Grauman's Chinese Theatre, October 30th 2006 -- Hollywood's Master Storytellers celebrated Comic Book Legend Stan Lee's career and creations with a screening of Spider-Man 2, a Stan Lee character costume contest and live Q&A's with the man himself hosted by Kevin Smith (Silent Bob/Ben Affleck Film Director/Comic & Screenwriter).

This is paring you might have seen on the MUTANTS, MONSTERS, & MARVELS DVD but the jokes and quips heard in between the questions weren't like this! Happily Stan held his own but utimately he felt Kevin was always one up on him and that he was his straight man.

We got some insights into the way Stan's career as well as how his mind works. Why the same initials for his creations first and last names like Peter Parker or Bruce Banner? He has a terrible memory so if he can recall one he has a clue at what the other is. Turns out that the Fantastic Four was a reaction to the Justice League and the idea that groups of heroes were the hot new thing. However when asked to go along with the trend, he was sure to more his own realistic spins on the characters such as having no secret identities and not feeling the need to create their own costumes. He didn't really dictate to the artists what they should look like in detail. Just that Mr. Fantastic should look distinguished and the Thing should be monstrous yet lovable. In fact how he liked to work best was tell the general story, let the artist create their own visuals and panel layout, then he would go and write in the dialogue. "With great power, comes great responsibility" Stan said he only wrote because there needed to be more text to fill up space! BTW, there will be a FANTASTIC FOUR sequel and that nearly all of his other works are in the works to be films. Well, maybe except for Fin Fang Foom.

Stan the man also revealed his feeling gypped on giving the comic company name Marvel. DC paid a small fortune for their new name but he gave a better one for free. The whole time he would have rather interviewed Kevin Smith about all the wonderful projects he was doing (what those were specifically neither mentioned but do look for Stan to do a cameo in something - he needled Kevin several times about it.)

Kevin did share memories of the last time he was at the theater for GIGLI test screening with Ben Affleck and "one of the Jen's he was dating at the time". The reaction to the film that day belied the later box office numbers. Then told the story how we had wished he wrote the "gobble, gobble" line...

TV news: 'Who Wants to be a Superhero' will be back and the network is down for even more episodes. Dunno what spin they'll put on it this time. Stan offered "Who Wants to be a Superhero Side-Kick" and "Who Wants to be a Super Villain". Start dreaming up your entries folks!

Who was Stan's Hero? This is one of the few questions from the audience that Kevin actually did like and asked. The answer was surprising – Errol Flynn! Because he was CAPTIAN BLOOD and ROBIN HOOD which were childhood favorites of mine as well. Stan Lee's cred jumped even higher in my book with that one. If you are receptive to the classics, I highly recommend these titles for a late night popcorn flick fest.

That evening I was a Scarlet Witch. Only had one afternoon to put the costume together and had no idea what I looked like when I walked out the door that night but had to do it; something compelled me! Thank you Kevin for the assurance that the get-up would land me, um- a date.

Also in attendance and showing their love of Stan's creations where a couple of sweet X-men, the Paper bag Spiderman that won an autographed DVD by audience applause and the absolute best looking was my favorite Spider-man villian, Doc Ock! Bravo sir, bravo.

Until next time,
Excelsior!