Bring on the Bad Guys: Origins of the Marvel Comics Villains

Origins of Marvel Comics #3

by Stan Lee, Gil Kane (Penciller), Jack Kirby (Penciller)

Looking at the other side of Origins of Marvel Comics and Son of Origin, this collections presents the origins of some of Marvel most infamous villians.

Reprinted are:
Fantastic Four #5, Fantastic Four Annual #2 (1st story) (Dr. Doom)
Strange Tales #126-127 (Dormammu)
Journey Into Mystery #112-113 (Tales of Asgard) (Loki)
Journey Into Mystery #115 (Absorbing Man - with Loki)
Tales of Suspense #66-68 (Red Skull)
Amazing Spider-Man #40 (Green Goblin)
Tales to Astonish #90-91 (Abomination)
Silver Surfer #3 (Mephisto)

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Marvel, Fiction, Comic Book, Anthologies, Superheroes

253 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1976

About the author

Stan Lee (born Stanley Martin Lieber) was an American writer, editor, creator of comic book superheroes, and the former president and chairman of Marvel Comics.

With several artist co-creators, most notably Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko, he co-created Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, Thor as a superhero, the X-Men, Iron Man, the Hulk, Daredevil, the Silver Surfer, Dr. Strange, Ant-Man and the Wasp, Scarlet Witch, The Inhumans, and many other characters, introducing complex, naturalistic characters and a thoroughly shared universe into superhero comic books. He subsequently led the expansion of Marvel Comics from a small division of a publishing house to a large multimedia corporation.

Reviews

[Kathleen Simon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a reread from when I was in elementary school. It was even better than I remembered and has reignited my love of all things Marvel!

[Megan Farve · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Marvel Comics might soon be out of business -a possibility too traumatically tragic to contemplate” - Stan Lee, 1976

How wrong you were, Stan! Marvel is still going strong for new generation of fans and we couldn’t be more grateful for the characters you have given us- even the villains.

This was a great read to understand some of the best villains of Marvel and their origins: Doctor Doom, the Dread Dormammu, Loki, the Red Skull, the Green Goblin, the Abomination, and Mephisto. I couldn’t put it down and I wish there was more!

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joe Hill wrote about this in a forward to another book so I found a copy on eBay. The comics are awesome and the lead-in stories from Stan Lee are like little notes from your grandpa you found in a drawer. So happy I own this now.

[Williwaw · Rating 3 out of 5]

Long, long ago, in a lifetime far away, my younger brother obtained a copy of a two-volume, paperback set in a slipcase. it was called "Origins of Marvel Comics/Son of Origins." It was probably a Christmas gift, or birthday present. I don't really remember. But I do remember being enchanted by the books, which reprinted the origin stories of some of the best known superheroes in the so-called "Marvel Universe."

Fast forward to perhaps ten days ago, when I discovered there was a follow-up volume, called "Bring on the Bad Guys - Origins of Marvel Villains." It was published in 1976, a couple years after Origins and Son of Origins. I don't know how I missed it until now!

Anyway, I ordered a copy and just got my hands on it a few days ago. So far, the high point is the opening sequence, which provides the origin story of Doctor Doom. (from Fantastic Four). Then, we get the Dread Dormammu (from Doctor Strange). The book moves on to Loki (from Thor); the Red Skull (from Captain America); Green Goblin (from Spider-Man); plus some villains completely unfamiliar to me, introduced in The Incredible Hulk and Silver Surfer.

I'm now going to take a break from this review, and maybe finish up once I've read the entire book. But for now, I'll just say that while the stories are often primitive, the art work is captivating. In particular, Jack Kirby seems to have been an impossibly prolific and fluid artist. And Ditko! If Kirby was King of Comics, Ditko was the Kandinsky of Comics!

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super fun read! Granted, it is a bit of nostalgia for me. This book is all about super-hero comics as they were when I was a kid. Fun to reminisce, but I can see where a contemporary (read: younger) reader could find the content very dated if not down right antiquated. I would hope, however, that any reader would at least appreciate that this book represents the stories and artwork of Silver/Bronze age comics and a significant part of Marvel history. So even if it all seems a bit quaint by more modern standards, it is absolutely the foundation upon which the modern Marvel world is built. And besides, how can you not like Stan Lee's goofy delivery of the story intros?

[Gary Sassaman · Rating 3 out of 5]

The third in the series of Marvel Comics reprint volumes published by Fireside Books in the mid-late 1970s, Bring On the Bad Guys focuses on the Marvel villains, including Doctor Doom, Dormmau, Loki, the Red Skull, the Abomination, the Green Goblin, and Mephisto in a collection of various reprints. The reproduction in this volume is marginally better than Son of Origins, especially in the reprint of the Mephisto story from Silver Surfer #3, but still not up to the standard of the original volume, Origins of Marvel Comics. Stan Lee provides introductions to each section, and does at least mention the artists who collaborated with him on each story, but Stan is still definitely the guy who created these characters, at least according to Stan.

[Aiden Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing book, this vintage collection is not only a great collectable item, but a treasury of Marvel classics detailing the upbringing of Marvels most diabolical villians, Doctor Doom, Redskull, Loki, and more. This is a must have for fans of vintage Marvel. Also Stan Lees little notes in between each villians chapter makes this so special, I can just hear his voice when reading it, so cool!

[The_J · Rating 5 out of 5]

What inspires great Heroism? Terrible villains to be thwarted

[Rick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This time Stan Lee turns his remembrances to the villains of the Marvel Universe.

Fantastic Four #5 & material from Annual #2 - offer the first appearance of Doctor Doom and his origin, which was finally told about 2 years later. This is Jack Kirby giving the world one of the greatest villains of all time (and that’s saying a lot considering he also gave the world the likes of Magento and Darkseid).

A pair of Doctor Strange stories from the pages of Strange Tales #126-127 presents the first appearance of Dormammu. Steve Ditko’s contribution to the biggest evils of the world.

Material from Journey Into Mystery #112-113 & #115 - Gives the reader a glimpse at the early years of Loki and then pit Thor against the combined threat of the Absorbing Man & Loki.

Having already brought Captain America out of the history of WWII, Tales of Suspense #66-68 sees Kirby bring the origin of the Red Skull.

Amazing Spider-Man #40 - While Ditko had previously created the Green Goblin, his identity was never revealed until after John Romita Sr. took over the title. This villain would go on to plague the life of Peter Parker for decades and decades.

Material from Tales to Astonish #90-91 provides the story that pits the Hulk against the Abomination for the first time. The art here is provided by the legendary Gil Kane.

Silver Surfer #3 - The sentinel of the spaceways comes up against his greatest opponent for the first time, Mephisto. John Buscema is in great form on this one.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Largely entertaining throughout, the Silver Surfer story at the end is one of Stan Lee's most emotionally moving stories I've read. I'd see that movie!

[Wondra Vanian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awesome. I didn't really know a whole lot about the Marvel baddies so this was fun to read. Stan Lee's intros to the chapters are brilliant. Also, the first thing I've read with Dr. Strange in it. I need to read more.

[Little Timmy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A superb book for learning the origin stories of many of Marvel's key superhero characters. The 1st issue reprinted in this book lets you read these great stories without the huge price you would have to pay to buy them individually. Very recommend to any comic fan.

[Kirby Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stan continues the "Origins of Marvel Comics" series, offering background introductions to key comics featuring targeted characters -- in this case, major villains that rose during Stan's writing tenue of the '60s. An enjoyable read!

[bluetyson]

isbn,original

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great resource book for anyone who loves comic books. Insightful information as well as the first apperances of the villians. Very good read.

[Karl · Rating 4 out of 5]

The collected origins of Marvel's best villains.

[Sgt Roman Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

GOT THE 1st PRINT OF THIS WHEN I WAS A TEEN, GREAT BOOK.

[Eric Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Classic Marvel origin stories of some of the top bad guys and villains. Amazing to see the original art and how illustration in comics has progressed.