Netflix Instant has been a wonderful treat for me since the first moment it started to work on Apple computers. This week it brought me a two part interview from a time long, long ago... 2002.
If you have Netflix and haven't watched Stan Lee's Mutants, Monsters & Marvels yet, stop what you're doing and start it. (okay that's a little much... as soon as you have proper time to devote to it you should watch it.) Kevin Smith does a fantastic job interviewing Stan Lee about all things Marvel (though Stan tries to turn it around a couple of times to ask Kevin questions).
I have only watched the 1st part, but I love it already. It gives the Marvel Universe fan the chance to see the heart and passion Stan Lee has for his creations. When you love characters, it's nice to know the creator and writers love them just as much.
A few of my favorite parts are when Stan talks about the importance he placed in mixing fantasy with reality, having explanations be science based (he brings up how he was unsatisfied that there was no good explanation for why Superman could fly; therefore, when he created Thor, he gave him his hammer), and the importance of connecting to the fans through comics. Stan understands that it's more than just creating a comic, it's a relationship between creators and fans. The reason he gives for Marvel outselling DC time and again? He says Marvel recognized that you have to "talk to the readers instead of just doing stories."
There are so many wonderful parts of this interview, i would feel like i'm cheating you if i write any more. Just go watch it.
I will leave you with my favorite quote from this genial man:
"Every comic book is someone's first comic book."
Now I'm off to watch Part 2!
-sass
