The Avengers 343

### Cover by Steve Epting. "First Night.” Written by Bob Harras. Pencils by Steve Epting. Inks by Tom Palmer. Colors by Tom Palmer. Letters by Bill Oakley. Edited by Ralph Macchio.

In this January 1992 issue of Marvel’s Avengers Vol. 1 #343 (on sale November 19, 1991), the team undergoes significant changes amid a deceptive trap that sets the stage for a multiversal threat. The story opens at Avengers Mansion in Manhattan, New York City, where the ever-dutiful butler Edwin Jarvis welcomes the thunder god Thor (in his mortal identity as Eric Masterson) and the Inhuman elemental manipulator Crystal, who is relocating from the hidden city of Attilan to join the Avengers full-time. Accompanying Crystal are her infant daughter Luna Maximoff, the massive teleporting dog Lockjaw, and her loyal nanny Marilla (making her debut). As the new members settle in, an urgent emergency message purportedly from the Human Torch (Johnny Storm) summons the Avengers— including Vision, Black Knight (Dane Whitman), Hercules, Black Widow (Natasha Romanoff), and Captain America (Steve Rogers)—to Four Freedoms Plaza, headquarters of the Fantastic Four. Upon arrival, the team discovers the message is a ruse, leading them into a deadly ambush orchestrated by a mysterious armored woman named Magdalene (from Earth-9201) and an alternate-universe version of the Swordsman (Philip Javert from Earth-921), who dramatically declares vengeance for being left to die in Hades. The villains, part of the enigmatic group known as the Gatherers, unleash chaos, destroying the Aero-Car and forcing the Avengers into battle. Amid the fight, illusions or visions of Crystal’s twin sons Thomas and William Maximoff appear, alongside mentions of Quicksilver (Pietro Maximoff, seen on screen) and his ties to X-Factor. The narrative explores themes of team expansion, betrayal from parallel realities, and familial bonds, culminating in a cliffhanger that hints at broader threats to the Avengers’ unity. Supporting elements include nods to the West Coast Avengers branch and the royal House of Agon, blending superhero action with interpersonal drama in the Prime Earth continuity.

This issue is considered a key by collectors due to the first appearance of the Gatherers (a multiversal villain team), Magdalene, the alternate Swordsman (Philip Javert), and Marilla, marking the start of the "Gatherers” arc that ties into larger crossover events like Operation: Galactic Storm and introducing alternate-reality elements to the Avengers roster.

### Characters
**Featured Characters:**
- Avengers
- Thor (Eric Masterson) (Joins team)
- Vision
- Crystal (Joins team)
- Black Knight (Dane Whitman)
- Hercules (Heracles)
- Black Widow (Natasha Romanoff)
- Captain America (Steve Rogers)

**Supporting Characters:**
- Edwin Jarvis
- Luna Maximoff
- Lockjaw
- Marilla (First appearance)

**Antagonists:**
- Gatherers (First appearance)
- Magdalene (First appearance)
- Swordsman (Philip Javert) (First appearance)

**Other Characters:**
- Thomas Maximoff (Vision)
- William Maximoff (Vision)
- House of Agon (Mentioned)
- West Coast Avengers (Mentioned)
- Quicksilver (Pietro Maximoff) (On screen)
- X-Factor (Mentioned)
- Valinor
- Human Torch (Illusion)
- Fantastic Four (Mentioned)

**Races and Species:**
- Humans
- Synthezoids
- Inhumans
- Olympians
- Mutants

**Locations:**
- Themyscira (Mentioned)
- United Kingdom (Mentioned)
- London (Mentioned)
- Westminster (Mentioned)
- Houses of Parliament (Mentioned)
- Attilan (Mentioned)

**Items:**
- Mjolnir
- Photon Sword (First appearance)
- Black Widow’s Gauntlets
- Captain America’s Shield
- Captain America’s Uniform
- Ebony Blade (Mentioned)
- Avengers Identicard (Mentioned)
- Swordsman’s Sword

**Vehicles:**
- Aero-Car (Destroyed)

### Price Comparison
Released in 1992 with a cover price of $1.00, Avengers #343 holds moderate collector value as the kickoff to the Gatherers arc and for its first appearances, making it a desirable piece for 90s Avengers runs, though not a high-speculation book. On MyComicShop.com, fine (FN) copies are around $2.00-$2.70, very fine (VF) at $3.20, and near mint (NM) at $4.00, with no variants specifically listed but direct editions common. eBay prices for VF-NM raw copies range from $1.94 to $7.99, with some emphasizing the Gatherers debut pushing to $11.00, and a CGC 9.8 slab at $64.00. PriceCharting shows ungraded averages at $2.29, with NM at $4.00 and 9.8 at $100.00, while GoCollect FMV estimates NM 9.6 at $34.00 and VF 8.0 at $26.00 based on census data. Graded examples (e.g., CGC 9.4) could fetch $20-40. Digital access is $1.99 on Marvel Unlimited.

01/1992

Marvel Comcs

759606070152

343

07148602458301

November

1991

Direct Edition on sale November 19, 1991

1

United States

$1.00

Modern Age

English

Magazine

2018-07-02 22:15:57

Avengers Vol 1

~$1.99

2026-01-01

2018-07-02 22:15:57