Marvel Comics… Oh wow, Marvel Comics! The king of the world of superheroes and comics. It is such an old company that perhaps your grandparents might have also read it (if they were the type who read comics). It was called Timely Comics in 1939, and had started making waves ever since. Bhaisaheb, its popularity was skyrocketing in the Golden Age. Then came the Silver Age, and at that time it seemed as if Marvel’s fortunes had opened up.
It was during this period that we found Spider-Man-like spider-man, Iron Man-like flying rich, Thor-like hammer-throwing god and mutants with superpowers like the X-Men. But even today people ask – who was Marvel’s first hero? Was he Captain America or Spider-Man?
Believe it or not, the answer is not what you are thinking!
Marvel Comics #1: Direct collision to DC!
When Timely Comics was renamed Marvel Comics in 1939, it had the same intention to challenge – DC (then called National Publications). DC already had hit superheroes like Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman and was ruling the market.
Marvel thought – “why should we lag behind too!” And brought out his first comic Marvel Comics #1. There were some heroes in this who were not as famous as today’s Avengers, but they started from there. It also had Golden Age heroes like Human Torch. But did you know that it also had a hero who first opened the door to Marvel’s world?
So was the first hero Namor? Or Captain America?
Many people think – “hey, the first hero must be Namor!” Some also argue in favor of Namor. Some believe that Captain America was the first real Marvel hero, created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby. It’s also okay to assume, because Captain America Comics #1 is called Marvel’s Action Comics #1.
But, in reality he is not the first hero.
By the way, the true beginning of the Marvel Universe is considered to be Earth-616, which began with the Fantastic Four in 1961. That was followed by Avengers #1, X-Men #1, and Spider-Man in 1963, and the game itself changed. But even before this a hero had come in front of the world.
Thor and Hercules?
Some fans say that mythological characters like Thor and Hercules should be considered the first Marvel heroes. After all, their stories are older than comics. But the truth is that Marvel presented them in a completely new style.
Like in 1962 when Dr. Donald Blake finds a magic wand and transforms into the blonde god, Thor. But he is also not considered the first Marvel superhero.
So who was it after all?
Real twist – ka-zar!
Now comes the funny turn. Martin Goodman, who owned Marvel Publishing, was the one who laid the foundation for Timely Comics in 1939. In his first comic Marvel Comics #1 we found – Ka-Zar, Namor, Masked Raider and Human Torch.
Ka-Zar’s stories became so popular that even when the comics were renamed Marvel Mystery Comics, his journey continued.
But keep in mind that the Ka-Zar of the – Golden Age was different from the Ka-Zar of today. He was a boy named David Rand, who looked and lived exactly like Tarzan. Perhaps Marvel had to change it later to avoid the copyright hassle.
Savage Land – forest of Tarzan, but even more dangerous!
Ka-Zar’s home was the Savage Land, a forest hidden in Antarctica. Not only trees and plants, but dinosaurs and strange monsters also lived here. This place was not exactly like Tarzan’s Africa, but was many times more exciting.
Stan Lee and Jack Kirby later created a new version of Ka-Zar for the X-Men. This time there was Kevin Plunder – whose parents were killed and he started growing up like a hunter in the Savage Land. Later it was revealed that this place was created by aliens, so that they could study the evolution of humans.
So remember – was the first Marvel hero Ka-Zar!
So next time someone asks who was Marvel’s first hero, you can say big style – “brother, that was ka-zar!”
And then see, the face of the other person will be left open with surprise!
