Ideas can never be treated to any one source. They are tossed back and forth between people until the decision makers step in and choose what they think is a success formula...

...Jack KirbyMy day begins and ends with comics. I know, that's a weird thing to say. I'm single, live alone, and find comfort in the fabricated fiction I collect. This story telling medium could be argued that it would never have existed without Stanley Lieber. It is more true to say that comic books of today would not be the same. Stan Lee is an industrial Icon. His presence dictates a rapt audience. The first time I watched as he regaled his story I was mournfully amazed at how much this man reminded me of my deceased Pop-Pop. I even had the opportunity to be first in line for signatures at Wizard World 2012. I took it.Baltimore Comic Con came and went and I decided to get another picture, the line was quickly moving and I forked over the twenty dollars for the rare event. In New York I purchased a Gyclee which has his scrawl on it and another chance to pose with the great. I find comfort on the journals her at the registry because I have the chance to talk with like minded individuals. Some like RonnyLama, Shivabali, and Lee K I travelled across the country to meet. I hope to do the same with Bagofleas and Surfer 99. And I feel that we do have a great community here, a great opportunity to have others look at our hobby and revere it with the camaraderie shared. As I wake every time, since my schedule is always in flux, it is hard to say when I will awaken but it is safe to say that when I do one of the first things I do is check the registry. For whatever reason, this became a daily ritual. I of course had my heart sink as I saw the headlines state Stan Lee R.I.P. I immediately set upon reading the article and found that it was meant to be satirical, a bit dark and morbid but I was relieved that it wasn't the truth. As far as an Obit was concerned, one I hope to be witty for my own one day, I felt that this was entirely uncalled for. While I can agree with some of the points that were trying to be expressed Stan Lee is still a man, a man with family, friends, fans, and let's face it financial backers. Most likely it is these financial backers that have helped Stan Lee stay in the spotlight and given me the opportunity to get my ASM #129 signed by him. I wish that they would do the same so I can get my New Mutants #15 signed by Sal Buscema. This hobby is great, and yes there are people out there who might try to rip you off saying a signature is rarer than it actually is. I have four Daredevil's with Stan Lee's signature series label. I hope to acquire six more. People might try to abuse Stan Lee's signature to make a buck but didn't comic book companies do the same thing? Didn't they create the books that the creators put their whole heart and soul into for the mighty corporation? It might not have been right but it is what was. As recently as Todd McFarlane and Neil Gaiman, whose dispute has been settled, was ironically hypocritical because Todd helped create Image to get away from companies like Marvel who owned all rights to Todd's creation of Spawn.Stan Lee will die, his body will pass and we will mourn, but not today. I don't look forward to the day when I see that he has truly passed. If in the future you want to make fun of spectators making a buck of a name, a signature, or even an idea, please call them to light and damage their credibility if you would, but here, in this arena, leave Stan Lee alone. I for one, to the knowledge that I do have applaud Stanley Lieber for never writing the great American novel, for in taking a job that he was hired for quite possibly and only because he was a relative of the owner and turning it into what it is today. The Movies that we watch might never have been released. The Statues and action figures we collect would be stagnant clay, and the posters and canvas would be morbidly white.The following is what I take from what X-Ray Spexx said. It's the last paragraph that I see what he is really trying to say. I don't like to write in anger because the wrong thing will be said. I read what he had to say and waited. I garnished my response above these words but didn't want to add to his journal and thought rather to create my own. I think Spexx himself was pissed. At what though? I do not know. But I think in his own way he was angry that others would tarnish Stan Lee's name. The next paragraph is with his own words. Take from them what you will. ************************************************************This is in response to the bizarre nature of how everybody is waiting on the man to die so they can cash in on everything he's signed. From personal experience after going to conventions and watching my comic book heroes turn out to be real a**holes in person, Stan is one of the few people who genuinely seemed to be happy to be amongst the fans and sign. Its just a shame that everybody is waiting to cash in on his death. I'm sure people were rushing to ebay as soon as they read the title ************************************************************His title was in bad taste, because if anyone Googles it, it might come up. After all, there have been other stars that have been written off to the great beyond before their time. This industry will be, and always will have spectators that want to cash in. Hell, I wish I could make a living buying and selling comic books. This little rant, these strung together words I hope made sense one way or the other, because somewhere along the way I just rambled. Please forgive me.And slightly in addition...I have no idol other than my father. I cherish no individual more than any other man. And I have freely admitted as much that Stan Lee is an icon of the comic book masses and a living legend within the entertaining world, he is a man who lives everyday such as we live everyday and should be respected for that and the great things he has passed along to us. So until his passing does occur, until his signature can no longer be written across comic books and artwork alike, until that day, Stan Lee lives.Nuff Said'TnerbTo see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.