While technology has thrust comic book heroes from the glossy pages of a magazine to computer screens, cell phones and the big screen, the characters and storylines have proved to be timeless.
In the 1960s, editor and visionary Stan Lee was given complete creative control in the studio. He enlisted the comic book art of Steve Ditko and Jack Kirby, who created comic book heroes like X-Men, Spiderman, the Incredible Hulk, Thor, Iron Man, Dr. Strange and the Silver Surfer.
What makes Marvel Comics distinct from DC Comics is that the characters have a more human appeal. Unlike comic book heroes like Superman or Wonder Woman, who were born with super powers, the Marvel heroes were created through science accidents or dramatic events.
The settings were in real places like New York City, Los Angeles or Toronto and the struggles were very real as many of the "anti-heroes" struggled with vices (like explosive anger) and psychological tension.
Many of the Marvel heroes didn't really want to be heroes and longed for normalcy. In later years, some comic book characters even struggled with drug addictions or turned from good to bad.
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.
To read more The Universe Of Marvel Comics
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