The Avengers #113

The Avengers #113 was published by Marvel Comics in July 1973, arriving during a transitional period for the series under the editorial guidance of Roy Thomas and the writing of Steve Englehart. This issue serves as a pivotal chapter in the long-running 'Avengers-Defenders War' storyline, a landmark crossover event that pitted two of Marvel's premier super-hero teams against one another through the machinations of the villains Dormammu and Loki. The narrative was designed to capitalize on the increasing interconnectivity of the Marvel Universe, bringing together a vast roster of characters to test the limits of team dynamics and conflict-driven storytelling.

The interior artwork was provided by penciler Bob Brown and inker Don Heck, creators who were instrumental in defining the house style of Marvel during the early 1970s. Brown’s clean, traditional approach to panel layout complemented the complex plotting required to manage the ensemble cast involved in the skirmishes. The cover, illustrated by Jim Starlin, reflects the darker, more cosmic aesthetic that Starlin was championing at the time, helping to signal the gravity of the stakes for readers who were accustomed to more contained episodic adventures.