I AM STAN

A transcending work for a man who transcends comics, I AM STAN, created by Eisner-nominated Tom Scioli, reveals the highs and lows of Stan Lee's life and career in comic form for the first time.

Scioli uses his classic illustration style to give readers a cinematic view of Stan Lee (known as Stanley Lieber in his youth) growing up, already escaping into stories. From starting in the publishing industry early as an obituary writer for famous people who were still alive to working as an assistant at Timely Comics, it was clear that comics were the medium for Stanley, creating stories under the pen name Stan Lee for Captain America.

From there, Stan Lee rose through the ranks, joined by Joe Simon, Jack Kirby, Steve Ditko, and John Buscema - other creatives who revolutionized the comics industry - culminating in the unique "Marvel Method": the artist is given a basic premise to expand on, with the writer (most often Stan Lee) writing the dialogue after the art is complete. This results in dynamic, action-packed sequences with heart-filled interactions.

Of course, turning a small comics publisher into a cultural juggernaut has its complications and covert dealings. Readers will see in full color the scandals surrounding ownership of classic characters such as Spider-Man, The Hulk, and the Silver Surfer, the many corporate buyouts, and the evolution of Marvel Comics to Marvel Entertainment impacting Stan Lee's personal and professional relationships. Well-researched and paired with an illustration style that looks and feels like an early Marvel comic, I AM STAN is perfect for fans who admire the legend and his golden touch on comics storytelling.

Tom Scioli is an Eisner-nominated writer and artist who specializes in comics and graphic novels. He's the author of the non-fiction graphic biography, JACK KIRBY: The Epic Life of the King of Comics, as well as several science-fiction and superhero originals like AMERICAN BARBARIAN, THE MYTH OF 8-OPUS, and GODLAND. He has also reinvented established series with FANTASTIC FOUR: Grand Design, SUPER POWERS, TRANSFORMERS VS G.I. JOE, and a cyberpunk reimagining of Go-Bots. He is known for his singular drawing style, kinetic page layouts, and imaginative writing and is one of a small number of auteur cartoonists who writes, draws, colors, and hand-letters his comics. He's also the host of the pop culture-centered Total Recall Show and a frequent contributor to the Cartoonist Kayfabe podcast.