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I'm not a comics guy, but for me, it's telling that Stan Lee had a burst of creativity in which all his best characters were created, and

Posted by: Roger More (a.k.a BaconFund) on Feb 24, 13:34 in response to Willroast's post Also, if you read even the beginning of the Kirby...

later was unable to replicate anything like that success over the next 30-40 years of his career. I also think that, after Fantastic Four hit big, Stan Lee was spread across so many projects that he didn't really have time to give each of them the creative attention they deserved, and more of the creative responsibility was pushed onto the artists than Lee would like to admit.

And with Flava Flav and Chuck D, both had well-defined roles that they were happy with - Chuck as the MC/political voice of the group and Flava as the guy who builds the hype and mocks the critics. And the collaboration between the two, (and Terminator X) was obvious.

While with Lee/Kirby/Ditko, there were unclear roles - for example, Lee gave some instructions, the artists fleshed out the ideas, the artists work then influenced the writing - and at the same time, people insisting there was no collaboration. "I created the character, he just drew the pictures according to my instructions" vs "I created the characters by drawing them based on his vague instructions, and he responded to them by filling in the bubbles". The people involved have a bad relationship and each side diminishes the role of the others.

NYV: Why is Stan Lee's legacy in question? Antibody Feb 23, 14:52

20 years ago this would have been a disgruntled fan letter, at best. Now, with public shaming all the rage... BSmurf Feb 23, 18:23

Crap - I had only read the first 1/3 and it looked like a blog rant. Kept reading - wow. Ignore most of above. {nm} BSmurf Feb 23, 18:26

Finished the article - still mostly a hit piece/rant, but the Kirby/Ditko stuff was pretty damning, although 30-40 years water under bridge {nm} BSmurf Feb 24, 07:09

It was a very interesting read. I'm not sure I'd call the Kirby/Ditko stuff "damning" but it does seem as though all involved should get... Willroast Feb 24, 07:15

I agree, MOST of the stuff in the article could be explained away as simply different POVs about the same subject. So what if Stan has a BSmurf Feb 24, 08:54

I walked away feeling like the fact that Lee (and his people) seemed to have no interest in contributing to the author's article... Willroast Feb 24, 09:34

Also, if you read even the beginning of the Kirby interview linked in the article, you can see that the man had a fairly large ego of his... Willroast Feb 24, 10:01

I'm not a comics guy, but for me, it's telling that Stan Lee had a burst of creativity in which all his best characters were created, and Roger More Feb 24, 13:34

Seems a pretty good sum up. The rest is petty grievances from fans, mostly about quantity vs (perceived lack of) quality {nm} BSmurf Feb 24, 14:37

But, like Flava Flav, Lee's "success" may not have been as much reliant on the product (stories/music) and more about the showmanship... VicMackeyYTD Feb 24, 16:57

I don't begrudge Lee a writing credit or claiming to be a co-creator. But sole creator seems too much for me. {nm} RogerMore Feb 24, 20:11

great read...grumpy old men :) ...sounds like it's going to be a he said/he said situation forever and we'll never get a straight story {nm} tealfan Feb 24, 08:03

Just wait for the inevitable movie. :) {nm} Antibody Feb 24, 09:18

Will Stan be attached due to his cameo? :) {nm} DTravel Feb 24, 12:46

I think Ken Burns needs to get on this {nm} tealfan Feb 25, 08:54

My serious 2 cents inside. DTravel Feb 24, 17:13