The Origins of Marvel Comics by Stan Lee is a foundational book in the growing Marvel legacy, proving that comic book collections could be successful in bookstores and introducing readers to the early It gives you the chance to read classic Marvel comics. First published in 1974, this book includes both origin stories and more recent (still 1969s) stories of the Fantastic Four, Hulk, Spider-Man, Thor, Doctor Strange, and Nick Fury. I did.
This book not only forever etches the story’s title (“Clash of the Titans”???) into our consciousness, but also provides a gateway to Marvel’s great stories and characters in an affordable paperback. He gave it to me. Even into the ’70s, early issues were collector’s items and the idea of reprinting comics was still in its infancy.
The book also famously firmly placed Stan Lee in the role of sole creator of the Marvel Universe. Stan wrote the foreword and commentary, giving most of the credit to himself, beating out artists Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko.
Photo: Diamond Scoop
Despite this disappointing story, the book remains a classic…and now available in a 50th Anniversary Deluxe Edition and updated edition from Abrams Comic Arts. The original cover by John Romita Sr. was updated by Alex Ross, and editor Chris Lyall updated the content with essays by Lyall, Tom Brevoort, Ross, and Larry Lieber. There’s also an interview with Firesign Books’ recently rediscovered only editor, Linda Sunshine, who worked on the original work.
Diamond Preview’s World includes an interview with Lyall that goes into great detail about the making of the book, including a meeting with 93-year-old Larry Lieber (Stan’s younger brother) and a discussion of the book’s production. Details including being one of the few survivors involved in the production. Original manga (Steranko is still alive.)
Lyall puts the importance of this book into perspective, and also notes the major updates that will ultimately correct historical wrongs.
That was the basic thing that mattered to a lot of people. In many ways, it started the whole concept of bookstore graphic novels, which didn’t exist before. I think Alex Ross’ cover sums up our approach perfectly. The original cover features Stan Lee’s hand holding a typewriter and all the characters that emerge from it. The cover of Alex features Stan Lee’s hand at a typewriter, Jack Kirby’s hand finishing Thor, and Steve Ditko’s hand finishing Doctor Strange. In a broader sense, we weren’t in the room. We don’t know who did what. But together they created magic and together they created this world that still resonates with millions of fans today. And I think that’s what was important to me was not to apologize for what Stan wrote, but to celebrate the work of all of these guys and reinforce it by talking about everyone’s efforts. .
It’s only fitting that Ditko and Kirby’s hands are also featured on the cover, along with Stan’s hand at the typewriter. (And thanks to comics historian Paul Gravett for bringing this to my attention on FB.)
I remember borrowing this book from the library as a kid and being intrigued by the lore and long-running storylines of Marvel Comics. I’m sure I’m not the only person my age or older who felt that this book was an entry point into thinking about Marvel Comics as the Marvel Universe, a realm of fantasy that unfolds in its own right. Masu. And thanks to Stan Lee’s early dedication to community building, you wanted to be part of the Merry Marching Crew and get to know the Marvel Bullpen.
This landscape may have been as fantastical as Doctor Strange’s mystical realm, but it was nonetheless enduring.
Fifty years later, not only have graphic novels and reprints of classic comics permeated the industry and publishing world in general, but the MCU has become one of the premier fantasy worlds for billions of people around the world. The Hulk, Fury, and Doctor Strange are cultural icons beyond the imagination of the average reader.
But I think Stan and Jack may have had this vision themselves. Stan believed he could trick himself into reaching the highest heights of fame…and he was right. Jack believed that his work had value and could touch any reader…and he was right.
Ditko…well, he had a different vision.
The very origin of Marvel Comics.
Check out the interview for a more historical perspective, and add Origins of Marvel Comics: 50th Anniversary Edition to your 2024 gift list.
According to Wikipedia, the original content about the origins of Marvel Comics is:
Fantastic Four (Fantastic Four #1, November 1961) “When Strikes the Silver Surfer!” (Fantastic Four #55, October 1966) “Hulk” (Incredible Hulk #1, May 1962) ) “Clash of the Titans” (The Incredible Hulk #118, August 1969) “Spider-Man!” (Amazing Fantasy #15, August 1962) “Locked by the Shocker!” (The Amazing Spider-Man #72 , May 1969) “Thor and the Stoneman from Saturn!” (Journey Into Mystery #83, August 1962) “And soon the wizard will come!” (Thor #143, August 1967) “Doctor Strange, Master of the Dark Arts!” (Strange Tales #110, July 1963) “The Origins of Doctor Strange” (Strange Tales #115, December 1963) “A Terrifying Ending!” (Strange Stories #155, April 1967)
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