“Spider-Man” and “Avengers” creator Stan Lee, enjoying a resurgence of popularity at age 92, says people want to believe in heroes — even if they are just an idealized fantasy.
“I think people need somebody to look up to as a role model, you know? Just like people need to believe in God, you need to feel there’s someone somewhere who can help you because you’re aware this is not a perfect world,” Lee told the Herald as he relaxed on a sun-splashed deck overlooking Boston Harbor between sold-out appearances at Boston Comic Con at the Seaport World Trade Center.
“When I was a kid, I remember there was an actor, Errol Flynn. And he played Captain Blood and Robin Hood. I’d be 12 years old and I’d come out of the theater and I’d have an imaginary sword at my side like Errol Flynn did. And I’d be looking for some little girl that a bully was picking on so I could go to her defense,” the Comic Con headliner said.
Five decades after he created Spider-Man, he is crediting Hollywood with bringing superheroes to new audiences — and bringing new readers to the comics.
“People who weren’t even familiar with the characters have enjoyed the movies, and then they go to the comic books to read some stories about them. The youngsters, especially, are rediscovering the comic books.”
And the man who put “The Hulk” in mild-mannered scientist Bruce Banner’s blood and who made the “Fantastic Four” fantastic, said he doesn’t mind seeing a guy with a paunch walk up to him in Peter Parker’s red-and-blue “Spider-Man” leotard.
Lee laughed, “It pleases me that people of every size and shape, weight and age love these super-characters. I think it’s wonderful. And it’s also wonderful that somebody who’s maybe not a perfect physical specimen could still enjoy dressing up as these characters. It gives their imagination something to play with.”
But even as his comics bask in a second golden age, Lee is surprisingly candid about being a mere mortal. “Tell you a funny thing about old age: Everybody wants to live to a ripe old age, but nobody wants to be old. It’s quite a paradox,” he said. “Basically, my eyesight is almost gone, I can’t drive anymore. I can’t even read a script. And my hearing isn’t that great. Luckily, I can still talk.”
With rival DC Comics’ upcoming “Batman vs. Superman” movie in production, Lee is asked which caped crusader he’d put his money on.
“Oh, Superman,” he responded. “He’s indestructible, he can do anything. And Batman relies on a few weapons. If this is real, a fight between Superman and Batman, there’s no way you’d bet on Batman.”
Even with Boston’s own Ben Affleck behind the mask?
“Well, I like Ben Affleck,” he conceded. “If they get Mortimer Snerd to play Superman, maybe Affleck would have a chance.”
