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#54
The Avengers, #53

Published: June 1968

Cover

The Avengers #53

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Issue Contents:
The Avengers vs. the X-Men!
1 page superhero
Characters
Credits
Story Notes

Tuska confirmed as cover inker by Michel Maillot via the GCD Errors list, August 2009. Previously either Buscema or Tuska suggested by Nick Caputo, November, 2003.

Story 1 1 page

"Tired of being 'skinny'?"

Story Notes

Inside front cover. Ad for a weight gain product.

In Battle Joined!
Story 2 20 pages superhero

"Let all who begin this epic know!"

Storyline

Magneto lures the Avengers to his island base to fight off the invading X-Men. Even after mind controlling the X-Men into hating the Avengers, the two teams outwit Magneto and team up to defeat him.

Characters
Credits
Story Notes

Story continues from The X-Men (Marvel, 1963 series) #45.

Story 3 1 page

"Shamed by your English?"

Story Notes

Ad offering free booklet on "How to Gain a Good Command of English" Between story pages 3 and 4.

Featuring Marvel Super-Hero T-Shirts; Merry Marvel Marching Society Membership Kit

Story 4 1 page

"Marvel super-hero T-shirts"

Characters
  • Captain Marvel [Mar-Vell]
  • The Fantastic Four [The Human Torch
  • Mr. Fantastic
  • Invisible Girl
  • The Thing]
  • Iron Man
  • Thor
  • Spider-Man
  • The Avengers
  • The Hulk
Story Notes

Advertisement for Marvel Super-Hero T-Shirts ($1.60 each), sweat shirts ($3.15 each), and the Merry Marvel Marching Society Membership Kit ($1.00 each). Between story pages 6 and 7.

Story 5 1 page

"Baseball fans are crazy about this true-to-life baseball game"

Story Notes

Between story pages 6 and 7.

Missile Firing Tank
Story 6 1 page
Story Notes

Sold by Honor House Products. Between story pages 9 and 10, on top half of page.

Story 7 1 page

"We’ll pay you $10,000.00 for this Lincoln penny"

Story Notes

Ad for U.S. coin catalog. Between story pages 9 and 10 on lower half of page.

Story 8 1 page

"You can now become an expert with forbidden Oriental fighting arts"

Story Notes

Ad for martial arts book sent in plain wrapper, $3.98. Between story pages 15 and 16.

Shop by Mail; Stamps
Story 9 2 pages

"Okay! Okay! Stop nagging us! Here it is — an autographed photo of... Stan (the man) Lee"

Story Notes

A collection of classified advertising offering stamps, novelties, and comic books, between story pages 18 and 19.

Story 10 1 page

"The second Golden Age of Marvel is here! (And you didn't even bake a cake!)"

Characters
  • Hawkeye
Credits
  • Script:
Story Notes

Includes: Stan's Soapbox!; Items; The Mighty Marvel Checklist.

Story 11 1 page

"Magic world of surprises & mystery"

Story Notes

Ad for various novelty items on upper half of page.

Story 12 1 page

"Boys 12 or older sell Grit in your spare time"

Story Notes

Advertisement for selling Grit magazine from Grit Publishing Co. on lower half of page.

Story 13 2 pages
Credits
Story Notes

Letters from: Paul Sanford, Ralph Duby, Jr., Peter Levy, Thomas Miller, Blair Benham, Sharon Burke, Tony Isabella (future comics writer), and Kendall Sutton.

Story 14 1 page

"The greatest event in the history of comic magazines!"

Characters
  • Spider-Man
Story Notes

House ad for the Spectacular Spider-Man (Marvel, 1968 Series) #1 (July 1968), with cover shown (pre-painted version), and advertised as "On Sale Now."

Story 15 1 page

"3 complete fishing outfits"

Story Notes

Ad for fishing equipment from Niresk Discount Sales. Inside back cover.

Story 16 1 page

"132pc. Roman soldiers set"

Story Notes

Back cover. Ad for toy soldiers.