Semi-regular commentator mikkim recently wrote this history of marvel comics from a publishing point of view and i've asked if i could host it online here.

This is the abstract:

Marvel Comics began in the late 1930s with the popularity of superheroes. They thrived on booming sales, publishing comic books of various concepts, until major criticism in the 1950s. In 1960, Marvel came out with dynamic and well developed characters, bringing high sales once again. The emersion of comic book specialty stores and a collecting craze made the company thrive through the 1980s. When the enthusiasm ended, marvel filed for bankruptcy in the mid 1990s. Business plans for licensing brought Marvel out of debt and are aiding to propel a prosperous future for the company.

Go check out the full paper.

i am outraged that anyone would call cap and bucky sellouts! if it were not for them, you surface dwellers be speaking Nazi!

IMPERIUS REX!