In the history of storytelling and fiction, there are legends, men who stand as Skalds to the mighty and tell tales that touch the heart and change the souls of those who read them. The genuinely talented weave stories that last long past their own time on this Earth, and on November 12th of this year Stan Lee, one of the founders of Marvel Comics, has gone to take his place in Bragi’s Hall. No doubt this son of Odin will have prepared quite the reception for a man who heralded in a new age of storytelling and wove tales that would last the ages.
The Fantastic Four was inspired by the success of The Justice League of America. Martin Goodman, another founder of Marvel, suggested that based on their success they should create their own team of superheroes. Consider the “nowhere world of comics” as Lee described it, the incredible success of The Fantastic Four was unprecedented. The world of comics would have been very different today if not for this success, as Stan was nearly ready to leave the industry when the cresting wave of success burst over the newly formed Marvel Comics.
With each new issue iconic characters of the still-cooling Marvel Universe came into existence, with Namor the Sub-Mariner becoming its first antihero in Issue #4. Immediately following on his heels came Doctor Doom, a stand-apart favorite of fans for generations.
This set a new bar for the industry which had, up until that point, told fairly simple stories contained in a single comic. A villain would appear, the hero would respond, and by the end of the issue, the conflict would be resolved with the hero victorious. Marvel Comics showed the world that storytelling in comics could be as complex and intense as that of the most respected writer, though the day when comics would be accepted as literature was far in the future and is part of another artists story.
It would be another 42 years before a Marvel Comics character appeared on the big screen, and it would be an unlikely one that took the screen. Howard the Duck, produced by Lucasfilm, was a raunchy and sarcastic character who, while he certainly had his sets of adventures, could hardly be called a superhero. In spite of this film being a commercial and critical failure, it received nominations for seven Razzie Awards.
Three years later The Punisher would be produced for $6 million less than Howard the Duck, no doubt thanks to the special effects budget and previous failure of his avian predecessor. Every few years another Marvel Character would take the big screen, with the pivotal moment occurring in 2000 when X-Men was released. Every following year no less than two, and often three or more, films would be made in the rapidly expanding Marvel Movie Universe. No more needs to be said about the astounding success of these movies and the depth to which they have affected our culture.
Stan Lee, the great Skald, revolutionized storytelling in movies in the same way he had done on the page. Complex storylines that involved multiple films, carefully interwoven, to achieve. I don’t believe it would be a stretch to say that Mr. Lee will be giving Shakespeare a run for his title as the world’s most celebrated Bard.
Doubtless, we will also continue to see his films produced and his stories expanded upon by those whose careful hands he has passed it to. The world will miss you Stan, and we can only take a moment to thank you for the indelible mark you have left upon comics, our lives, and the world. Rest well in Bragi’s hall old Skald; you’ve earned it.
From Humble Beginnings Comes Greatness
Stan Lee was born in an icy December in 1922, just three days after Christmas Day. Little did his parents know that as blessed as they must have felt with this new life in their arms, the stories he would weave and bring to the world would be a gift to millions. In 1961, at the not so tender age of 39, Stan Lee would work with Jack Kirby to create the iconic and groundbreaking The Fantastic Four, at the same moment birthing Marvel Comics into the world.The Fantastic Four was inspired by the success of The Justice League of America. Martin Goodman, another founder of Marvel, suggested that based on their success they should create their own team of superheroes. Consider the “nowhere world of comics” as Lee described it, the incredible success of The Fantastic Four was unprecedented. The world of comics would have been very different today if not for this success, as Stan was nearly ready to leave the industry when the cresting wave of success burst over the newly formed Marvel Comics.
With each new issue iconic characters of the still-cooling Marvel Universe came into existence, with Namor the Sub-Mariner becoming its first antihero in Issue #4. Immediately following on his heels came Doctor Doom, a stand-apart favorite of fans for generations.
A New Kind Of Storytelling In Comics
One of the things that quickly changed in their publication style involved the kinds of stories they wanted to tell. The first few comics contained entire story arcs that were resolved from start to finish, but Lee and Kirby wanted to do something more significant with more complex storylines. From that time forward the stories would grow more complex and cover several issues, with interweaving stories, characters, and relationships forming throughout.This set a new bar for the industry which had, up until that point, told fairly simple stories contained in a single comic. A villain would appear, the hero would respond, and by the end of the issue, the conflict would be resolved with the hero victorious. Marvel Comics showed the world that storytelling in comics could be as complex and intense as that of the most respected writer, though the day when comics would be accepted as literature was far in the future and is part of another artists story.
Off the Page, and Onto The Silver Screen
If one is to be technical the first Marvel Character to appear on the silver screen would have been Captain America in 1944. Their leap from the page to cinema doubtless fueled by the All-American nature of Captain America and the country presently being locked in the grips of World War II. At the time Captain America was part of Timely Comics, the company that would eventually turn into Marvel Comics.It would be another 42 years before a Marvel Comics character appeared on the big screen, and it would be an unlikely one that took the screen. Howard the Duck, produced by Lucasfilm, was a raunchy and sarcastic character who, while he certainly had his sets of adventures, could hardly be called a superhero. In spite of this film being a commercial and critical failure, it received nominations for seven Razzie Awards.
Three years later The Punisher would be produced for $6 million less than Howard the Duck, no doubt thanks to the special effects budget and previous failure of his avian predecessor. Every few years another Marvel Character would take the big screen, with the pivotal moment occurring in 2000 when X-Men was released. Every following year no less than two, and often three or more, films would be made in the rapidly expanding Marvel Movie Universe. No more needs to be said about the astounding success of these movies and the depth to which they have affected our culture.
Stan Lee, the great Skald, revolutionized storytelling in movies in the same way he had done on the page. Complex storylines that involved multiple films, carefully interwoven, to achieve. I don’t believe it would be a stretch to say that Mr. Lee will be giving Shakespeare a run for his title as the world’s most celebrated Bard.
He May Be Dead, But He Isn’t Quite Gone
While he will not be producing any more comics or characters, his foresight means that he’s not yet done participating in his own stories. Every cameo that was planned for the upcoming movies has already been filmed so we will be able to enjoy the man’s work, and a few more classic moments from him, even after death.Doubtless, we will also continue to see his films produced and his stories expanded upon by those whose careful hands he has passed it to. The world will miss you Stan, and we can only take a moment to thank you for the indelible mark you have left upon comics, our lives, and the world. Rest well in Bragi’s hall old Skald; you’ve earned it.
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