Marvel Comics began in 1939 as Timely Publications, founded by Martin Goodman. Its very first issue, Marvel Comics #1, introduced characters like the Human Torch and the Sub-Mariner. During the Golden Age of Comics, Timely saw great success with its patriotic superhero, Captain America, created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby in 1941. Following World War II, the popularity of superheroes waned, and the company shifted focus. It operated as Atlas Comics for a period in the 1950s, publishing a variety of genres like horror, westerns, and science fiction before officially relaunching as Marvel Comics in the early 1960s.

The "Marvel Age of Comics" truly began in 1961 with the creation of the Fantastic Four by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. This era revolutionized the industry by introducing complex, relatable heroes with human flaws and internal struggles, like the self-doubting Spider-Man, the monstrous Hulk, and the outcast X-Men. Under Lee's writing and with art from legends like Kirby and Steve Ditko, Marvel established a new storytelling standard where characters existed within a shared, realistic universe, with events impacting them across different comic titles. This approach created a dedicated fanbase, propelling Marvel into the position of a major player alongside its chief rival, DC Comics. 

After overcoming financial difficulties in the 1990s, including a period of bankruptcy, Marvel entered a new millennium with a revitalized direction. It found massive success by adapting its characters for film, beginning with movies like X-Men (2000) and Spider-Man (2002). The company's biggest breakthrough, however, was the formation of Marvel Studios and the launch of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) with Iron Man in 2008. Following its acquisition by Disney in 2009, Marvel became a global entertainment powerhouse, with its interconnected film and television franchises becoming a cultural phenomenon that brought new attention to its original comic book properties.