Marvel Super Heroes 2007 Stamps

The U.S. Postal Service recently launched the Marvel Super Hero stamps as part of their 2007 commemorative stamp program lineup.

10 stamps on the pane of 20 are portraits of individual Marvel Comic characters: Captain America, Elektra, Iron Man, Silver Surfer, Spider-Man, Spider-Woman, Sub-Mariner, The Incredible Hulk, The Thing and Wolverine. The other 10 stamps depict individual Marvel Comic book covers.

Click on the links to view a high resolution image of the stamps.

Marvel Covers:

Amazing Spider-Man, issue #1
March 1963
Art by Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko
Peter Parker begins to worry about money now that Uncle Ben is gone; the first headline warning readers of the "Spider-Man Menace" runs in the Daily Bugle and gullible Aunt May gets drawn into complaining about "that horrible Spider-Man."

Marvel Spotlight, issue #32
February 1977
Art by Gil Kane
In her debut appearance, Jessica Drew is a brainwashed agent of the villainous organization HYDRA sent to destroy crime-fighter Nick Fury. With help from Nick's organization, SHIELD, Supreme Headquarters International Espionage Law-Enforcement Division, Jessica starts a new life as the super hero Spider-Woman and helps defeat HYDRA.

The Incredible Hulk, issue #1
May 1962
Art by Jack Kirby
When a man unwittingly enters the site where a nuclear weapon called the Gamma Bomb is being tested, he is rescued by its developer, Dr. Robert Bruce Banner. Exposure to the bomb's rays transforms Banner into the Hulk.

Captain America, issue #100
April 1968
Art by Jack Kirby
This issue marks the first time since World War II that Captain America starred in his own comic book. When Agent 13 infiltrates the organization of the villain Baron Zemo, Cap and Black Panther use the distraction to their advantage.

Sub-Mariner, issue #1
May 1968
Art by John Buscema and Sol Brodsky
Destiny gloats over the defeat of his archenemy, the Sub-Mariner, and implants illusions in Sub-Mariner Namor's mind about the ruin of Atlantis. Later, the Fantastic Four must stop Namor from destroying the surface world, which he blames for the destruction.

X-Men, issue #1
September 1963
Art by Jack Kirby
At his private academy, Professor Charles Xavier puts his students, each gifted with mutant abilities, through specialized training regimens. Soon, they must confront the evil mutant known as Magneto, who has seized control of an American military base.

Daredevil, issue #176
November 1981
Art by Frank Miller
Elektra decides to help Daredevil locate Stick, the man who trained him as a warrior. During the search, Elektra has a final confrontation with Kirigi, the dangerous and seemingly unstoppable fighter of the ninja clan known as the Hand.

Fantastic Four, issue #3
March 1962
Art by Jack Kirby
The Fantastic Four thwart the plans of the Miracle Man for world domination. This issue features a cutaway diagram detailing the interior of the Baxter Building, where the Fantastic Four make their home.

Silver Surfer, issue #1
August 1968
Art by John Buscema
Having betrayed his master Galactus to help the Fantastic Four save the planet Earth, the Silver Surfer finds himself a man without a home. As he explores Earth and puzzles over mankind's alien ways, he recounts the story of his origin.

Iron Man, issue #1
May 1968
Art by Gene Colan
Iron Man is captured by agents of the organization known as AIM, Advanced Idea Mechanics - a collective of scientists bent on world domination. Leading agent Mordius places the hero in a device that scans and duplicates his armor, creating replica suits for AIM operatives.

Marvel Characters:

Spider-Man
Art by John Romita
Imbued with incredible powers by the bite of an irradiated spider, student Peter Parker vowed to protect law-abiding citizens after a burglar killed his beloved uncle. Peter has learned an invaluable lesson: with great power, there must also come great responsibility!

The Incredible Hulk
Art by John Buscema
After being caught in a nuclear explosion, Dr. Robert Bruce Banner finds himself transformed during times of stress into the dark personification of his rage and fury: the most powerful man-like creature ever to walk the Earth, the Incredible Hulk!

Captain America
Art by John Romita
In 1940, a frail youth named Steve Rogers volunteered for an experiment that transformed him into Captain America, the Sentinel of Liberty. He battled on behalf of his country until a freak mishap placed him in suspended animation for decades.

The Thing
Art by Jack Kirby
Formerly a skilled fighter pilot, Ben Grimm is now The Thing, a member of the world-famous Fantastic Four. Though people may find his craggy exterior of orange stone unsightly, Ben has maintained his sense of humor and his heart of gold.

Spider-Woman
Art by Carmine Infantino
After her genetic code was combined with that of a rare breed of spider, Jessica Drew was duped into serving the evil organization HYDRA. Later, as Spider-Woman, she became a super heroine. She is one of the Avengers, Earth's mightiest heroes.

Sub-Mariner
Art by Gene Colan
Monarch of a mighty undersea empire, the Sub-Mariner strives to balance his responsibilities with his fiery temper. His foremost concern is the welfare of his subjects, but he has been known to rise from the depths to defend humanity!

Silver Surfer
Art by Jack Kirby
Desperate to save his home planet from destruction, Norrin Radd struck a deal with the force known as Galactus: as the world-devourer's herald, he would search the galaxy for his master's sustenance. Now freed from his bondage, Silver Surfer rides the cosmic waves unshackled!

Elektra
Art by Frank Miller
Driven by tragedy and versed in the ancient ways of the ninja, the mysterious femme fatale known as Elektra brings destruction to all who are foolish enough to cross her path!

Iron Man
Art by John Byrne
Gravely injured by an enemy bomb, billionaire genius Tony Stark saved his own life by designing a life-sustaining shell of high-tech armor that turned him into the invincible Iron Man, a modern-day knight prepared to fight injustice.

Wolverine
Art by Dave Cockrum
Little is known of Wolverine's past, save that it was fraught with pain and loss. Today, he is an X-Man who uses his animal-keen sense, healing powers, and razor-sharp claws to help protect a world that hates and fears mutants (Wolverine isn't featured in the X-Men issue #1 cover stamp image because his character hadn't yet been introduced).