ComicsDC "interviews" Stan Lee for Awesome Con

by Mike Rhode

Stan Lee will be making an appearance at Awesome Con soon from June 16-18th, and yesterday local media got to send in questions and sit in on a phone conference while Mr. Lee answered some of them. I don't know who else was on the call, and don't want to step on their articles, but here are my two q&a's.

Q1 - In your most optimistic moment, either writing the comics during the 1960s, or pitching them after moving to California, could you ever have imagined the overwhelming success that the Marvel movie universe has had?

Stan Lee: No, I never in a million years thought it would turn out the way it did. I used to lecture around the country, around the world actually -- I went to Italy, to Germany, all over, and I'd speak at colleges and places telling them that comics were really a good way to tell a story. You're seeing the action and you're reading the dialogue. It's not much different from going to the theater and seeing a Shakespeare play. You're hearing the words and you're seeing the action. The differences is that in comics, the characters don't move, but it's the same thing; you hear the words while seeing the action. There's nothing wrong with the comic form. Actually, it's a great form -- it's just how well you do it.

One thing I'm going to mention parenthetically - the word 'comic book' should never be written as two words, because if it's written as two words, it means a comic book, a funny book. It should be one word - comicbook - that makes it a unique type of literature.

Q2 - Which Marvel character, that you created or worked on, do you think is under-rated and under-appreciated and is due for a revival, either in comics or on film?

Stan Lee: I think the Silver Surfer has been underrated. I think he's a great character. The thing I like about him - I was always able to get [in] a lot of bits of philosophy that he would utter. They don't use him as much as I wish they would. He's one of my favorite characters.

courtesy of Wikipedia

Here's more information on his appearances:

Stan Lee Premium Package

Presented by Stan Lee Collectibles, the Stan Lee Premium Package will be available for $350 and includes: 1 autograph from Stan Lee, a photo op, an autographed lithograph, a comic book from the Stan Lee Collectibles collection, a collectible Stan Lee Awesome Con badge and lanyard, and a $25 gift certificate for the Stan Lee Collectibles booth at Awesome Con. Admission to Awesome Con is not included with the Stan Lee Premium Package and must be purchased separately at www.awesomecon.com; this package will be available for purchase at 10am EST on Saturday, May 6.

Bagels & Coffee with Stan – Saturday, June 17, 8:00 am  SOLD OUT

150 guests will have the chance to join Stan Lee for an exclusive breakfast session with the pop culture icon the morning of Saturday, June 17. For $295, guests can participate in a Q&A session with Stan Lee while enjoying a light breakfast buffet. Attendees will also receive a signed photo of Stan Lee and the chance to snap a selfie with him. Admission to Awesome Con is not included in Bagels & Coffee with Stan and must be purchased separately atwww.awesomecon.com; this package will be available for purchase at 10am EST on Saturday, May 6. SOLD OUT

Stan Lee Museum Pop-Up

This year, Awesome Con is bringing together highlight items and collectibles from Stan Lee's expansive career together for the Stan Lee Museum Pop-Up. Check out 18 larger-than-life Marvel statues modeled after Stan Lee's most well-known characters, including the Hulkbuster, as well as more than 50 pieces of Stan Lee memorabilia spanning seven decades of his career. Awesome Con ticket holders have full access to the Stan Lee Museum Pop-Up during exhibit hall hours.

Stan Lee Q&A – Sunday, June 18, 10:30 am

Stan Lee will host a panel on Awesome Con's main stage on Sunday, June 18, answering questions from attendees about his career and his work over the years. Entry to the Stan Lee Q&A is included with Awesome Con tickets.