Web-Swinging Back to the Roots: Marvel Comics

By Jonathan Berohn

With the new release and virtually assured blockbuster success of “Spiderman 2,” it seems like a good time revisit the origin of the Spiderman phenomenon and the source of many of Hollywood’s recent hit movies: the comic book. The fact that Hollywood chooses to make movies about comic book heroes shows they still have a unique allure. There is something about overcoming both society and the bad guys that kids just eat up. Even in the age of the Internet and cable, TV comic books are still holding their own.

Marvel.com

That’s not to say that comic books haven’t changed. Marvel comics, the publisher of—among others—Spiderman, X-Men, and the Incredible Hulk, has done much more than simply lend its heroes to the movies. At the Marvel website, you can, of course, subscribe to your favorite Marvel comic book, but you can also learn about everything Marvel, and even read some comics online.

Online Extras

One of the best features of the Marvel site is Dotcomics. Dotcomics is a Flash-driven section of the Marvel site that lets you read full versions of a number of comics. I’m sure it comes as no surprise that Spiderman is the current focus, but there are several titles to choose from, including the very first Spiderman comic from 1962. There is a fair amount of loading time even over DSL to view these online offerings, but you get full text and full color graphics. This is a great way to both introduce kids to comics they don’t know, and test before you buy.

The Younger Set

Marvel has also broken new ground recently with its Age series. This series, aimed at younger readers, has toned down the violence and darkness that seems to have made its way into many comics these days. The Age series also has less complicated text, so beginning readers can make their way through them much easier. Current titles include Spiderman and the Fantastic Four. You can also read Spiderman Age online in the Dotcomics section.

Beyond the Pages

Finally, if you want more than just the comic experience, Marvel can link you directly to the websites for the various movies based on its characters. If you need something more tangible, they will also be happy to sell you all kinds of toys and memorabilia. If it has anything to do with a Marvel character, you can buy it at Marvel’s site.