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Social and cultural influence

Marvel Comics Universe is nothing without the team of superheroes that make the story running. X-Men were the creation of Stan Lee with Jack Kirby and it first came to the public in 1963 in The X-Men. The idea of the series is that the presumed heroes are under the radar due to an increasing anti-mutant sentiment. The Westchester Mansion served as the haven to these people with special abilities. The center was headed by Professor Xavier. Their idea is to help mutants to harness their powers to be able to be of service to the greater humanity. He also employed special characters like Cyclops, Jean Grey, Beast, Iceman and Angel. They were the original X-Men because they possess the so called X-Gene.

The arch nemesis of the series is Magneto. The series expanded with the addition of notable characters like Storm, Wolverine, Rouge, Nightcrawler and Colossus. Of course, enemies keep on adding up with the introduction of Apocalypse, Weapon X, Sinister and the Hellfire Club. The whole series has been adapted across various media like the popular TV Series, films, and video games as well as merchandise.

“Mutations” throughout the years

The entire series underwent a lot of changes in a span of decades. In the 1970s, the team is already being led by Cyclops and there are a whole slew of characters introduced. This is also where the breakout X-Men star, Wolverine came into the scene. The hero got its very own changes and was even transformed into a movie. Jean Grey also had drastic transformations becoming Phoenix in the Dark Phoenix Saga. A lot of topics were tackled throughout the life of the series. From anti Semitism, LGBT issues, race, religion, politics as well as the development of various subcultures. The series has shaken the world with its diversity of characters and has appealed to millions of fans throughout the years.

True Archetypal hero: Superman and its commercial success

In 1932, an icon was born. An idea was conceived and in Cleveland, Ohio, Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster created Superman. In 1938, the character was sold to Detective Comics and it first appeared in Action comics, also in the same year. After that, it became a whirlwind of success, transforming to radio dramas, strips on newspapers, TV shows, movies, video games and merchandise. Superman transformed the Superhero genre which has become the bread and butter of American comics. The distinct look of Superman was easily identifiable. A muscular man wearing blue, red and yellow colored costumes and a matching cape. The iconic S emblem on his chest is his most enduring mark.

An Epic hero: changes through the years

Superman has an alter-ego in the name of Clark Kent who is a very nice, if not nerdy, reporter for the Daily Planet. His love interest is Lois lane and eventually, they got married. The story and the characters have expanded throughout the years, and it also includes back stories like Superboy, Supergirl and Krypton or the Superdog. Its most popular and enduring image is on film with the Late Christopher Reev portraying the hero in the 1978 movie Superman and the sequel, Superman II. Superman, as a work of literature and imagery has often been analyzed by popular theorists, and literary experts, one of which was Umberto Eco who discussed Superman and his mythical character.

The Superman idea was created during the time of the Great Depression, where economic conditions led the main character to take the role of a social activist and became the champion of the masses against villainous activities. A lot of theorists and literary historians consider that Superman had religious and mythological influences like from Moses, Hercules and other characters since both the writers had Jewish upbringing and were raised to have a deep understanding of scriptures. Nonetheless, Superman is an icon of the triumph of good and for the rest of the world, a cultural icon of an impossible ideal.

Your Friendly Neighborhood icon

One of the most enduring comic book series existing until today is Spiderman, created in 1962 by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko. The character is an orphan named Peter Parker who grew up with his Uncle Ben and Aunt May. As a growing teenager, he experienced the regular adolescent pressures. In the 1960s, the prevailing theme for action hero comic series is those of the hero-sidekick tandem. Spiderman, being a lone hero with acquired superpowers became a ground breaking and critically received series. The character has been in several series, the longest running is The Amazing Spiderman.

Cultural influence

When talking about the most successful commercial superhero characters, this web slinging hero does not fail to impress the crowd. He is the flagship character of Marvel and has ventured out of the comic book realm to take over numerous media like TV series, comic strips and of course, movies. When it comes to cultural influence, Spidey has really captured a massive following. A lot of experts across various fields recognize the unique superhero cum nerdy teenager as an intelligent twist. Publications also consider Spiderman as one of the most intelligent characters from American comics.

Of course, this series would not be complete without the supporting characters and nemesis that have become part of the claim of the entire franchise. Characters like Aunt May and Uncle Ben are Peter Parker's pillars of strength. Then there is Mary Jane Watson who eventually became his wife. Who could forget the Green Goblin, Doctor Octopus, Carnage and all other key story makers in the violence driven city. From the 1960s up until now, the character and the series are still getting a lot of awards and acclaim that solidifies its status as a classic American icon in popular culture.

Brains+ brawn+ Money= Iron Man

Stan Lee created the character of Anthony Edward Stark in 1963. He has it all. A billionaire, successful industrialist and he are also an amazing engineer. However, he was kidnapped and was asked by terrorists to make weapons of mass destruction. During the process, he suffered a heart attack. A device was placed in him and was able to survive. Instead of making weapons, he designed an iron suite that protected him and escape. Using this suit, he was able tom save other people from grave danger, heralding him as Iron Man. He also used his advanced technologies to further develop the suit.

Concept and popularity

The idea for Iron Man was based on Stan Lee's take on the events during the Cold War. He is putting emphasis on the US as they use technology as well as business to fight communist forces. In the latter runs of the series, Cold War was replaced with themes of terrorism as well as corporate evils. The character has been affiliated throughout the years as part of the Avengers. The most recent success of the series was when it was remade for film portrayed by Robert Downey Jr. side by side with Gywneth Paltrow.

The Iron Man suits are the most interesting to analyze, having improved and changed over the years. The first one is called the Extremis Armor and then it was turned into the Bleeding Edge Armor in which the armor is inside the bones and it activates through thoughts. The most famous weapons of the character would have to be the repulsor rays but several other weapons are included. Also, there are variations for stealth, space travel, deep sea trekking and many others. That is what bottomless pockets and incredible imagination can do but though it may be fantastical it is still a very popular series.