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Publisher: Marvel
Years in Operation: 1939 - ?
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Country: Flag United States Web Site: http://marvel.com Brands: 151 Indicia Publishers: 119 Series: 10013 Printings: 87483 (53674 Issues) Disclose Notes: Marvel was started in 1939 by Martin Goodman under a number of corporation and imprint names that have collectively become known as Timely, and by 1951 had generally become known as Atlas. The "Marvel era" began in 1961, the year that the company launched The Fantastic Four and other superhero titles created by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, Steve Ditko and many others. The Marvel brand, which had been used over the years, was solidified as the company's primary brand.

Marvel counts among its characters such well-known superheroes as Spider-Man, Iron Man, the Hulk, Thor, Captain America, Ant-Man, the 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, the X-Men, the Fantastic Four and the Guardians of the Galaxy as well as supervillains including Doctor Doom, Magneto, Thanos, Loki, Green Goblin, Kingpin, Red Skull, Ultron, the Mandarin, MODOK, Doctor Octopus, Kang, Dormammu, Annihilus and Galactus. Most of Marvel's fictional characters operate in a single reality known as the Marvel Universe, with most locations mirroring real-life places; many major characters are based in New York City. Additionally, Marvel has published several licensed properties from other companies. This includes Star Wars comics twice from 1977 to 1986 and again since 2015.

Distribution variants:

Whitman: For issues cover dated February 1977 to around May 1979, Marvel produced non-newsstand editions that were sold mainly in packages. Some, but not all of these, were sold by Western and, because of the branding on the similar DC and Gold Key comics, are generally known as Whitman variants. For the most part they have a square diamond price and either a barcode or a white space where the barcode should be. Some issues from this time have the narrower diamond but it is not currently known if this means they were distributed differently or if it was simply because of the design of the original cover. There is definitely uncertainty between the end of the Whitman comics and the beginning of the Direct comics.

Direct: Starting with issues cover dated around April 1979, Marvel started producing non-newsstand editions to be sold in the direct market. For the most part they have a narrower diamond price and the barcode has a line through it (until February 1980 when they started putting a Spider-Man head and eventually other artwork in the UPC box area).

Direct Edition: In July 1993, Marvel started putting a barcode on the issues sold to the Direct market. They included the words "Direct Edition" in the barcode box.
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Series Name Years in Print Issues (Printings)
The 'Nam {Comic Books} 1999 - 1
The 100 Greatest Marvels of All Time {Comic Books} Disclose
Note: Entire series reprints the 25 greatest Marvel comics as voted by the readers on the internet. First 5 issues reprint 4 issues each. Last 5 issues reprint a single issue each.
2001 - 10
100th Anniversary Special: Avengers {Comic Books} 2014 - 1 (2)
100th Anniversary Special: Fantastic Four {Comic Books} 2014 - 1 (2)
100th Anniversary Special: Guardians of the Galaxy {Comic Books} 2014 - 1 (4)
100th Anniversary Special: Spider-Man {Comic Books} 2014 - 1 (2)
100th Anniversary Special: X-Men {Comic Books} 2014 - 1 (2)
101 Ways to End the Clone Saga {Comic Books} 1997 - 1
15-Love {Comic Books} Disclose
Note: Cover title: 15 Love (no hyphen).
2011 - 3
15-Love {Trade Paperbacks} 2011 - 1
1602: Witch Hunter Angela {Comic Books} 2015 - 4 (8)
1602: Witch Hunter Angela {Trade Paperbacks} 2016 - 1
1872 {Comic Books} 2015 - 4 (8)
2 Gun Western {Comic Books} 1956 - 1
2001, A Space Odyssey {Comic Books} Disclose
Note: Based on concepts from the MGM movie by Stanley Kubrick and Arthur C. Clarke. Cover title "2001: A Space Odyssey"
1976 - 1977 10 (24)
2001: A Space Odyssey {Comic Books} 1976 - 1 (2)
2010 {Comic Books} 1985 - 2 (6)
2020 Force Works {Comic Books} 2020 - ? 3 (7)
2020 Iron Age {Comic Books} 2020 - 1 (2)
2020 iWolverine {Comic Books} 2020 - ? 2 (4)
2020 Machine Man {Comic Books} 2020 - ? 2 (4)
2020 Rescue {Comic Books} 2020 - ? 2 (4)
2099 A.D. {Comic Books} 1995 - 1
2099 A.D. Apocalypse {Comic Books} 1995 - 1
2099 A.D. Genesis {Comic Books} 1996 - 1
2099 Alpha {Comic Books} 2020 - 1 (3)
2099 Omega {Comic Books} 2020 - 1
2099 Special: The World of Doom {Comic Books} 1995 - 1
2099 Unlimited {Comic Books} 1993 - 1995 10 (15)
2099: Manifest Destiny {Comic Books} 1998 - 1
2099: World of Tomorrow {Comic Books} 1996 - 1997 8
3-D Action {Comic Books} 1954 - 1
3-D Adventures Weekly {Comic Books} 1991 - 1991 1
3-D Tales of the West {Comic Books} 1954 - 1
4 [Universe X] {Comic Books} 2000 - 1 (3)
411 {Comic Books} Disclose
Note: Cover of #1 indicates '1 of 3' but a third issue was never printed.
2003 - 2
5 Ronin {Comic Books} 2011 - 5 (10)
67 Seconds {Trade Paperbacks} 1992 - 1
A+X {Comic Books} 2012 - 2014 18 (47)
A+X {Trade Paperbacks} 2013 - 2014 3
A-Babies vs. X-Babies {Comic Books} 2012 - 1 (3)
A-Force {Comic Books} 2015 - 1
A-Force {Comic Books} 2015 - 5 (18)
A-Force {Comic Books} 2016 - 10 (24)
A-Force {Comic Books} 2016 - 2017 2
A-Force Presents {Comic Books} 2015 - 2016 6
A-Next {Comic Books} Disclose
Note: A spin-off from the Spider-Girl story in What If...? (Marvel, 1989 series) #105, and part of the MC2 line of comics, A-Next follows the adventures of a future group of Avengers.
1998 - 1999 12 (18)
The A-Team {Comic Books} 1984 - 3 (9)
The A-Team Storybook Comics Illustrated {Trade Paperbacks} 1983 - 1
A-Z of Marvel Monsters {Comic Books} 2017 - 1
A1 {Comic Books} 1992 - 4
AAFES 10th Edition [New Avengers: X Exchange] {Comic Books} 2010 - 1
AAFES 11th Edition [Captain America: The First Avenger] {Comic Books} Disclose
Note: Giveaway available only through Army Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES)
2011 - 1
AAFES 12th Edition [Captain America the First Avenger] {Comic Books} 2011 - 1 (2)
AAFES 13th Edition [The Avengers] {Comic Books} 2012 - 1
AAFES 14th Edition [Avengers] {Comic Books} 2005 - 1
AAFES 15th Edition [Iron Man] {Comic Books} 2013 - 1
AAFES 16th Edition [Thor] {Comic Books} Disclose
Note: Indicia says published in November 2013.
2013 - 1
AAFES 17th Edition [Captain America] {Comic Books} Disclose
Note: Dated May 2014 in indicia, and timed to Captain America: The Winter Soldier movie release. Free publication given out in military exchanges. A copy is available for research at Michigan State University's Comic Art Collection.
2014 - 1
AAFES 3rd Edition [New Avengers] {Comic Books} 2006 - 1
AAFES 4th Edition [The New Avengers: Letters Home] {Comic Books} 2007 - 1
AAFES 5th Edition [New Avengers: The Spirit of America] {Comic Books} 2007 - 1
AAFES 6 [New Avengers: Fireline] {Comic Books} 2008 - 1
AAFES 7th Edition [New Avengers: An Army of One] {Comic Books} 2009 - 1
AAFES 8th Edition [New Avengers: The Promise] {Comic Books} 2009 - 1
AAFES 9th Edition [New Avengers: Hero Exchange] {Comic Books} 2010 - 1
Abominations {Comic Books} 1996 - 1997 3 (4)
Abraham Stone {Comic Books} 1995 - 2
Absolute Carnage {Comic Books} 2019 - 2020 5 (79)
Absolute Carnage vs. Deadpool {Comic Books} 2019 - 3 (14)
Absolute Carnage vs. Deadpool {Comic Books} 2019 - 1
Absolute Carnage: Avengers {Comic Books} 2019 - 1 (3)
Absolute Carnage: Captain Marvel {Comic Books} 2020 - 1 (3)
Absolute Carnage: Immortal Hulk {Comic Books} 2019 - 1 (7)
Absolute Carnage: Lethal Protectors {Comic Books} 2019 - 1
Absolute Carnage: Lethal Protectors {Comic Books} 2019 - 3 (11)
Absolute Carnage: Miles Morales {Comic Books} 2019 - 3 (14)
Absolute Carnage: Scream {Comic Books} 2019 - 3 (13)
Absolute Carnage: Separation Anxiety {Comic Books} 2019 - 1 (6)
Absolute Carnage: Symbiote of Vengeance {Comic Books} 2019 - 1 (5)
Absolute Carnage: Symbiote Spider-Man {Comic Books} 2019 - 1 (2)
Absolute Carnage: Weapon Plus {Comic Books} 2020 - 1 (2)
The Accused {Comic Books} 2016 - 1
Acts of Vengeance Crossovers {Hardcovers} 2011 - 1 (2)
Acts of Vengeance Omnibus {Hardcovers} 2011 - 1
Actual Confessions {Comic Books} 1952 - 2
Actual Romances {Comic Books} 1949 - 1950 2
Adam: Legend of the Blue Marvel {Comic Books} 2009 - 5
Adventure into Fear {Comic Books} Disclose
Note: See Fear (Marvel, 1970 series). Indicia title remains FEAR throughout the run. "Adventure into Fear" is the cover title only for #10-31. DO NOT ADD ISSUES TO THIS SERIES.
1972 - 1975 0
Adventure into Fear Omnibus {Comic Books} 2020 - 1
Adventure into Mystery {Comic Books} Disclose
Note: This series was one of eight SF anthologies launched or revived in an eight-month period (cover dates October 1955–June 1956), increasing Marvel's science-fiction line from eight to sixteen books. This book ran until the collapse of Marvel's distributor and the subsequent restructuring known as the "Atlas Implosion".
1956 - 1957 8
Adventures in Reading Starring the Amazing Spider-Man {Comic Books} Disclose
Note: Promotional giveaway comic. 1990 (Spidey travels through time and space) and 1991 (Back to school mayhem) editions are reported to have the same contents. It looks like they are first and second printings with different covers.
1990 - 1993 2 (4)
Adventures into Terror {Comic Books} Disclose
Note: This series was launched along with Unknown Worlds (Marvel, 1950 series), doubling Marvel's science-fiction line. This series was one of five such anthologies cancelled together, reducing Marvel's science-fiction line from thirteen books to eight.
1950 - 1954 31
Adventures into Weird Worlds {Comic Books} Disclose
Note: Science-fiction/horror anthology. This series was one of five SF anthologies launched in a six-month period (cover dates January 1952–June 1952), increasing Marvel's SF line from seven to twelve books. It was also one of five such anthologies cancelled together, reducing Marvel's SF line from thirteen books to eight.
1952 - 1954 30
The Adventures of Big Boy {Comic Books} Disclose
Note: Marvel, under the Timely Illustrated Features imprint, packaged material for the Webs Adventure Corporation. All issues had two versions with different looking Big Boy characters. The "West Coast" version of Big Boy is the version that was previous created for the original franchise--black hair, red and white checkered overalls, and no hat. The "East Coast" version had Red hair, red and white striped overalls, and a cook's hat. Possible franchise co-branded variations (printed with franchise logo [or not] and region sold): Abdow’s (Known printed-Massachuetts, Connecticut). Azar's (Known printed-Colorado, Northern Indiana). Bob's (Known printed-Arizona, California, Delaware, Eastern Pennsylvania, Hawaii, New Jersey, Southeastern United States after Shoney's left the national chain to start their own). Eat 'n Park-Pittsburgh-area 1950s). Elby's (Known printed-Eastern Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia). Elias Brothers (Known printed-Michigan, Northwestern Ohio, Ontario (Canada)). Franklin’s (Hand stamped. Printed as "Your Favorite Family Restaurants" issue #260 onward?-Northeastern Pennsylvania). Frisch’s (Known printed-Kentucky, Northern Tennessee, Southern Indiana, Southern Ohio). JB's (Known printed-Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Rhode Island, Utah, Wyoming). Kip's (Known printed-Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas). Lendy’s Yoda's (Hand stamped, pre-1961 was part of the Shoney's chain-Virginia). Manner’s (Known printed-Northeastern Ohio). Marc’s (Known printed-Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin). McDowell's (Printed as "Your Favorite Family Restaurants" issue #260 onward?-South Dakota). Shoneys (Known printed-Southeastern United States.: North Carolina, South Carolina, Southern Tennessee, Virginia. Shoney's eventually left the main chain to form their own in order to branch out from the business from franchisee limitations). TJ's (Known printed-New York). Top's (Known printed-Illinois, perhaps Southern Wisconsin). VIP’s (Printed as "Your Favorite Family Restaurants" issue #260 onward?-Washington, New Mexico). Known West: Abdow's; Bob's; Azar's; Eat 'n Park; Elias Brothers; JB's; Kips; Lendy's; Shoney's; Tops. Known East: Azar's (as of 1962); Frisch's; Manners. Lendy's co-branding version seems to be blank where resturaunt info was printed and hand-stamped with Lakeside Yoda's (Lendy's) stamp. Implies possible blank back cover variations where co-branding does not exist for some locations or use of "Your Favorite Family Restaurants" instead?
1956 - 4
The Adventures of Captain America {Comic Books} 1991 - 1992 4
The Adventures of Cyclops and Phoenix {Comic Books} 1994 - 4 (8)
The Adventures of Cyclops and Phoenix {Trade Paperbacks} 1995 - 1
Adventures of Homer Ghost {Comic Books} 1957 - 2
The Adventures of Kool-Aid Man {Comic Books} Disclose
Note: Giveaway comic sponsored by Kool-Aid.
1983 - 5

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