The story of comic books and superheroes in America began with two teenagers from Cleveland, Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, who created Superman in 1938. Their character became a sensation, and the comic book industry grew rapidly, with dozens of publishers producing hundreds of superheroes. The industry changed during World War II, with superheroes becoming patriotic and part of the war effort. After the war, the industry declined, but it was revived in the 1960s with the creation of the Marvel Universe, which introduced complex characters and social issues. The industry has continued to evolve, with the rise of film and television, and the creation of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which has become a global phenomenon.
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