Marvel Masterworks: The Avengers #3

In "The Bitter Taste of Defeat!", the Avengers are disbanded, leaving Hawkeye, Quicksilver, and Scarlet Witch adrift—until the Ringmaster recruits them for a dangerous job. Framed for a circus robbery and on the run, the trio's plight takes a surprising turn when Captain America uncovers the truth behind the scheme. With the City Council’s order revoked and the team’s return on the table, Captain America’s decision to walk away from Hawkeye marks a turning point that reshapes the Avengers’ future. Written by Stan Lee and illustrated by Don Heck, with inks by Wally Wood and letters by Artie Simek, this pivotal issue features a cover by Jack Kirby and Dean White.