Marvel Comics

Marvel Comics
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First reference:	Genesis
"Marvel Comics" on Wikipedia

Marvel Comics is an American comic book line published by Marvel Entertainment.

About

Marvel was created in 1939 by Martin Goodman. Being one of America's best known comic book producers, Marvel's best-known comics titles include Fantastic Four, The Amazing Spider-Man, The Incredible Hulk, Iron Man, Daredevil, Thor, Captain America and X-Men. Most of Marvel's fictional characters are depicted as inhabiting a single shared world; this continuity is known as the Marvel Universe.

References

References in Heroes

• Hiro compares his powers to Kitty Pryde, one of the X-men: "...X-Men, #143, when Kitty Pryde time travels..." (Genesis)
• The NYPD detective in Isaac's apartment notes that Hiro is a member of the "Merry Marvel Marching Society", a Marvel Comics fan club that was disbanded in 1971. (Don't Look Back)
• Hiro keeps a poster of Spider-Man and a figurine of The Hulk in his apartment. (The Crane)
• When Hiro does not want to cheat in a roulette game at the Montecito Casino, Ando says, "Is Peter Parker cheating when he sells pictures of Spider-Man?" (Collision)
• Stan Lee, known as the father of Marvel Comics, cameos as a bus driver. (Unexpected)
• Ted makes what appears to be a reference in homage to the famous "Don't make me angry" quote by Bill Bixby portraying Dr. David Banner in The Incredible Hulk 70s-era TV series. When Ted is angered by Mr. Bennet lying to him, Ted says, "You're gonna upset me. Do you know what happens when I get upset?". (Company Man)

Other References

• Hiro's blog refers to Charlie saying, "Charlie wasn't my Marle, she was my Gwen Stacy." Marle might refer to the character from a video game called Chrono Trigger, which follows a group of adventurers who are accidentally propelled through time. Gwen Stacy refers to the first true love of Spider-Man; she is killed by the Green Goblin, and is pivotal (and controversial) to the Spider-Man stories.
• Hiro also worries in his blog that Ando will become his "Uncle Ben", referring to Peter Parker's murdered uncle whose death led Peter to take the responsibility of his powers as Spider-Man seriously.
• Agents Quesada and Alonzo may be named for Joe Quesada and Axel Alonso, both editors at Marvel Comics.

Notes

• Hiro is actually wrong about his Kitty Pryde reference. Kitty Pryde's time travelling story actually occurs in X-Men #141-142. However, Hiro did note this error in his blog, stating that Charlie corrected him. However, he misspells Kitty's last name as "Pride" while doing so.
• Given that Hiro is 24, he would have had to have joined the "Merry Marvel Marching Society" eleven years prior to his birth. Of course, it's possible he made his own membership card.
• Many people have compared the powers of Heroes with those of the X-Men. For instance, Claire and Wolverine both regenerate, D.L. and Kitty Pryde both phase, Matt and Professor X are both telepaths, Peter and Rogue both mimic others' powers, and Sylar and Jean Grey are both telekinetic. There are, however, vast and notable differences between the levels, limits, and capabilities of these powers.

Gallery

• 
  Among other posters, Hiro owns a black-and-white poster of Spider-Man.
• 
  A Hulk figurine sits on a shelf in Hiro's apartment.

External Links

• Marvel.com -- Official Website