Happy Birthday Marvel! (+Scarlett Johansson Pictorial!)

Before it was Marvel Comics, it was Atlas Comics. And before it was Atlas Comics, it was Timely Comics, which published its first issue in October 1939, featuring the Human Torch and Submariner.

There are no words to express the immensity of the awesomeness that Marvel has brought to the world over the past 74 years. Here's hoping it continues to have a long and successful future of beautiful artwork, amazing films and epic story telling.

And what better way to celebrate this anniversary than with some pics of Scarlett Johansson, who portrays Black Widow in the current Avengers film series directed by Joss Whedon.

Enjoy!

Stephen Sumner is the science fiction columnist for Action A Go Go. He's proficient in Klingon swearing and has attempted the Vulcan process of Kolinar (with only mild success.) His favorite sci-fi series include Firefly, Battlestar Galactica and Star Trek. He can be followed on Twitter at https://twitter.com/VierLights or on the Tumblr machine at http://vierlights.tumblr.com/.