The Marvel Book Expand Your Knowledge of a Vast Comics Universe by Stephen Wiacek

intercession, and mass gatherings of warriors are reserved to decide the fate
of nations.
Brief flowerings of individual heroic endeavor, such as the monster-killing
of Olympian, Asgardian, or Eternal stalwarts including Hercules, Thor, and
the Forgotten One, gradually decline. The foredoomed utopia of King
Arthur’s alliance of knights in 8th Century Camelot flourishes then falls—
adding to humanity’s rich trove of stories and legends, but doing little to
improve the lot of mankind’s masses. Here improvement comes only
gradually; through toil, minor technological innovation, and laborious
advances in agriculture. All through these times, extraordinary champions
battle mankind’s perennial foes with valor, but in anonymity. The status quo
begins to change with the emergence of a new breed of masked adventurers
who come to the fore during World War I.
Battle world Earth’s champions are equally valiant, whether crushing the world’s enemies or
battling each other.