Stan Lee - Creating 'The Hulk', 'Spider-Man' and 'Daredevil' (16/42)

To listen to more of Stan Lee’s stories, go to the playlist:
• Stan Lee (Writer)
The creative genius of US writer Stan Lee (1922-2018) generated 'Spider Man', 'X-Men', 'The Hulk' and other complex characters. Marvel Comics with Lee at the helm became hugely successful. In January 2011, Lee received the 2428th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. [Listener: Leo Bear; date recorded: 2006].
TRANSCRIPT: I think the next one I did was The Hulk. Funny thing, I wanted to get a… I always liked Jekyll and Hyde, and I always liked the Frankenstein movie - the old one with Karloff. And in the Frankenstein movie I always felt the monster is really the good guy. He didn't want to hurt anybody. All those idiots with torches were always chasing him up and down the hills. So I thought it would be fun to get a monster who was really a good guy, but nobody knew that, and to take a leaf from the Jekyll and Hyde thing where he could change from a normal person into the monster. And I did The Hulk. Now since the kids seemed to like costumes, I couldn't think of an excuse to put a monster in a costume so I figured I'd do the next best thing. I'll make his skin a different color. I did not think of green originally, I made it grey in the first issue. I thought, that will be scary-looking, a guy with grey skin. But unfortunately when the book came out the grey was a different shade on every page. One page was light grey, one page it was dark grey, one page he looked black, one page it was white. And I realized the printer was having trouble with the grey color. So when you're a cartoon editor and writer you're like God, you can do anything. I said: ’I'll change his skin color’. So in the next issue I made him green. Turned out wonderful, the printer was able to do a good job with green but more than that, it gave me a chance to come up with little cute sayings like… I called him the Green Goliath, the Jolly Green Giant, and Old Greenskin - I love using expressions. So that's how The Hulk was born. And then we were now on a roll. The Fantastic Four was a big seller, The Hulk was doing well, so Martin said: ‘Stan, dream up another one’. So I did Spider-Man. And when you do a superhero strip the first thing you have to think of is, what super power will he have? And I was trying to think of a new power. We already had The Thing who was the strongest guy, and The Hulk was strong. We had a guy who could fly - The Human Torch - we had The Invisible Girl, we had… everybody could do everything. So I… I was… I've told this story so often that for all I know, it might even be true, 'cause I really don't remember exactly, but I think I was watching a fly walking on a wall, and I said: ‘Gee, wouldn't it be cool if I had a hero who could stick to walls like an insect?’. But I think I'm lying. I probably didn't say wouldn't it be cool, 'cause I don't think the word cool was in usage. I probably said: ‘Wouldn't it be groovy’. I want to be nothing but totally accurate here. At any rate I thought, I'll get a guy who's like an insect. So I figured okay, what kind? What’ll I call him? Insect Man? That didn't sound dramatic. Mosquito Man? No. I went down the list. When I got to Spider-Man - Spider-Man - oh, that sounded dramatic. So I figured I'd call him that, and then we had him shoot webs. That was great. And again, I tried to keep it realistic. In order not to make him a typical hero I made him an average guy who was kind of unpopular. He was sort of a nerd. The kids didn't like him; they thought he was a bookworm. He didn't have enough money, he had to support his old aunt. He was an orphan. He was shy and so forth. And it turned out he was somebody that the readers could relate to, so he became very successful. He became our most popular character. And then came the others, then… I don't even remember the order in which they were, but I was told later - I didn't realize it at the time - but people would say to me: ‘You gave all your characters handicaps’. And I realized I guess it's true I was trying to make them realistic. Everybody's handicapped in some way. I'm handicapped, I talk too much. But the next one I made blind. I thought it would be fun to have a blind superhero 'cause I had read somewhere when you lose your sight all your other senses become magnified. So I thought it would be great if we have a guy, even though he can't see, he can do anything better that anyone else. He'd have a radar sense, a sonar sense. He could tell if you were lying 'cause he could hear your heart beat change - the rhythm. He could read by running his finger over a newspaper 'cause his fingers are so sensitive. Like with Braille, he could actually feel the newsprint on the paper. And he'd be the world's greatest gymnast because you get your balance from your ear. So I loved Daredevil, he became very popular.

[@happyworm8899]

Shoutouts to the fly that helped stan with his imagination for spiderman

[@georgefilmanimation]

lol

[@ultimatepredatorx2937]

That 28 day lifespan wellspent

[@temilade8596]

Lol

[@icontrollaplaya6716]

The fly was well paid

[@dexterrr9163]

Its ironic that a fly inspired Lee for spiderman not the spiders lmao

[@jhaych01]

You'll never be forgotten Stan Lee. Your legacy will carry on forever

[@dewisupit4141]

Goodbye

[@bananaman445edp]

Goodbye

[@Безымянныйникто]

Farewell

[@bullymaguire321]

legends never forgotten

[@dcmastermindfirst9418]

Stan lee was a thief and fraud and Daredevil is just a Batman knock off

[@arachnidcomics6404]

Rest In Peace Stan Lee. You’ll always be my superhero.

[@2_TsuyoiShorts]

Excelsior!!!

[@adityaroy2514]

NGL... inspiration op 🔥

[@jopinhoouniverso3971]

Our super hero.... Our...

[@karanb2763]

He is the ultimate superhero

[@manthespoon]

@@jopinhoouniverso3971 *soyuz nerushimy*

[@mcfeeantivirus1541]

There is no stopping this man's incredible imagination!!! Must tell that Spider Man is one of the greatest Superhero ever!!

[@victortaylor7737]

Spider-Man outsold Superman in the early/ mid 70s.

[@AliFareedMC]

He did stop when Steve Ditko and Jack Kirby left he only created three characters two are rehashed of old characters She Hulk and Falcon and the other is Ravage 2099 lol

[@Urizen61]

There is no stopping his imagination! He actually believes he created these characters all on his own!

[@brightsouls2189]

I think the most popular superheros are(the order doesent matter): Superman Spiderman Batman Hulk.

[@adityaroy2514]

Nasa supports both of your opinions... 👏

[@paradoxiipshyco]

I feel like daredevil is a underrated character, he deserves much more than one show and a movie

[@matthewmoore4778]

I never been a real big daredevil fan but I'd love to see him have his own couple of movies in the mcu.

[@paradoxiipshyco]

@@matthewmoore4778 me too

[@santiagocuriel8511]

There’s rumors he’s gonna be in the new spider man. I believe it’s true since Andrew Garfield had a leaked scene on set of him wearing the Spider-Man suit and in andrews new interviews his hair is like how it used to be when he was playing Spider-Man. Daredevil will be in it for sure 😌

[@azfanatic44]

For me hes up there with spider-man. I just love street crime level superheros more than intergalactic aliens and stuff lol

[@samantha3990]

The daredevil trilogy season is like the dark knight triology of superheroes shows it's just on another league it's a masterpiece you guys should watch it too although I think the daredevil will be toned down in nwh if he appears

[@goodcontent2509]

He’s grooving in heaven

[@ThankyouDeer029]

Hell yeah

[@adriananderson4488]

@@ThankyouDeer029 heaven yeah

[@ThankyouDeer029]

@@adriananderson4488 😈 cry about it

[@adriananderson4488]

@@ThankyouDeer029 I don't think I will

[@ThankyouDeer029]

@@adriananderson4488 😨 what?! Why not?

[@xrgamer5425]

Any interviewer or fan, would’ve been blessed to sit down and have a conversation with him. Every fan’s dream

[@mewfishmeowscles]

Rest in peace, the gone but not forgotten, late and great, STAN THE MAN! :(

[@ItaloMitimba]

He created X-Men, Fantastic Four, Spider Man, Hulk, DD, Ant Man, Thor, with other legends like Kirb, Romita, Ditco and so many good guys inside the Comics... THANK YOU STAN LEE,

[@interwebpsychiosis]

Kirby and Ditko were the ones that really created those characters

[@gusparkwood4890]

Null Void They were collaborations. Ditko confirmed it. They DID do more than they are credited with. Absolutely true. However, Lee was involved. It’s undeniable. I’m sorry to be a dick about this, but this argument is so frustratingly annoying. Again, I apologize for any rudeness.

[@AliFareedMC]

@Spidey stan started working in the industry in 40s and 50s, he was wriitng captain america and millie the model so suddenly had this great ideas in 60s while working with Jack Kirby and Steve ditko and when steve ditko and jack kirby left he stopped creating characters ? Lol obviously there is something going on

[@Sheiker-vx9if]

@@AliFareedMC Dude, Stan Lee didn't stop created characters to his death

[@miloshojman5473]

Co-creator*

[@goodbyecruelworld5930]

Nobody can pronounce Spiderman like Stan Lee. He really gives you that feeling of the birth of his comics

[@cyberpunkgirl7907]

Who is reading comicbooks all over again? it's a way of celebrating Marvel!

[@cosmicmcmoon5773]

Binging on Spider-Man, Hulk, and X-Men related stuff :)

[@constancesmall286]

Oh

[@copper-dragons]

R.I.P Stan Lee miss you. You are the bigger hero than all of your wonderful creations

[@lunarpunk6530]

Stan Lee is one of the nicest guys I can imagine. Rest in peace, the world loved you.

[@Nothing-ek2mu]

there strongest there is stan the 💪 man lee, R.I.P stan you the best i grew up only knew your creation

[@finalsmash9607]

Hi whats the name of your profile pic ? Looks like robin

[@yavuzsultanselim1551]

Stan Lee always at we heart

[@elektracatbro3011]

Rest In Peace Stan Lee Thank you for making my hero’s

[@shazrulgg8890]

Stan lee is a hero grandpa😔 R.I.P STAN LEE WE WILL LOVE YOU ALWAYS❤️😭

[@tristanschneider2909]

Thank you Stan for creating one of my favorite superheroes

[@superspeedbros]

Which one is your favorite?

[@tristanschneider2909]

Hulk was always my favorite

[@superspeedbros]

Oh, cool. He’s also one of my favorites, along with Spider-Man. And She-Hulk, she’s pretty sick too.

[@tristanschneider2909]

Nice I also like daredevil

[@strahinjasremac6202]

For me, Spider-Man & Daredevil 🔥

[@mr.nobody7914]

Fun fact: Spiderman is the most successful superhero..in 21 century there are 8 movie's on spiderman 🔥🔥🔥and you know what I'm talking about ❤️❤️

[@topshelfbullys7889]

Idk Batman as just as much

[@milliondollarmistake]

what, of course I know what you're talking about

[@rpmguy648]

Well Venom is a spin off of Spider-Man because he was introduced as a Spider-man character. Batman doesn't have any spin off movie. Edit: he does I forgot about Joker.

[@blakea.wittenberg5685]

@@rpmguy648 yes he does lmao, Joker

[@rpmguy648]

@@blakea.wittenberg5685 Oh right I forgot about that.

[@Jinrohk19]

Rest in peace Stan "the man" lee thank you for making our childhood awesome by your creations. Excelsior.

[@ameerrafati3587]

R.I.P Stan Lee! I know u are in heaven now... Thanks to u, we have Spider-Man, Hulk, X-Men, Fantastic Four, DD, Thor and a lot of others!! I am almost 15 now and since I was 7 yrs old, Spider-Man was my hero! Rest in peace, u are a legend!

[@iamgroot8600]

I guess that Stan was a really great grandfather.

[@chocolatephone7840]

I love Daredevil, ots amazing to see the mindset of the creators of the characters you like, Daredevil definitely would come up as a crazy concept but thats why is so amazing since you can have something really interesting out of it

[@jonfinlay3451]

This man is the heart of the mcu

[@donalddagod1861]

Stan Lee was the grandfather we always wanted

[@jordanschruder3251]

Rip Stan lee

[@StrangeCollections]

miss this legend everyday. I could watch interviews of him all day long and never be bored

[@Loganb0930]

Stan lee was the best man and I hope his Legacy goes on for ever

[@ackhapunom7380]

He is a real gem

[@IShowSlow0]

No one will ever replace you Stan lee

[@lewismurphy1562]

One of the most iconic characters in history wouldn't be known to the people if Stan Lee's printer had troubleshooting enabled.

[@josefranciscoalfarocruz3883]

Stan Lee, you will continue being for many generations to come the greatest superhero for all the kids in the world. We can´t thank you enough for giving us a childhood filled with amazing memories like the Amazing Spiderman you created so naturally and realistically.

[@ZirahPastel]

Hulk doesn't really have that much attention in the MCU,, I wish he gets much more screen time in phase 4 so I can be happy. He definitely deserves it because he's my favorite superhero besides Spider-Man.

[@Stickmon_]

hulk isn't a thing anymore in the mcu tho, it's now proffesor hulk, which may sound similar but he's actually self conscious

[@ZirahPastel]

@@Stickmon_ just a bit of spoiler from Shang chi How about the Shang chi bruce banner cameo? Hes back to normal now,, it might mean savage hulk will be back.

[@matthewmoore4778]

While I did like thor ragnorock I wished they didn't change the planet hulk storyline. But maybe they can do a solo hulk movie about his time on sakar

[@ZirahPastel]

@@matthewmoore4778 I wish

[@matthewmoore4778]

@@ZirahPastel theres always hope! If not a movie they might make it a disney+ series. Until then theres always the animated planet hulk

[@johnrockyryan]

Thank you Stan and Steve for creating one of my favourite characters in fiction but also more than that Peter Parker/ Spider-Man is a symbol of fighting for what is right in a world filled with so many wrongs thats why he stands with Superman and Batman as one of the greatest superheroes ever created. RIP Lee and Ditko

[@JSJ796]

Rest in peace the king of MARVEL.😔🙏

[@pachi_the_hotelier]

RIP STAN LEE

[@Nichtbinjkjjjjjj]

Stan lee will be the greatest superhero of all time

[@timunderwood7465]

Stan lee will always be a legend of all time

[@gianroca1662]

Anyone else just binge watching these

[@antoniobronson695]

Me

[@ArtistCreationsPicturesInc]

Rest In Peace, Stan Lee! I will see again in heaven. You are my hero. Without you, I have no inspirations.

[@wingman-1977]

I love that picture of Spider-man and Stan Lee staring at each other.

[@bradcuzidk8306]

Ditko and Lee: the unstoppable comic duo

[@ramtruth3]

Bless Stan Lee. Impacted so… many.

[@ColonelFredPuntridge]

My favorite of all the lines in any Spider-Man comic comes from issue 43. A super villain called the Rhino is tearing up the city, knocking buildings down and overturning cars, while a crowd of spectators watch helplessly. (The Rhino is an extraordinarily strong, destructive bad-guy whose tough hide makes him invulnerable to gunshots and pretty much any blow, kick, or injury.) One of the spectators says to another: “if I were in charge, I’d toss an a-bomb at him from that roof!” And the other spectator replies: “Could be that’s why you’re not in charge!”

[@jasongoldman3850]

In hindsight I kind of wish I had met Stan Lee when he was still around. Mr. Lee could have given me pointers on creating comics and about how to break into the comics industry.

[@panowa8319]

Stan came up with the name "Hulk" by accident. While racking his brains out to coming up with the name, he thought to himself, "What am I going to call this hulking character?"

[@michaelrandall8962]

Stan Lee is awesome creator of all time.

[@AlexTheeGreat1]

I could listen to this guy talk all day

[@jayantrajotya4020]

This makes me realize how much MCU owes Hulk as a character

[@Whaddif_]

his smile is just so full of glee, you can feel his passion for all this ❤️R.I.P. Stan Lee

[@gabethebabe3337]

Stan was groovy

[@zandergroom9874]

Stan Lee is the reason I make the school superhero comics

[@JOHNN01.82]

Amazing imagination such a creative mind

[@R.T.12]

Listening to how he effortlessly came up with these power house hero’s is epic.. FUCKING LEGEND! Long live Lee!

[@usernameunknown69]

Thanks for creating Spiderman Mr. Lee, love ya forever

[@ryanlott6720]

RIP a legend

[@michaelmuirhead1734]

Stan Lee Was the best Teacher ever

[@tylertilwick6852]

To think, without that fly Stan Lee saw crawling on the wall, we would never have gotten Bully Maguire!

[@dson978]

0:23 thought I had another tab open for a second. 😂😂

[@AmyASpaceOdyssey]

0:13-0:30 More people who write Hulk stories should listen to this. The Hulk should be overall good at heart despite his recklessness and temper.

[@thegodzillacollector6226]

I swear daredevil is so awesome

[@theredmagician5591]

I wish I could show him my comics I wonder what he would think of them.

[@aaandrewflores]

I’d bet he’d love them and tell you “To keep going and one day they might be BIG one day”

[@theredmagician5591]

@@aaandrewflores I would like to think that. thanks I needed that

[@alphaduck2926]

Could you show me your comics?

[@theredmagician5591]

@@alphaduck2926 I'd love to im still working on them when im done with my main story I can show you. If you don't mind.

[@deboneilbhattacharjee]

@@theredmagician5591 please show me too when you're done doing them! I'm excited 😁🐱

[@Danny-nm9sn]

Love hearing Stan share his memories. You can tell by the tone of the girl's laugh and the twinkle in his eye that she must be cute

[@rowenabelarmino1902]

Thats why i love you stan lee

[@MinisculePP]

If that fly wasn't in his office, we wouldn't have one of the greatest marvel characters to ever exist.

[@Jack-mm2be]

RIP stan lee. it wasnt until i read the news that he died that he was the guy who made spiderman. i remember his voice from all the old spiderman games and seeing him in one of the spiderman movies. cant believe i never realized after all these years !

[@panofrua951]

My favorite avenger is the hulk…thank you Stan lee for creating a cool chaotic character and marvels. Rest in paradise

[@donaldmcauliffe7653]

Thank you stan lee

[@mikeaction6803]

Huh, I never thought about Daredevil’s powers making him a better gymnast but it makes perfect…sense.

[@isrj01]

From all these Marvel characters Spiderman, Iron man, The Thing and Captain America are my favorite heroes

[@russs3001]

Seemed like such a regular guy, very personable, and well spoken.

[@brigittegeorg]

I love this guy, didn't know he invented these characters, wonderful person.

[@beau9956]

Still as charming as ever!

[@rakshithhs6672]

He is a legend..

[@zainisbetter]

This man is my idol But he also died on my bday 🙁

[@Ryu_Hayabusa45]

Thank you for the Hulk !!! ❤️

[@theresaclark9848]

Stan Lee's name in comics and art in general is infamous for so many reasons.

[@NullVoidGod]

Rip Stan Lee 😭❤️🕷🕸

[@albertomontano1225]

This man's imagination was one in a billion.

[@bigbsbrickreveiw3264]

I could talk to Stan the man for hours and hours I love marvel

[@scantopup2226]

legends never die

[@stackywarbucks]

I Thank Stan Lee So Much For His Vision To Give Us All This Great Stuff........

[@Retro3]

And now the MCU Hulk isn’t a monster, it’s just a green dude

[@primalvelocity3811]

Unfortunately.

[@balamo9994]

I remember when my dad told me Stan Lee died all I could hear in my head was excelsior and I was so sad cause he practically made half of my childhood

[@amarnimbalkar1182]

r.i.p stan lee you were the best superhero creator that have I ever see 🥺

[@anujkushwaha6225]

You will always be remembered sir

[@The_Protectors_Universe]

Stan Lee inspired me to make characters of my own may he Rest In Peace 😞

[@jamesjohnson8544]

Spiderman and Hulk were definitely the biggest characters he created

[@Platinum199]

I recon iron man is bigger then hulk

[@arthuroliveirasouza4714]

@@Platinum199 In first comics, the hulk it´s much better concept and character than iron man. Go read comics dude. And yes, i read the classics.

[@AliFareedMC]

stole

[@jamesjohnson8544]

@@AliFareedMC they weren’t mate what are you talking about ?

[@craigwhite1013]

The man put everything you could think of to pen and paper thank u for all the fun TMC

[@aqilaalyousef9498]

we all miss you

[@crjelias]

Thanks stan for creating my favorite superhero😁😁💚💪🏼

[@michaelrandall8609]

Stan lee changed America with his phenomenal creation Spidey fantastic four x men even solarman and the artist was Oliphant.

[@TheLegoPlayer]

Before 100k views gang here. Btw, Stan Lee was a great man. Sad that he died.

[@AliFareedMC]

he wasn't

[@Szoulmusic]

Everyone loves spiderman

[@julioortega5986]

The best super powers of all out there is you imagination creating such a fantastic world for people like me that loves your super heroes

[@katnipking8878]

The fly that created the spider..

[@I-speak-U-shut-it]

I wonder how it would've went if he just made Peter Parker Flyman instead of Spider-man lol

[@ManishMishra-ke5dl]

Rest in peace STAN LEE the comic book creater.

[@isaiahhall4594]

Spider man is one of the most Unique Super heros but Stan after him I you

[@skits2240]

You were a inspiration Stan Lee the artist of today are inspired by your work.

[@rickmeade9693]

what a genius mr stan lee was a child at heart wouldn't we like to have his child like mind to god bless god loves his heart

[@nalathegamingdoggo8117]

I'm miss stan lee