Marvel Comics

Marvel Comics is an American comic book publisher and primary imprint of Marvel Worldwide Inc., part of Marvel Entertainment. In 2009, The Walt Disney Company acquired Marvel Entertainment, Marvel Worldwide's parent company.

History

Marvel Comics was founded by Martin Goodman in 1939 as Timely Publications. The first publication was Marvel Comics #1 in October 1939, which featured the first appearances of the Human Torch and the Sub-Mariner. In the 1950s, the company was known as Atlas Comics. The modern incarnation of Marvel began in 1961, the year that the company launched The Fantastic Four and other superhero titles created by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, Steve Ditko, and others.

Notable Characters

Marvel Comics is known for its vast array of characters, including:

• Spider-Man
• Iron Man
• Captain America
• Thor
• Hulk
• Black Widow
• Doctor Strange
• Black Panther
• Wolverine
• Deadpool

Teams and Groups

Marvel has also created several superhero teams, such as:

• The Avengers
• X-Men
• Fantastic Four
• Guardians of the Galaxy

Storylines and Events

Marvel Comics is known for its major crossover events, which often involve multiple characters and series. Some of the most notable events include:

• Secret Wars
• Civil War
• Infinity Gauntlet
• House of M
• Secret Invasion

Adaptations

Marvel characters have been adapted into various media, including:

• Marvel Cinematic Universe
• Marvel Animation
• Marvel Television
• Marvel Video Games

Legacy

Marvel Comics has had a significant impact on popular culture and has influenced various forms of media. The company has received numerous awards and accolades for its contributions to the comic book industry.

See Also

• List of Marvel Comics characters
• List of Marvel Comics teams and organizations
• List of Marvel Comics publications
• Marvel Cinematic Universe