Ray Snyder

"Lo, There Shall Come...an Accounting!" For Kurt Busiek's final script of the Avengers 3rd series, tax accountants from the Maria Stark Foundation stop by Avengers Mansion. They are here today to receive a full accounting about two quinjets and two office buildings -- that were destroyed during a recent battle in St. Louis vs. the Elements of Doom. Some of the avengers are happy to talk to the accountants while some are not. Will Earth's Mightiest Heroes receive a tax break or tax penalty? Cameo appearance by Jarvis. Avengers Lineup: Beast, Captain America, She-Hulk, Silverclaw, Thor, Triathlon, Wonder Man, and the U.S. Agent. (Notes: This issue completes Kurt Busiek's incredible 5-year run as the writer of the Avengers 3rd series -- highlighted by the Morgan Conquest, the Ultron Unlimited saga, and the Kang War; and his detailed attention to Marvel continuity and the Avengers' rich history.

Collects Avengers (1998-2004 3rd Series) #24-56, #1 and ANNUAL 2000-2001, Thunderbolts (1997-2012 Marvel) #42-44, Maximum Security: Dangerous Planet (2000), Maximum Security (2000) #1-3, and Avengers: The Ultron Imperative (2001). Fan-favorite creators Kurt Busiek and George Pérez craft a new era for Earth's Mightiest Heroes! The Avengers forge an uneasy alliance with the Thunderbolts to face Count Nefaria - but the true threat comes from the stars as Earth is declared a cosmic maximum-security prison for alien criminals! To save their planet, and contend with hordes of rampaging Hulks and the spawn of Ultron, the Avengers must rebuild their operation bigger and better than ever. But none of it will do any good when the time-spanning Kang the Conqueror wages war on the present day...and wins! Now, Captain America and a small band of rebels may be the world's only hope for freedom!