Stan Lee: Indefatigable Excelsior

Gil Champion, Stan Lee, Clifford Meth and Gene Colan

I've spoken with Stan Lee twice in the past two days about matters than I can't share at this time (so why mention it, Meth?). Both times I'm left with a growing admiration for my 92-year-old friend who is so much bigger than merely the creator of Spider-Man and everything else he added to the pantheon of temporary culture.

Not much of a blog entry, I know, but I didn't want this moment to go personally unmarked.

Aardwolf Publishing saved Stan's "live" appearance for our forthcoming Kickstarter. But his alter ego Stanley Lieber makes a brief cameo in our current one.

What’s Stan Lee Really Worth? Neal Adams?

The artist Dick Ayers passed away on Sunday and another very fine artist and friend Neal Adams called me this morning out of concern. I hope he won't mind my mentioning this.

“Do you know Dick’s widow’s situation?” Neal asked. I told him I didn’t. And when we hung up I thought about how genuine and special Neal is. He has a busy studio to run and deadlines to meet and his own family concerns, and he avoids funerals and memorial services like they're the Third Pandemic. But he’s always the first to inquire regarding the welfare of the widow and the family—and the first to organize help if needed.

I didn’t know Dick Ayers. I was a fan, of course, and I had purchased several drawings from him over the years, which I treasure. He was a nice man, a happy man, and a fine artist. Dick and I would sit and chat at conventions, but we weren’t pals. But Neal’s example has been kicking me into action for most of my adult life. So I made some inquiries.

Stan Lee was the first to reply. I received a return email within moments of my query to him (at 7:30 California time).

What’s the big deal? Lots of folks are up early and return email and phone messages. Nearly 23% do it within a reasonable amount of time, according to a study never conducted at the University of Michigan.

Stan will be 92 in December. And he has more going on than most three people you know. And he’s wealthier than the 20 richest people you've ever known all together. But he always responds immediately, and he's always been available to help with matters big and small when asked. And I've asked plenty.

Call it solid time management. Call it three-quarters of a century of professionalism. Or maybe Stan's parents just raised him right.

Neal Adams and Stan Lee.

Websites and magazine writers often speculate regarding celebrity bank accounts. There are people who like to count other people’s money. Go figure.

As for Dick Ayer’s widow, Stan didn't know her situation either. But if she’s in trouble, there’s people who will help.

So what’s Stan Lee worth? Neal Adams?

It has nothing to do with money.

What Really Happened to Dave Cockrum and Gene Colan?

Colan kept dignity and high spirits in spite of dire circumstances.

If you've followed my blog, you know how I felt about my pals Dave Cockrum & Gene Colan. What you probably don't know is what went on behind the scenes of their struggles with Marvel. Perhaps you read between the lines. Maybe you missed the episodes entirely and are content collecting their comics and art. Fair enough.

But if you're interested in their real stories--and some of the other sordid happenstances in the world of four-color comics--you might want to check out this video.

Cockrum was cheated but never complained. 

Aardwolf Publishing has launched it's first Kickstarter project around my book Comic Book Babylon. With an introduction by Stan Lee and art by Michael Netzer, it's little wonder why the project funded in less than two days. But the Kickstarter is just the beginning. The book will be the real event. Come meet the real Alan Moore, Frank Miller, Joe Kubert, Walter Simonson, Bob Layton, Herb Trimpe and many other key creators of the comic book universe. Come read Harlan Ellison answer tough questions for tough Jews. Take a look at what I consider my most exciting project in more than a decade. Click here to start the journey.

The Value of a Good Name

I spent some time with Joe Kubert at his studio last week. It’s always good to see Joe, a mutant of incredible health (b’li eyin hora), the Randy Coulture of comics—or perhaps Randy is the Joe Kubert of MMA. Joe was signing comics for an upcoming auction that will be used to support the annual Dave & Paty Cockrum Scholarship that Paty and I give at his school each year. He’s also been signing comics at the occasional comics conventions for free. But that’s about to change. And it’s not about the money, as anyone who knows Joe will attest to.

“I need to help raise the bar for other creators,” said Joe, an active participant in the Hero Initiative. “What I do impacts others.”

Joe is right, of course, and he is about to become the second highest paid signer in the business. Stan Lee, the highest, is now getting $50-90/signature, with proceeds donated to the new Stan Lee Literacy Foundation. Gene Colan, who I have represented for a year now, has upped his price to $20/signature. There’s no reason for comics industry elders to take less than their fair share of books that are set to be graded, slabbed and put on the market for much higher prices than their unsigned/ungraded counterparts. This is where the market has gone and rightly so; the elders and founders and pioneers of comics have made a fraction of what their creations continue to bring as rare, prized collectibles.

I will be the CGC "witness" at the first CGC signing for Joe Kubert. I am also coordinating signings for Rich Buckler and Gene Colan.

For more information on the Joe Kubert signing contact Chris Seminara at cseminara@akibia.com

Make Mine Stan Lee

I've known this generous man for three decades, but it's always a thrill to get a note from Stan or hear him on the phone... And in a few weeks, I get to see his smiling face in person.

Cliff,

The greatest of New Years to you and yours!

I'll be looking forward to seeing you and Gene [Colan] in N.Y. I think it's great that you've been so helpful to him all this time. But then, great people do great things--that's why they're great!

Excelsior!

Stan

Stan Lee: A Serious Interview

I've said this before: At the end of the day it won't matter who spins the history of the comics nor how they spin it. One fact will remain indisputable: Stan Lee changed comics, which changed most of us.

The first time I met Stan was in 1986 in Manhattan. He was in town for The Toy Show and I took the opportunity to interview him over lunch for Home Viewer, one of several new magazines that had sprung up around the burgeoning video industry of the mid-80s. Shortly after my article appeared, I was pleasantly surprised to find a letter in my mailbox from Stan. He wanted to thank me for the interview. Thank me!

Over the years, I’ve had the pleasure of Stan's company many times on the phone and in person. He's written generous introductions to a number of books that I've edited, as well as my forthcoming collection of essays and arguments Comic Book Babylon. I thought it would be fun to revisit that first conversation of ours from 24 years ago. Here’s a piece of it:

Meth: From a creative perspective, your legacy consists largely of expanding a superhero mythology that a new generation has come to inherit. Do you think that's an important contribution?

Lee: Yes. Everybody needs heroes. Everybody should have somebody to look up to, somebody to aspire to be like. In my case, I read legends, Robin Hood, The Odyssey, Sherlock Holmes. I saw Errol Flynn movies and I wanted to be Errol Flynn. Every time I left the theater, I had a crooked little smile on my face and I swashbuckled down the street. Until I was ten years old, I wished that I had a sword by my side. I would rather have been Errol Flynn or Sir Arthur Conan Doyle or Sherlock Holmes or Tarzan or Edgar Rice Burroughs or H.G. Wells than anybody else. All of these people were my heroes. I assume everybody is like that. We all have people we admire, actors we admire, fictional characters we admire, and if we didn't, what would we ever have to aim for? What goals would we have?

Meth: But Marvel’s heroes--Stan Lee’s heroes--are very unlike those character’s you grew up admiring. Your heroes have problems. Was that part of the formula, or just a sales angle?

Lee: Not at all! I'd been writing the old stories for years because I was the ultimate company man. I did what my publisher wanted because I felt that's the way it should be--you work for somebody you do what he says. For twenty years, I was grinding out the types of stories he wanted and I won't apologize for them. They were good for what they were. These were westerns: Kid Colt, the Rawhide Kid, the Texas Kid, the Ringo Kid, Apache Kid--we loved the named "kid". We did war stories: Battle Grady, Combat Kelly, real mass producers. I wrote virtually all of them.

And I always wanted to quit, because while I was making a living, I felt I wasn't getting anywhere. I told my wife, “Honey, I want to try writing other stuff. I'm going to give this up.” She said, “Stan, you've been frustrated for years because you never really wrote the kind of stories you wanted. Before you leave, why don't you just take some books and write them your way? What's the big deal? You want to leave anyway so what'll they do, fire you?”

So I started with the Fantastic Four. We didn't have any superheroes then. We were doing monster stories. My publisher said to me, “You know, I been looking at sales figures and D.C. Comics’ Justice League of America is selling very well. We should do a few superheroes and put them together.” I said, “Fine.” But I wasn't going to do it the former way.

Meth: Which was?

Lee: Bland. They all fight together, love each other. Typical group. I figured I would make one a monster, another the hero’s fiancé, the third her kid brother who’s a little bit of an itch. I tried to do it the way I thought superheroes would be in real life. I even tried to be different by not giving them costumes, but that was a mistake. I got a lot of mail after the first issue: “Love your book! It's wonderful! Best thing I ever read! Congratulations! But if you don't give them costumes, I'll never buy another issue.” So I don’t have to be hit over the head. We put costumes on them. Everything else worked. I never thought it would sell well. I figure I'm getting it out of my system and then I'm going to quit. Well, it was the best selling book we had in years. So we brought out The Avengers, Spider-Man, and The Hulk.

Meth: How is your relationship with Jack Kirby these days?

Lee: I don't think we’re as friendly now. He isn't as friendly toward me as I wish he were. I'm not really 100% sure that I know what the reason is. Maybe he feels he is not as well known or he feels that I've achieved a little more something than he has. I don't know. He has never told me. Jack is certainly one of the most talented if not the most talented guy that the comic book industry has ever produced. He is the most imaginative, most creative guy I have ever known in this business. His mind is an endless source of stories, concepts, and ideas. He was a fantastic artist with one of the most powerful, dramatic styles you could ever find. I've always said that. I've always felt that about him and I still do.

Meth: Who are your favorite Marvel characters?

Lee: Maybe Spider-Man and the Silver Surfer. I got more philosophy into the Silver Surfer than anything I ever wrote. He was always giving his opinions about life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. I liked him because he was so offbeat. I think those 17 issues of Silver Surfer that I wrote and that John Buscema drew are the best 17 comics that have ever been done. They’re classics.

Meth: You’ve been in Hollywood for a long time now. Ever get the urge to return to writing comic books?

Lee: I must be honest and admit that I miss comics. I miss the excitement. Mainly, I miss the people; I loved the people I worked with. I also miss the fact that in the comic book business, you can get an idea for a book, get together with an artist, do it, and three or four months later the book is on sale. In the movie business, you can spend years before a project reaches the screen, if it ever does. However, I'm not the least bit tired of Hollywood. I'll never retire. I love what I do. I love the movie and TV business, and I've never had more fun. The only thing that would make my professional life even better would be if Marvel Comics was in the same building and I was working on the comics and the movies and the television and the animation at the same time. That would be heaven.

(part II coming soon... subscribe to this blog and you won't miss it... the subscription is free)

The Amazing Stan Lee

BOOM! finally made their teased-out Stan Lee announcement yesterday morning. And despite calls from 1000+ reporters, my 87-years-young friend stopped by to answer a few questions. Briefly.

Cliff: Were the characters and back stories for the new POW-BOOM joint venture actually created by you?

Stan: Yep!

Cliff: Do you still think it's important for a hero's alter ego to have an Achilles heel?

Stan: Yep... Usually.

Cliff: At what stage are you at with the projects that you're doing with Walt Disney Studios?

Stan: All different stages. Script. Development. Production.

Cliff: When I was with IDT Entertainment, you shared a letter with us that you received from Paul McCartney pitching you a character. How often do you get pitches from fellow celebs?

Stan: Occassionally. An average of three or four a year.

Cliff: Now that you're hitting middle age, do you have any intention of slowing down?

Stan: Not if I can help it! Excelsior!

Stan Lee Breaks His Silence

BOOM made their big Stan Lee announcement this morning...and Stan just popped me an email to answer a few questions. I'll post his answers at ComicMix.com tomorrow morning.

Meth on Steve Englehart

Steve Englehart was a very terrific writer of comics at a time when I was reading nothing but. I'm conducting a brief interview with him regarding his Max August series for this blog. Should be ready by tomorrow.

Englehart began his pro comics career assisting art legend Neal Adams on Vampirella #10 (Warren Publishing, 1971) and later became a writer at Marvel under Roy Thomas, where his plots and dialogue were, more sophisticated--and far more fun--than most of what his contemporaries were doing. To this day, my favorite Captain America run was his, especially that forever memorable resolution of the 1950's Cap/Bucky conundrum with a plotline that also hit on the racial issues of that period (issues #152-156).

Englehart and Frank Brunner (who illustrated the cover of my own Wearing The Horns for Aardwolf Publishing), created a multi-issue storyline for Dr. Strange (Marvel Premiere #14) in which a sorcerer named Sise-Neg (Genesis backwards) travels back through history, collects magical energies, then finally reaches the beginning of the universe only to become omnipotent and re-create it, leaving Dr. Strange to ponder whether this was, paradoxically, the original creation. Story has it that Stan Lee (then EiC of Marvel) ordered the pair to print a retraction to avoid problems with religious leaders, saying this was not "God" but a god... and that Englehart and Brunner penned a fake letter from a fictitious minister praising the story, then mailed it to Marvel from Texas. Marvel unwittingly printed the letter and dropped the retraction order.

Stan's Back?

A teaser banner ad at ComicMix proclaims, "Stan's Back." It use's Stan Lee's inimitatable signature. And when you click on the ad, that's all it tells you. Stan's back. Good tease. So what's up?

I emailed Stan this morning. His reply, "Funny thing is-- I didn't even know I'd been away!" Good reply.

Stan promised me an interview when he's ready to unveil the story.

And what's this have to do with Kars4Kids?

Stan Lee Still Makes Me Smile

I turn 49 in just four short months, but I become a child again when I get a note like this one:

Hey, Cliff,

Even sight unseen-- thanx for your Stan Lee quotes in your Colan book.

I hope it's a best seller and Gene gets a lotta cash and you get a lotta cash and glory!

Excelsior, Mr. Biographer!

Stan

The Invincible Gene Colan is scheduled for release from Marvel Entertainment in February, 2010.

Gene Colan Returns Home

Gene Colan, who turns 83 in a few weeks, came home early in the evening yesterday. There’s still medical issues that need to be addressed regularly but Gene sounded nothing short of chipper on the phone this morning and continues to blow kisses and send everyone his love and gratitude for their prayers and support.

Gene and I hope to wrap up interviews for THE INVINCIBLE GENE COLAN this week. To clarify (for those who have been asking or not paying attention), this is largely an art book--a gorgeous art book with lots of previously unpublished art--that will contain a narrative based on my interviews with Gene and many of his peers, including Stan Lee, John Romita Sr., Tom Palmer, Walter Simonson, Marv Wolfman, David Lloyd and Steve Englehart. Tom Spurgeon, the finest journalist covering the comics medium also contributes. The book is designed by Richard Sheinaus, who has done masterful work for Aardwolf Publishing and IDW.

Published by Marvel, all proceeds from the book’s sale will directly benefit Gene.

Stan Lee & Gene Colan Remember Steve Gerber

Following Steve Gerber's passing, Stan Lee and Gene Colan each dropped me notes this evening asking that I share them:

“As a writer, Steve was a true professional,” said Stan, “but even more than that—he was a total individualist. He refused to do anything that was just the same old stuff. Whatever he did was touched by originality and flavored by irreverence, as witness his most famed creation, the totally unique and brilliant icon—Howard the Duck. Steve's passing is a great loss to the entire creative community.”

“Steve was my favorite writer,” said Gene Colan. “Working with him on Howard the Duck was the most fun I’ve ever had professionally in all the years prior and since.” Gene and Adrienne remembered getting ready to do the syndicated HTD strip and waiting for Steve’s scripts. “They were really late,” Adrienne recalls. “Months and months of waiting until finally a huge manilla envelope arrived at our home in New Jersey. ‘Ah! Finally!’ we said. Nope. Inside was a 20-page letter from Steve to Gene explaining all the reasons why they needed to put their best foot forward on this job! Aargh! We roared! But that was Steve.”

Matt Haley. Excelsior.

My pal Matt Haley—creative consultant/commercial illustrator/comic art savant par éclat—is the cover feature of Layers Magazine this month in a Designer's Spotlight interview about his process. Matt is currently providing onscreen artwork for seasons one and two of Stan Lee's “Who Wants to Be a Superhero” TV series for the SciFi Channel.

"You're basically being asked to adapt a film they won't let you see, which is why most movie adaptations look pretty different from the final film. I had very little reference supplied by Warner Bros. Studios because they were worried about images from the film getting out before the film's release."

The issue is on stands now, and the online version is here.

Stan Lee. Patriarch.

When I phone Stan Lee or exchange emails with him or see him in person on those rare occassions when we meet, I tend to forget that I'm dealing with a legitimate icon. He makes me forget because he's such a regular guy. But when my kids' friends are visiting and they catch the signed photo on the wall or the framed one of the two of us together, they invariably ask, "Do you really know Stan Lee?" And then I remember.

There's so few individuals whose impact and influence--whose very face--is as singularly representative of a given industry. Babe Ruth. Or Elvis. Perhaps Moses.

Michael Netzer pays tribute to our industry's most important creator in his Portraits of the Creators.

Stan Lee - 85 Years Young

Always the first to step forward when we're trying to help a fallen comrade, Stan Lee turns 85 and looks better than most guys half his age.

Stan replies:

Thanks Cliff, and the Happiest of New Years to you and your family from Mr. Good Looking and his family! (Eat your heart out, Brad Pitt!)

Stan (Humble as ever)

Spider-Man's Father Weighs In on Bullying

Seeing Stan Lee's email this evening (regarding my post on Bullying Policies) made me smile... and made my son smile... and it oughta make you smile, too:

Hey, Cliff,
Heartiest congrats on your new baby girl. But I hadda tell you I really ENJOYED your story about your son and the bully. Good for you-- and him-- and, of course, Harlan the buttinski! Wishing the entire Meth menage the Happiest Hanukkah and the Niftiest New Year!

Excelsior!
Stan