Power up your snail mail

Starting thursday you can add a little POW to your mail with Marvel postage stamps! Each 41-cent iconic square is ready to peal and stick and really snazes up that letter to the electric company.

Here is what the United States Postal Service has to say about it.

Marvel Super Heroes
With these 20 colorful stamps, the U.S. Postal Service salutes stars from the world of Marvel Comics. For decades, Super Heroes have been synonymous with the comic book medium. Their adventures have provided an escape from every day life and demonstrate that individuals can make a difference. Comic books aren’t simply “kid stuff” — adults have always been among their readers, and the form has attracted its share of serious artists and writers. And Super Heroes have responded to social and political issues from their beginnings.

Ten stamps on the pane of 20 are portraits of individual Marvel 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. Information about the artwork shown on each stamp appears on the back on the stamp pane.

Marvel Covers

Amazing Spider-Man #1
March 1963
Art by Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko
Peter 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 old Aunt May gets drawn into complaining about “that horrible Spider-Man.”

Marvel Spotlight #32
February 1977
Art by Gil Kane and Klaus Janson
In her debut appearance, Jessica Drew is a brainwashed agent of the villainous organization HYDRA, sent to assassinate crime-fighter Nick Fury. With help from Nick’s organization, SHIELD, Jessica starts a new life as the super hero Spider-Woman and helps defeat HYDRA.

The Incredible Hulk #1
May 1962
Art by Jack Kirby and Paul Reinman
When a man unwittingly enters the site where a weapon called the Gamma Bomb is being tested, he is rescued by its developer, Dr. Bruce Banner. Exposure to the bomb’s rays transforms Banner into the Hulk, allowing him to express his darker side.

Captain America #100
April 1968
Art by Jack Kirby and Syd Shores
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 #1
May 1968
Art by John Buscema & Sol Brodsky
Destiny gloats over the defeat of his archenemy, the Sub-Mariner, and implants illusions in 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 #1
September 1963
Art by Jack Kirby and Sol Brodsky
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 #176
November 1981
Art by Frank Miller and Klaus Janson
Elektra decides to help Daredevil locate Stick, the man who trained him as a warrior. Outside Duke’s Pool Hall, Elektra has a final confrontation with Kirigi, the dangerous and seemingly unstoppable fighter of the ninja clan known as the Hand.

Fantastic Four #3
March 1962
Art by Jack Kirby and Sol Brodsky
Taking time out to squabble among themselves, 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 #1
August 1968
Art by John Buscema and Frank Giacoia
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 #1
May 1968
Art by Gene Colan and Johnny Craig
Iron Man is captured by agents of the organization known as AIM—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.

Character Shots

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 when a burglar killed his beloved uncle. Peter had learned an invaluable lesson: With great power, there must also come great responsibility!

The Incredible Hulk
Art by Rich Buckler and John Romita
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 Jack Kirby and Dick Ayers
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 and Joe Sinnott
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 and Tony DeZuniga
After her genetic code was combined with that of a rare breed of spider, Jessica Drew was duped into serving evil as an assassin. Later, as Spider-Woman, she became a costumed heroine. She is one of the Avengers, Earth’s Mightiest Heroes.

Sub-Mariner
Art by John Buscema and John Verpoorten
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 and Joe Sinnott
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. The Silver Surfer now rides the cosmic waves unshackled!

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

Iron Man
Art by John Byrne and Mike Machlan
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 any 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 factor, and razor-sharp claws to help protect a world that hates and fears mutants.