As a teenager, I was enamored with DC Comics' Superman. He is a quintessential superhero embodying the principles of "truth, justice, and the American way" with unwavering resolve. His alter ego, Clark Kent, provided a sense of charming underappreciation. That was until I was introduced to Marvel's Fantastic Four, forever changing my perception of what a superhero could be.
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The Fantastic Four, with their real-life New York City setting, delivered a refreshingly different take on the superhero genre. Infused with subversive humor, memorable catchphrases, and the characters' constant disagreements, the comic felt revolutionary. These characters had fascinating abilities but were also relatable, with genuine concerns, doubts, and mistakes, truly encapsulating the human condition. I developed a deep affinity for this new world. I maintain my affection for Superman but savor the surprisingly subversive and accessible nature of Marvel's universe.
The Fantastic Four, X-Men, Spider-Man, Thor, Black Panther, Iron Man, The Hulk. All these iconic figures sprung from the imaginative world conceived by Stan Lee. He started as a teenage office boy, then a writer and editor at the company that would become Marvel Comics. Lee's journey is expertly done in this documentary by David Gelb. Through Lee's narrative, the documentary charts the evolution of comic books from the 1940s to the present, reflecting and shaping cultural trends. Lee, never one to downplay his role, was a vital figure in this journey. His ego is as much a superpower as the abilities of the characters he created.
The documentary includes a plethora of carefully curated audio and visual content. However, its structure alternates strangely between vibrant archival footage and static, doll-house-like recreations of scenes and people. Despite this slight incongruity, the film offers a comprehensive view of Lee's contribution to the comic world.
Lee, who served as Marvel's ambassador in his twilight years, was a consummate storyteller, adept at presenting his Marvel tenure as engaging, consequential, and enjoyable. It is perhaps because he started writing comics in his teens that he remained attuned to young audiences' narrative needs. Lee once said, "Our superheroes are the kind of people that you or I would be if we had a superpower," showing his commitment to relatable characters.
One of Lee's revolutionary ideas was a teenage superhero facing teen troubles – a concept initially dismissed by his superior. Yet, Lee, alongside artist Steve Ditko, quietly introduced it in the last issue of a doomed series, Amazing Fantasy. The idea for Spider-Man's powers came from observing a fly, leading to a superhero drawing abilities from an insect's capabilities. This marked the beginning of a new era of relatable, youthful superheroes, epitomized by the X-Men.
Lee was ambitious, always convinced he would make a significant mark. Initially, he didn't perceive comic books as an impactful medium and preserved his real name, Stanley Martin Lieber, for more 'serious' work. However, his perspective shifted during WWII when he used comics to simplify army payroll training, reducing the time from six months to six weeks. This experience enlightened him about the potent storytelling capacity of comic books, and he later appreciated their capacity for pure entertainment and the chance to influence readers positively.
One memorable moment in the film showcases a letter from the government requesting an anti-drug narrative in a comic. Despite the Comics Code Authority's disapproval, Lee and publisher Martin Goodman published a story featuring a drug-related cautionary tale. The film also addresses contentious issues, such as a heated dispute between Lee and legendary comic artist Jack Kirby over credit for creating characters – a conflict possibly leading to Ditko's departure from Marvel.
Lee took pride in crafting flawed superheroes, though he was somewhat reticent to acknowledge his own. With his infectious enthusiasm and tales of Marvel's transition from narrative to visual storytelling, Lee's contributions to the world of comics remain immeasurable and his legacy, truly marvelous. His life's work might inspire you to hum the Merry Marvel Marching Society tune or even exclaim, "Excelsior!"
