The Avengers are a fictional team of superheroes appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics, created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist/co-plotter Jack Kirby. The team made its debut in The Avengers #1. Labeled "Earth's Mightiest Heroes," the original members consisted of Iron Man, Ant-Man, Hulk, Thor, and the Wasp while Captain America was discovered trapped in ice and later joined the team after they revived him.
Diegetically, every member of the Avengers usually operates independently, but occasionally assembles as a team to tackle especially formidable villains. This in contrast to certain other superhero teams such as the X-Men.
