Stan Lee

The story of Stan Lee as told mostly by Stan Lee. While it is interesting to hear from the subject of a documentary, the film makers themselves should be a little more detached. They do touch upon the idea that Stan Lee may not have come up with this iconic characters himself, but an interview with Jack Kirby is edited in a way that makes Kirby look like he doesn't have much of a case, and he did. The other part of this film is that it really wants to be a happy story, but the end of Stan Lee's life was anything but. He was accused of sexual assualt, and he definitely was the victim of elder abuse. (there was even a trial). Neither of these things were mentioned.

A well-made yet simple documentary that can feel a bit too corporate-y at times, it is most interesting when it starts to delve into dramatic moments such as Kirby and Lee's complicated history in the 70's, but it instantly steers away to remind audiences of the cultural iconography of Stan Lee and act as an ad for the MCU.

Most of the information isn't groundbreaking if you are familiar with the history of Stan Lee and his work at Marvel Comics, but it's told in a really nice way with some great graphics, animation, and overall editing.

I love how vibrantly they presented the vintage comic books and the way they chose to visualise the past through sculptures, a really unique way that fits the overall vibe. I wish it had more depth or nuance, because I feel like I've already seen all of it's content in other docs before, but nevertheless the presentation stands out here. A great watch for any comic book fan, or anyone interested in learning about a integral persona in the world of comics.

Comics have perhaps the strongest physical nostalgic impact on me. The feeling of touching a new comic book and the smell of it has an undeniable warmth for me, I have countless memories attached to these characters and stories that I will never get tired or ashamed of enjoying. Forget any media adaptation that has come and any that is yet to, whether good or bad, nothing ever beats those hues found in a comic strip.

A glossy cover without substance inside. You know how when your grandpa tells stories that as he gets older the stories get retconned so he sounds more and more like a hero? Stan Lee has been doing this since the '70s. Stuff that just happened by chance or that Ditko or Kirby came up with, Lee says came to him after some inspiration or consideration. Sure, Stan. Anyone who has seen him speak at a con knows he was all hot air and self-hagiography. Lee became a salesman in the '70s, and frankly he had to, to stay in the biz. And it was through his ruthless salemanship that comic books became as influential as they became to you and me. Did he screw over Kirby and Ditko? Most certainly. Roy Thomas is the one who says the smartest thing in this doc-that Kirby and Ditko and Lee were able to do what they did only because they worked together. But for the most part that of nuance is missing from this CBS Sunday Morning-style puff piece. The story of Lee and Marvel needs to be told alongside the story of the commercialization/corporate takeover and cheapening of the value of comic book heroes. That's the crossover event I want to see.

I have been waiting for this Documentary ever since i Got to know who Stan Lee was. I love Stan the Man and Marvel. Great look Into how he became One of the most Famous Comic Book Creators. I Think he missed a few deatails, but he some of those in 'Marvel: 75 Years From Pulp to Pop!' I'm only 12 so it didn't really have a Big influence on me when he passed, but it has now. This Story made my Respect for Stan Lee become even bigger.

For me Stan Lee is a Legend and this Documentary not only shows it, but makes us even more sad that he has passed.

Stan was a Great man and an Idol for me. I give this Documentary a 9/10.

In many ways this did not surprise. In his own words Stan the Man inflates and regurgitates his own modest history to that of superhero status. Though in many ways a progressive and forward thinking creator this only shovels more turf on the graves of his equally illustrious collaborators and only can be read as an extended advertisment for his home at Disney+.

With a cutup narration delivered awkwardly scattershot from Lee himself, here is a smoke blowing look into a lifetime of one mans aparently singlehanded endeavor to create a world beating comic book company.

Disingenous and self serving. Avoid.

See instead, 'In Search Of Steve Ditko', on YouTube, which at least allows more room for dissenting voices.

2/10.