How Jim Lee became a comic legend

‪@JimLee‬, President, Publisher, and Chief Creative Officer of ‪@dcofficial‬ tells us how his childhood obsession with Superman changed his life.
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Jim Lee is synonymous with DC Comics now, but when he was first charting his path, his family pushed him towards medical school. In this interview, Jim shares how he reasoned with his parents and bought time to pursue his dream of being a comic book artist over the span of a gap year.
Read more from this interview ► bigthink.com/perception-box/j...
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About Jim Lee:
Jim Lee, a world-renowned comic book artist, writer, editor and publisher, is currently Chief Creative Officer of DC (DC) and Publisher for the company.
Known for his incredibly detailed and dynamic artistic style, Lee is one of the most revered and respected artists in American comics. A veritable legend in the industry, he has received numerous accolades and recognition for his work, including the Harvey Special Award for New Talent in 1990, the Inkpot Award in 1992, and the Wizard Fan Award in 1996, 2002 and 2003.

[@tiberseptim8434]

Man, Jim Lee‘s art is some of my favourite in all of comic history. It’s always gorgeous. I’m glad he followed his dreams 🙏

[@DangerousDevNasty]

I’m truly THANKFUL for this man. Never met him a day in my life but as a kid I collected comics and would select them based on the cover art. For a while I didn’t even realize all the comics I would choose had HIS name on them. Influenced my entire life as an artist /creative director. As a teenager i was literal obsessed with becoming JIM LEE.

[@johnnyguitar2929]

Jim Lee is my real life comic book hero. Been a huge fan of his art since I was a kid!

[@jidmoore10]

This was beautifully animated

[@nerd26373]

Jim Lee has become a legend through his immense dedication, commitment and hard work. He's truly one hell of a model for the younger generation.

[@mammajamma773]

It's hard to express the love and appreciation for your parents while at the same time breaking the cycles they impose on us as children. My heart goes out to Jim for having the courage to chase his dreams despite his parent's objections. As children of immigrant parents, it is a duality we often have to grapple with and come out the other side with our sanity intact.

[@richardabia9735]

Jim Lee is a Great artist and a Great person !!! God bless him and his family !!!!!

[@YourAverageNiche]

The best JIM LEE video ever produced. The production team did him justice especially this is such a personal topic for him as shown at the end where his eyes swallowed back tears. Such an inspirational journey!

[@user-be7tc2bd6e]

Yes,good video,but,Lee was a bum at a young age.He said he'd get outta bed and draw 8-to-10 hrs a day,right ??? So,he wasn't working ??? Like I said,a-BUM. LOL. He should've been working those 8-to-10 hrs a day,earn his keep in his family.

[@akira1205]

@@user-be7tc2bd6e That's kind of a dumb way to look at it. He was going to school anyway, plus he's drawing that much honing his skills to become who he is today. It's not like wasted time or just "sitting on the couch doing nothing". Plus, you don't know if he might have been working at least part time either. Even if he wasn't, I mean his father was a doctor, so they were probably ok that Jim didn't have to work.

[@Hobo613]

the fact that they both never showed any of his artwork was strange…Even if it was only his non-proprietary stuff to avoid any copyright issues. in addition , ppl who watched this perhaps believe that his art style is similar to the animation used in this video? if so, obviously doing the man a disservice, but that being said, i’m happy he got featured ❤

[@pixelcharlie]

He has NINE kids?!? That's insane! Very rare nowadays. But anyway, I learned how to draw by copying Jim Lee's art. I'm sure a lot of people who are familiar with his work in the 90s, who eventually got into drawing, probably say the same thing. He is a living legend!

[@user-be7tc2bd6e]

9 kids !!! &&&&. LOL. Who does Lee think he is-NICK-CANNON ??? I have-ZERO-kids and don't want any either. LOL.

[@akira1205]

A few of them are step kids.

[@pixelcharlie]

@@akira1205 ah ok. But still, raising 9 children is insane in terms of energy and resources.

[@aersiul]

Man, Jim is such a great inspiration for me. Not just because he's one of the best at his job. But also because he's an awesome Dad

[@bencera6067]

Loved his art while growing up, made so many classics

[@shutinalley]

Jim Lees a freaking legend. Thank you for the art, sir.

[@Nightscream72]

Wow. As someone who both followed Jim Lee since the 90s, and written/edited almost half the material in his Wikipedia article, I thought I knew most of the major details that went into how he went about becoming an artist, including the fact that he made a deal with his parents to apply to medical school if he did not break into the comics industry within one year. But I had not heard that there was a heated argument that led to Jim fleeing the house, the amends they made with him, the fact that they fled SK because of the war, or the car accident Jim was involved in as a child. etc. What a moving video. Thanks for sharing this with us, Jim.

[@stormtrooper253]

I first saw Jim Lee's art when my uncle had a stash of X-Men comics in his room. Ever since then, I always loved his art style and wished that I too could draw my own comics someday.

[@hyunseon.kim00]

As a native Korean it was so interesting to see your experience (and of course the pressure of success) leading to your dream!! 정말 대단하십니다 :)

[@haloed-hero]

A Master of his craft, that strives to be better and says you never stop learning. He’s a huge inspiration on many comic artist including myself. Thanks Mr. Jim Lee

[@soup100]

OMG! Jim is my all time favorite penciler! Dude's X-men shit is LEGENDARY!

[@joewillsart]

Jim Lee has been one of my greatest inspirations and I've been following his career for many years. Hope to one day meet him in person and really pick his brain. True greatness in action.

[@pnut3844able]

This man formed my childhood with xmen in the 90s

[@leeparenzee2930]

To this day Jim Lee is my Favorite artist on planet earth...the way henry Cavil and ben Affleck look as batman and superman is the way Jim lee draws them as characters before Cavil & Ben were even casted, and that reflects on his version of X-men aswell. his crazy talented and such a big inspiration.

[@the_artistic_avenger]

A true superhero origin of his own. What an inspiration for all.

[@lumilikha]

The animation here is crazy cool! ❤

[@tablet4170]

9 kids? wow!

[@joshua19145]

I remember as a kid seeing Jim Lee (along with Marc Silvestri, Todd McFarlane, Rob Liefield) taking such risks with the visual storytelling medium of comic illustration. Jim Lee covers and 2 page spreads were certainly influential to my current maximalist tastes and stylings and kept me waiting for and seeking issues of Uncanny X-Men, X-Men and WildC.A.T.S. Great insights to such a personally important artist and creative visionary. ✨⚡✨

[@tamtrily]

Living legend and one of my hero’s🙌

[@thunderkid1984]

Absolute legend, truly one of the best to ever touch the medium of comics. I sincerely hope he comes back to draw the X-Men one more time.

[@fillil7515]

Jim Lee is 59 with 9 kids?! 😳

[@bee598]

Jim Lee has 2 biological kids with his wife & the rest are his Wife’s children from a previous marriage. Jim mentioned this on his twitch channel a couple years ago

[@GuyWebz]

He is one of my favorite comic artists

[@BMANTIS1]

WOW great as an artist and great as a father truly a great man my favourite comic book artist of all peace

[@ssteeds7194]

Amazing to find someone whose life resembles mine. Except for the accident. I also had the art teacher and I hero worship Wonder Woman still. Appreciate that your children didn’t receive the same intense pressure. Certainly the anxiety of survival is far less in the states. Our parents’ generation went through hell.

[@matthewkeating-od6rl]

Well with Jim Lee career in comics definitely made more then a doctor.

[@ViceRidden]

How do one about how DC was run into the ground under his supervision.

[@tedangerous]

Escaping, surviving war puts a different perspective on how you raise your children

[@RichLuciano1]

Can we do one with Dale Kewon or Peter David? Just a fan. Thats all.

[@360.Tapestry]

awesome artist even better human being... thank you, uncle jim

[@BatFan1]

He may be running DC comics into the ground but I respect Jim Lee the man, his journey, the lessons we can learn from him; and the artist as he is my all time favorite comic book creator.

[@Maniacsface]

Jim lee and cary nord are my favorites.

[@sobewisdom]

Trauma and hardship is a great motivator.

[@chiquita683]

Heroes Reborn was my initiation into comics

[@AlphaProto]

Best comic artist ever.

[@Muertedelego]

Talk about inspiring 😊

[@rasheedknox2140]

Thanks for sharing!!

[@rockeazymatt]

WE LOVE U MR. JIM LEE!!!

[@akalikayn3718]

Man, didn't know Jim Lee had this sort of background, I've only known him for his works and illustrations I see. I had a similar experience with what he had with his parents. I too am an artist and an amateur one still, atleast 4 years experience, I basically reignited my childish passion in drawing comics before I graduated highschool which was 5 years ago. I tried to talk to my parents that I wanted to be a comic book artist and would like to enroll in an art school, but they didn't agree, I guess its because my drawing skills sucked and they didn't believe I would succeed. So instead I took a college course where I know I would excel a bit despite it not being my passion. Nevertheless, I convinced myself that one day, I would be able to make my own comics, so I have been practicing to improve my art skills on my own if I have any free time these past 4 years. And throughout those 4 yrs, I discovered Jim Lee, his art have always amazed me since then and he quickly became one of my favorite comic book artists. I have been saving and studying his artstyle that I see through pinterests, and I would also watch his videos here in youtube just oogling at how tremendously good he is at his craft. Now I am set to graduate from college this year, and seeing this video inspired me more by knowing that I felt somewhat empathetic with one of my favorite comic book artists. Hope I would be as good as you someday Jim Lee.

[@WilliamGregg-dv7hl]

I love his art he did for any FLASH comics❤️💛❤️💛

[@evanmhardin]

We love you Jim.

[@adoboarchives4738]

Damn, that was the imperfectly best parent

[@TurnOntheBrightLights.]

Jim Lee X-Men #1 Magneto is my favorite! Iconic style 😍

[@roachdoggjr1940]

His dad, Stan, gave him the job.

[@damianmonke3922]

Jim lee is awesome. Made me a better technical artist

[@SwakMiChorizo]

Jim Lee is a LEGEND 💯.

[@artnacionalherois6423]

Adoro o estilo do jim lee. O sonho de ser desenhista é incrivel

[@RetroTvInc]

Jim is a real life superhero 🎉❤

[@renemarrero6523]

Big fan Jim Lee

[@AndroidAccountant]

Bro has 9 kids 💀

[@Larry1Wand]

Genius. You see how he bought DC's Superman into his childhood even though he started out his career with Marvel? Overcoming insecurity or having dual identities were part of every day life as an immigrant kid. Most became over achievers.

[@yantimohhan5200]

Stay safe and stay healthy, sir.

[@marilync417]

Im crying

[@josesarango3408]

90s X-men is Jim Lee at his peak

[@timothyleahy5037]

My hero I wanna be like you

[@manueljonathancaceres1265]

I was born with the talent of drawing... but here is the artist who makes me love comics and drawing.

[@thesecret6019]

Marvel had Stan "The Man" Lee and DC has Jim Lee

[@JimminyJim]

Was literally thinking to myself not long ago, thank the gods Jim Lee wasn’t born in N. Korea. lol. So close. Bless up to a legend.

[@thahunt]

9 kids is crazy

[@enminghee2926]

I often wonder as an Asian American if Jim Lee was ever exposed to 무협 literature as a child. Would explain a bit about his worldbuilding.

[@TheArtOfJerry]

Introspective? Can we use this word here? 🎉🎉🎉 I'm just a drawer... My spelling not super hahaha 😅. Jim Lee's commitment to comics is of great inspiration. Respect his parenting skills, the liberty he gave to his own kids.

[@fuferito]

His guest forays into the (then) brand new, _Punisher War Journal_ with Frank Castle facing Logan in the jungle, and his treatment of _The Uncanny X-Men_ made a real mark.

[@jina_huh]

Big Think: Thank you for interviewing Korean-American comic legend, Jim Lee. 🇰🇷🇺🇸🎨 I subscribed to your channel after watching vids of brilliant legal legend, Nadine Strossen.

[@unrealnews]

National Treasure.

[@bartoszfrancki258]

Awsome

[@alecantropo98]

Omg he was almost isekai'd

[@matineyang]

Great artist especially during his early years. But that's about it. He hasn't really done anything other than that. Now if we're looking to someone who's very much a legend we would have to go with the Toddfather / Todd Mcfarlane. He's the one guy out of that lot that has built himself an empire where he can call his own shots and where the big two go to him.

[@davidolukoga6082]

dude, this is the first time i'm getting his side of the story

[@younghan3573]

Nine kids!? Who knew comic books had that kind of income...

[@donwold1622]

I just wanted to throw in an observation I have made, over the years. I have noticed that MOST, if not all, Korean people I know, that are first generation Americans, seem well balanced and realistic about life in general. Not going to call out other immigrants by country, but some seem to be mostly insane or somewhat out-of-balance.. I have no idea why..

[@AliHussein30605]

❤

[@SleeperDarkside]

He's responsible for some of the X-me being created JIM LEE.

[@heman248]

his parents were right ai will take his job

[@user-ig7xs9hn1x]

Didn't you hear about the new laws, dummy?

[@360.Tapestry]

lol he already made it big. it's your job that ai is taking

[@KamoteCueBBB]

9 KIDS

[@philsophkenny]

😮

[@dextergarner1286]

Love Jim Lee, but now I see why DC publishing is falling apart.

[@theragoooverlord5021]

He is only a figurehead now just there to collect a pay check. Old guard

[@bobbyw1074]

9 kids?

[@OrpheusGolphin-gl2fg]

Funny how me being a Blackman growin up I white America I wasn’t PROUD TOBE BLACK AS WELL

[@InspireeDen]

A wholesome geek...but I we've heard the word aunthetic.

[@thadonis.]

How about talking about some of the amazing things he went on to achieve and create in comics and pop culture? Rather than just the obvious propaganda?

[@Torbu6286]

I'm sorry I respect that person but what are we supposed to get/learn from this one in a million story?

[@bcooke1000]

It’s an inside job.

😃😌🤍

[@criswatchtower6157]

Maybe he is a talented cartoonist but poor strategist as head of DC comics

[@matineyang]

My thoughts exactly. He's just there for name recognition.

[@invox9490]

And THEN there's those guys who trip over it, get a job as an intern, draw for fun, are good, get paid buck loads of money and have the gaul to say: "nah, I don't wanna do this anymore". Leave. Go do videogames, and are a succes at it AGAIN. Godammit I hate you Joe Mad, I HATE YOU SO MUCH!

[@---Dana----]

You mean comic BOOK legend. Why I never heard of him.

[@360.Tapestry]

because you are uncultured

[@---Dana----]

@kryptonite365 whatever you say . . . Kryptonite. 🤣🤣🤣

[@360.Tapestry]

@@---Dana---- wow. i never thought about it that. i guess i'll keep saying whatever i say. deep

[@orangewarm1]

Who?

[@Tom_ohandley]

In the comic book world he’d be the equivalent to Michael Jordan.

[@TheArtisticGhost]

@@Tom_ohandleythats……. the perfect comparison ngl

[@DangerousDevNasty]

Michael Jackson of comics.. a successful comic book would sell 200k copies.. this man sold 8 million of 1 issue of x-men.. and him and his crew quitting Marvel on the same day Bankrupted the company. THATS HOW GREAT HE IS.

[@360.Tapestry]

i just don't think x-men would be even half as popular as it was at the peak without jim lee

[@hatednyc]

And now he’s just ruining DC Comics, burying it under a mountain of terrible writing and woke garbage. Lovely legacy he’s leaving.

[@solaceboy]

I love Jim Lee's art, but sadly, he's responsible for letting feminists and other members of the woke circus that has ruined DC comics.

[@matineyang]

yup great artist but that's it. I'm certain they just put him in that box to give DC some legitimacy with the 90's comic kids that are now adults.