MARIETTA - Joe Killebrew, 32, wishes he had a superpower that would allow him to teleport from work to home, thus avoiding Atlanta traffic. His clothes would disappear during teleportation and he would land comfortably in bed.

He and numerous superhero fans gathered Tuesday night at Great Escape Comics in Marietta to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Marvel Comics. Great Escape Comics helped ring in the birthday by offering discounts on Marvel comic books and giving away door prizes.

The event brought in some serious business, including X-Men's Wolverine, who was able to take a break from fighting supervillians and make a special late night appearance. His visit made Killebrew giddy. The Decatur graphic designer couldn't wait to see his favorite character in real life.

"I think the kid in me is really excited," he said with a smile.

Similar parties were conducted across the country Tuesday to celebrate the infamous American comic book publishing company.

Timely Comics, which would later become known as Marvel Comics, was founded in 1939 by Martin Goodman and debuted with the launch of "Marvel Comics #1." Marvel Comics was named after Goodman's science-fiction pulp title "Marvel Science Stories." By the 1960s, Marvel was reportedly the most successful comic book company.

Killebrew owns about 6,500 comic books, and he picked up his first - of Wolverine of course - in 1985.

"I started reading them purely for escapism. I lived in the country and didn't have anything to tweak my imagination other than older brothers and the woods," he said.

Though he has thousands of comic books, Killebrew said he has two prized books in his collection. He had regretfully traded them away when he was a kid and recently re-purchased them.

Killebrew wasn't the only shopper in Marietta that had a special comic book in his collection. Allen Simmons, 32, is holding on tight to his Spiderman comic book number 298 because it's the first appearance in the series of the character Venom.

Simmons said his love affair with comics started at an early age when his father would give him the books as a way to get him to read. Simmons, an encoder, said his favorite Marvel character is Spiderman.

"The alter ego, Peter Parker, its grounded and a little bit more realistic. The other aspect is that once he becomes Spiderman, all of the things he does as Spiderman I think are interesting," he said.

Comic books have been so inspiring to Simmons that he said he plans to start up his own comic book company. He draws the characters and his friend, Cameren Johnson, 24, writes the story lines. Johnson said his favorite character is Captain America because he's patriotic.

Johnson said he has never fantasized about having a super power.

As for Killebrew's choice super power, "I do so much driving that I get so tired and all I want to do is be home in bed instantaneously. So to teleport home and have all my clothes off would be perfect," he said.

Killebrew said he hopes the clothes land in a hamper.