Timely Comicsis the common name for the group of corporations that was the earliest comic book arm of American publisherMartin Goodman,and the entity that would evolve by the 1960s to becomeMarvel Comics.[1]
 The original Timely Comics logo. | |
| Company type | Division |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founded | 1939 |
| Defunct | 1950 |
| Fate | Rebranded asAtlas Comicsin 1951 |
| Successor | Atlas Comics,Marvel Comics |
| Headquarters | Manhattan,New York City |
Key people | Martin Goodman |
| Products | Comic books, magazine |
Founded in 1939, during the era called theGolden Age of comic books,"Timely" was the umbrella name for the comics division ofpulp magazinepublisher Goodman, whosebusiness strategyinvolved having a multitude ofcorporateentities all producing the same product.[1]The company's first publication in 1939 usedTimely Publications,[2][3]based at his existing company in theMcGraw-Hill Buildingat 330 West42nd Streetin New York City. In 1942, it moved to the 14th floor of theEmpire State Building,where it remained until 1951. In 2016, Marvel announced that Timely Comics would be the name of a new imprint of low-priced reprint comics.
Creation
editIn 1939, with the emergingmediumof comic books proving hugely popular, and the firstsuperheroessetting the trend,pulp-magazinepublisherMartin Goodmanfounded Timely Publications, basing it at his existing company in theMcGraw-Hill Buildingat 330 West 42nd Street in New York City. Goodman – whose official titles were editor, managing editor, andbusiness manager,with Abraham Goodman officially listed as publisher[3]– contracted with the newly formedcomic book packagerFunnies, Inc.to supply material.[2]
His first effort,Marvel Comics#1 (Oct. 1939), featured thefirst appearancesof writer-artistCarl Burgos'androidsuperhero,theHuman Torch,andPaul Gustavson's costumed detective theAngel.It also contained the first published appearance ofBill Everett'santi-heroNamor the Sub-Mariner,created for the unpublished movie-theater giveaway comicMotion Picture Funnies Weeklyearlier that year, with the eight-page original story now expanded by four pages.[4]
Also included were Al Anders'Westernhero theMasked Raider;the jungle lordKa-Zar the Great,[5]withBen Thompsonbeginning a five-issue adaptation of the story "King of Fang and Claw" by Bob Byrd in Goodman's pulp magazineKa-Zar#1 (Oct. 1936);[6]the non-continuing-character story "Jungle Terror", featuring adventurer Ken Masters, drawn and possibly written byArt Pinajianunder the quirky pseudonym "Tohm Dixon" or "Tomm Dixon" (with the published signature smudged); "Now I'll Tell One", five single-panel, black-and-white gag cartoons byFred Schwab,on the inside front cover; and a two-page prose story byRay Gill,"Burning Rubber", aboutauto racing.A painted cover by veteran science-fiction pulp artistFrank R. Paulfeatured the Human Torch, looking much different from the interior story.[4][7]
That initial comic, cover-dated October 1939, quickly sold out 80,000 copies, prompting Goodman to produce a second printing, cover-dated November 1939. The latter is identical except for a black bar over the October date in the inside-front-cover indicia, and the November date added at the end.[4]That sold approximately 800,000 copies.[8]With a hit on his hands, Goodman began assembling an in-house staff, hiring Funnies, Inc. writer-artistJoe Simonas editor. Simon brought along his collaborator, artistJack Kirby,followed by artistSyd Shores.[9]Goodman then formed Timely Comics, Inc., beginning with comics cover-dated April 1941 or Spring 1941.[10]
There is evidence that "Red Circle Comics", a name that would be used for anunrelated imprintofArchie Comicsin the 1970s and 1980s – may have been a term in use as Goodman prepared to publish his first comic book. HistorianLes Daniels,referring to Goodman's pulp-magazine line, describes the nameRed Circleas "a halfhearted attempt to establish an identity for what was usually described loosely as 'the Goodman group' [made] when a new logo was adopted: a red disk surrounded by a black ring that bore the phrase 'A Red Circle Magazine.' But it appeared only intermittently, when someone remembered to put it on [a pulp magazine's] cover.[11]HistorianJess Nevins,conversely, writes that, "Timely Publications [was how] Goodman's group [of companies] had become known; before this, it was known as 'Red Circle' because of the logo that Goodman had put on his pulp magazines...."[12]TheGrand Comics Databaseidentifies 23 issues of Goodman comic books from 1944 to 1959 with Red Circle, Inc. branding,[13]and a single 1948 issue under Red Circle Magazines Corp.[14]
Golden Age of Comic Books
editMarvel Comicswas rechristenedMarvel Mystery Comicswith issue #2 (Dec. 1939); the magazine would continue under that title through #92 (June 1949) before becomingMarvel Talesthrough #159 (Aug. 1957). Timely began publishing additional series, beginning withDaring Mystery Comics#1 (Jan. 1940),Mystic Comics#1 (March 1940),Red Raven Comics#1 (Aug. 1940),The Human Torch#2 (premiering Fall 1940 with nocover dateand having taken over the numbering from the unsuccessfulRed Raven), andCaptain America Comics#1 (March 1941). Going on sale in December 1940, a year before the bombing ofPearl Harborand already showing the hero punchingHitler,that first issue sold nearly one million copies.[8]
With the hit characters Human Torch and Sub-Mariner now joined by Simon and Kirby's seminal patriotic heroCaptain America,Timely had its "big three" stars of the era fans and historians call theGolden Age of Comic Books.Rival publishersNational Comics Publications/All-American Comics,the sister companies that would evolve intoDC Comics,likewise had their own "big three": Superman andBatmanplus the soon-to-debutWonder Woman.Timely's other major competitors wereFawcett Publications(withCaptain Marvel,introduced in 1940);Quality Comics(withPlastic ManandBlackhawk,both in 1941); andLev Gleason Publications(withDaredevil,introduced in 1940 and unrelated tothe 1960s Marvel hero).
Other Timely characters, many seen both in modern-dayretroactive-continuityappearances and in flashbacks, include theAngel,the next-most-popular character in terms of number of appearances; theDestroyer,an early creation of future Marvel chiefStan Lee;super-speedster theWhizzer;the flying and super-strongMiss America;the originalVision,who inspired Marvel writerRoy Thomasin the 1960s to create aSilver Ageversion of the character;and theBlazing Skulland theThin Man,two members of the present-dayNew Invaders.
Just as Captain America had his teenage sidekickBuckyand DC Comics' Batman hadRobin,the Human Torch acquired a young partner,Toro,in the first issue of the Torch's own magazine. TheYoung Allies—one of several "kid gangs" popular in comics at the time—debuted under the rubric the Sentinels of Liberty in a text story inCaptain America Comics#4 (June 1941) before making it to the comics pages themselves the following issue, and then eventually into their own title.
Seeing a natural "fire and water" theme, Timely was responsible for comic books' first major crossover, with a two-issue battle between the Human Torch and the Sub-Mariner that spannedMarvel Mystery Comics#8–9 (telling the story from the two characters' different perspectives).
After the Simon and Kirby team moved to DC late 1941, having producedCaptain America Comicsthrough issue #10 (Jan. 1942),Al AvisonandSyd Shoresbecame regularpencilerson the title, with one generallyinkingover the other.Stan Lee(né Stanley Lieber), a cousin of Goodman's by marriage who had been serving as an assistant since 1939, at age 16,[n 1]was promoted to interim editor just shy of his 19th birthday. Showing a knack for the business, Lee stayed on for decades, eventually becoming Marvel Comics' publisher in 1972. Fellow Timely stafferVincent Fagowould substitute during Lee'sWorld War IImilitary service.
The staff at that time, Fago recalled, was, "Mike Sekowsky.Ed Winiarski.Gary Kellerwas a production assistant and letterer.Ernest HartandKin Plattwere writers, but they worked freelance; Hart also drew.George Klein,Syd Shores,Vince Alascia,Dave Gantz,andChris Rulewere there, too ".[16]
In 1942, Goodman moved his publisher operations to the 14th floor of theEmpire State Building,where it remained until 1951.[17]
Funny animals, and people
editThe superheroes were the products of what Timely referred to as the "adventure" bullpen. The company also developed an "animator" bullpen creating such movie tie-in and originaltalking animalcomics asTerrytoons Comics,Mighty Mouse,All Surprise Comics,Super Rabbit Comics,Funny Frolics,andFunny Tunes,renamedAnimated Funny Comic-Tunes.FormerFleischer Studiosanimator Fago, who joined Timely in 1942, headed this group, which consisted through the years of such writer/artists as Hart, Gantz, Klein, Platt, Rule, Sekowsky,Frank Carin(né Carino),Bob Deschamps,Chad Grothkopf,Pauline Loth,Jim Mooney,Moss Worthmana.k.a. Moe Worth, and futureMadmagazine cartoonistsDave BergandAl Jaffee.
Features from this department include "Dinky" and "Frenchy Rabbit" inTerrytoons Comics;"Floop and Skilly Boo" inComedy Comics;"Posty the Pelican Postman" inKrazy Komicsand other titles; "Krazy Krow" in that character's eponymous comic; "Tubby an' Tack", in various comics; and the most popular of these features, Jaffee's "Ziggy Pig and Silly Seal"and Hart's"Super Rabbit",the cover stars of many different titles. Timely also published one of humorcartoonistBasil Wolverton's best-known features,Powerhouse Pepper.The first issue, cover-dated January 1943, bore no number, andprotagonistPepper looked different from his more familiar visualization (when the series returned for four issues, May–Nov. 1948) as the bullet-headed naif in the striped turtleneck sweater.
Additionally, Timely in 1944 and 1945 initiated a sitcom selection of titles aimed at female readers:Millie the Model,Tessie the TypistandNellie the Nurse.The company continued to pursue female readers later in the decade with such superheroines asSun Girl;the Sub-Mariner spin-offNamora;andVenus,theRoman goddessof love, posing as a human reporter.[18]Patsy Walker,Millie the Model,Tessie the Typistand other Timely humor titles also includedHarvey Kurtzman's "Hey Look!" one-pagers in several issues.[19][20]
FutureComic Book Hall of FameartistGene Colan,a Marvel mainstay from 1946 on, recalled that, "The atmosphere at Timely was very good, very funny.... [I worked in] a big art room and there were about 20 artists in there, all stacked up.Syd [Shores]was in the last row on my side, and there was another row on the other side.Dan DeCarlowas there, several other people –Vince Alasciawas an inker;Rudy LaPicksat right behind me, "withMike Sekowsky"in another room".[21]
Yet after the wartime boom years – when superheroes had been new and inspirational, and comics provided cheap entertainment for millions of children, soldiers and others – the post-war era found superheroes falling out of fashion. Television andmass market paperbackbooks now also competed for readers andleisure time.[22]Goodman began turning to a wider variety ofgenresthan ever, emphasizinghorror,Westerns,teen humor,crimeand war comics, and introducing female heroes to try to attract girls and young women to read comics. In 1946, for instance, the superhero titleAll Select Comicswas changed toBlonde Phantom Comics,and now starred a masked secretary who fought crime in anevening gown.That same year,Kid Komicseliminated its stars and becameKid Movie Comics.All Winners ComicsbecameAll Teen Comicsin January 1947. Timely eliminated virtually all its staff positions in 1948.
Time after Timely
edit
 The revised Timely Comics label | |
| Company type | Division |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founded | 2015 |
| Headquarters | United States |
| Products | Comic books, magazine |
| Parent | Marvel Comics |
The precise end-point of the Golden Age of comics is vague, but for Timely, at least, it appears to have ended with the cancellation ofCaptain America Comicsat issue #75 (Feb. 1950) – by which time the series had already beenCaptain America's Weird Talesfor two issues, with the finale featuring merely anthological horror/suspense tales and no superheroes.Sub-Mariner ComicsandHuman Torch Comicshad already ended with #32 (June 1949) and #35 (March 1949) respectively, and the company's flagship title,Marvel Mystery Comics,starring the Angel, ended that same month with #92, becoming thehorroranthologyMarvel Talesbeginning with issue #93 (Aug. 1949). Goodman began using the globe logo of theAtlas News Company,[23]the newsstand-distribution company he owned, on comics cover-dated Nov. 1951.[24]
In 2015, Marvel registered thetrademark"Timely Comics".[25]The following year, Marvel announced that Timely Comics would be the name of a new imprint of low-priced reprint comics.[26]
Marvel branding
editPublisher Martin Goodman's business strategy involved having his various magazines and comic books published by a number of companies all operating out of the same office and with the same staff.[1]One of these shell companies under which Timely Comics was published was named Marvel Comics by at leastMarvel Mystery Comics#55 (May 1944). As well, some comics' covers, such asAll Surprise Comics#12 (Winter 1946–47), were labeled "A Marvel Magazine" many years before Goodman would formally adopt the name in 1961.[27]This brand extended to the company's short-lived editorial advisory board in 1948 in an effort to compete with other publishers likeDC ComicsandFawcett Comics,and used the moniker Marvel Comic Group in its editorials.[28][29][30]
Timely characters and creators
editList of characters making multiple appearances, either in Timely Comics solely or in Timely and subsequent companies Atlas Comics and Marvel Comics.
| Character | Debut | Reintroduced (Modern Age) | Creators |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sub-Mariner | Motion Picture Funnies Weekly#1 (April, 1939) | Fantastic Four#4 (May 1962) | Bill Everett(writer/artist) |
| American Ace | Motion Picture Funnies Weekly#1 (April, 1939) | All-Winners Squad: Band of Heroes#4 (Nov. 2011) | Paul J. Lauretta (penciler). Writer unknown.[31] |
| Angel | Marvel Comics#1 (Nov. 1939) | The Avengers#97 (March 1972);[32] U.S. Agent#3 (Aug. 1993) |
Paul Gustavson(artist). Writer unknown.[33][34] |
| Archie the Gruesome | Comedy Comics#10 (Jun. 1942) | All-Winners Squad: Band of Heroes#1 (Aug. 2011) | |
| Black Marvel | Mystic Comics#5 (March 1941) | Slingers#1 (Dec. 1998) | Al Gabriele(penciller-inker). Writer unknown but not Stan Lee as often mis-credited.[35] |
| Black Widow | Mystic Comics#4 (Aug. 1940) | Marvels#1 (Jan. 1994) | George Kapitan(writer),Harry Sahle(penciller)[36] |
| Blazing Skull | Mystic Comics#5 (March 1941) | The Avengers#97 (March 1972);[32]Invaders#2 (1993) | Bob Davis (writer-penciler)[37] |
| Blonde Phantom | All Select Comics#11 (Fall 1946) | The Sensational She-Hulk#4 (July 1989) | Stan Lee (writer),Syd Shores(penciller)[38] |
| Blue Blade | U.S.A. Comics#5 (Summer 1942) | The Twelve#1 (March 2008) | Unknown writer and artist.[39] |
| Blue Blaze | Mystic Comics#1 (March 1940) | Harry Douglas (writer-penciler), signed "Harry / Douglas", leading to numerous theories of two creators or other pseudonym situations which have proven incorrect.[40] | |
| Bucky Barnes | Captain America Comics#1 (March 1941) | As Winter Soldier: Captain Americavol. 5, #1 (Jan. 2005) |
Joe Simon(writer),Jack Kirby(penciller)[41] |
| Blue Diamond | Daring Mystery Comics#7 (April 1941) | Marvel Premiere#29 (April 1976) | Ben Thompson(penciller). Unknown writer.[42] |
| Captain America | Captain America Comics #1(March 1941) | The Avengers#4 (March 1964) | Joe Simon (writer), Jack Kirby (penciller)[41] |
| Captain Terror | U.S.A. Comics#2 (Nov. 1941) | Captain America#442 (Aug. 1995) | Mike Suchorsky (penciller). Unknown writer.[43] |
| Captain Wonder | Kid Komics#1 (Feb. 1943) | The Twelve#1 (March 2008) | Otto Binder(writer),Frank Giacoia(penciller)[44] |
| Challenger | Daring Mystery Comics#7 (April 1941) | Marvel Knights Spider-Man#9 (Feb. 2005) | Charles Nicholas (penciller). Unknown writer.[45] |
| Citizen V | Daring Mystery Comics#8 (Jan. 1942) | Thunderbolts−1 (July 1997) | Ben Thompson (penciler, as "Tom Benson" ). Unknown writer.[46] |
| Comet Pierce | Red Raven Comics#1 (Aug. 1940) | Jack Kirby (writer-artist)[47] | |
| Davey Drew (Davey and the Demon) | Mystic Comics#7 (December 1941) | All-Winners Squad: Band of Heroes#3 (October 2011) | Howard James |
| Defender | U.S.A. Comics#1 (August 1941) | Daredevil#66 (Dec. 2004) | Joe Simon and Jack Kirby (writers). Penciler uncertain[48] |
| Destroyer | Mystic Comics#6 (Oct. 1941) | Invaders#26 (March 1978) | Stan Lee (writer),Jack Binder(penciler) |
| Dynamic Man | Mystic Comics #1(March 1940) | The Twelve#1 (March 2008) | Daniel Peters |
| Electro | Marvel Mystery#4 (Feb. 1940) | The Twelve#1 (March 2008) | Steve Dahlman(writer-penciler) |
| Falcon | Human Torch Comics#2 (June 1940) | Marvel Knights Spider-Man#9 (Feb. 2005) | Carl Burgos (writer - artist) |
| Father Time | Captain America Comics#6 (Sep. 1941) | All-Winners Squad: Band of Heroes#2 (Sep. 2011) | Stan Lee (writer) |
| Ferret | Marvel Mystery Comics#4 (Feb. 1940) | The Marvels Project#3 (Dec. 2009) | |
| Fiery Mask | Daring Mystery Comics#1 (Jan. 1940) | The Twelve#1 (March 2008) | Joe Simon (writer-penciller)[49] |
| Fighting Yank | Captain America Comics#17 (Aug. 1942) | All-Winners Squad: Band of Heroes#2 (Sep. 2011) | |
| Fin | Daring Mystery Comics#7 (April 1941) | The Avengers#97 (March 1972);[32]Invaders#5 (March 1976) | Bill Everett(writer-penciller)[42] |
| Flash Foster | Daring Mystery Comics#1 (Jan. 1940) | All-Winners Squad: Band of Heroes#1 (Aug. 2011) | |
| Flexo the Rubber Man | Mystic Comics#1 (April 1940) | Free Comic Book Day 2022: Spider-Man/Venom(May 2022) | Jack Binder (penciller). Unknown writer |
| Human Torch | Marvel Comics#1 (Oct. 1939) | Fantastic FourAnnual#4 (Nov. 1966) | Al Fagaly(penciller),Carl Burgos(writer-penciller) |
| Hurricane[50] | Captain America Comics #1(March 1941) | Marvel Universe#7 (Dec. 1998) | Jack Kirby and Joe Simon (writers), Jack Kirby (penciler)[41] |
| Invisible Man | Mystic Comics#2 (Apr. 1940) | All-Winners Squad: Band of Heroes#1 (Aug. 2011) | |
| Jack Frost | U.S.A. Comics#1 (Aug. 1941) | Marvel Premiere#29 (April 1976) | Stan Lee (writer), Charles Nicholas (penciler)[48] |
| Jap Buster Johnson | U.S.A Comics#6 (Dec. 1942) | All-Winners Squad: Band of Heroes#2 (Sept. 2011) | |
| Jimmy Jupiter | Marvel Mystery Comics#28 (Feb. 1942) | Captain America#1 (Sept. 2011) | |
| John Steele | Daring Mystery Comics#1 | The Marvels Project#1 (Oct. 2009) | Larry Antonette (writer and, as "Dean Carr", penciler)[49] |
| Laughing Mask | Daring Mystery Comics#2 | The Twelve#1 (March 2008) | Will Harr (writer), Maurice Gutwirth (penciler)[51] |
| Major Liberty | U.S.A. Comics#1 (Aug. 1941) | ||
| Marvel Boy(first) | Daring Mystery Comics#6 (Sept. 1940) | Jack Kirby (penciller), Joe Simon and Al Avison (inkers) | |
| Marvel Boy(second) | U.S.A. Comics#7 (Feb. 1943) | Fantastic Four#165 (Dec. 1975) | Bob Oksner(writer-penciller-inker) |
| Marvex the Super-Robot | Daring Mystery Comics#3 (April 1940) | All Select Comics 70th Anniversary Special#1 (Sept. 2009) | Unknown writer and penciler from theHarry "A" Cheslerstudio[52] |
| Master Mind Excello | Mystic Comics#2 | The Twelve#1 (March 2008) | |
| Mercury[50] | Red Raven Comics#1 (Aug. 1940) | Marvel Universe#7 (Dec. 1998) | Martin A. Bursten(writer), Jack Kirby (artist) |
| Merzah the Mystic | Mystic Comics#4 (Aug. 1940) | All-Winners Squad: Band of Heroes#1 (Aug. 2011) | |
| Miss America | Marvel Mystery Comics#49 (Nov. 1943) | Giant-Size Avengers#1 (Aug. 1974) | Otto Binder(writer), Al Gabriele (penciller) |
| Miss Patriot | Human Torch Comics#4 (Spring 1941) (as Mary Morgan);Marvel Mystery Comics#50 (Dec. 1943) (as Miss Patriot) | Captain America: Patriot#1 (Nov. 2010) | |
| Mister E | Daring Mystery Comics#2 | The Twelve#1 (March 2008) | |
| Monako the Magician | Daring Mystery Comics#1 | The Marvels Project#1 (Oct. 2009) | |
| Moon Man | Mystic Comics#5 | All-Winners Squad: Band of Heroes#2 (Sep. 2011) | |
| Namora | Marvel Mystery Comics#82 (May 1947) | Sub-Mariner#33 (January 1971) | Ken Bald(writer),Syd Shores(artist) |
| Nellie the Nurse | |||
| Patriot | Human Torch Comics#4 (Spring 1941) | The Avengers#97 (March 1972);[32]The Invaders#5 (March 1976) | Ray Gill(writer),Bill EverettorGeorge Mandel(penciler)[53] |
| Patsy Walker | Miss America Magazine#2 (Nov. 1944) | The Avengers#144 (Feb. 1976) | Stuart Little(writer),Ruth Atkinson(artist) |
| Phantom Bullet | Daring Comics#2 (Feb. 1940) | The Marvels Project#2 (Nov. 2009) | |
| Phantom Reporter | Daring Mystery Comics#3 | The Twelve#1 (March 2008) | |
| Red Raven | Red Raven Comics#1 (Aug. 1940) | X-Men#44 (May 1968) | Joe Simon (writer),Louis Cazeneuve(penciller) |
| Rockman | U.S.A. Comics#1 (Aug. 1941) | The Twelve#1 (March 2008) | |
| Silver Scorpion | Daring Mystery Comics#7 (Jan. 1941) | Invaders#2 (June 1993) | Henry Sahle |
| Slow-Motion Jones | U.S.A. Comics#6 (Dec. 1942) | All-Winners Squad: Band of Heroes#1 (Aug. 2011) | |
| Sun Girl | Sun Girl#1 (Aug. 1948) | Ant-Man: Last Days#1 (Oct. 2015) | Ken Bald |
| Taxi Taylor | Mystic Comics#2 (Apr. 1940) | All-Winners Squad: Band of Heroes#1 (Aug. 2011) | |
| Terror | Mystic Comics#5 (March 1941) | Sensational She-Hulk#15 (May 1990) | Phil Sturm (writer);Syd Shores(penciler). George Klein may have added background pencils, but that would not be a creator role.[54] |
| Thin Man | Mystic Comics#4 (July 1940) | Marvel Premiere#29 (April 1976) | Klaus Nordling(penciller-inker) |
| Thunderer | Daring Mystery Comics#7 (April 1941) | Marvel Premiere#29 (April 1976) | |
| Toro | Human Torch Comics#2 (Fall 1940) | Sub-Mariner#14 (June 1969) | Carl Burgos |
| Vagabond | U.S.A. Comics#2 (Nov. 1941) | All-Winners Squad: Band of Heroes#3 (Oct. 2011) | |
| Venus | Venus#1 (Aug. 1948) | Sub-Mariner#57 (January 1973) | Ken Bald (first artist) |
| Victory Boys | Comedy Comics#10 (June 1942) | All-Winners Squad: Band of Heroes#1 (Aug. 2011) | |
| Vision | Marvel Mystery Comics#13 (Nov. 1940) | The Avengers#97 (March 1972)[32] | Jack Kirby & Joe Simon (writers); Jack Kirby (penciller-inker)[55] |
| Whizzer | U.S.A. Comics#1 (Aug. 1941) | Giant-Size Avengers#1 (Aug. 1974) | Al Avison (penciller), Al Gabriele (inker). Writer unknown. |
| The Witness | Mystic Comics#6 (Dec. 1941) | The Twelve#1 (March 2008) | Stan Lee (writer)[56] |
| Young Allies | Young Allies Comics#1 (July 1941) | Young Allies Comics 70th Anniversary Special(August 2009) | Jack Kirby (penciller),Syd Shores(inker) |
| Young Avenger | U.S.A. Comics#1 (Aug. 1941) | All-Winners Squad: Band of Heroes#1 (Aug. 2011) |
Notes
edit- ^Lee's account of how he began working for Marvel's predecessor, Timely, has varied. He has said in lectures and elsewhere that he simply answered a newspaper ad seeking a publishing assistant, not knowing it involved comics, let alone his cousin Jean's husband, Martin Goodman:
I applied for a job in a publishing company... I didn't even know they published comics. I was fresh out of high school, and I wanted to get into the publishing business, if I could. There was an ad in the paper that said, "Assistant Wanted in a Publishing House." When I found out that they wanted me to assist in comics, I figured, 'Well, I'll stay here for a little while and get some experience, and then I'll get out into the real world.'... I just wanted to know, 'What do you do in a publishing company?' How do you write?... How do you publish? I was an assistant. There were two people there named Joe Simon and Jack Kirby—Joe was sort-of the editor/artist/writer, and Jack was the artist/writer. Joe was the senior member. They were turning out most of the artwork. Then there was the publisher, Martin Goodman... And that was about the only staff that I was involved with. After a while, Joe Simon and Jack Kirby left. I was about 17 years old [sic], and Martin Goodman said to me, 'Do you think you can hold down the job of editor until I can find a real person?' When you're 17, what do you know? I said, 'Sure! I can do it!' I think he forgot about me, because I stayed there ever since.[15]
However, in his 2002 autobiography,Excelsior! The Amazing Life of Stan Lee(cited under References, below), he says:
My uncle, Robbie Solomon, told me they might be able to use someone at a publishing company where he worked. The idea of being involved in publishing definitely appealed to me.... So I contacted the man Robbie said did the hiring, Joe Simon, and applied for a job. He took me on and I began working as a gofer for eight dollars a week....
Joe Simon,in his 1990 autobiographyThe Comic Book Makers(cited under References, below), gives the account slightly differently: "One day [Goodman's relative known as] Uncle Robbie came to work with a lanky 17-year-old in tow. 'This is Stanley Lieber, Martin's wife's cousin,' Uncle Robbie said. 'Martin wants you to keep him busy.'"
In an appendix, however, Simon appears to reconcile the two accounts. He relates a 1989 conversation with Lee:
Lee: "I've been saying this [classified-ad] story for years, but apparently it isn't so. And I can't remember because I['ve] said it so long now that I believe it."
...
Simon: "Your Uncle Robbie brought you into the office one day and he said, 'This is Martin Goodman's wife's nephew.' [sic]... You were seventeen years old."
Lee: "Sixteen and a half!"
Simon: "Well, Stan, you told me seventeen. You were probably trying to be older.... I did hire you."
References
edit- ^abcDaniels, Les(1991).Marvel: Five Fabulous Decades of the World's Greatest Comics.New York: Harry N. Abrams. pp. 27 & 32–33.ISBN0-8109-3821-9."Timely Publications became the name under which Goodman first published a comic book line. He eventually created a number of companies to publish comics... but Timely was the name by which Goodman's Golden Age comics were known." "Marvel wasn't always Marvel; in the early 1940s the company was known as Timely Comics, and some covers bore this shield."
- ^abPostal indicia in issue, perMarvel Comics#1 [1st printing] (October 1939)at theGrand Comics Database:"Vol.1, No.1, MARVEL COMICS, Oct., 1939 Published monthly by Timely Publications,... Art and editorial by Funnies Incorporated..."
- ^abPer statement of ownership, dated October 2, 1939, published inMarvel Mystery Comics#4 (Feb. 1940), p. 40; reprinted inMarvel Masterworks:Golden Age Marvel ComicsVolume 1 (Marvel Comics, 2004,ISBN0-7851-1609-5,ISBN978-0-7851-1609-7), p. 239
- ^abcMarvel Comics#1at theGrand Comics Database
- ^Unrelated to the Marvel Comics jungle lordKa-Zarintroduced inThe X-Men#10 (March 1965)
- ^Ka-ZaratDon Markstein's Toonopedia.Archivedfrom the original on November 27, 2014.
- ^Marvel Masterworks: Golden Age Marvel Comics.The smudged Dixon signature is reprinted on page 46.
- ^abPer researcher Keif Fromm,Alter Ego#49, p. 4 (caption)
- ^Simon, Joe(2011).Joe Simon: My Life in Comics.London, UK:Titan Books.p. 109.ISBN978-1-84576-930-7.
- ^"Marvel: Timely Publications (Indicia Publisher)"at theGrand Comics Database."This is the original business name under which Martin Goodman began publishing comics in 1939. It was used on all issues up to and including those cover-dated March 1941 or Winter 1940–1941, spanning the period fromMarvel Comics#1 toCaptain America Comics#1. It was replaced by Timely Comics, Inc. starting with all issues cover-dated April 1941 or Spring 1941. "
- ^Daniels,Marvel: Five Fabulous Decades of the World's Greatest Comics,p. 21
- ^Nevins, Jess."The Timely Comics Story".p. 3: "Antebellum" Part I ". Archived fromthe originalon November 15, 2011.RetrievedAugust 16,2011.
- ^Marvel: Red Circle Magazines, Inc. (Indicia / Colophon Publisher)at the Grand Comics Database.
- ^Marvel: Red Circle Magazines Corp. (Indicia / Colophon Publisher)at the Grand Comics Database.
- ^"Interview with Stan Lee (Part 1 of 5)".IGN FilmForce. June 26, 2000. Archived fromthe originalon January 15, 2015.
- ^"I Let People Do Their Jobs!': A Conversation with Vince Fago—Artist, writer, and Third Editor-in-Chief of Timely/Marvel Comics".Alter Ego.Vol. 3, no. 11.TwoMorrows Publishing.November 2001.Archivedfrom the original on June 23, 2009.
- ^Sanderson, Peter (2007).The Marvel Comics Guide to New York City.New York City:Pocket Books.pp. 52–61.ISBN978-1-4165-3141-8.
- ^Ro, Ronin (2004).Tales to Astonish: Jack Kirby, Stan Lee and the American Comic Book Revolution.Bloomsbury Publishing.p.47.
- ^Kitchen, Denis;Buhle, Paul (2009).Harvey Kurtzman: The Man Who CreatedMadand Revolutionized Humor in America.Harry N. Abrams.p. 23.ISBN978-0-8109-7296-4.
- ^"Hey Look!"at the Grand Comics Database.
- ^Gene Colan interview,Alter Ego# 52 (March 2006), pp. 66–67
- ^Wright, Bradford W. (2001).Comic Book Nation: The Transformation of Youth Culture in America.TheJohns Hopkins UniversityPress. p.57.ISBN978-0-8018-6514-5.
- ^"Marvel Entertainment Group, Inc.".International Directory of Company Histories, Vol. 10.Farmington Hills,Michigan:Gale/ St. James Press, via FundingUniverse.com. 1995.Archivedfrom the original on July 11, 2011.RetrievedSeptember 28,2011.
- ^Marvel: Atlas [wireframe globe] (Brand)at the Grand Comics Database
- ^Johnston, Rich(May 18, 2015)."After 74 Years, Marvel Registers Timely Comics Trademark".BleedingCool.com.Archivedfrom the original on May 19, 2015.RetrievedMay 21,2015.
- ^Arrant, Chris (February 26, 2016)."Marvel Relaunches Timely Comics To Bolster 'All-New All-Different' Titles".Newsarama.Purch.RetrievedSeptember 14,2016.
- ^Cover,All Surprise Comics#12at theGrand Comics Database
- ^"Seduction of the Innocent: More Anti-Comics Items".www.lostsoti.org.RetrievedJuly 12,2024.
- ^"TheComicBooks.com - The History of Graphic Novels".March 8, 2021. Archived fromthe originalon July 12, 2024.
- ^V, Doc (February 6, 2011)."Timely-Atlas-Comics: Part 1: Fredric Wertham, Censorship & the Timely Anti-Wertham Editorials".Timely-Atlas-Comics.RetrievedJuly 12,2024.
- ^Marvel Mystery Comics#2at the Grand Comics Database.
- ^abcdeSimulacrum only
- ^Bails, Jerry."Who's Who of American Comic Books 1928–1999: Paul Gustavson".RetrievedApril 14,2013.
- ^The writer-creator credit is unconfirmed. HistorianDon Marksteinin thecharacter's entryatDon Markstein's Toonopedia(Archivedfrom the original on April 4, 2012) writes, "The character was created by cartoonist Paul Gustavson, who wrote and drew his first adventure as well as many later ones." TheGrand Comics Database'sentry forMarvel Comics#1gives credit as "Ray Gill?"
- ^Mystic Comics#5at the Grand Comics Database.
- ^Mystic Comics#4at the Grand Comics Database.
- ^Mystic Comics#5at the Grand Comics Database.
- ^All Select Comics#11at the Grand Comics Database.
- ^USA Comics#5at theGrand Comics Database.
- ^Mystic Comics#1at the Grand Comics Database.
- ^abcCaptain America Comics#1at the Grand Comics Database.
- ^abDaring Mystery Comics#7t the Grand Comics Database.
- ^U.S.A. Comics#2at the Grand Comics Database.
- ^Kid Komics#1at the Grand Comics Database.
- ^Daring Mystery Comics#7at the Grand Comics Database.
- ^Daring Mystery Comics#8at the Grand Comics Database.
- ^Bails, Jerry."Who's Who of American Comic Books 1928–1999: Jack Kirby".RetrievedApril 14,2013.
- ^abUSA Comics#1at the Grand Comics Database. RE: Defender, source notes Joe Simon and Jack Kirby as writers, "Pencils: Joe Simon (looming image); Al Avison?; Al Gabriele?"
- ^abDaring Mystery Comics#1at the Grand Comics Database.
- ^abIn 1998, the Hurricane and Mercury were revealed inretconto be the same character, theEternalnamedMakkari.
- ^Daring Mystery Comics#2at the Grand Comics Database.
- ^Daring Mystery Comics#3at the Grand Comics Database.
- ^The Human Torch#4(mis-numbered #3) at theGrand Comics Database,with cover blowuphere.The Patriot debuted this issue with both a two-page text story by writerRay Gill,with a spot illustration by artistBill Everett,and a 10-page comics story by writer Gill and artistGeorge Mandel.
- ^Mystic Comics #5at the Grand Comics Database
- ^Theakston, Greg, atMarvel Mystery Comics#13in the Grand Comics Database
- ^Stan Leeat theLambiek Comiclopedia
Further reading
edit- All in Color for a DimebyDick Lupoff&Don ThompsonISBN0-87341-498-5
- The Comic Book MakersbyJoe Simonwith Jim SimonISBN1-887591-35-4
- Excelsior! The Amazing Life of Stan Leeby Stan Lee and George MairISBN0-684-87305-2
- Masters of Imagination: The Comic Book Artists Hall of Fameby Mike BentonISBN0-87833-859-4
- The Official Overstreet Comic Book Price Guideby Robert Overstreet — Edition #35ISBN0-375-72107-X
- Origins of Marvel Comicsby Stan LeeISBN0-7851-0579-4
- The Steranko History of Comics,Vol. 1 & 2, byJames Steranko– Vol. 1ISBN0-517-50188-0
- Thomas, Roy,The Golden Age of Marvel Comics(Marvel, 1997;ISBN0-7851-0564-6) Introduction, p. 3
External links
edit- TimelyatGrand Comics Database
- Nevins, Jess.A Guide to Golden Age Marvel Characters.WebCitation archive.
- Vassallo, Michael J. (2005)."A Timely Talk with Allen Bellman".Comicartville.com. p.2.Archived fromthe originalon January 17, 2010.