Marvel comic book author and living legend Stan Lee is celebrating his 95th birthday today. His resume includes the titles of editor, publisher, film producer, and actor, among other accomplishments. Lee, in collaboration with Marvel artists, created the characters of Spider-Man, the Hulk, Iron Man, and a host of other superheroes and villains. In honor of the occasion, let's learn something new about Stan Lee.
6. HE DEFIED THE COMICS CODE AUTHORITY WITH AN ANTI-DRUG COMIC.
In 1971, Lee received a letter from the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare asking him to put an anti-drug message in one of his books. He came up with a Spider-Man story that involved his best friend Harry abusing pills because of a break-up. The CCA would not approve the story with their seal because of the mention of drugs, but Lee convinced his publisher, Martin Goodman, to run the comic anyway.
7. AN ISSUE AT THE PRINTERS TURNED THE HULK GREEN.
The character was supposed to be gray, but Lee writes that the printer had a hard time keeping the color consistent. “So as of issue #2,” Lee writes, “with no explanation, he turned green.”
Read more about the life and career of Stan Lee at Mental Floss.
(Image credit: Gage Skidmore)