Mar
vel is one of the most popular superhero universes in the world, with a massive following of fans who eagerly await each new release of films, television shows, comics, and other merchandise. However, there are some things about the Marvel universe that even the most dedicated fans may not know. Here are ten cool and unusual facts about Marvel that you might not be aware of.
1. Marvel started out as a pulp magazine publisher: Before Marvel became a household name, it was known as Timely Comics, which was primarily a publisher of pulp magazines, science fiction, and horror comics. It wasn't until the 1960s that the company began producing superhero comics, which would eventually lead to the creation of iconic characters like Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, and the Avengers.
2. Marvel once made a deal with the U.S. government to promote healthy eating to kids: In the 1980s, the U.S. government was concerned about the obesity epidemic among children, and Marvel saw an opportunity for collaboration. The company produced a series of comic books featuring its popular characters, including Spider-Man and Wolverine, promoting healthy eating habits and exercise.
3. Captain America was once a werewolf: In a strange twist of events, Steve Rogers, aka Captain America, was temporarily transformed into a werewolf in an issue of Captain America #402. He later regained his human form with the help of Doctor Druid.
4. There is a character called Captain Ultra who is essentially useless: Captain Ultra is a lesser-known character in the Marvel universe who has the power of flight, superhuman strength, and durability. However, he is often portrayed as bumbling and ineffectual, making him a rather useless superhero.
5. Spider-Man was once married to Mary Jane Watson: In a storyline that spanned several issues of the Spider-Man comics, Peter Parker, aka Spider-Man, married his longtime love interest Mary Jane Watson. However, the marriage was later annulled by a deal with the demon Mephisto, and their relationship returned to its earlier status.
6. The Incredible Hulk was originally gray: When the Incredible Hulk first appeared in 1962, he was depicted as gray. However, due to printing issues, he was later changed to his more familiar green color and has remained so ever since.
7. Iron Man was almost played by Tom Cruise: According to Robert Downey Jr., Tom Cruise was offered the role of Tony Stark, aka Iron Man, before he was ultimately cast. Cruise reportedly declined the role due to scheduling conflicts, and the rest is history.
8. Deadpool once killed every character in the Marvel universe: In a storyline called "Deadpool Kills the Marvel Universe," the anti-hero assassinates every single character in the Marvel universe, leaving nothing but destruction in his wake.
9. Stan Lee is not the creator of every Marvel character: Although Stan Lee is often celebrated as the creator of most of the Marvel universe's iconic characters, he actually worked with other writers and artists to bring many of them to life. For example, Spider-Man was co-created by Steve Ditko, and Wolverine was co-created by Len Wein.
10 Marvel almost went bankrupt before the success of the Marvel Cinematic Universe: In the 1990s, Marvel faced financial difficulties and even filed for bankruptcy at one point. However, the success of the Marvel Cinematic Universe films in the 2000s and 2010s brought the company back to financial stability and even greater success than before.
In conclusion, Marvel is a rich and fascinating universe with numerous stories and characters that have captured audiences' imaginations for decades. These ten cold facts about Marvel show just how complex and surprising this universe can be, even for those who think they know everything about it.
