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Superheroes have always been popular among teenagers. Paper comic books were atop this wave of popularity before television shows, movies, or Internet threads about these superheroes were even available. Comic book fans revered these paperbacks as more than just stories. The comics actually delved into social, societal, and political thresholds, reflecting the state of the times they were released. Ever since first hitting the market, Marvel comic books have enjoyed a position at the top comic world. And, Marvel continues to be the biggest publisher of comic books today.

The history of Marvel dates back to October 1939, when Martin Goodman commissioned Lloyd Jacquet's business for publication of the first Marvel comic book. The book happened to be called Marvel Comics #1. Marvel sold over 80,000 copies of this first issue. With so much success in its experiment in comics, particularly the first superhero, Human Torch, Marvel brought out a second superhero in 1941: Captain America.

The Golden Age of Comic Books came to an end after World War II ended, and the superhero comic books' popularity dropped sharply. Reduced sales of comic books focusing on Wheezer, Captain America, Angel, and Miss America forced Marvel Comics to invent more humorous characters like Super Rabbit and Powerhouse Pepper.

But, when the Vietnam War began this brought back an interest in comic superheroes. This influenced Marvel comic books to create a team of four new superheroes known as "The Fantastic Four". After this, Marvel comics produced other figures including X-Men, Iron Man, Ant-Man, Hulk and the famous Spider-Man. These characters are remembered by generations of teenagers and are the inspiration for several Hollywood movies.

Marvel comics were more than just for entertainment. For those who look closely enough, you can tell how Marvel comic books have incorporate relevant social issues like drug use into their pages. Because of this, many in education were encouraging people to read these comic books.

Collectors pay big money for old comic books, even up to millions of dollars for rare issues in perfect condition. Ask parents and grandparents if they've got a fortune stashed away in a drawer which contains nostalgic items from their childhood days. Even the government realizes the huge influence of superhero comics on popular culture. Commemorative stamps showing superhero comic characters were released in 2007.