Marvel Comics, originally known as Timely Comics, took flight on August 31, 1939. It was a small beginning that gave comic book readers characters such as Captain America, Iron Man, and Thor in the X-Men and the Fantastic Four. Hardly anyone realized it was to become an empire of entertainment.
Fast forward to today and Marvel is a household name. Their Hollywood studio has grossed over $31 billion globally from 34 films based on those beloved comic properties. These films have endeared us, inspired by epic battles and comedian Deadpool‘s one-liners.
A cosmic convergence of heroes and villains in interconnected stories. Iron Man started the ball rolling in 2008 with what was soon revealed to be a parade of iconic films. From the Avengers assembling to Black Panther ruling Wakanda, each movie added a colorful thread to the superhero tapestry.
Remember the chills, for example, when Thanos snapped his fingers in “Avengers: Infinity War”? Or the goosebumps when Wakanda rallied in “Black Panther”? These moments were not only cinematic but cultural phenomena as well. People went to theaters in droves; this is what made Marvel films box office juggernauts.
Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, and Steve Ditko—the original Marvel bullpen. They were the architects of this house of ideas: Spider-Man, The X-Men, The Fantastic Four. All created by them in their minds. More than that now: they are an inspiration to new generations of creators.
Marvel is more than just movies. Disney+ has recently added several Marvel TV shows to its platform. They range from “Daredevil: Born Again” to “Ironheart,” going deep into character arcs and expanding the universe.
Marvel has been around for 85 years and they promise more thrills. Coming soon: “Thunderbolts,” “Captain America: Brave New World,” and enigmatically, “Red Hulk.”
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