"Marvel presents the origins and history of its most famous creations, narrated by Stan Lee, that stellar storyteller who saw comics as more than dime-store material and helped turn Marvel's characters into twentieth-century mythology. Included are the beginnings of The Fantastic Four, which hurled Marvel out of the era of monsters without soul into the age of cosmic heroes; the Hulk, brilliant scientist turned muddled monster; Spider-Man, the teenage super hero known affectionately to aficionados as "Spidey"; Thor, the Norse god with the mystical hammer and the Shakespearean speech pattern; and finally Doctor Strange, the oddball magician who uses his supernatural powers on the side of good. Along with the big full-color stories and first heady inspirations from Stan, this deluxe, expanded fiftieth-anniversary edition features a new introduction and remembrances from the editor of Fireside Books' deluxe reissues, Chris Ryall, as well as an interview with the original series editor, Linda Sunshine; essays from Marvel executive editor Tom Brevoort and deluxe-edition cover artist Alex Ross, as well as a gallery detailing Ross' cover process; a remembrance by Mighty Thor co-creator and brother of Stan Lee, Larry Lieber; the re-presentation of author/futurist Ray Bradbury's original newspaper review of Origins; and an extensive gallery showcasing Origins ads, merchandising, and original art pieces. You will see why, taken as a whole, Origins of Marvel Comics was so influential in launching super hero material into the mass market and beyond. Origins stands alone as one of the great classics--an undying tribute to Marvel mania then and now!"

本書は、スタン・リーという稀代の語り部が、漫画を「二十世紀の神話」へと昇華させた記念碑的著作です。単なる勧善懲悪を超え、宇宙的スケールの壮大さと等身大の人間的な苦悩を鮮烈に同居させた物語の深みは、文学的な気品さえ漂わせます。読者は超人たちの魂の産声を通じて、ヒーローという概念が「単なる記号」から「複雑な内面を持つ人間」へと進化した歴史的瞬間に立ち会うことになります。 リーの饒舌で情熱的なナレーションは、読者を単なる観客から物語の共犯者へと誘います。各キャラクターの根源にある孤独や葛藤を克明に掘り下げる筆致は、時代を超えて読み継がれるべき普遍性を備えています。ページをめくるたびに溢れ出す圧倒的なイマジネーションの奔流は、創作の原動力そのものであり、今なお色褪せない知的興奮を私たちに与えてくれるでしょう。