The first Avenger comic book, "The Avengers #1," was released on September 10, 1963, by Marvel Comics. The issue was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, and featured Iron Man, Thor, Hulk, Ant-Man, and the Wasp as the founding members of the superhero team. Over the decades, the Avengers has become one of the most famous superhero teams in comic book history, spawning numerous spin-off titles, movies, TV series, and video games.