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Origins of Marvel Comics #2
Son of Origins of Marvel Comics
Includes the origins of the Avengers, the X-men, Daredevil, Iron Man, Nick Fury and the Silver Surfer
249 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1975
About the author
Stan Lee
7,591 books2,364 followersStan Lee (born Stanley Martin Lieber) was an American writer, editor, creator of comic book superheroes, and the former president and chairman of Marvel Comics.
With several artist co-creators, most notably Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko, he co-created Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, Thor as a superhero, the X-Men, Iron Man, the Hulk, Daredevil, the Silver Surfer, Dr. Strange, Ant-Man and the Wasp, Scarlet Witch, The Inhumans, and many other characters, introducing complex, naturalistic characters and a thoroughly shared universe into superhero comic books. He subsequently led the expansion of Marvel Comics from a small division of a publishing house to a large multimedia corporation.
With several artist co-creators, most notably Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko, he co-created Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, Thor as a superhero, the X-Men, Iron Man, the Hulk, Daredevil, the Silver Surfer, Dr. Strange, Ant-Man and the Wasp, Scarlet Witch, The Inhumans, and many other characters, introducing complex, naturalistic characters and a thoroughly shared universe into superhero comic books. He subsequently led the expansion of Marvel Comics from a small division of a publishing house to a large multimedia corporation.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
July 24, 2013
The second wave of origin stories collected into book form, back in the mid-1970s, when such volumes were scarce. (Seriously, you kids getting into comics now for the first time, you're living in a paradise.) Before I acquired my own copy, I checked this out dozens of times from my local library when I was a kid, reading it over and over.
This volume contains the origins and/or first appearances of The X-Men, Iron Man, Daredevil, The Avengers, The Silver Surfer, The Watcher, and Col. Nick Fury of S.H.I.E.L.D. Each story is introduced by Stan Lee making full use of his voluminous vocabulary. In order to showcase their later and more familiar costumes, two stories of Daredevil and Iron Man are included. The second Iron Man story ends on a cliffhanger, but fortunately Stan pops in afterward to let us know Iron Man made it through okay.
Artwork is by Jack Kirby, Bill Everett, Don Heck, Gene Colan and John Buscema, with a painted cover by John Romita (something you also didn't see very often back then.) I was never sure why the Scarlet Witch appeared on the cover, as she's not in the book at all. I suppose she represents the Avengers, even though she wouldn't join the group until a year or so later.
This is great stuff and full of memories for me, so feel free to see this as a biased review. I admit it. But if you like the current incarnations of these characters, you'll want to see where they got their starts. I guess this collection may have been made "obsolete" by all the books that came later, but I will always treasure it.
This volume contains the origins and/or first appearances of The X-Men, Iron Man, Daredevil, The Avengers, The Silver Surfer, The Watcher, and Col. Nick Fury of S.H.I.E.L.D. Each story is introduced by Stan Lee making full use of his voluminous vocabulary. In order to showcase their later and more familiar costumes, two stories of Daredevil and Iron Man are included. The second Iron Man story ends on a cliffhanger, but fortunately Stan pops in afterward to let us know Iron Man made it through okay.
Artwork is by Jack Kirby, Bill Everett, Don Heck, Gene Colan and John Buscema, with a painted cover by John Romita (something you also didn't see very often back then.) I was never sure why the Scarlet Witch appeared on the cover, as she's not in the book at all. I suppose she represents the Avengers, even though she wouldn't join the group until a year or so later.
This is great stuff and full of memories for me, so feel free to see this as a biased review. I admit it. But if you like the current incarnations of these characters, you'll want to see where they got their starts. I guess this collection may have been made "obsolete" by all the books that came later, but I will always treasure it.
April 22, 2022
I have very fond memories of getting this annual series of Marvel reprint books, published by Fireside, each Christmas, from 1975 through 1978. And since nostalgia for all things Marvel, circa 1961-1979 or so, has moved into my brain and taken over, I’ve been buying them up again when I can find one at a decent price and in decent shape. I enjoyed the first in the series, Origins of Marvel Comics, and was pleasantly surprised how amazing it was to see hese reprints on nice paper, with the colors very vivid, something that was a brand new experience when these books first came out. That all goes out the window with Son of Origins, which has horrible reproduction
Son of Origins features the origin stories of Avengers, X-Men, Iron Man, Daredevil, Nick Fury, Agent of SHIELD, The Watcher (from Silver Surfer #1), and the Silver Surfer. It also includes a Stan Lee-penned intro for each chapter, but they’re shorter and a tad less (but not much of a tad) about "ME-ME-ME" and how I (that is Stan) created all these great heroes. Stan does give credit to his artist collaborators, though.
Son of Origins features the origin stories of Avengers, X-Men, Iron Man, Daredevil, Nick Fury, Agent of SHIELD, The Watcher (from Silver Surfer #1), and the Silver Surfer. It also includes a Stan Lee-penned intro for each chapter, but they’re shorter and a tad less (but not much of a tad) about "ME-ME-ME" and how I (that is Stan) created all these great heroes. Stan does give credit to his artist collaborators, though.
June 5, 2013
Such fun! I'd never read the origin stories of these characters before and I was surprised that Silver Surfer was my favourite. The origins stories in this compilation are hilarious because they are so uber patriotic and chock full of morality. (In a wholesome, All American way.) I love the old comic artwork too. Now I want to get my hands on Bring on the Bad Guys.
July 4, 2019
Man, it seems like it would have been a lot of fun to work with Stan Lee. For one, you get a nickname that is alliterative with your first name. He recalls everyone he worked with on a number of titles, and they are all things like "Jumping" Jack Kirby. Similarly in his prose, he clearly has fun writing. He has interesting word choices, rhymes, alliterates, and jokes with each one. He was an ideas guy, and he had a lot of very talented people in the 'bullpen' bring his ideas to life and they've enjoyed decades of wonderful storytelling.
The only weak part was the comics themselves. As cool as it was to read X-Men number 1, I found the stories to be very bland. Every character spoke (or thought) in the voice of Stan, and they were mostly describing their powers and every action. I understand that all of these comics were introductions for the audience, so someone needed to fill them in on who they were and what they can do. The bonus (non-origin) story for Daredevil was a nice touch to show how the character can evolve and get involved in something relevant for the day.
There is a lot to be said for this kind of storytelling, and I think Stan put together a nice compendium.
The only weak part was the comics themselves. As cool as it was to read X-Men number 1, I found the stories to be very bland. Every character spoke (or thought) in the voice of Stan, and they were mostly describing their powers and every action. I understand that all of these comics were introductions for the audience, so someone needed to fill them in on who they were and what they can do. The bonus (non-origin) story for Daredevil was a nice touch to show how the character can evolve and get involved in something relevant for the day.
There is a lot to be said for this kind of storytelling, and I think Stan put together a nice compendium.
February 27, 2025
As a kid, the original verson of Son of Origins of Marvel Comics was my favorite, because it had my favorite characters... Iron Man, Daredevil, the X-Men, the Avengers, etc. At the time, these characters were considered the b-list, and only rated a sequel. Funny what several decades and a few billion dollars in movie revenue will do for certain characters. Hard to remember a time when no one but a few geeks knew who Tony Stark was.
When this Revised edition of Son of Origins came out in the late '90s, it updated the original by not just reprinting the first appearances of these characters in the 60s, but also reprinting more modern stories (at the time) to reflect how they had changed.
It was a great little package of wonder if you were going to give it to a kid back in the day to give the a grounding in Marvel lore. Unnecessary in today's digital world... and what kids read comics any more? Still a nice snapshot of age or or two gone by.
When this Revised edition of Son of Origins came out in the late '90s, it updated the original by not just reprinting the first appearances of these characters in the 60s, but also reprinting more modern stories (at the time) to reflect how they had changed.
It was a great little package of wonder if you were going to give it to a kid back in the day to give the a grounding in Marvel lore. Unnecessary in today's digital world... and what kids read comics any more? Still a nice snapshot of age or or two gone by.
September 13, 2018
I absolutely love this sort of behind the scenes look at how some of the Marvel characters came to be. Stan Lee gives you the history, and then you get a reprint of the original issue. And I really enjoyed hearing straight from Stan Lee's pen what I used (as a youngster) as supporting evidence related to the value of reading Marvel Comics. . . they were written with a college level vocabulary. (I remember scampering to the dictionary to look up 'havoc' because it was in one of Stan Lee's stories. I was six or seven at the time.) If you have even a passing fancy with the Marvel Universe, you'll likely enjoy this tome. 'Nuff said.
January 19, 2024
This gets a 4 because of Jack Kirby, Gene Colan, John Buscema, Don Heck, and Bill Everett. It is robbed of a fifth star by the awful writing of Stan Lee, especially in those chapter introductions. And taking all the credit on the cover. Ugh. It turns my stomach. At one point, he refers to Kirby as “Jackson”…crapes!
October 17, 2021
Actually a re-read for me—my original 1975 1st printing of the paperback edition that’s been one of my prized possessions since the age of eleven. Still just as amazing as when I used to read it over and over through my Marvel Comics childhood. What else can I say but EXCELSIOR!
October 18, 2025
Another incredible collectors item to have and an absolute thrill to feast your eyes upon. From the origins of The Silver Surfer, to the tragic backstory of the Man Without Fear, this volume has it all and is a holy grail for any comic collection!
May 4, 2019
A favorite from when I was a kid
May 14, 2022
Love comics
August 5, 2023
Fun read, great art.
November 30, 2025
The brilliance of Marvel continues Iron Man especially stands front and center but the stories become a world.
February 8, 2026
Early X-Men, early Iron Man, the original Avengers, Daredevil, The Silver Surfer. Know your heroes before they were big.
November 27, 2025
Marvel’s propagandist, Stan Lee, continues his revision of the origins of the Marvel Age.
X-Men - Mutants are the first version of a reoccurring concept that Jack Kirby would return to time and again. The Inhumans, The Eternals, The New Gods, these are all variations of what Kirby was trying for here. And then there’s the analogy of the race conflict with Professor X and Magneto standing in for the different approaches of Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. So there’s an enormous amount of stuff getting set in motion with this first issue. The X-Men would struggle throughout the 60s, nearly getting cancelled at least three times before it would be be reborn of its own ashes like a Phoenix (pun intended).
Material from Tales of Suspense #39 & #97 give us Iron Man. This was a character who always seemed to me like a second tier character at Marvel. That all changed once the first Iron Man film hit the theater.
Avengers #1 - Gives the reader Marvel’s version of the Justice League of America. Kirby really delivers on this one. The plots and schemes of Loki are responsible for bringing together Ant-Man, Hulk, Iron Man, Thor and the Wasp. A quintet of heroes that didn’t quite reach the early successes that the Fantastic Four and Spider-Man did.
Daredevil #1 & #47 - Two vary different examples of the blind superhero are offered here. The first by creator Bill Everett and the second by visionary Gene Colan.
Material from Strange Tales #135 - Originally Nick Fury was created by Kirby as a way of working through some of his experiences during WWII combat in the comics medium. But then he was brought forward into the 60s and turned into Marvel’s answer to James Bond. I’ve always found his espionage adventures far more interesting.
Silver Surfer #1 - Is Lee’s prose heavy pontificating on the nature of humanity. This issue recaps his origin and the events that lead up to his exile on earth. It would take 20 years for him to become free of the constraints place upon him by Galactus and allow him to span the spaceways once again. This volume also includes a back-up story from that issue that features Uatu, the Watcher. Another cosmic character from the pages of the Fantastic Four but an odd choice for this kind of retrospective book.
X-Men - Mutants are the first version of a reoccurring concept that Jack Kirby would return to time and again. The Inhumans, The Eternals, The New Gods, these are all variations of what Kirby was trying for here. And then there’s the analogy of the race conflict with Professor X and Magneto standing in for the different approaches of Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. So there’s an enormous amount of stuff getting set in motion with this first issue. The X-Men would struggle throughout the 60s, nearly getting cancelled at least three times before it would be be reborn of its own ashes like a Phoenix (pun intended).
Material from Tales of Suspense #39 & #97 give us Iron Man. This was a character who always seemed to me like a second tier character at Marvel. That all changed once the first Iron Man film hit the theater.
Avengers #1 - Gives the reader Marvel’s version of the Justice League of America. Kirby really delivers on this one. The plots and schemes of Loki are responsible for bringing together Ant-Man, Hulk, Iron Man, Thor and the Wasp. A quintet of heroes that didn’t quite reach the early successes that the Fantastic Four and Spider-Man did.
Daredevil #1 & #47 - Two vary different examples of the blind superhero are offered here. The first by creator Bill Everett and the second by visionary Gene Colan.
Material from Strange Tales #135 - Originally Nick Fury was created by Kirby as a way of working through some of his experiences during WWII combat in the comics medium. But then he was brought forward into the 60s and turned into Marvel’s answer to James Bond. I’ve always found his espionage adventures far more interesting.
Silver Surfer #1 - Is Lee’s prose heavy pontificating on the nature of humanity. This issue recaps his origin and the events that lead up to his exile on earth. It would take 20 years for him to become free of the constraints place upon him by Galactus and allow him to span the spaceways once again. This volume also includes a back-up story from that issue that features Uatu, the Watcher. Another cosmic character from the pages of the Fantastic Four but an odd choice for this kind of retrospective book.
February 19, 2021
Do you even need to read a review of this? Just look at that COVER~!
I'd give my eyeteeth for a story featuring all of these great characters.
If you can, buy this book.
If you can't, check it out from your library.
If you can't do that, download a digital copy.
If you can't do that.... well, sorry~!
I know this isn't much of a review. But I do want to mention the layout and the structure of this book. I know that people think that this was another Ego Boost for The Man, but you have to realize that this was an outside publisher. A publisher that wanted to make sure that they sell lots & lots of copies. Stan Lee put on his Most Stan Lee-ish voice here and really Sold it.
Is this actually how these comics came together? Maybe. Maybe not. Does Stan take the Glory? Maybe, but he doesn't take ALL the Glory... he gives each Artist a paragraph or two, while he's doing the intro to each chapter.
If you have a problem or issue with the narrative of these stories, well I'm sorry. But this, like most books of this kind, are a Time Capsule of when they were written...nobody NOBODY ever thought that each and every page was going to be scrutinized in the year 2021.
'Nuff Said
I'd give my eyeteeth for a story featuring all of these great characters.
If you can, buy this book.
If you can't, check it out from your library.
If you can't do that, download a digital copy.
If you can't do that.... well, sorry~!
I know this isn't much of a review. But I do want to mention the layout and the structure of this book. I know that people think that this was another Ego Boost for The Man, but you have to realize that this was an outside publisher. A publisher that wanted to make sure that they sell lots & lots of copies. Stan Lee put on his Most Stan Lee-ish voice here and really Sold it.
Is this actually how these comics came together? Maybe. Maybe not. Does Stan take the Glory? Maybe, but he doesn't take ALL the Glory... he gives each Artist a paragraph or two, while he's doing the intro to each chapter.
If you have a problem or issue with the narrative of these stories, well I'm sorry. But this, like most books of this kind, are a Time Capsule of when they were written...nobody NOBODY ever thought that each and every page was going to be scrutinized in the year 2021.
'Nuff Said
March 21, 2013
As a complement to Origins of Marvel Comics, this is the book that collects the seminal works that contributed to my becoming a writer. Along with writer, Stan Lee — and introducing Don Heck (Iron Man), Bill Everett (Daredevil), John Buscema (The Silver Surfer), and others as illustrators — this team continued to create groundbreaking characters and story lines, continuing The Golden Age of Comics from the 1960s into contemporary cinema. Highly recommended and irreplaceably valuable.
January 23, 2008
If you wanna find out how the popular Marvel Comics superheroes came to be, this is the book for you. It features the X-Men, Iron Man, The Avengers, Daredevil, Silver Surfer and a few others. It is their first issues reprinted. The artwork and costumes are a lot cooler than the comics of today. Yep, just an old man rehashing the good days. It is a fun read.
March 3, 2016
A superb book for learning the origin stories of many of Marvel's key superhero characters. The 1st issue reprinted in this book lets you read these great stories without the huge price you would have to pay to buy them individually. Very recommend to any comic fan.
Read
August 23, 2008isbn,original
April 21, 2012
Read this over 35 years ago and just read it again - for fanboys everywhere - Excelsior!
October 2, 2012
This is the follow up volume to "Origins of Marvel Comics" and continues in presenting key Silver Age Marvel stories. Another nice collection, all contained in one book.
October 29, 2013
THIS WAS THE 2ND BOOK I BOUGHT AFTER ART OF MARVEL. GREAT BOOK OF ORIGINS, GOT THE 1st PRINT OF THE FIRST 5 BOOKS OF THAT YEAR.
August 17, 2022
Stan's insights makes this a wonderful read. I wish they had followed the pattern of the first book, printing two examples of the comics, not one.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews