So, is it an exaggeration to say that Marvel is an institution that’s impacted on American pop culture with a force heavier than Thor’s hammer? Probably not.

Marvel’s creations are instantly recognisable icons. Without Marvel and their long-time rivals Detective Comics (DC) – the publishers of Superman and Batman – the superhero as we know it wouldn’t exist. And if superhero comics didn’t exist you could kiss goodbye to the last 10+ years of super-powered summer tentpole movies.

“It’s been proven now in the world of mass media that Marvel characters mean money,” former Editor-In-Chief Joe Quesada commented.

“People are attracted to these characters. They love these characters. They’re becoming more and more relevant every day. They are now basically modern myths.”