Illustrated throughout, The Penguin Classics Marvel Collection presents specially curated comic book anthologies of the origin stories, seminal tales, and characters of the Marvel Universe to explore Marvel's transformative and timeless influence on an entire genre of fantasy.A Penguin Classics Marvel Collection EditionIt is impossible to imagine American popular culture without Marvel Comics. For decades, Marvel has published groundbreaking visual narratives that sustain attention on multiple levels: as explorations of the relationship between power and responsibility; as metaphors for the experience of difference and otherness; as meditations on the pain of adolescence and the fluid nature of identity; as examinations of the meaning, and limits, of patriotism; as ironic juxtapositions of the cos­mic and the quotidian; as resources for the understanding of political and social history; and as high watermarks in the artistic tradition of American cartooning. For the first time, these classic stories of some of the most iconic super heroes in the history of American comics are Penguin Classics.This anthology goes back to the original source material for The Amazing Spider­-Man, with key stories from the first two years from 1962 to 1964. These allegories of adolescence permanently transformed the conventions of the super hero genre by insisting that great power is never just a means to an end, but also a burden­some responsibility. The introduction offers fresh insights into character development and the personalities of his creators. Also included are rarely reprinted non-super hero stories, early letter pages, and supplemen­tal materials shedding light on Lee and Ditko's artistic process.

PENGUIN CLASSICS MARVEL COLLECTION: Features six full-color titles in black spine paperback and hardcover format: The Amazing Spider-Man, Captain America, Black Panther (Summer 2022), X-Men, Fantastic Four and The Avengers (TBD).MARVEL CINEMATIC UNIVERSE AND COMICS AUDIENCE: The Marvel Cinematic Universe series is the highest grossing film franchise in the world, with total worldwide box office revenue of $22+ billion. MCU's Phase 4 has 10 films slated for release through 2022 with additional series releases on Disney+. Many of MCU's primary source materials lie with the Marvel comics and super heroes highlighted in this series. FOREWORD BY #1 NYT BESTSELLING AUTHOR JASON REYNOLDS: Forewords by contemporary YA authors speak to the enduring significance of Marvel's iconic creations. Among Jason Reynolds' many books is Miles Morales: Spider- Man.