Marvel Comics is home to many of the most well known and most popular comic book characters of all time. Today they are a part of the mega corporation known as Marvel Entertainment which has massive worldwide revenues and influence.

It was a long journey for Marvel to get to where they are now, featuring some down periods as well as some periods of explosive popularity and innovation.

The Beginning of Marvel Comics

Marvel Comics was originally founded in 1939 and was then known as Timely Comics. Timely Comics introduced several super hero characters such as the Human Torch. These characters proved to be rather successful and gained popularity throughout the United States.

With World War II gaining obvious social traction and importance, Timely introduced what would be a mega-hit, Captain America. Captain America and other Timely heroes of this time were often confronting Nazis and other worldwide evil and enemies.

Stan Lee briefly was the lead editor until interrupted by his service in World War II, after which he would return and serve for several more decades.

The Downturn

After World War II however, interests and styles were changing. The costumed super heroes that were popular were steadily declining while other themes were emerging. During the 1950s Timely became known as Atlas Comics.

Atlas ventured out into a variety of other themes including horror. After a disappearance, some of the popular super heroes returned under the influence of Stan Lee, only now battling communists as opposed to Nazis.

The comic book industry came under intense political scrutiny however and needed to change its way. Thus, the Comics Code Authority was formed which would serve as a means of regulating comic books and their content.

The Silver Age

Following this period, super heroes began a major reemergence into the comic book scene. The Silver Age featured bright, exciting new artwork and creative storylines. The super heroes of old were transformed into new versions of themselves, with more personal and emotional stories and backgrounds.

Comic books surged in popularity and Marvel Comics emerged from its ashes. Stan Lee introduced the Fantastic Four in 1961, following a path paved by DC Comics and their own super heroes. Superman, the Hulk, X-Men and Iron Man were all created in subsequent years and would of course go on to great critical acclaim and long lasting popularity.

The Marvel Universe

The Marvel Universe is the concept that all Marvel comic books and their characters fall into. Essentially, all Marvel super heroes, villains and story lines take place in the same Marvel Universe.

Therefore they can all technically be intertwined, characters can coexist and storylines can weave between each other, incorporating other popular characters and plots.

This idea led to increased popularity and diversity amongst their comic books. Stan Lee ceased being the editor of Marvel Comics in 1972, becoming the publisher of the line.

Under his eye Marvel Comics continued to grow in popularity, creating many new characters and themes, and branching out into unexplored territories. Their characters began great successes in the world of television cartoon shows.

Recently, many of the Marvel Comics most popular characters of all time have had a revival due to the movie industry and the level of effects and animation that can make a comic book story and character come to life. Many huge Hollywood blockbusters owe themselves to the original Marvel Comics of the 1960s and beyond.