In October 1939, the world needed heroes. Hitler had just invaded Poland. Britain, France, Australia and New Zealand had declared war. The US remained neutral – but it was already taking the first steps towards the Manhattan Project and the creation of the atomic bomb.

As Nazi Germany’s shadow fell over Europe, it seemed the world was on the brink of destruction. Who would save us?

The answer hit the newsstands when Timely Publications released Marvel Comics #1. Standing out between the usual pulp romances, westerns and crime magazines that lined the racks, Marvel Comics was a different breed.

Its cover showed a huge orange figure, The Human Torch, melting bullets on his fiery chest. Inside, The Torch was joined by Namor the Sub-Mariner, an aquatic superhero from the Antarctic. The cover price was just 10¢.