Graphic SF Reader At the time, this was a pretty revolutionary publication. In a small country town, and never having seen anything like this before it was great to stumble across it in the library.
An actual collected edition of a bunch of starting points of some famous Marvel characters, with an introduction by Stan the Man, to boot. Way ahead of its time.
The Big Bang of the Marvel Universe I originally owned this book when I was 11 years old, and actually bought it by mistake, thinking it was the sequel - SON OF ORIGINS OF MARVEL COMICS - which my cousins owned and which I had read years before. I even remember the trip we took to the local comics shop, specifically so I could get this volume. Far from being dissappointed, I was entrhalled at the chance to become acquainted with the background of characters I already knew and adored.
Stan Lee's imagination was the Big Bang from which the Marvel Universe sprung. While other more detailed and thoughtful volumes have since been published which detail the evolutions of The Fantastic Four, The Incredible Hulk, The Amazing Spider-Man (that's "Spider-HYPHEN-Man"!!!) and company, there's something to be said for reading the history as described by the man who was there. Yes, the descriptions are relatively brief and full of hyperbole and superlatives -- but honestly, what else would one expect from Lee?
I realize now that the text pieces reflect the style and humor of the author as much as the reprinted stories they are interspersed between. ORIGINS OF MARVEL COMICS demonstrates perfectly how Stan Lee's personality above all else shaped Marvel Comics for decades to come. Indeed, the authors who followed in Lee's footsteps on most of the titles represented directly copied his style (admittedly, this might have been an editorial mandate -- but I have yet to read many complaints about it), and even now the original stories retain much of the power and charm they had then.
What's also now interesting about ORIGINS is the stories originally included to give a more "contemporary" feeling for the characters. These stories, which were first published less than a decade after their respective origin tales, are now equally as dated and serve in hindsight to represent a broader overview of MARVEL at the height of its inventiveness. A time when every other story was a CLASSIC -- and the vast majority of them were written by the same person.
An immeasurable debt is certainly owed the artists who also brought Dr. Strange, Thor, et al. to life (and Lee pays tribute to them all in his adverb-filled manner), and even a casual read demonstrates the diversity brought to the Marvel Bullpen by Kirby, Ditko, Romita Sr. (who illustrated the original printing's cover), Trimpe, and others. But the flip side of diversity is cohesion, and that magical element was supplied in abundance by the Editor Emeritus.
ORIGINS OF MARVEL COMICS is as much about Stan Lee as it is about his creations. It's a fun book, as well it should be. And it's the tip of the iceberg...so don't stop here. Go pick up SON OF ORIGINS and BRING ON THE BAD GUYS and THE SUPERHERO WOMEN OF MARVEL COMICS and the ESSENTIALS collections.
But start somewhere...start HERE. 'Nuff said!
The Fantastic Four, Hulk, Spider-Man, Thor & Doc Strange! "Origins of Marvel Comics" presents the origins and history of its most famous creations with introductions from Stan (the Man) Lee that are interesting if not insightful. I am certain that to some degree Lee is mythologizing these actions of comic creation, but I really have no idea where to draw the line on how much credit he gets in all this and am not ashamed that my copy of this book is autographed. The main thing about this volume is that at a time where reprints were few and far between, "Origins of Marvel Comics" gives you the first appearance of classic super heroes along with what in 1974 were more recent stories as well. For "The Fantastic Four" we get issue #1 where they take on the Moleman and #55 "Where Strikes the Silver Surfer," both of which are drawn by Jack Kirby. "The Incredible Hulk" offers more Kirby art with issue #1 (with the Hulk still grey on the cover) and #118 where he fights the Sub-Mariner drawn by Herb Trimpe. "Amazing Fantasy" #15 provides the first story with Steve Ditko's Spider-Man while #72 of "The Amazing Spider-Man" features "Rocked by...The Shocker!" drawn by John Romita. Kirby again draws both stories when "Journey Into Mystery" #83 introduces "The Mighty Thor" while issue #143 has Thor, Balder and Sif taking on the Evil Enchanters. Finally, there are a trio of stories with Doctor Strange, Master of the Mystic Arts, drawn by Ditko and Marie Severin. Of course the origin issues are of more interest than the others and do not really add anything significant. There are other volumes in this "series," providing more of the same.
Stan Lee is a real life Super villain! I marvel at the origins of marvel comics. This man is such a liar!Does Stan Lee have no shame? If you really want to know how Marvel Comics came to be,read some background on one Mr.Jack Kirby.For Stan Lee to say that he would come up with an idea then pass it along to Jack Kirby is not only ludicrous but also peposterous.Stan Lee also fails to mention many artists who where also working at the Marvel bullpen at the time.Many artist who where working at Marvel at the time have gone on to state that Stan Lee never wrote a single story!! The way the artist of the day would go about writing a story would be by writing it along the borders and making it up as they went along.If this is true,then Jack Kirby created the entire line of characters for Marvel Comics.Many of the more important ones any ways.The Incredible Hulk,Captain America,The Fantastic Four,Thor,The X-Men,And The Avengers to name a few.And also not to mention the cover to Amazing Fantasy #15.When Stan Lee states very proudly that the idea for The Fantastic Four was all his ,it upsets me.If you are really a true comic book fan then you would know that the Fantastic Four are just recycled characters from Simon and Kirby's Challengers Of The Unknown.Which , I might add was published for D.C.Comics and not for Marvel.Jack Kirby was an artist and an idea man when he and Joe Simon collaborated together.These two men came up with many characters and many ideas together.At least Mr. Simon had the decency to admit it.But the same cannot be said for Stan Lee,he and he alone wants to take credit for the creation of Marvel Comics most memorable heroes.This book is filled with nothing but self glorification and staight out lies put to paper by Stan Lee.Excelsior my foot,how about expell yourself?Very little is said about Simon & Kirby's creation of Captain America for Marvel comics in the forty's. Stan Lee didn't even work for Marvel Comics at the time that Captain America made his comic book debut!! Origins of Marvel Comics also speaks very little about Steve Ditko,Don heck,and John Romita Sr. some of comicdoms most famous artists.This book fails to aknowledge the contributions they also made for Marvel Comics.But then again I guess that's the way Stan Lee wanted it when he wrote this book.I belieive this book did very much damadge to Jack Kirby's carreer.To this day he is not given the proper credit he so rightly deserves.The way Marvel Comics treated Jack Kirby can be compared to the exile of Moses from Egypt in wich his name must forever be stricken from it's books and never be spoken again! I wouldn't recommend purchasing this book but if you do,go right out and buy some material to compare notes and then make your decision about the Origins Of Marvel Comics . Pick up The art of Jack Kirby for refference because there was never really a "Marvel Age Of Comics,"there was only a "Jack Kirby Age Of Comics." If you wish to send me your comments or opinions send them to 3019 s. Poplar Ave. Chicago Illinois 60608.KIRBY POWER!! and STAY ROMITALIZED!!
an absolute classic an absolute classic that any comix reader must read
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