A marvellous comeback

Every successful company has a turning point—a risk that paid off, a product that redefined an industry, or a decision that changed everything. However, not every story is one of triumph; some of the most valuable lessons come from the failures and missteps that shaped the business landscape.

A marvellous comeback

The humble beginning

Marvel Comics, the source behind the beloved Marvel characters and the multi-billion movie franchise, filed for bankruptcy in 1996 with a staggering $610 million debt. Marvel’s future seemed bleak. Much like its iconic characters, who find themselves on the ropes only to remerge victorious, Marvel pulled off its unexpected comeback.

In June 1938, Superman debuted in Action Comics #1, published by what is now DC Comics, and introduced a new superhero archetype. Riding the superhero wave, Martin Goodman, a savvy pulp magazine publisher, launched Timely Comics in 1939, the seed that would eventually grow into Marvel Comics. His first shot, Marvel Comics #1, made a splash big enough to soak the entire industry. It sold 80,000 copies on its first run, followed by a jaw-dropping reprint of 800,000 more. By the 1940s, Timely’s superhero lineup had expanded and scaled profits.