The Marvel Super Heroes (1966)
TV SeriesOptional
Limited-animation adventures of Captain America, Iron Man, Hulk, Thor and Namor, built from photocopied comic panels. Released in 1966, it’s a Marvel series that isn’t part of the MCU timeline, so it’s optional and stands on its own. It has 65 episodes, about 7h 35m in all.
| Release date | September 5, 1966 |
|---|---|
| Episodes | 65 × ~7 min |
Why it’s worth knowing about
Marvel’s first animated series and the origin of the much-loved “Captain America” theme song.
About The Marvel Super Heroes (1966)
The Marvel Super Heroes was the first TV series based on Marvel characters. Each episode gave one hero, whether Captain America, Iron Man, the Hulk, Thor or the Sub-Mariner, three roughly seven-minute segments that adapted Silver Age stories largely as they were printed. The artwork came straight from the comics of Jack Kirby, Steve Ditko and Don Heck, copied by xerography, with only lips, eyes and the odd limb moving.
Grantray-Lawrence Animation produced it, with Robert L. Lawrence as executive producer. It ran in first-run syndication from September to December 1966: 65 half-hour episodes, 13 per hero, 195 segments in all. Bernard Cowan narrated, with Max Ferguson as the Hulk and John Vernon as Iron Man and Namor. Jacques Urbont composed the theme music.
Good to know
- The Fantastic Four were off-limits because Grantray-Lawrence lacked the rights, so the X-Men appear as the "Allies for Peace" in a Sub-Mariner story.
- Hulk episode 8 adapts Avengers #2, bringing in Thor, Iron Man, Giant-Man and the Wasp.
- The opening song is "The Marvel Super Heroes Have Arrived!" and the closing song is "The Merry Marvel Marching Society."
- The Thor segments were subcontracted to Paramount Cartoon Studios, led by Shamus Culhane.
How to watch it
There is no viewing order beyond picking a hero and watching his 13 episodes in sequence. Hulk episode 8, adapting Avengers #2, is the closest thing to an Avengers story here. The show is a time capsule, so watch for the history rather than the animation: the theme songs and the faithful adaptations of early comics.
Where to watch The Marvel Super Heroes (1966) in the US
| Streaming (subscription) | Not currently on a US subscription service |
|---|
Where to watch The Marvel Super Heroes (1966) outside the US
| Country | Stream | Other options |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Not included | Not available |
| Canada | Not included | Not available |
Streaming availability last verified: October 16, 2026
All streaming options for Marvel movies and shows, by service and country.
Related guides
The Marvel Super Heroes (1966) FAQ
Why is the Fantastic Four not in The Marvel Super Heroes?
Grantray-Lawrence did not hold the TV rights to the Fantastic Four, so the team could not appear.
Who narrates The Marvel Super Heroes?
Bernard Cowan is the narrator.
Why does The Marvel Super Heroes look like moving comic panels?
The show used xerography to copy the original comic art, then animated only small parts such as mouths and eyes.
Can you skip The Marvel Super Heroes (1966)?
Yes, skip it if you like. It’s a Marvel title, but not part of the MCU timeline.
How many episodes does The Marvel Super Heroes (1966) have?
The Marvel Super Heroes (1966) has 65 episodes, around 7 minutes each.
Is The Marvel Super Heroes (1966) part of the MCU?
No. It was made outside the Marvel Cinematic Universe and isn’t on its timeline.