Karen: Yesterday was Stan's 89th birthday! Our birthday wishes may be belated, but they are quite sincere. I for one can't even imagine what my life would have been like without the influence of Stan and Marvel Comics. Far less interesting, I suspect. Happy birthday to Stan, and here's to many more!
Thursday, December 29, 2011
All hail the real All-Father, Stan Lee!
Karen: Yesterday was Stan's 89th birthday! Our birthday wishes may be belated, but they are quite sincere. I for one can't even imagine what my life would have been like without the influence of Stan and Marvel Comics. Far less interesting, I suspect. Happy birthday to Stan, and here's to many more!
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With all due respect and love to Stan the Man Jack Kirby is the real All Father.
I kind of hoped we could avoid the whole Stan-Jack argument and just celebrate the birthday of someone who has brought a great deal of happiness to millions of people.
I have tremendous respect for Kirby too but this is Stan's day.
Like the Kane/Robinson arguments over the Joker, with Stan and Jack we will never truly know what went on in the office or over the telephone. Different apologists will never give ground for either man, and that's where the shame lies. The greatness of each man lies directly in the path (or wake) of the other. We've discussed it before here many times -- neither creator did anything as substantial separately in comparison to their output when working together. So today let's, as Karen suggests, celebrate The Man!
This may sound superfluous, but the joy of my life would not have been or be so great without the contributions of one Stanley Martin Lieber. Many happy returns of the day, Stan!
Doug
Stan Lee.
A bit along the lines of Gene Roddenberry in terms of both a visionary and 'that guy' synonymous with creating all things Marvel.
Far above all the heralded artists and writers Marvel employed over the years, serving in roles as Editor, Publisher, Spokesman, President, Chairman, you name it for Marvel Comics, you have to understand he made tough decisions that most will never know or appreciate in 50some years.
In our bestowed accolades, I recommend we acknowledge that while many noteables can be credited with the face of Marvel Comics, he had to have both the brains and at times courage to make the toughest of decisions.
You can make light of his occasional bouts of brazen, over-the-top showmanship and lighthearted approach, but it's his style and keen topical marketing insight that breathed life into comics-as-art that colored our childhood and made it what it is in society today..
We salute you, Mr. Lee. Happy Birthday.
And our humble thanks..
I didn't realize how good Stan Lee was as a writer until thanks to the Essentials volumes I was able to read most of the early Marvel material in chronological order.
The blooming of the universe is magnificent to behold, and one of the biggest surprises was how clunky Roy Thomas was as a writer when he first started compared to the relative elegance of Stan.
I prefer Roy, he's my hero, but Stan's dialogue was more vital and his captions less detailed but more forceful. I really began to appreciate what he brought the table.
Stan has done little of lasting worth since Jack left, and that speaks a great deal about what he contributed on the creative side, but likewise neither Kirby nor Ditko have ever achieved the majesty of language their stuff had partnered with Stan.
Rip Off
Best wishes to Stan from me as well. I know he's getting up there, but may he have many more...
...and I can't believe that together with everyone else here, I forgot to add: Excelsior!
It's true that, as Rip says, "Stan has done little of lasting worth since Jack left." But that is largely because Stan has done little work period, at least in terms of writing comics. He's been focusing on other media -- TV, movies, etc. -- ever since then.
I think Stan's greatness was less as a writer than as an editor. Kirby and Steve Ditko may have contributed more in their partnerships but it is clear that Stan knew how to get the best out of them. And for that I am grateful.
And.., lest we also add at some point.. "'nuff said.."
For his key role in bringing to life and shaping the Marvel Universe, Stan really was The Man! Sure, he had his failings, like everyone, but then that fits the writer who specialized in heroes with feet of clay. And for his way with words, his humanistic outlook, and his humor, all displayed in so many classic Silver Age comics, he remains a hero to me. Happy birthday, Stan!!
@Karen. My comment was intended more jokingly than it appears to have come off. It was not meant as a literal stirring up of the Lee/Lirby debate. Anyways, fault is mine and I apologize. I wish the man a happy birthday along with everyone else here.
One of the things I like about Stan in addition to his playful interaction with readers was the "Marvel Method". While having an obvious efficiency it also readily embraces the fact that comics are at the end of the day a visual medium.
For it to work it requires the writer and the artist to be on the same page so to speak. When Stan and which ever artist he was working with were, it was nothing short of legendary allowing for both artist and writer to shine.
Happy Birthday, Stan; and many thanks to the original Fearless Front Facer! Countless True Believers will always enjoy the great stories that arose from the House of Ideas...
Happy (belated) Birthday, Stan. You are truly "The Man!"
Jack Kirby was a star. Steve Ditko was a star. John Romita was a star. But Stan was the gravitational pull that brought the Marvel Universe together. However big or small his contribution to each creation was, there is absolutely no doubt that Marvel would never have become what it did without him. - 'Nuff said.
P.S. The only thing I'll never understand is why Stan stepped into the background and didn't end up owning the company.
A very belated happy birthday to Stan the Man! I'm hoping to see some cameos next year in The Avengers and Spider-Man.
Matt: No worries, I'm just tired of the Stan-Jack debate and wanted to give Stan his due on his birthday.
I can only echo the sentiments the rest of you have already expressed. In my view Stan was above all the face of Marvel, the person who did the most to promote the comics and make them interesting to the general public. Even today you can hear the enthusiasm in his voice when he discusses the characters. His zest for life is infectious and I admire him.
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