An Overview Of Marvel Comics History
This year, Marvel Comics battled for supremacy with DC, with “Iron Man” versus “Batman, The Dark Knight.” Suffice to say, the classic Batman franchise won all the box office glory, becoming the second-highest grossing film of all time, after Titanic. However, Iron Man’s success was hardly something to scoff at, seeing as it was the fifth most successful comic book movie hit (grossing $318,223,785). The “Spiderman” movies were Marvel Comic’s cash cows, setting records as the top three Marvel movies ever made, as well as the three most successful films ever produced by Sony/Columbia. The X-Men franchise captivated audiences and critics with its dazzling special effects, costumes, acting and directing, while showcasing how appropriately a comic book series can compliment new advances in film technology.
Marvel Comics began as Timely Publications in 1939, founded by Martin Goodman who started Western, Mystery and Science Fiction pulp magazine in 1933. Graphic novels were becoming the next hottest thing, so publisher Goodman added an editor, managing editor and business manager and moved into an office on West 42nd Street in New York City. The first publication was Marvel Comics # 1 starring the Human Torch (Carl Burgos) and Namor the Sub-Mariner (Bill Everett). Their real blockbuster comic book series was Joe Simon and legendary Jack Kirby’s Captain America (debuting as “Captain America Comics #1″ in March 1941), which sold nearly 1 million copies!
The bulk of the memorable Marvel Comics came out during the 1960s under Stan Lee’s creative direction, featuring the unique illustrating styles of iconoclastic Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko. X-Men, Thor, Iron Man, Spiderman, The Incredible Hulk and Silver Surfer all emerged during this time. Over the next few decades, Marvel attempted to diversify into other lines intended for more mature audiences. Management shifted, cartoons and films were made, trading cards and merchandise were issued; and so the empire began. In 1991, junk bonds were offered by the owners, putting the company in jeopardy of bankruptcy. After narrowly escaping this dire fate, Marvel Comic creators began diversifying with different offshoots again, with “Ultimate Marvel” (to reinvent their old characters for a new generation), “MAX” (for mature readers) and “Marvel Age” (for younger audiences), which has helped them endure over the years. The success of the “Spiderman” and “X-Men” movies has renewed interest in the Marvel comic publications in recent years too.
Marvel Comics publisher Dan Buckley is looking to the future. He hopes that people will continue reading comic books using new formats like motion comics, as well as cell-phone and iPod comics or downloadable issues. He does worry about the loyal little comic book store owner, though. “We don’t want to do anything to hurt anyone in the short term. We’re still quibbling about what the primary form of revenue will be,” Buckley said, relaying that some comics can be found online for free. So far the internet has been a great promotional tool for the comic book industry.
