Marvel Comics is an American publishing house founded in 1939 , famous for creating a universe of iconic superheroes such as Spider-Man, Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Hulk, and the X-Men . Under the leadership of Stan Lee , Jack Kirby , and Steve Ditko , Marvel revolutionized the world of comics by introducing more human, complex, and interconnected characters. Its universe has expanded through animated series, video games, and especially the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) , a successful film franchise that began in 2008 with Iron Man . Today, Marvel is a leading force in entertainment, blending action, humor, and epic storytelling.
