The West Coast Avengers is a fictional group of superheroes appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The team first appeared in The West Coast Avengers #1 (Sept. 1984), created by Roger Stern and Bob Hall. It was the first spin-off publication for the Avengers.
Following the 1984 limited series, the West Coast Avengers were the focus of an ongoing series published from October 1985 to January 1994. Volume 3 began publication in September 2018 as part of the Fresh Start relaunch but was cancelled after 10 issues. A fourth volume launched in November 2024.
Publication history
The West Coast Avengers first appeared in a four-issue limited series published from September to December 1984. The series was written by Roger Stern and drawn by Bob Hall and Brett Breeding. This was followed by a 102-issue series of the same name that ran from October 1985 to January 1994. and The series was initially written by Steve Englehart and drawn by Al Milgrom and Joe Sinnott. It was the first spin-off series for the Avengers. The series was renamed Avengers West Coast on the cover of issue #47 (Aug. 1989).
In 2018, a new incarnation of the West Coast Avengers appeared in the "Fresh Start" that consists of Hawkeye, Kate Bishop, Gwenpool, America Chavez, Quentin Quire, and Kate's boyfriend Johnny Watts who takes the codename Fuse. Jeff the Land Shark had his first appearance in issue #7 (January 2019). The ongoing series was written by Kelly Thompson and initially drawn by Stefano Caselli. It was cancelled as of issue #10 cover dated June 2019.
In November 2024, Volume 4 began publication with writer Gerry Duggan and artist Danny Kim. In this series, Iron Man and War Machine assemble a new West Coast Avengers roster which includes Spider-Woman, Firestar, Ultron and Blue Bolt.
Fictional team biography
Original run (1984–1994) The team is founded by the Avenger Hawkeye in response to a suggestion by fellow Avenger, the Vision, who at the time (as team chairman) wished to expand the Avengers' influence. Hawkeye recruits Mockingbird, Wonder Man, Tigra, and Iron Man, with the last actually being Jim Rhodes as opposed to Tony Stark, a fact initially unknown to the team.
The team takes on Hank Pym as a scientific advisor and compound manager. Pym and Moon Knight formally join, while Iron Man is expelled for his actions during the Armor Wars. The "Lost in Space-Time" storyline began in issue #17 (February 1987) when Dominus sent the team back in time.DeFalco "1980s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 230: "This issue began a seven-part storyline called 'Lost in Space-Time' that sent the super heroes Hawkeye, Iron Man, Tigra, Wonder Man, and Mockingbird into the past." The marriage of Hawkeye and Mockingbird is placed in jeopardy when Mockingbird allows the Phantom Rider to die in a fall for deceiving and raping her.
After a trip to Hungary to investigate a report on Wasp, Scarlet Witch, and Vision assist the team. Mockingbird, Tigram and Moon Knight leave the team together as a new short-lived team called the Ex-WACOs over the Avengers' rule against killing in regards to Mockingbird's encounter with Phantom Rider. The Vision and the Scarlet Witch join the team as to not leave it short handed. Vision is abducted and dismantled by the government; Pym rebuilds Vision, but with a chalk-white complexion. Wonder Man refuses to allow his brain patterns to be used again to provide a matrix for Vision's emotions, leading Vision emotionless.DeFalco "1980s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 240: "Writer/artist John Byrne produced the story arc that came to be known as 'Vision Quest' that ran through The West Coast Avengers #42–45." U.S. Agent is assigned to the team as a watchdog by the government to monitor the team's activities.
A group of superhumans decide to mimic the Avengers and become the Great Lakes Avengers,DeFalco "1980s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 241: "Writer/artist John Byrne took a tongue-in-cheek approach to superheroics" while the original Human Torch returns from his own apparent demise. This casts doubt on the identity of Vision, who was previously believed to have been created from the Human Torch's body. Vision and Scarlet Witch's children, conceived via Scarlet Witch's hex powers, are revealed to be fragments of the soul of Mephisto. The twins are absorbed back into Mephisto, which temporarily drives the Scarlet Witch insane. Although she eventually recovers, Scarlet Witch and the Vision separate, each operating on a different Avengers team.
Iron Man rejoins, and Quicksilver assists the team when Scarlet Witch aligns herself with their father Magneto. Hank Pym, Wasp, and Quicksilver then leave the team, with Machine Man becoming reservists and Spider-Woman and Living Lightning joining as full-time members. Spider-Man guest-stars in issues #84–86.
Hawkeye assumes his old identity of Goliath, during the crossover storyline "Operation: Galactic Storm", and reconciles with Mockingbird. Iron Man and Wonder Man leave the team, and are replaced by War Machine (Jim Rhodes, one of the founding West Coast Avengers) and Darkhawk, with the latter acting as a reservist. During a battle with the demons Mephisto and Satannish, Mockingbird is killed.Manning, Matthew K. "1990s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 265: "In a story by writer Roy Thomas and artist David Ross...a stray fireball struck Hawkeye's wife, Mockingbird, killing her in Hawkeye's arms." Due to constant in-fighting and a general lack of organization, Captain America intervenes and disbands the team. Several members of the West Coast team—including a returned Iron Man—are unhappy about the decision and leave to form another team, called Force Works.Manning "1990s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 269: "When the West Coast Avengers disbanded, some of its members. led by Iron Man, went on to form a new team, Force Works." This team, however, has several setbacks and quickly disbands, with the members returning to the main Avengers team.
Volume 3 (2018 series) During the Fresh Start relaunch, both Hawkeyes – team founder Clint Barton and his successor Kate Bishop – decide to revive the West Coast Avengers following an attack by land sharks in Santa Monica. Clint and Kate recruit America Chavez and Kate's boyfriend Johnny "Fuse" Watts, who helped in the mission, and are eventually joined by Gwenpool and Quentin Quire. Given their lack of funds, the newly formed team attempts to get financiers by starring in a reality show following their exploits. Gwen adopts a baby land shark which she names Jeff – Barton allowing Jeff to stay as long as he does not bite anyone besides supervillains.
Volume 4 (2024 series) Iron Man and War Machine later reform the West Coast Avengers as part of a plot to rehabilitate supervillains. With Spider-Woman and ex-criminal Blue Bolt joining the group, they start with Ultron.West Coast Avengers (vol. 4) #1 Firestar later joins the West Coast Avengers in battling the Sovereign Sons.West Coast Avengers (vol. 4) #2 The West Coast Avengers go up against the Gospel of Ultrons, the result of Ultron splitting himself after separating from Hank Pym.West Coast Avengers (vol. 4) #3
Other versions An alternate universe iteration of the West Coast Avengers called the West Coast Ultimates appears in the Ultimate Marvel imprint, led by Quake and consisting of Wonder Man, Vision, Black Knight, and Tigra.
List of creators Years Name Role Issues 1984 Roger SternWriter #1–4 Bob Hall Penciler 1985–1988 Steve Englehart Writer #1–29, #31–37, #39, Annual #1–3 1985–1989Al Milgrom Penciler #1–37, #39–40, Annual #2–3 1986 Mark Bright Writer, penciler Annual #1 1988 Al Milgrom Writer #30 D. G. Chichester Writer #38 Margaret Clark Writer 1989 Mark Gruenwald Writer #40 Tom DeFalco Writer #41 Ralph Macchio Writer 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1993Tom Morgan Penciler #38, #41, #58, #71, #100 1989–1990 John Byrne Writer #42–57, Annual #4 Penciler #42–57 1990 Fabian Nicieza Writer #58 Danny Fingeroth Writer #59 Gary Hartle Penciler Brad Vancata Penciler Terry Kavanagh Writer #64 Chris Wozniak Penciler 1990–1991 Paul Ryan Penciler #60–63, #65–69 1990–1993 Roy Thomas Writer #60–63, #65–101, Annual #5–8 Dann Thomas Writer #60–63, #65–83, #85–94, #96, Annual #5–7 1991 Steve Butler Penciler #70 George Freeman Penciler #73 1991, 1992 Herb Trimpe Penciler #75, #83 1991–1994 David Ross Penciler #71–74, #76–82, #84–95, #98–102 1993 Writer #93, #95 1993 Andrew Currie Penciler #96–97 1994 Dan Abnett Writer #102 Andy Lanning Writer 2018–2019 Kelly Thompson Writer #1–10Stefano Caselli Penciler #1–4 2019Daniele Di Nicuolo Penciler #5–7Gang Hyuk Lim Penciler #8–9Moy Rodriguez Penciler #10 2024–2025 Gerry DugganWriter #1–10 Danny Kim Penciler #1–5, 7–10 2025 Ton Lima Penciler #6
Collected editions + #Title Material collected Publication date ISBNAssembleWest Coast Avengers #1–4, Iron Man Annual #7, and The Avengers #250, plus material from The Avengers #239, 243–244, and 246 and Avengers West Coast #100. Family Ties West Coast Avengers (vol. 2) #1–9 and Vision and the Scarlet Witch (vol. 2) #1–2. Sins of the PastWest Coast Avengers (vol. 2) #10–16, West Coast Avengers Annual #1 and The Avengers Annual #15. Avengers: West Coast Avengers - Lost in Space-TimeWest Coast Avengers (vol. 2) #17–24, Fantastic Four #19, and Doctor Strange (vol. 2) #53 Zodiac AttackWest Coast Avengers (vol. 2) #25–30, West Coast Avengers Annual #2 and Avengers Annual #16 Avengers West Coast Visionaries – John Byrne Vol. 1: Vision QuestWest Coast Avengers (vol. 2) #42–47 and Avengers West Coast #48–50. Avengers West Coast: Vision QuestWest Coast Avengers (vol. 2) #42–46 and Avengers West Coast #47–50. Avengers West Coast Visionaries – John Byrne Vol. 2: Darker than ScarletAvengers West Coast #51–57 and #60–62. Avengers West Coast: Along Came A Spider-Woman Avengers West Coast #58–59 and #63–75. Avengers: Galactic Storm Volume 1Avengers West Coast #80–81, Captain America #398–399, Quasar #32–33, Wonder Man #7–8, The Avengers #345–346, Iron Man #278, and Thor #445. Avengers: Galactic Storm Volume 2 Avengers West Coast #82, Iron Man #279, Thor #446, Captain America #400–401, Quasar #34–35, Wonder Man #9, The Avengers #347, and What If? #55–56. Avengers: Ultron Unbound Avengers West Coast #89–91, Annual #8 and Vision #1–4. Avengers: The Death of MockingbirdAvengers West Coast #92–100, 102; Spider-Woman (vol. 2) #1–4; plus material from Marvel Comics Presents #143–144. 1OmnibusWest Coast Avengers #1–4; Iron Man Annual #7; The Avengers #250; West Coast Avengers (vol. 2) #1–16; Vision and the Scarlet Witch (vol. 2) #1–2; The Avengers Annual #15; West Coast Avengers Annual #1; material from The Avengers #239, 243–244, 246; material from Avengers West Coast #100 2West Coast Avengers (vol. 2) #17–41; West Coast Avengers Annual #2–3; Avengers Annual #16; Fantastic Four #19; and Doctor Strange (vol. 2) #53 Avengers by John Byrne OmnibusWest Coast Avengers (vol. 2) #42–46; Avengers West Coast #47–62; Avengers West Coast Annual #4; Avengers #305–318; Avengers Annual #18; and material from Avengers Spotlight #23 and What the--?! #6 Volume 31Best CoastWest Coast Avengers (vol. 3) #1–4, Young Avengers Presents #6, and The Unbelievable Gwenpool #12City of EvilsWest Coast Avengers (vol. 3) #5–10 Hawkeye: Go West Hawkeye (vol. 5) #13–16, Generations: Hawkeye & Hawkeye #1, West Coast Avengers (vol. 3) #1–4 Hawkeye: Team Spirit West Coast Avengers (vol. 3) #5–10, War of the Realms: Journey Into Mystery #1–5 GwenPool Omnibus The Unbelievable GwenPool #0–25, West Coast Avengers (vol. 3) #1–10, Superior Spider-Man (vol. 2) #7–8, Gwenpool Strikes Back #1–5, plus extras
Epic Collections