Marvelous

See what I did there? No? Well, you will by the end of this post...

Ladies and Gentlemen, can I formally introduce you to "The Marvel Universe". Ok, so this is how it works, Finlay is a D.C. Universe fan, and I am a Marvel Universe fan. Needless to say I am passionate about the Marvel Universe and will defend it against D.C. fans, though I will from time to time read a bit of ol' Supes. As will I watch a bit of smallville on TV.

For those of you who still don't understand, I'm talking about the two biggest comic book companies out there. Marvel began way back in 1939 with a genetically modified super soldier named "Captain America". Whilst the first DC comic came out in 1937. In 1937 DC brought out "Detective Comics", but it was not until 1938 that DC gave "Superman" his first outing. It was in these early days that the futures of both companies was decided. Marvel comics generally focus on characters that have been genetically enhanced/modified through mutation (both intentional and accidental). I say generally, because there are some characters which have not been mutated, some are aliens, and some are just born that way. Whereas D.C. comics prefer to stray from the whole, genetic manipulation side of things, preferring to use superheroes with expansive bank accounts (batman) and aliens from other planets who are surprisingly humanoid (superman). But, as I have said, I am more interested in Marvel, and so shall talk at length about that....

I kid. This is merely an Introduction to the Marvel Universe. I'm writing this on the eve of a great event in the Marvel universe known as "Civil War", but more of that later... For now, a brief introduction to the main characters and groups I will be focusing on throughout my next few entries:

Spiderman:
Ok, Spiderman. Almost everyone has heard of spiderman, he's almost as famous as Superman! Spiderman was once merely Peter Parker, science student. But that was before an accident during a field trip to a science laboratory where a spider crossed through a beam of radiation generated by the experiment and bit him, his life changed forever. Peter Parker gained the abilities of a super-enhanced spider.
Spiderman has shown himself in many different forms; originally as a newspaper cartoon, evolving into his own comic book, several TV series (the latest is digitally animated and weird), movies and several games.
Some argue that Spiderman's allure comes from his alter-ego Peter Parker, and how "human" the teenage character is, and how people can relate to his everyday dilemmas. But when all is said and done, who wouldn't like to be super strong, super sensitive in reflexes, swing from buildings and have a great regenerative power??

The X-Men:

So, hands up who doesn't know the X-Men? For the unenlightened I shall provide a short synopsis: Mankind has started evolving, evolving past Homo Sapiens into Homo Superior. But not all mankind is evolving, many are remaining Homo Sapiens, so there is fear because "normal" people cannot understand these new "mutants". So Charles Xavier (an extremely powerful telepath) befriends Erik Magnus Lehnsherr (known as Magneto for his power to manipulate magnetic fields) and they endeavour to help "mutantkind". Eventually they part ways (not in the lightest of terms) and Charles fights for mankind and mutantkind to coexist happily, whilst Erik fights for mutantkinds superiority over mankind. Don't worry, I will expand on this later, and in particular Wolverine, my favourite X-Man....

The Hulk:
The Hulk (or Incredible Hulk) is one of Marvel's few "anti-heroes" in that, he is a dark character and performs bad deeds, but also good deeds. During an experiment to unleash the full potential of man, Dr. Robert Bruce Banner is affected by a lethal dose of Gamma radiation and transforms from a quiet, mild mannered scientist into a being of pure rage. (Don't see why the Hulk is green, surely if it's anger he should be red...?) But this is only temporary. Dr. Banner returns to his usual self when the Hulk calms down. And somehow everytime Dr. Banner gets angry, his shorts grow whilst the rest of his clothes don't... Strange...

Captain America:

Steven Rogers was an all-round good guy who was treated badly throughout the great depression. This did not damper his views on America or the American dream however. When Rogers was rejected from the army for medical reasons, General Chester Phillips offered him a way in. He had to undergo experimental treatment. Rogers jumped at the chance. It was this experimental treatment that turned Steve Rogers into the well-stacked, slice of American-pie heaven known as "Captain America". He fought the Nazis before the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbour, and he was the perfect defender of freedom and the American way. When the war finished however, ol' Cap lost his purpose. America was not in danger, freedom was safe, and so Captain America retired.... For a while....

The Fantastic Four:

Sue and Johnny Storm, Reed Richards and Ben Grimm, four scientists on a quest to beat the commies into space (originally). Unfortunately when they reached space they found it to be not all they expected and a freak accident mutated them all. Sue Storm became the Invisible Woman, Johnny Storm became The Human Torch (The character was stolen from one of the earliest Marvel Comics), Reed Richards became Mr. Fantastic (how did he end up with the best name?!) and Ben Grimm took on the rocky exterior of The Thing. Together they formed the Fantastic Four. The first group of super-humans to not give a damn about concealing their identity. All they cared about was stopping Dr. Doom and protecting the innocent, freeing the huddled masses, yadda yadda yadda.

There are so many more Marvel characters available to cross-reference and go into detail about (and perhaps I may later). But these are the characters that I am going to go into greatest detail with. Starting in my next entry with Spiderman.
Until then happy people.

Stay Classy