“I used to be embarrassed because I was just a comic-book writer while other people were building bridges or going on to medical careers. And then I began to realize: entertainment is one of the most important things in people’s lives. Without it they might go off the deep end. I feel that if you’re able to entertain people, you’re doing a good thing.”
– Stan Lee
I’ve been in a bit of emotional slump, lately. One of my idols, Stan Lee, gained his wings and left the world on November 12, 2018. And, as a comic nerd, I joined my brother in sobbing it out (yes, I cried). You may ask me why since I didn’t actually know the man but try to understand that everything the man did shaped the way I think and writer. Actually, if I’m being honest, his method of writing shaped one of my core rule when it comes down to the art form: themes.
One of the most wonderful events that shaped my newbie career as a writer was when I got to meet Stan Lee. Now, surprisingly, being an avid worker of conventions, I’m immune to becoming star-struck; it just doesn’t happen, anymore. But, when I saw Stan Lee, I was more in awe-struck glee that how a man in his 1990s with a pacemaker could still be full of energy and love. But, nothing prepared me for what he told me about my favorite comic team: the X-Men.
See, a group of us were doing security and time control for one of his panels. Because of this, we couldn’t ask him any questions and I had one burning in the back of my mind: “How did he come up with the X-Men?” I know…I know…a novice questions but, you have to understand something about me, I’m a gaymer nerd. My brother is the comic nerd of the family. Anyway, we got lucky and Stan Lee stayed a little while to talk to us so I quickly asked him my question. Without hesitation, he told me that the X-Men revolved around racism and prejudice (yeah, I know!).
Stan Lee further explained that he couldn’t understand why people are so hateful towards things that couldn’t be changed such as skin color, or ethnicity, and wanted to show that in the X-Men. I took a step back and realize that the comic was written in the 1960s, the peak of the civil right movement, so the parallels are pretty uncanny (I know what I did there) if you really pay attention. My favorite being “Professor X to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.” and “Magneto to Malcolm X” as well everything that the series has covered during it continuous run. This includes racism, antisemitism, diversity, LGBT themes, red scare, religion, subculture and genocide to name a few.
He further explains that all the heroes, storylines and backstories follow a theme that is near and dear to his heart. It makes sense because when you have a theme in mind for a series, it makes it that much easier to make the storylines and such more compelling and easier to write. THAT’S has become my number one when it comes down to writing any type of stories. As I’ve always said, whether it’s a comic, novels, short or scripts, if I don’t have a theme in mind…it won’t get written. And I can thank Stan Lee for that lesson.
Finally, I want to part with one of my favorite “Stan’s Soapbox” quotes:
“Let’s lay it right on the line. Bigotry and racism are among the deadliest social ills plaguing the world today. But, unlike a team of costumed super-villains, they can’t be halted with a punch in the snoot, or a zap from a ray gun. The only way to destroy them is to expose them—to reveal them for the insidious evils they really are.”
Preach!!!
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