Marvel Comics is the brand name and primary imprint of Marvel Worldwide Inc., formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, publisher of American comic books and related media. In 2009, The Walt Disney Company acquired Marvel Entertainment, the parent company of Marvel Worldwide.
Marvel was started in 1939 by Martin Goodman under several corporations and imprints but was now known as Time Comics, and by 1951 was commonly known as Atlas Comics. The Marvel era began in 1961, the year the company launched The Fantastic Four and other superhero titles created by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, Steve Ditko and many others. The Marvel brand has been used for many years, solidifying as the company’s main brand.
Marvel counts among its characters such famous superheroes as Spider-Man, Iron Man, Hulk, Thor, Captain America, Ant-Man, Wasp, Black Widow, Wolverine, Captain Marvel, Black Panther, Doctor Strange, Ghost Rider, Blade, Daredevil, The Punisher and Deadpool. Superhero teams exist such as the Avengers, X-Men, Fantastic Four and Guardians of the Galaxy as well as super villains including Doctor Doom, Magneto, Thanos, Loki, Green Goblin, Kingpin, Red Skull, Ultron, Mandarin, MODOK, Doctor Octopus, Kang, Dormammu, Annihilus and Galactus. Most of Marvel’s fictional characters operate within a single reality known as the Marvel Universe, with most locations mirroring real-life locations; many of the main characters are based in New York City. Additionally, Marvel has announced a number of licensed properties from other companies. Includes Star Wars comics twice from 1977 to 1986 and again since 2015.