About this episode
By 1974, Marvel had raced past DC Comics as the most popular and successful brand of comic book entertainment. Seeking to expand awareness and establish a presence in the burgeoning book market, Marvel pacted with prominent publisher, Simon & Schuster, who went on to produce a blockbuster line of Marvel trade collections under their Fireside label. These first of their kind collections featured accessible entry level stories of Marvel’s most popular characters. Fireside books placed Marvel in libraries all over the country, further enhancing Marvel’s growing profile. Fireside created the first ever original graphic novel by re-teaming Jack “The King” Kirby and Stan “The Man” Lee in a collaboration that produced an epic original Silver Surfer story! Rob recounts the history of Marvel & Fireside as he experienced it in real time!