The Forgotten History Of Marvel Comics

What do Marvel want you to forget about your favourite superheroes?

8. The Mean Green Fighting Machine Was Originally Grey

Via comicvine.com

Heavily influenced by Frankenstein's monster, Jekyl and Hyde and other works of fiction - 'The Incredible Hulk' debuted in May 1962 in his original grey incarnation.

Needless to say, Hulk's colour was altered to green as a result of issues with the inking process, and the rest is history.

7. Captain America's Shield

Via comicvine.com

The flying disc of adamantium-vibranium alloy that we seldom see Captain America without on the big screen wasn't always quite so impressive.

Based on old medieval 'heater-shaped' shields of the 12th century, the original design fortunately was only around for a month back in 1941, replaced with the circular design after complaints from rival comic book publisher MLJ that it was too similar to one of their own character - 'The Shield'.

6. Deadpool - The Shameless Copycat Character

Via comicvine.com

Created by Rob Liefeld as a mutant parody of popular DC Comics villain of the 1980s, 'Deathstroke the Terminator', popular cult comic book anti-hero Deadpool appeared nearly a decade later in the pages of New Mutants at Marvel.

Writer Fabian Nicieza who was working with Liefeld on the project at the time was quoted at the time as saying "this is Deathstroke from Teen Titans".

5. Stan Lee Has Sued Multiple Times

Via comicvine.com

With all the Marvel movie cameos and public appearances, Stan Lee is perhaps one of Marvel's most beloved and well-known creators.

His relationship with the company has not always been plain sailing however. 'Stan Lee Media', has sued the comic book publisher numerous times over ownership and reportedly sought $5.5 million back in 2012 over the profits made from the recent Marvel Movie franchise.

4. Arachnaphobia at Marvel

Via comicvine.com

Presented to publisher of Marvel, Moe Goodman in the early 60s by Stan Lee, Spider-Man was a character met with much resistance. Goodman made Stan Lee painfully aware that not only do people fear spiders, an awkward teenager like Peter Parker couldn't possibly fit the superhero mould either, and his vision was ultimately doomed to fail.

Snuck in by Stan Lee into the pages of Amazing Fantasy #15, and on the back of strong sales, Spider-Man was given an ongoing series by March 1963.

3. Marvel Comics Killed President Nixon

Via marvel.wikia.com

In 1974, a month prior to Nixon's resignation, Marvel put out Captain America #175 which explored a storyline of Captain America unveiling the hidden identity of a high-ranking government official responsible for a sinister plan to subjugate America.

Once exposed, the unnamed villain (Nixon) commits suicide, directly in front of Captain America, stating "I'll cash my chips, then!".

2. The Savage Wolverine Is 5'3"

Via comicvine.com

First appearing in October 1974, within the pages of The Incredible Hulk #180 - Logan was originally conceived of as a Canadian hero based on the 'skunk bear'/wolverine most commonly found in his native country.

A key X-Men member ever since, Wolverine has predominantly been depicted as a man of short stature, and not 6'2" (as Hugh Jackman would have us believe).

1. Creator Of Spider-Man? Steve Ditko.

Via starwars.com

On of the great controversies in the history books of comic books. Who created Spider-Man?

Despite Stan Lee's name being solely engraved as creator on most things related to Spider-Man, in 1999, Stan Lee wrote an open letter, going on record as saying "I have always considered Steve Ditko to be Spider-Man's co-creator".

Though perhaps even this doesn't go far enough to give Ditko the credit he deserves.

Not only responsible for the iconic costume design, Ditko in his 38 issue involvement from March 1963 to July 1966 wrote many if not the majority of plots for the Spider-Man issues at this time.

Stan Lee accredits himself with "dialogue and captions' during this period, but given the noticeable quality of the 38 issues with Ditko's involvement in comparison to the subsequent issues after his departure, I am inclined to believe the Ditko played the key role in shaping the character within his seminal run.