Avengers: The Gathering Omnibus

Background. After Onslaught, the core Avengers were presumed dead and transported to a pocket universe (as told in the Heroes Reborn event). When they returned, Kurt Busiek and George Pérez were handed the task of relaunching the franchise. The Gathering represents the prelude period — showing the world without the Avengers, the Morgan le Fay threat that served as the immediate relaunch antagonist, and the first issues of what became one of the most acclaimed Avengers runs in publication history.

What's inside. This omnibus collects the gathering/prelude material for the Busiek/Pérez Avengers launch — Heroes Reborn return issues, early Busiek Avengers material, and the crossover material connecting Thunderbolts to the Avengers that was essential context for the relaunch. The collection establishes the narrative and character threads that Busiek would develop across his full run.

Why it's worth it. Understanding Busiek's Avengers run requires this foundational material — the Morgan le Fay opening arc and the Heroes Reborn return context are woven into everything that follows. This omnibus is the proper starting point for the Busiek/Pérez library and should be read before the main Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 omnibuses.

Edition details. Hardcover omnibus. US edition published by Marvel Comics. ISBN 9781302926496.