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#                 Excelsior! Super Superheroes      

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Like mythological Greek gods of old, superheroes captivate the imaginations of people of all ages. Superman’s 1938 debut kicked off the golden age of comic books, and superheroes have used their breathtaking powers to fight evildoers ever since. More superheroes have emerged throughout the decades, thrilling comic readers with their exploits, and their massive success in making the leap to movie screens around the world makes this a new golden age for these larger-than-life characters.

Stan Lee (born Stanley Lieber, December 28, 1922–November 12, 2018) was one of the creators of the modern superhero template. His gift for storytelling, with multi-dimensional heroes and villains, thrilled audiences around the world. His work on early comics featuring Spider-Man, Iron Man, The Hulk, Thor, and The Avengers helped lead Marvel to success. Lee used his Marvel platform to speak out against bigotry and racism by proclaiming the availability of the hero's journey for everyone. Lee and Jack Kirby famously created the first black superhero in mainstream American comics; the Black Panther made his first comic book appearance in 1966. Lee continued to reinvent himself and create modern global superheroes while delighting fans in movie cameos as a cultural icon in his own right.

Explore items in our collections related to superheroes, including comic books, original comic art, movie and television costumes and props, and memorabilia.
  -          National Postal Museum        41c Captain America single 
-          National Museum of American History        Captain America Slurpee Cup 
-          National Postal Museum        41c Cover of Captain America #100 single 
-          National Museum of American History        Shield used by Chris Evans as Captain America in *Captain America:The Winter Soldier* 
-          National Museum of American History        *America’s Greatest Comics* No. 8 
-          National Postal Museum        39c Wonder Woman single 
-          National Museum of American History        Black Panther #1 
-          National Museum of American History        *Superman* Lunch Box 
-          National Museum of American History        Captain Marvel No. 5 
-          National Museum of American History        Duncan Magic Motion Superman Yo-Yo 
-          National Museum of African American History and Culture        Costume for Black Panther worn by Chadwick Boseman 
-          National Museum of American History        *Superman* costume worn by Christopher Reeve 
-          National Museum of American History        Catwoman costume from *Catwoman* 
-          National Postal Museum        41c Cover of The Hulk #1 single 
-          National Museum of American History        Black Panther, Vol. 1 No. 4 
-          National Postal Museum        41c Wolverine single 
-          National Museum of American History        Batman cowl from *Batman and Robin* 
-          National Museum of American History        Superman No. 108 
-          Smithsonian Channel        Wonder Woman Was Based on This Real-Life Lady 
-          National Museum of American History        "Turn off the Dark" Spider Man costume worn in Broadway show 
-          National Museum of American History        *Superman #180*, “The Girl Who Was Mightier Than Superman” 
-          National Museum of American History        Storm costume from *X-Men: Days of Future Past* 
-          National Postal Museum        39c Superman single 
-          National Portrait Gallery        Superman 
-          National Postal Museum        41c Cover of Spider-Man #1 single 
-          National Museum of American History        Marvel Comic's Super Heroes Thermos 
-          National Museum of American History        Superman No. 108 
-          National Postal Museum        41c The Hulk single 
-          National Postal Museum        39c Cover of Superman single 
-          National Museum of American History        Superman No. 184 
-          National Postal Museum        Forever Mail a Smile: The Incredibles single 
-          National Museum of American History        Lois Lane No. 106 
-          National Museum of American History        *World's Finest Comics* No. 5 
-          National Postal Museum        41c Spider-Man single 
-          National Museum of American History        *World's Finest Comics* No. 7 
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