“Avengers 26 p 14 ‘The Voice of the Wasp!’ ” (March 1966)
by Don Heck (1929-1995) and Frank Giacoia (1924-1988) credit as Frankie Ray
13 x 22 in., ink on paper
Coppola Collection

A week in, and “Avengers: Infinity War” is still killing the box office.

Goliath and the Wasp have spotted the Sub-Mariner, Prince of Atlantis, heading for New York. On the way to warn everyone, the Wasp is captured by the villainous Atlantean named Attuma. She manages to send a mayday to the Avengers.

The Avengers confront Attuma and his forces.

“Avengers 29 p 5 ‘This Power Unleashed!’ ” (June 1966)
by Don Heck (1929-1995) and Frank Giacoia (1924-1988)
13 x 22 in., ink on paper
Coppola Collection

Continuing a celebration of “Avengers: Infinity War”!

One thing about these 1960s comics: some pages are dense with plot. The entire issue’s synopsis practically pivots around this page.

The Avengers find themselves unable to revive their fallen colleague, Goliath. A doctor informs them that he will recover but must never attempt to shrink any further than his present 10-foot size. Goliath storms out in anger.

Black Widow is captured by Russians, brainwashed and sent to destroy the Avengers. She enlists the help of the Swordsman and Power Man.

“Avengers 25 p 11 ‘Enter… Dr. Doom!” (February 1966)
by Don Heck (1929-1995) and Dick Ayers (1924-2014)
13 x 22 in., ink on paper
Coppola Collection

In honor of the astoundingly wonderful success of “Avengers: Infinity War,” which I saw the other night in Italian, in a movie theater in Parma, Italy, and more or less did not miss anything significant except, I suppose, a few of the quips.

Dr. Doom, at this point in the 5-year old Marvel Comics universe, was the arch-nemesis of the Fantastic Four. He decided to attract and trap the Avengers, thinking that defeating them would lead to fear in the F.F. about their own ability to take on Doom in the future.

Super-villains. Whatever.

On this page, the Avengers come face to face with Dr. Doom.

I guarantee that no one in 1966 could ever imagine the cinematic Marvel Universe if 2018, and even if told about it, could never, ever imagine that a movie about The Avengers would blow past one about the Justice League in 3-4 days’ time.

You would have to be a true believer.