These characters from X-men including (Nightcrawler, Wolverine, Storm, Banshee, Kitty) evolved with the advent of the creativity of John Byrne (starting in issue #108 of X-men) and Chris Claremont (Giant Sized X-men #1 and Uncanny X-men #94 now valued at $500. up in "mint" condition. Typically the most popular character was the key star in the X-men film--Wolverine. There is sure to be described as a sequel for this box office smash. Mangadex
X-men Comics taught kids that prejudice is evil. People who live in fear and thus greed make an effort to destroy that which they don't understand.
Interesting that both the most recent Star Wars film and X-men film took a tough look at politicians (Congress). If power corrupts absolutely is it possible our bodies is absolutely corrupt? The Senator in the X-men film learned his lesson only a little late.
Spider-man--the new Marvel film in the works--is about a young child who with usual teenage angst (bullies beating him up, not getting any babes, acne and so forth is mild stuff compared to today's school experiences--such as not getting shot & killed while going to or attending school or being seduced by a life-threatening drug or infected by a monster disease) is merely bitten with a radioactive spider (radical stuff for early 1960's).
This provides Peter Parker super powers--insect powers--if amplified a person could lift a truck and take it 20 miles as ants do. (Don't get me started speaing frankly about Henry Pym the Antman who became Giant Man in the Marvel's Avengers ((Capt. America, Thor the Thunder God etc.))). Add to that particular Peter Parker was also a brilliant student who surely could invent a web shooter and other great inventions. And Spider-man was born as a bi-product of the bi-product referred to as radioactive material (which Science still doesn't know how to get rid of). (Try telling that to the Bush administration). Everything is energy! Remember Tesla coils.
But Marvel was not the only real place parading superpowered characters.
D.C. Comics (Time Warner), too, utilized mythology and stories of Biblical proportions to entrain, energize and excite generations of teenagers, kids and adults from the 1940's to present.
Some characters such as for example Superman, Atom, Flash, Batman, Green Lantern, JLA and others & even D.C.'s version of Capt. Marvel could have been inspired by spiritual literature which told of Hindu Gods and Goddesses and even Biblical personages who could stand in fire etc.
Scripts & Wit
Super Heroes: originating through human imagination and from literature, mythology, religion.
Though probably comic creators just composed their wondrous stories.
Once when I interviewed Gerry Conway for the Comics Journal he admitted to me he had researched a number of the comics he wrote. Conway's friend partner Roy Thomas undoubtedly researched Conan and Thor and other material while writer & editor at Marvel. They worked together on the great animated Fire and Ice film. (Ralph Bakshi/Frank Frazetta).
And initially Thomas got the Conan property over to Marvel from Edgar Rice Burroughs in Tarzana, CA. (Tarzana--Tarzan...get it? Yep, it too is really a comic.)
Older folk know and love the countless Films and TV shows and serials featuring these and other favorite colorful characters: Buck Rogers, Flash Gordon, Commander Cody (which might have inspired the Rocketeer comic and film).
COMIC BOOKS -- Born by the sheer exhurberance of the Universe itself through the automobile of the Human Being!
The Comic Industry is just a metaphor for life. A cosmic drama unfolding. Although not to put old wine into new bottles: Many times in the past Marvel and D.C. have teamed to accomplish specials that benefits the play of creativity. I first met Stan Lee while I was the manager of a Comic Book Store in Studio City, California in the 1970's.
Or, more accurately, I met him through his works at Marvel Comics -- his extraordinary scripts & wit in 1961.
Very clever interaction with the fans through clubs and letter columns in the nice old days made one feel like one was an integral part of something. With Merry Marvel "we belonged."
Stan Lee's stories contained real life character's, complete with dilemmas and the germ of great new ideas and principles for living a good life.
As when Spider-man didn't stop a Burglar -- the exact same Burglar who later killed his kind Uncle--Peter Parker (Spider-man) got the message -- serve mankind. With great power comes responsibility.
