I have been a long-time reader of the Avengers and cannot actually remember the first time the Avengers had a direct confrontation with the Phoenix Force.
- Have the Avengers ever directly confronted the Phoenix Force in combat?
- What was the outcome and what Avengers were involved?
- Is their reaction to the supposed return of the Phoenix based on the information they may have gathered from second hand sources?
The only Avengers I know that might have had direct experience with Phoenix or the Phoenix Force are the Beast and Wolverine (from their time as X-men).