Stan Lee, in my mind, has to be one of the all time most recognizable individuals in the
"Comic Book Industry". Most lovers of comic books have known his name all their
collecting lives. For those of you who don't know his name, I am sure you have heard of
his creations. The X-Men, the Fantastic Four, the Incredible Hulk, Daredevil, and the
very well known Spider-Man are all from the mind of Stan Lee. For the last forty years
or more and as an employee of Marvel Comics, he has entertained us through the art of
comic book imagination.
Well, by now you would think that an individual of this caliber would be taken seriously
and treated with respect from his employers. Apparently not! In 2002 Stan Lee decided
he had to file a lawsuit against the comic giant, Marvel. It appears the agreement between
Lee and Marvel was that 10% of the income generated from TV and movies using Lee
characters, was to be his. Seems Marvel didn't see it that way. Typical of conglomerates,
isn't it? The boys in the suits seem to want to make all the rules. Stan at one time had
even been a suit. Among other positions held at Marvel, Lee had even been president of
the company for a while.
Years ago when Stan Lee had created most of his characters, he had done it through a
write-for-hire agreement, so he doesn't own the characters. Stan was then, just a "meat
and potatoes" kind of guy, trying to put meat and potatoes on the table. But over the
years, he was very instrumental in putting Marvel Comics on the map.
When the 10% deal was formally put together, apparently most individuals involved
didn't realize the windfall that comic book character movies would become. Now is that
any reason to hold back Stan's piece of the pie? I think not. Just corporate bigwigs trying
to increase their lot in life. Now this is just my opinion so don't rant back at me as being
unfair.
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