Marvel Super Heroes Commemorative Stamp Set
The US Postal Service has announced the printing of a new commemorative stamp set which includes pictures of the Incredible Hulk, Spiderman, Captain America and more. The author and creator of the great majority of Marvel characters, Stan Lee, was the son of Jewish immigrants.
With these 20 colorful stamps, the U.S. Postal Service salutes stars from the world of Marvel Comics. For decades, Super Heroes have been synonymous with the comic book medium. Their adventures have provided an escape from every day life and demonstrate that individuals can make a difference. Comic books aren't simply "kid stuff" — adults have always been among their readers, and the form has attracted its share of serious artists and writers. And Super Heroes have responded to social and political issues from their beginnings.
Ten stamps on the pane of 20 are portraits of individual Marvel characters: Captain America, Elektra, Iron Man, Silver Surfer, Spider-Man, Spider-Woman, Sub-Mariner, The Incredible Hulk, The Thing and Wolverine.
Hat tip: Draftervoi, who writes:
Most of the characters portrayed were created by Jewish Americans....so many so that it's easier to point out the characters that WEREN'T created by Jews: Electra, Submariner and Spiderwoman. Everything else, Jewish-American creativity was involved.
I was an Archie/Jughead/Betty/Veronica fan myself. Also, Richie Rich and the lesser known Little Lotta. I did not read Marvel comics, but I did watch a lot of the original Superman - a character also created by Jewish-Americans - on TV.
I do find the connection between Jews and superheroes to be an interesting concept though. America was quite the "superhero" to Jews in the early part of the 20th century. Characters such as Jerry Seigel and Joe Shuster's Superman and Lee's Captain America seem to me to be a reflection of the great esteem and gratitude in which America was held by Jewish-Americans of my parent's and grandparents' generations.
Comments