<P> Marvel counts among its characters such well - known superheroes as Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, Spider - Man, Wolverine, the Hulk, Daredevil, Ghost Rider, Doctor Strange, Punisher, and such teams as the Avengers, the X-Men and the Fantastic Four, and antagonists including Doctor Doom, the Red Skull, the Green Goblin, Thanos, Ultron, Doctor Octopus, Magneto, Venom, and Loki . Most of Marvel's fictional characters operate in a single reality known as the Marvel Universe, with most locations mirroring real - life places; many major characters are based in New York City . </P> <P> Pulp - magazine publisher Martin Goodman founded the company later known as Marvel Comics under the name Timely Publications in 1939 . Goodman, who had started with a Western pulp in 1933, was expanding into the emerging--and by then already highly popular--new medium of comic books . Launching his new line from his existing company's offices at 330 West 42nd Street, New York City, he officially held the titles of editor, managing editor, and business manager, with Abraham Goodman (Martin's brother) officially listed as publisher . </P> <P> Timely's first publication, Marvel Comics #1 (cover dated Oct. 1939), included the first appearance of Carl Burgos' android superhero the Human Torch, and the first appearances of Bill Everett's anti-hero Namor the Sub-Mariner, among other features . The issue was a great success; it and a second printing the following month sold a combined nearly 900,000 copies . While its contents came from an outside packager, Funnies, Inc., Timely had its own staff in place by the following year . The company's first true editor, writer - artist Joe Simon, teamed with artist Jack Kirby to create one of the first patriotically themed superhero, Captain America, in Captain America Comics #1 (March 1941). It, too, proved a hit, with sales of nearly one million . Goodman formed Timely Comics, Inc., beginning with comics cover - dated April 1941 or Spring 1941 . </P> <P> While no other Timely character would achieve the success of these three characters, some notable heroes--many of which continue to appear in modern - day retcon appearances and flashbacks--include the Whizzer, Miss America, the Destroyer, the original Vision, and the Angel . Timely also published one of humor cartoonist Basil Wolverton's best - known features, "Powerhouse Pepper", as well as a line of children's funny - animal comics featuring characters like Super Rabbit and the duo Ziggy Pig and Silly Seal . </P>

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