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.

In October of 1939, Martin Goodman hired Lloyd Jacquet's company to publish the very first Marvel comic book. It's not a coincidence this original was called Marvel Comics #1. This initial issue sold more that 80,000 copies. In 1941, after a boost of confidence via the popularity of their first superhero Human Torch, Marvel released their second superhero, Captain America.

The Golden Age of Comic Books ended with the end of World War II and the popularity of superhero comic books declined drastically. Declining sales of comic books featuring Wheezer, Angel, Captain America, and Miss America pushed Marvel comics to invent humor characters such as Powerhouse Pepper and Super Rabbit.

The beginning of the war in Vietnam spurred a renewal of interest in comic book heroes. The Marvel publishing company came up with a group of new superheroes who formed a team called The Fantastic Four. More Marvel comic books were also created, starring such unforgettable characters as The X-Men, Iron Man, The Hulk, and the very popular Spiderman. Young people love these superheroes and flock to the hugely successful Hollywood films which portray their exploits.

The authors of Marvel comic books have integrated important societal issues such as drug abuse into the plot lines of many of their comic books. As these Marvel comics transcend simple entertainment, many in the education profession have encouraged people to read them.

Collectors will dish out large amounts for old comic books, especially for those really rare issues that are excellent condition, these can fetch millions of dollars. Talk to your parents or grandparents to find out if they just might be holding a fortune somewhere in a drawer full of items from their childhood. Today, even the government is recognizing the influence of superhero comics on society, as evidenced by the fact that commemorative stamps were released in 2007 featuring comic book characters.