“You’ve Heard The Legend- Which I Think Is True…”- A Flip Thru’ the Supermarket Sleaze of 2018’s ‘Entertainment Weekly- Stan Lee: A Life of Marvel’

I’ve seen this shit. You’ve seen this shit. These compiled “special” issues of various articles from the pop culture media put out to celebrate any figure who has some topical traction and visibility at the moment- I saw a special edition magazine last week at the grocery store dedicated to Madonna, whom I remembered is […]

“Always The First Person In The Room to Point Out It Wasn’t Just You…” The Slog That is 2002’s ‘Stan Lee’s Mutants, Monsters & Marvels’

I had known about this truly intolerable documentary, in actuality a long-form interview conducted by the equally intolerable Kevin Smith, since it initially appeared in 2002 when I was considerably younger. I’d like to stress that I avoided it completely then, largely due to my immense dislike of Smith which was quite possibly formed by […]

“It Was a Dichotomy that Made No Sense”- Reexamining 2011’s ‘Lee & Kirby: The Wonder years’

I’ll admit to being a bit conflicted upon reviewing Mark Alexander’s sentimental study of Stan Lee & Jack Kirby’s Fantastic Four run from 2011, ‘Lee & Kirby: The Wonder Years‘, published by TwoMorrows Publishing (and doubling as the 58th issue of The Jack Kirby Collector, albeit in a deluxe, trade paperback format) for what I’d […]

“You Sort of Believe It Actually Happened”- Examining Roy Thomas’s Comments On ‘The Great Stan Lee/Jack Kirby Debate’

At the time of this writing, Roy Thomas has just turned 83. And, in reaching another milestone in his Eighth decade I’d argue one of the more significant ones is the bestowment of the glorious nickname “The Forever Boy” by his own personal Scott Thorson/Manager/Leech John Cimino. Honestly, when this was brought to my attention, […]

“I Guess Ditko and Jack are The Only Two Guys Who Know That…” A Brief Oral History of Stan Lee’s Responses To Kirby’s Creator Claims

(This has been compiled for the purposes of research; it is by no means complete. However, it contains the bulk of Stan Lee’s recorded public statements/responses to Jack Kirby’s claims of being the primary creator of the Marvel Universe. You will see at times that Lee is consistent in his narrative and repeats talking points. […]

“I’m From a Generation You Fellas Know Nothing About” – Revisiting The Kirby Artwork Struggle, The Most Important Comics Story of The 1980s’

The story of Jack Kirby’s fight to regain his original artwork from Marvel Comics during the first part of the Eighties is one that is well known to most fans and one that has routinely been covered, albeit in passing or in context as part of a larger piece devoted to Kirby, Lee, or Marvel. […]

“I Tried Not to Make Very Much Money Off His Memory…” Appraising Mark Evanier’s Cliff Notes Version of a Kirby Biography

I was reluctant to even tackle this, believe it or not- such is my immense dislike of Mark Evanier. That dislike has been formulated over the years strictly from my own observation and comprehension skill; listening to the ever-changing stories and contradictory statements, being legitimately taken aback at his lack of awareness when sharing his […]

“Stan Lee is God”- Reviewing Tom Scioli’s Same-Old, Same-Old “I Am Stan: A Graphic Biography of The Legendary Stan Lee”

This is a review of the newest in a long list of Stan Lee biographies, the second Lee bio which is in graphic novel format as well as the second creator biography done by the truly talented Tom Scioli. Scioli had already made the right choice with his first endeavor, the well-received “Jack Kirby: The […]

“Par for the Course for The Kirby Family”- A Look Back at 20/20’s Marvel Anniversary Special

When the long-running television news program 20/20 aired on ABC the evening of July 24th, 1986, it had to be a rather exciting event for comic fans and professionals alike. In 1986 the cultural assimilation of Marvel into pop culture was still over two decades away; being featured on “mainstream” news was another step forward […]

“Just Too Damn Sensitive For Their Own Good…” How The Politics Of Roy Thomas Influenced His Dismissive Attitude & Shit Writing

Believe it or don’t, I’d much rather keep this site apolitical. It’s only that bringing up someone’s political beliefs- which of course they are entitled to- must today be brought up in a larger context, insomuch as it pertains to their public statements and creative work and how that creative work may or may not […]