"I learned one of life's greatest lessons. I don't know the reason for this, but people who like superhero stories want their heroes to wear costumes. And if any psychologist or sociologist out there can ever tell me the reason, I would like to know."

    About This Interview

    In his two-hour interview, Stan Lee (1922-2018) discusses his career in multiple media, from comic books to feature films. He describes the birth of Marvel Comics, competition with DC comics, and the creation of many of his most beloved characters: the "Fantastic Four," the "X-Men," the "Incredible Hulk," and "Spider-Man." Lee also recalls the formation of production companies Marvel Productions, Stan Lee Productions and POW! Entertainment and his role in each. He talks about his involvement with television programs based on his comic characters (the animated Spider-Man series and the unforgettable The Incredible Hulk) and defines what a superhero means to him. He also reveals his real name and why he changed it to Stan Lee. Lisa Terrada conducted the interview in a joint venture with UCLA for the Living Television Collection on March 22, 2004 in Los Angeles, CA.

    All views expressed by interviewees are theirs alone and not necessarily those of the Television Academy.
    People Talking About ...
    Thumbnail of Stan Lee

    Stan Lee on his signature, "As told to Stan Lee"

    00:58
    Thumbnail of Stan Lee

    Stan Lee on creating The X-Men characters

    01:47
    Thumbnail of Stan Lee

    Stan Lee on the enduring nature of the Spider-Man character

    02:16
    Thumbnail of Stan Lee

    Stan Lee on what a superhero is to him

    00:32
    Thumbnail of Stan Lee

    Stan Lee on how he'd like to be remembered

    00:40
    Play Full Interview

    Chapter 1

    On his childhood and early influences; on his interests in acting and advertising; on his first jobs

    17:06

    On getting into comics at Magazine Management's Timely Comics; on the "Marvel Method"; on his time in the army during World War II

    18:00

    On critics of comics; on the comic The Fantastic Four and the start of Marvel Comics; on creating The Incredible Hulk; on the stumbling block to creating the Spider-Man comic book; on working with art director Jack Kirby

    17:45

    On seeing his characters on television; on developing stories for comic books, television, and film; on the Spider-Man character being in comics; on TV and in movies at the same time

    06:36

    Chapter 2

    On the Spider-Man TV series, syndicated newspaper strip, and on The Incredible Hulk TV Show; on naming his company Marvel and the competition with DC Comics; on being publisher and president of Marvel; on lecturing at colleges

    20:10

    On moving to Los Angeles and forming Marvel Productions; on the Spider-Man movie; on the animated series The X-Men; on forming the company Stan Lee Media - with a focus on Internet projects; on forming POW! Entertainment

    17:08

    On characters he developed: The X-Men, Daredevil; on creating an animated TV series; on the WPA; on his cameos in films; on his favorite characters, his inspiration, and on what a superhero means to him

    13:10

    On technology's effect on animation; on advice to young comic writers; on the highlight of his career; on his signature, "Excelsior;" on his relationship with Martin Goodman

    09:22

    Chapter 3

    On his relationship with Martin Goodman; on how he'd like to be remembered

    02:23

    Incredible Hulk, The

    Stan Lee on The Incredible Hulk television show

    04:48

    Incredible Hulk, The: "The Trial of the Hulk"

    Stan Lee on his cameo on "The Trial of the Hulk" episode of The Incredible Hulk television show

    01:42

    Simpsons, The

    Stan Lee on voicing his character on The Simpsons

    00:17

    Spider-Man

    Stan Lee on his involvement with the animated series Spider-Man and other cartoons

    01:37

    Stan Lee on the Spider-Man TV series

    01:24

    X-Men

    Stan Lee on the animated series X-Men

    02:16

    Characters & Catchphrases

    Stan Lee on the enduring nature of the Spider-Man character

    02:16

    Creative Influences and Inspiration

    Stan Lee on comic strips he read as a child

    01:33

    Stan Lee on wanting to be an actor when he was young

    01:03

    Pop Culture

    Stan Lee on the enduring nature of the Spider-Man character

    02:16

    Technological Innovation

    Stan Lee on how technology has affected animation

    01:00

    Executives

    Stan Lee on being creative head of Marvel Productions

    00:48

    Writers

    Stan Lee on his signature, "As told by Stan Lee"

    00:58

    Stan Lee on the ease and fun of comic book writing

    02:44

    Stan Lee on writing

    02:05

    Animation

    Stan Lee on his involvement with the animated series Spider-Man and other cartoons

    01:37

    Stan Lee on creating an animated television series

    11:43

    Bill Bixby

    Stan Lee on Bill Bixby of The Incredible Hulk television show

    01:42

    Lou Ferrigno

    Stan Lee on Lou Ferrigno of The Incredible Hulk television show

    01:42

    Kenneth Johnson

    Stan Lee on The Incredible Hulk television show, created by Kenneth Johnson

    04:48

    Garry Marshall

    Stan Lee on his high school classmate Garry Marshall

    00:32

    All Interviews

    Loading Interviews...