I think you get [superheroes] in too many forms now… You get them in the movies, there are graphic novels being published, there are digital comics you can see. It used to be that if you wanted a superhero story you had to buy a Marvel or a DC or whatever. Now you don’t. Now you can turn on your computer and read on your computer screen or go to a movie and see one or rent one on Netflix or so on. So all of these things are biting into the sales of comic books themselves. It’s natural.
I think there will always be comics. They may never be as big as they once were, but it’s that way with everything. Look at newspapers. People now more and more are getting news on their iPads … the digital revolution is affecting all of civilization, it’s affecting every part of culture and the economy, so I’m not surprised. I didn’t know they were selling less because I don’t keep up with that, but if they are, I’m not surprised.
That’s Stan Lee, talking about the pop cultural ubiquitousness of superheroes, and how that is hurting comic sales. I’m not sure I agree with him – In fact, I’m pretty sure that I don’t – but there’s something both ironic and depressing about the idea that comics’ largest cultural export is the very thing that ended up hurting comics the most…
July 12th, 2012 at 11:13 am
He has a point, though. Nothing is as popular as it was, with the possible exception of pro football. The most popular film can’t compete with Gone with the Wind in terms of ticket sales. Most “hit” shows would have been flops 30 years ago. The vast diversification of all media changes the game for all.
July 12th, 2012 at 12:00 pm
“I didn’t know they were selling less because I don’t keep up with that…” What planet has he been living on?
July 12th, 2012 at 3:10 pm
He didn’t know… they were selling less. I think if someone told him the actual numbers, he’d die.
July 12th, 2012 at 4:29 pm
He probably didn’t know because he’s usually surrounded by comic fans, attends mostly comic conventions etc. Plus, he’s quite old and has other things on his mind like the state of his prostate.
July 12th, 2012 at 5:45 pm
I find it astonishing that any of your are surprised (or astonished) that Mr. Lee isn’t up to date with the current state of the comics marketplace. He’s 89, you guys. I’m impressed he’s familiar with the iPad.
July 13th, 2012 at 11:36 am
so “super-heroes” = comics?
so digital comics and graphic novels =/= comics?
it’s like he’s saying since people are getting their news digitally, there’s a whole lot less news.
I guess the translation is really “comics = marvel / DC monthly pamphlet-style”
on the other hand – for all he’s done which is plenty – stan really doesn’t matter any more except as sort of a figure-head, so it doesn’t matter what he says