamed "The Golden Avenger". Together with Hank Pym, they created most of the technical advances, including the Quinjet, the official Avenger's transport, and security defenses.

While the Avengers have had multiple leaders, Tony Stark and his suit are often seen fulfilling the role. It is not atypical for him to be running the group at any time. And over the decades, he has managed to rebuild his heart and integrate his tech into his body.

The Top 10 Greatest Avengers is a countdown list provided by The Superheroes List. This is an event coinciding with the release of the 2012 Avengers Movie premiering May 4th. If you're big with Avengers trivia or superheroes, then Check out this List!

Avengers #3: Henry Pym and Janet van Dyne

 ~Excerpt from Tales to Astonish #44 (1963)


Henry Pym is one of the catalyst co-creators of the Avengers; it was through his efforts and technologies that the group gained many of their popular advantages, such as artificial intelligence and machina, as well as some of their greatest super-villains (like Ultron, whom he created). First appearing in Tales to Astonish #27 (1962) though, he was originally a biologist and popularized by his study and creation of the "Pym Particle", which allowed him to shrink (and later, grow) in size. Adopting the name Ant-Man, he embarked upon his solo career for a approximately a year.

And then he met Janet van Dyne. Although reflexively, she is recognized by most Marvel Comic fans as The Wasp, originally she was nothing more than Pym's lab assistant. Although he protectively kept his identity secret from her, she was given an biological transfusion of sorts and equipped with bioelectric blasts and wings when her father was murdered an invading alien. Officially, she was born in Tales to Astonish #44 (1963) and the team became Ant-Man and The Wasp.

The history of Henry and Janet is extensive, and it is all surrounded with Avenger-stylized intrigue. In the most recent accounts, the two divorced and Janet died in Marvel's Secret Invasion (However, no one believes she will remain dead.) Either way, there is no couple so tied to the supergroup as these two; regardless of his inventions, Henry has served as Goliath, Yellowjacket, a male version of The Wasp, and Giant-Man. In the same venue, Janet, has traditionally been by his side; even though she is dead, her consciousness now serves as the mind pattern for Jocasta, Pym's intelligent female android.

The Top 10 Greatest Avengers is a countdown list provided by The Superheroes List. This is an event coinciding with the release of the 2012 Avengers Movie premiering May 4th. If you're big with Avengers trivia or superheroes, then Check out this List!