Stan Lee's Approach to Writing - Comic Tropes (Episode 9)

[@planetkhaos7473]

I think Stan Lees narratives are a product of previous radio shows where they would narrate a scene so the audience could gain a mental picture. I know there is a trend of opinion that thinks that style is redundant (and they aren't wrong) but I liked it. I wanted to read a comic book as much as I wanted to admire the art.

[@tiagodarkpeasant]

i still find it fun when a tv show has a narrator telling exactly what is happening, the only thing that is better is the narrator saying something totally different

[@basedchimera5859]

@@tiagodarkpeasant everything's fine *things were not fine*

[@localloser7415]

I love how the Thing was so proud of his girlfriend he pulled an alarm to show how awesome she is it's absolutely adorable

[@madseason5614]

The over use of text is sometimes Kirby telling Lee he didn't want to draw a background just "fill it in Stan"

[@FlamingoKicker]

I'd love to see the documentation on this claim. Knowing Jack that doesn't sound true.

[@MrMaxHauser]

@@FlamingoKicker yeah same

[@elijahfordsidioticvarietys8770]

No, no. You see. Stan Lee was actually paid by the word, so he wrote more words to make more money. Like Charles Dickens.

[@turtleanton6539]

@@elijahfordsidioticvarietys8770 ha paid himself ?

[@TheKevphil]

@@turtleanton6539 He was also paid for plotting, when it was actually Kirby who did most of that.

[@Rometiklan]

Stan Lee is so revered that it's almost sacrilegious to make fun of him. But some of the stuff he did was really out there and required a real stretch in plausibility. I'll always be grateful to the man for all he's done and continues to do. Excelsior!

[@mdtisthebest6249]

Time to make fun of Stan Lee now

[@antonisstavropoulos2115]

​@@mdtisthebest6249let's start!

[@dildonius]

Much like George Lucas, he had a great mind for an overall story - the big picture - but when it came to the nitty gritty little-picture aspects of the story and especially the *DIALOGUE* he is severely lacking.

[@paulrudolph7595]

Man that handing each other stuff was so funny.

[@ComicTropes]

That's the gag I wanted to do when I decided I wanted to dress up as Stan. It is so dumb but it actually amused me.

[@poohbear01x48]

I had a good laugh at that, too. Really think this channel is under-rated for sure

[@horsenitro1617]

RIP Stan lee

[@DeterminedGoat]

The passing of the action figure had me in tears

[@justinwilliams7324]

Stan Lee explained why marvel comics were the way they were what ever detective comics did he did the opposite.

[@ratmandraws]

Remember when the in-universe Marvel Comics hired Captain America to draw the art for the Captain America comics within the Captain America comic series? That was weird.

[@ianfinrir8724]

Steve was being paid to create an illustrated autobiography. That's not that weird.

[@afonsolucas2219]

You know the best thing about Stan's stories? They're fun! I have fun reading them and these colorful ideas being presented and me trying to modernize them in my head. :)

[@frodo4627]

Comics have been so dark and edgy since the 80s it's very refreshing to go back to when they were, ya know, fun and optimistic

[@gagelehr7568]

Please keep creating these videos. These are criminally underviewed/subbed.

[@ComicTropes]

Gage Lehr New one every Monday.

[@Cacodemon-vk3zt]

"You know I guess one person can make a difference, Nuff Said" - Stan Lee 2007, Spider-Man 3 R.I.P, 1922 - 2018

[@maxschrader3884]

another trope would be villains dressing up as heroes and doing crimes

[@gustavgnoettgen]

🕷️👉! ! 👈 🕷️

[@daelen.cclark]

Maximilian Schrader Actually, I thought that was what the thunderbolts series did.

[@maxschrader3884]

captain Rockatron Thunderbolts is a lot more fleshed out

[@mandovillarreal5625]

I’m watching this video again. It’s amazing to see how your delivery has evolved over the years. Great stuff.

[@mcraystudios]

Keep in mind often they came up with a plot first. Then Jack would draw pages and sometimes we'll go off the deep end with all kinds of crazy concepts and plot twist. The heat mirage is quintessentially a Jack Kirby idea. Now Stan Lee had the responsibility of coming up with something that in some crazy way makes sense so they can hit their deadlines. Stan would not ask Jack to redraw all that content. Making comic books is definitely a team sport and these two worked beautifully together. My issue with some of your Stan Lee tropes are really they aren't truly and purely Stan Lee tropes but the byproduct of Jack Kirby's quirky visual storytelling and Stan Lee trying to write dialog on top of it.

[@indi-go1868]

That Stan impression was on point!

[@ComicTropes]

Excelsior.

[@SciFiFan2012]

I still love the old Marvel comics! Anyone remember when Steve Rogers drew the Captain America comic?

[@themossycobble1903]

Yeah ! Also remember that time when there was a daredevil villain called stilts man

[@jasonbean5981]

Stan is the man. But Kirby is the king.

[@bittersweetjesus]

Well that was their respective nicknames but they both brought out the best in each other.

[@attackonlui1367]

Ditko is King

[@onenerdygeek812]

RIP stan lee

[@atenakehnaton3965]

@@bittersweetjesus ......Jack Kirby hated Stan Lee and openly mocked him in Miracle Man (edit: ooops meant Mister Miracle). Jack Kirby was bitter to the grave. I don't think Stan Lee brought the best out of Kirby. However without Kirby Stan Lee would be nothing.

[@themossycobble1903]

Jack is jazzy

[@cordellsenior9935]

Stan was absolutely the greatest. Comics were a great medium of communication and he was, at heart, a superior story teller. He made up stories and told them and sold them. Then he'd make up another. He told them in a uniquely creative voice to help deliver the visual interpretations along and usher the reader through the issue in a moving way. He almost created and matched the action pacing Jack Kirby was laying down and presenting to him. It's been said before; their collaborative efforts were, for a while, the equivalent of Lennon & McCartney; a brief period of partnered brilliance. Someone commented that Stan's writing (and editorial) voice took you through the story in the radio-style of his day. "Forsooth thine words hath the ring of truth." It was superb platform of entertainment that was a niche market for decades and decades and is now the foundation of a dominating world-wide commercial market.

[@thewkovacs316]

they were almost all jack's stories

[@cordellsenior9935]

@@thewkovacs316 You're right. I agree. But you must also agree, Jack's actual writing, when he was given free reign at DC (and in his subsequent return to Marvel) , was slightly painful to read. Kirby (and to a lesser extent, Mr. Ditko) was a Disney-level creative mind and the 2 of them are responsible for Marvel's most iconic and flagship classic characters. But Stan provided the platform. He was a supreme editor and hackneyed scripter with a story-telling style that was equally as iconic as the artwork. Over the years, I built a great collection in real time. Marvel was making absolute comic book music over there. The team of Smili'n Stan & Jolly Jack made pop hits while the team of Stan and Steve played jazz. We were thoroughly entertained by their collaborative efforts. Stan was great at what he did. Jack and Steve wee equally as great at what they did. RIP and thanks to them all.

[@thewkovacs316]

​@@cordellsenior9935 no, i will not admit that jack couldnt write dialogue.i liked his dialogue when he was given free reign at dc. i liked what he did with cap when he returned to marvel. i liked the eternals the bashing on jack's dialogue didnt start until he returned to marvel i would suggest your read rob steibel over at the kirby museum for a great analysis on how and why that happened and which marvel editors were behind it. do you know that stan used ghost writers during his "what if stan lee created...." over at dc? stan was a great salesman. stan figured out how to keep the readers and buyers of marvel product engaged...even when he thought what they were doing was stupid and unimportant. but while i can still read kirby books today, i have a hard time reading stan's dialogue with a straight face.

[@cordellsenior9935]

@@thewkovacs316 I see, this is Stan hate. To each his own. I'm sure you're not the only one, but there was a reason that stuff at DC didn't sell (enough) and they cancelled all of the Kirby books. I liked it; wished it kept going, but objectively, it was great stories but awful dialogue. Stan was Stan. He worked best with Jack and Steve but worked well with others also. He, much like Barry Gordy, at Motown, successfully ran, managed and coordinated a shop full of talented creators and provided a platform for them all to flourish. All those guys were brilliant on their own and collectively Marvel did special things from the 40s through the 80s. . Now, they're making Hollywood's most successful films based on their hard work. Stan named it The House of Ideas. . Seems like you're part of the "Jack was ripped off by Stan' crowd. Stan Lee was a brilliant man. I don't need to read any more on the topic. I was there. I bought everything. I got enough books on everybody here. The topics have been covered.

[@MABMGuitar]

I love the demented look on the face of Doom / Richards.

[@elmori616]

Its nuts how you made this 2 years before his death, and even with those tropes typical of the time, you tribute him. Ive seen ton of tribute to stan lee vídeos but this has to be one of the best, because it is a tribute of the man when he was alive. Love your vídeos!!!

[@nobdydoh4263]

I love the backdrop of key Stan Lee works. But I thought an existing copy of Ravage 2099 was just an urban legend!

[@T.R.R.Jolkien]

I love this dude. He makes me laugh and is way original... 🇺🇸😎

[@brendanwhelton]

Nice video! I have a favorite Stan Lee trope! Never punctuate a sentence with a period! Exclamation points make it more exciting! Have a good day!

[@savvas_tsigou]

RIP Stan Lee

[@jonhall3151]

I'm always reminded of Stan's awesome set-up and narration on Spider Man and his Amazing Friends and the Incredible Hulk Saturday morning toons lol...Sigh...I miss those days...

[@miguellopez3392]

i think i can explain the heat dynamite , heat can bend light, of cool air is next to hot air the pressure difference refracts light like a prism., i guess he was able to bend the light through the atmosphere so the light bouncing of the dynamite was directed into the building. also ive walked from Puyallup to downtown Tacoma... for a burger.

[@ComicTropes]

Miguel lopez You must've worked off the calories of a week's worth of burgers!

[@samueljackson3512]

The word mirage being used makes me think you are right. The way he does it so perfectly is a bit odd but mirages and bent light sometimes look really perfect. But he basically will never do it again. And it is still like so odd and random.

[@Jonathan927]

that Stan Lee split screen is one of the funniest things you’ve done haha

[@steveg7000]

It's worth mentioning here that these stories were often being read by young kids who might benefit from having the depicted actions explained. It's not as self-explanatory to them.

[@Toracube]

Imagining there never was a Stan Lee.... Can't. ... RIP.

[@antonydrossos5719]

13:00 SO OLD SCHOOL! Right down to the split down the middle of the screen! Now THIS is a trope to the Nth degree!

[@jeremylening2401]

Aren't these old FFs just great?

[@ComicTropes]

jeremy lening I love them. It's Lee and Kirby at their height of creativity.

[@ericcoyle3520]

One of the best parts of these videos is the humour. That no prize hand over bit is hilarious.

[@turtletrekker86]

I live in Tacoma and recognized your walk route. Also, this may have already been pointed out, but this was actually Doom's THIRD appearance. Issue 5 was his first appearance, and issue 6 was the first super-villain team-up as Doom teamed-up with Sub-Mariner against the FF. Finally, the bit at the end with the real Stan made me smile a genuine smile

[@Spikex1]

Passing stuff to Stan made my night! Also, PERFECT FITNESS!

[@theos1022]

You’re episodes are always fun but this one is definitely my favorite. Your Stan Lee impersonation is pretty decent.

[@danielgreen2788]

that final clip was beautiful man , thanks

[@antonydrossos5719]

7:20 NOW I know where he got that ability! Doom used that ability back during John Byrne's run in the early '80s!

[@DemonicRemption]

Here like a few of the commenters to pay respects. R.I.P. Stan Lee.

[@zacumen]

Great vid. I was rolling at the handoffs with “Stan.”

[@davemartinez5902]

You are the *james Dean " of comics. Don't ever change ...

[@j.t.fletcher2214]

A semi animated movie about the Marvel Bullpen where they are on an off interacting with the "real" heroes that they are documenting in their stories kind of a stylized origin that fuses the fantasy with the magical realism of a meta story like that.

[@b-bob0324]

Stan Lee probably thought that it would amplify their powers because bigger means stronger. And the shrink ray wouldn’t make their powers weaker so if they were shrunk and then they went back to normal size it would be like getting bigger because their powers weren’t weakened by the ray. I really don’t know I’m just trying to make sense of it.

[@myworms]

Stan’s gift was in knowing what would sell. He would have been successful at anything he did. He wasn’t a genius, but he understood what worked and what didn’t.

[@sirvilhelmofyonderland]

My favorite episode yet!

[@shoddyworkmanship4934]

I love these original Fantastic Four comics. Those and the Mort Weisinger-era Superman comics were the most fun comics I've ever read.

[@Untitled_Coffee_Art]

great Stan Lee impression!

[@Rob_Gibson]

That voicemail. Aw man. Beautiful.

[@kirbycontinuum5700]

Nice video, but a no-prize was just that: No prize. The envelope was empty.

[@petemarquez8759]

Or maybe Reed Richards was just trying to save his own ass in a moment of panic! Lol

[@elijahfordsidioticvarietys8770]

Step 1: come up with idea for villain. Step 2: have artist plot the entire story. Step 3: write a whole novel's worth of dialogue explaining what happens even though we can clearly see it on the page. Step 4: (here's the fun part) profit.

[@shapilier793]

RIP Stan "The Man" Lee

[@Mechsae]

I hope someone pointed out Portal 2 did similar repetition with "The part where he kills you"

[@AllenFreemanMediaGuru]

Best use of unsteady-cam since Rocky 9.

[@calebgowett714]

We miss you Stan

[@Nomad-Rogers]

How to write comics by Stan Lee. "Oh Jack here is 3 bullet points have the book on my desk tomorrow."

[@dbog5214]

And still had no shame taking all that credit.

[@TheAbcakl]

You know what? Ive watched maybe 15 episodes now of you show in no specific order and now you got a new subscriber. You a funny guy, man, and a very good presenter. I think the drinking and other goof-stuff you do is unnecessary, except the post-it stickers, theyre good. I dont like giving tips on what content-creators do though, I am a more or less strict believer that creators of all kinds need to follow their hearts, guts and brains. Great stuff man, I appreciate your effort!

[@Captain_MonsterFart]

The drinking is ridiculous, i think we should eat it up while it's still allowed here. KZbin will make no-fun rules eventually i am sure.

[@markukeley2924]

I still use "Nuff Said" 50 some years after my initial comic book years. Excelsior, 'Tropes!

[@TheTjoconnor]

that handing each other stuff gag is pure abbot and costello type stuff.

[@noahmosher6381]

Thumbs up for caring about us. What a guy.

[@ramseydoon8277]

Chris really sticks his neck out for us!

[@gregorrohde3146]

These intense CGIs with your twin... so dope! Maaan! You are funny as hell!

[@Ostnizdasht206]

17:11 either that guy has some serious speed walking powers or Chris wasn't jogging at all.

[@stardust_memories2260]

Stan introduced himself to let us know he's Stan Lee. Hm. That's a trope.

[@alias3660]

I REALLY want to believe he walked those miles in that get up. That's a power move.

[@ComicTropes]

I did.

[@alias3660]

@@ComicTropes Wow you responded!! Respect.

[@patrick1227]

The city of Tacoma is beautiful. You should give us a video tour. I'd love to see it at less than supersonic speed. Lol.

[@Kriskazam]

Human Torch doing flame constructs is awesome

[@PoffinFresh]

Convenient how the FF flare is always seen from the only angle where it looks like a 4.

[@macsnafu]

I'm not sure how much Stan would actually be involved in the plotting of the stories. However, it's clear from later Kirby comics, where Kirby did plot (and sometimes script) stories, that he really liked adding goofy stuff for the characters to do. Silly things like this were also apparent in the early X-Men, and in his later work on Mister Miracle, The Demon, Sandman, etc. And many others that I'm forgetting right now.

[@BIGBOX84]

You missed the Meddling Fool right before the human torch mirage...

[@louislapointe9601]

Chris, I think that the "Marvel method" explains the dialog boxes. Stan probably did that for all of his stories.

[@Bobbypinker]

An utterly EPIC use of split screen.

[@Bobbypinker]

Oh man, real Stan at the end caught me square in the feels.

[@Charlie-un8nb]

Goodbye Stan.. ...wonderful video like always !

[@Evan.Arapis]

Steve Rogers used to work for Marvel as an artist so I think yeah, superheroes allow Marvel to publish their own adventures, Italian Disney comics have done the same thing, they asked Scrooge McDuck's permission in order to publish his adventures, several characters have visited Euro-Disney a few times.. The whole idea serves as an auto-sarcasm/auto-parody vehicle, personally I love it, I wish it happened more often if done right !

[@vasp99]

I miss Stan's " power spin " trope . That's what male super heroes used to fight against female villains instead of punching or blasting them. I forget how many times Iron Man put the Enchantress into POWER SPINS...

[@TheMaskedBaptist]

I took a dare from a diehard Alex Toth fan two months ago, and this guy lost BAD. He was convinced Jack Kirby comics weren't funny, and I cited THIS hilarious issue among others. The comic gags herein are nearly inexhaustible.

[@EBUNNY2012]

What about the hero being hypnotized by the villain trope?

[@seankkg]

I don't see a lot of comments on it so perhaps not many stayed but that's a really cool voice clip you have at the end.

[@Loyalguardian6000]

R.I.P. Stan Lee

[@MadMetsFan]

In terms of Stan Lee's (overuse) of dialogue & narration, I suspect part of it was because of the job insecurity of the times and the need Lee had to 'show his worth' (aka - keeping his job.) John Romita would often fiddle with the artwork of others when he was art director so he could say he had to "fix" so-and-so artwork to inflate his value (Romita was regularly laid-off in the 1950's.)

[@13strange67]

Life is what happens whilst you are making other plans With Stan : it was writing and launching comics whilst he was improving his Golf handicap

[@KillerKroc74]

This guy is awesome!

[@Extreme2566]

I love Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, etc

[@briantaylorcloe7725]

I like the heat mirage ... Johnny really getting deep, philosophical, and mental with his usage of his powers. Makes sense to me! "From what I know of this villain, creating a heat blanket to wrap around their head at 124° would surely cause a mirage , perhaps an oasis even ... " I love Johnny 'Thee Fant4stic" Storm and his Human Torch lookin ass

[@spectre1004]

Rest In Peace Stan Lee😭

[@MunaAzuki]

lol I really like this guy. Awesome content!

[@YasaByYasa]

You know...I don’t think that was Stan Lee.

[@Captain_MonsterFart]

Someone's not a true believer...

[@branhoff]

That Stan Cameo had me literally laughing. These are a lot of fun.

[@johnathanclark79]

You know what's funny the only other people that got on Stan Lee has been Jack Kirby when he created the DC villain the Funky Flashman and Alan Moore in both his homage/parody comic 1963 even doing a parody to Stan Lee soapbox and also his Steve Ditko documentary. I also have a photo with Stan Lee....with Frank Miller.

[@CelestialWoodway]

When I was a kid I didn't understand what "Nuff Said" meant. I asked, Who is Nuff?

[@ontos8534]

Joke?

[@gustavgnoettgen]

Maybe the same guy who signs letters with "Excelsior" 🤔

[@handsomebrick]

@@gustavgnoettgen It's obviously Nuff Excelsior, interstellar space adventurer extraordinaire.

[@MrHantz101]

Its short for "Enough Said." As in, "I've said enough about the subject."

[@Chrundle9]

@@MrHantz101 I think he’s figured that out by now

[@Fox_Moulder]

I watched the frank miller episode before this and u looked more drunk during the “I watch out for you” bit, lols

[@cruizerdave]

2:36, sure you're not drinking in this episode?

[@youraveragecrownofthorns8919]

I remember reading that Silver Surfer GN Stan wrote back in the 80's, with Moebius art. That one will take you off guard, if your not familiar with it.

[@maxmiliandealy9839]

I enjoy stans tropes.

[@Saltanic]

RIP, Stan.

[@geenadasilva9287]

Johnny’s test is a version of the judgement of solomon...

[@shayZero]

2:27 ive had a shitty week, this was surprisingly needed. I know it was a joke but ive had someone say something like that to me in years

[@kencoleman5007]

Stan breaking the fourth wall was interesting, but Robert Kanigher had started doing that at DC at least a decade earlier.

[@startrekfanman]

The Stan lee mirror bit was so good

[@PrototypeOnDemand]

that's a good stan !!

[@ComicTropes]

Yes, it was nice of him to drop by.

[@pdworld3421]

Wow!!! You really got Stan Lee there!!!!

[@Fazer_600]

WOW, i can't believe he got the REAL Stan Lee!

[@ramseydoon8277]

It just goes to show that Chris cares about what happens to us. A lot! Maybe too much.

[@Chalor.]

It's so weird back then, "Flame on!" Johnny doesn't have a face, same with Iceman.