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Avengers Assembled with David Betancourt

The Origin of the Earths Mightiest Heroes

Fans of the Marvel Universe and readers of all ages are invited to celebrate the release of "The Avengers Assembled: The Origin of the Earth's Mightiest Heroes" with author David Betancourt.

As a child, David Betancourt was mesmerized by the adventures of characters like Iron Man, Captain America, and the Black Panther. Those early fascinations turned into a love for reading graphic novels and, eventually, a career writing about the very heroes that ignited his imagination.

Now, the native Washingtonian is a two-time Eisner Award nominee who writes about all aspects of comic book culture for The Washington Post‘s Comic Riffs blog. His lifelong passion has resulted in the Marvel graphic novel “Edge of the Spider-Verse #3” and the newly-released book "The Avengers Assembled: The Origin of the Earth's Mightiest Heroes."

Betancourt's book is not just a retelling of the Avengers' tale. This in-depth exploration uncovers defining moments and the evolution of Marvel's premiere Super Hero team. It's a unique biographical take to the formation, lineup changes, and the introductions of fan-favorite characters. "The Avengers Assembled" brings iconic characters to life through meticulous research and vivid writing. From Tony Stark's suave demeanor to the brilliance of the Black Panther, Betancourt offers a fresh perspective on familiar heroes.

Betancourt will talk about his career and his writing with his colleague Helena Andrews-Dyer, an award-winning culture reporter for The Washington Post. Andrews-Dyer's expertise in popular culture, race, politics and art will enhance the conversation.  

This event is a chance to learn about the rich history of heroes that have shaped generations, from Iron Man to Thor. As one of the first to explore Betancourt's newly-released book, attendees will uncover insights and captivating tales. People will also learn about Betancourt’s transition from a sports reporter to covering comics for the Washington Post and how his perspective as an Afro-Latino informed writing for Afro-Latina superhero Billie Morales. 

The first 50 registered attendees will receive a copy of the book, courtesy of the DC Public Library Foundation.

For reasonable accommodations, please contact the Center for Accessibility at 202-727-2142 or DCPLaccess@dc.gov. For ASL or tactile interpretation, please allow at least seven (7) days notice.

The Avengers Assembled: The Origin of the Earth's Mightiest Heroes

Ever wondered who the Avengers really are…?

Take a deep dive into the fascinating history of Earth's Mightiest Heroes. From their earth-shattering formation and cataclysmic lineup changes to the introduction of fan-favorite characters like the Vision and Black Widow, this unique volume provides a comprehensive look at the origin and evolution of Marvel's premiere Super Hero team.

This meticulously researched biography reveals unparalleled insights into the characters, backstories, and motivations of Iron Man, Captain America, Ant-Man, Wasp, Thor, Hulk, Scarlet Witch, Black Widow, Black Panther, and more.

The Avengers’ story has been told many times – but never like this…

About the Author

David Betancourt is a two-time Eisner Award nominee who writes about all aspects of comic book culture for The Washington Post‘s Comic Riffs blog.

About the Conversation Partner

Helena Andrews-Dyer is an award-winning culture reporter for The Washington Post, covering the intersection of popular culture, race, politics and art in the nation’s capital. She’s written about actress Sheryl Lee Ralph’s finally getting her flowers, Vice President Kamala Harris’s deep connection to her Black sorority, and the portrayal of black fatherhood in the film “King Richard.” In 2020, Helena was awarded two National Association of Black Journalists Salute to Excellence Awards for her long-form feature “This Isn’t Another Horror Story About Black Motherhood."

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