In Part One we concluded by describing how Stan Lee was building a new era of superheroes at Marvel Comics; additionally Lee was pioneering a revolutionary method of storytelling which encompassed new audiences.  No longer was Marvel output aimed at children exclusively, it was now also for older audiences who appreciated more complex and subtle stories.

Lee’s influence at Marvel and in the comic industry in general was massive.  At Marvel

Stan Lee/DC Comics Just Imagine

during the 1960s he was responsible for the majority of the output in terms of script-writing and directing.  He championed a previously used production method of comic creation which subsequently became known as the Marvel Method.  When promoting to a wider audience he would sign off with his trademark flourish of ‘Excelsior’.

Having such an enormous influence in the industry gave Lee an opportunity to become something of a social commentator.  He developed what became known as ‘Stan’s Soapbox’ which was really an opportunity for Lee to promote the causes which he considered important.  These included subjects such as racism and bigotry.

He also contributed to the reformation of the American Comics Code Authority (CCA) – a set of regulations determining the subject matter of comics which at that point were still largely geared towards children.  The Comics Code was not legally binding but comics which conformed to the regulations were able to feature the seal.  This came about when Lee was asked by the Department of Health, Education and Welfare to include a sub-plot about the dangers of drugs in a storyline.  This he duly did (in The Amazing Spiderman 96-98), but even the mention of drugs (pills in this case) in this positive storyline was enough to have the seal refused.  A successful run of sales saw the CCA begin the reformation process.

Some argue that the 1960s were the high point for Stan Lee and his input into the comic

Stan Lee's Stripperella

book industry.  This could be true but only in terms of the nuts and bolt work that Lee did when he was directly involved in the creative process.  In the 1970s Lee began to make regular appearances at the comic book conventions springing up around the United States.  He was one of the first major celebrities of the comic book industry and soon added college lecturing to his list of talents.

At the turn of the 1980s he moved to California to oversee Marvel’s television and film industry and took to making cameo appearances in many of the productions.  He was president of Marvel for a short period but son stepped down as he regarded himself as too far from the creative process.

Despite a failed business venture (Stan Lee Media) through no fault of his own, Lee continued (and continues) to inject creativity into the comic book market; he even produced some work for DC Comics in the early part of the 21st century (the Just Imagine series).  In 200 Marvel celebrated 65 years of involvement with Lee by producing a series of comics featuring Lee with the superheroes he created.