Stan Lee: The Man behind Marvel is the product of a lifetime of reading, researching, and studying comic books and contemporary American popular culture. I taught myself to read so that I could unlock the joys of Spider-Man and the Avengers, then later I grew obsessed with the reality-bending What If? series. I do not remember a time without Stan Lee, and the “Stan Lee Presents” banner is ever present in my mind’s eye.
I never could have written Stan Lee: The Man Behind Marvel without a great deal of help, support, and friendship. First and foremost, my thanks to Stephen Ryan, senior editor at Rowman & Littlefield. We are coconspirators, cocreators, and more or less coauthors of this book. His wisdom and way with words made this a better book (perhaps some of Stan’s alliterative flourishes are rubbing off on me). I would also like to thank everyone who had a hand in this book at R&L, including the design team for its work on the book cover, the copyeditors, the marketing team, and the production staff—first-rate one and all.
Thoroughly grounded in multiarchival research, Stan Lee would not exist in its present form without the wonderful libraries and archives that bring Lee’s career and accomplishments to life. My deepest appreciation goes to the American Heritage Center (AHC) at the University of Wyoming. How Lee’s papers got to Laramie, Wyoming, is itself a great story. The AHC staff, led by director Bridget J. Burke, is professional and overwhelmingly helpful and gracious. In particular, I would like to thank Amanda Stow, who welcomed me to the library and provided keen insight, and most notably John Waggener, who provided immense help navigating the papers and photographs, as well as served as a kind guide to all things Laramie.
I would also like to extend my hearty thanks to Jenny Robb and the wonderful team at The Billy Ireland Cartoon Library and Museum at The Ohio State University. Materials at the library were essential in completing the book. And, the museum’s exhibits gave the researcher a pleasant respite during long stretches of research. Additional comic book resources, including rare books and Marvel materials, were hunted down at the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County; the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library; the Lane Public Library in Oxford, Ohio; and the King Library at Miami University and via its vast interlibrary loan consortium. Finally, I would be utterly remiss if I did not acknowledge Marvel for introducing its digital Marvel Unlimited subscription service. The archive opens up the company’s back catalog and enables one to trace Lee’s work across the decades.
Stan Lee benefits from the insightful analysis I gained from Joe Darowski, Chris Olson, and Norma Jones, who read early drafts and provided thoughtful feedback. Of course, they only improved the manuscript; any resulting errors are mine alone. Beth Johnson, art director at Matter Creative Group, provided sage advice regarding the book cover and art.
I am fortunate to have a fantastic group of mentors and friends whom I can turn to when research, writing, and editing get tough. My deepest thanks to Phillip Sipiora, Don Greiner, Gary Burns, and Gary Hoppenstand. Thank you for being wonderful role models and guides. Many friends offered cheer along the way: Thomas Heinrich, Chris Burtch, Larry Leslie, Kelli Burns, Gene Sasso, Bill Sledzik, Josef Benson, Jesse Kavadlo, Sarah McFarland Taylor, and Heather and Rich Walter and family. I have been lucky to have many fantastic mentors, whom I would like to acknowledge: Lawrence S. Kaplan, James A. Kehl, Sydney Snyder, Richard Immerman, Peter Magnani, and the late Anne Beirne. I benefit from the friendship of a group of like-minded popular culture aficionados: Brian Cogan, Brendan Riley, Kathleen Turner, Norma and Brent Jones, and Leigh Edwards! Thanks to my friend Jason Pettigrew at Alternative Press for his support and a timely press pass. I would also like to thank my Miami University colleagues in the Media, Journalism and Film Department.
My family is incredibly supportive considering what writing books means on one’s time and energy. Thanks to my parents, Jon and Linda Bowen, for everything they do to make our lives infinitely better. Thanks also to Josette Percival and Michel Valois for their support and many kindnesses.
I cannot express my love and appreciation deeply enough for Suzette and Sophia (“Roberto”). They have brought endless love and laughter. Without Suzette’s tenacity, I might have never fulfilled my lifelong dream of meeting Lee. Finally, my daughter, Kassie, is my inspiration, hope, heart, and joy. I can’t wait to watch her writing life unfold. I am blessed to have such a wonderful daughter!