Roy Thomas provides a unique perspective on the debate surrounding the credit for the success of the Marvel Universe and its beloved heroes. As someone who worked closely with Stan Lee, Thomas delves into the complexity of Lee’s character and his contributions to the world of comics.
According to Thomas, Stan Lee was a larger-than-life figure who embodied his own creation. From the start, when Lee adopted the pseudonym “Stan Lee” for his very first story, he established himself as a spokesperson for comics in general and Marvel in particular. Over time, Lee became the face of Marvel and the driving force behind its pop-culture success.
However, Thomas asserts that Lee was not a man with a fragile ego. Despite his prominent role, he welcomed collaborations and the contributions of others. Gelb’s documentary, which lets Lee narrate his story, captures the essence of the man as he saw himself and as the world came to see him. Lee’s portrayal as the most important comic book writer since Jerry Siegel highlights his impact and influence.
Nevertheless, the controversy arises from the fact that Lee often fails to credit the artists he collaborated with. This leads to accusations of claiming sole credit for milestones and concepts. According to Lee, the person who has the idea is the creator, while the artist is just an illustrator. Thomas recounts a lunchtime argument with Lee in the 1980s, where he argued that an artist who expands upon the original idea is a co-creator. Despite his efforts, Thomas could not sway Lee’s belief.
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In the documentary, Lee stated that he considered Steve Ditko the co-creator of Spider-Man. However, Thomas believes that both Lee and Ditko are myopic in their viewpoints. It took both of them, their distinct talents and contributions, to bring Spider-Man to life. Thus, neither artist has acknowledged the full extent of the other’s value.
Thomas acknowledges that Lee may not always give ample credit to Jack Kirby, his most talented collaborator. However, Lee does credit Kirby in various instances, both in writing and when speaking. On the other hand, Kirby’s lack of acknowledgment of Lee’s contributions becomes apparent. To provide a fair and balanced examination of Marvel’s history, Thomas suggests creating separate documentaries about Kirby and Ditko to shed light on their perspectives and contributions.
In conclusion, Thomas believes that the controversies surrounding the credit for Marvel’s success can only be resolved by recognizing the importance of collaboration. He asserts that both Lee and Kirby needed each other to achieve greatness. While Thomas acknowledges the need for Kirby and Ditko documentaries, he hopes they would also acknowledge Lee’s contributions to maintain fairness in the discussion.
For Thomas, the final word on the controversy boils down to the fact that neither Lee nor Kirby could have achieved their success without the other. Ultimately, Thomas believes that Lee’s vision played a crucial role in the creation and development of Marvel as we know it today.
