I’m working with Stan Lee on a biographical project and I think what it needs is a Q&A.
So here’s what I’m looking for: What question would you like to ask Stan Lee about his life? I’m not looking for anything with inherent negatives (no “Did you hate so-and-so?” style questions.) If your question is interesting enough, I’ll ask Stan, and include it in the book with his answer and attribute it to you.
So what do you want to know?
PAD
So forty years ago today, “Young Frankenstein” opened. And I find myself wondering how the Internet would react to it if it opened today.
And I came to the realization that the film would be crucified.
Why?
Because in the age of Bill Cosby rape allegations, and heated debates about “The Newsroom,” there would simply be no allowance for rape being treated as a joke.
Which “Young Frankenstein” does.
Madeline Kahn’s “Elizabeth” is carried off into the woods where the Monster is about to rape her. There is no question she doesn’t want to have sex, but the Monster doesn’t care. And she protests and protests…and then sees the size of his member. Suddenly it’s okay. Because even though she continues to protest as he penetrates, she doesn’t really mean it. Because when a woman is saying no, what she is really saying is that it’s fine if the guy is big enough.
What the hëll kind of message is that? The Internet would erupt with relentless fury, Brooks would be stunned by the reaction, and they’d probably have to edit it out for the home release.
Instead it’s a comedy classic.
Hah hah.
PAD
Caroline was born 12 years ago today.
As is the case with the births of all my daughters, I will always remember the circumstances of that day. Part of what I recall is the change in accommodations for fathers. When my other girls were born, I got to sit in a comfortable white plastic chair for hours on end. This time there was not only a couch for me, but when I tried to lie down on it, the nurse informed me it folded out into a bed. So THAT was great.
Kathleen was amazing. She started labor on the train home from work and didn’t even realize that it had started, assuming that it was Braxton-Hicks. We went to the hospital a little after midnight and she gave birth around 2:30 the following afternoon. For some reason, she became fixated on an article in the newspaper about the history of the latest tree that was put up in Rockefeller Center. She kept asking me to read her the article and I did so about twenty times.
I still remembering the nurse saying “Oh my God” shortly after Caroline was born, which alarmed Kathleen, until the nurse clarified that she was reacting to the size of Caroline’s feet, which were so large that they extended outside of the squares on the piece of paper for footprints. Caroline, as some of you longtime readers know, was named after Carol Kalish, the Marvel Direct Sales Manager who hired me as her assistant and launched my comics career.
She’s now 12 years old and has received her first report card from Middle School. She got all A’s. I couldn’t be prouder of both her and her mommy.
PAD
Anything you want to know about? Ask away.
PAD
It has now been widely reported that the wonderful Carol Ann Susi has passed away. Some of you may not recognize her name, but you certainly know her voice: She has portrayed Howard’s mother, Mrs. Wolowitz on “The Big Bang Theory.”
This tragedy leaves the series with two options: recast (simple enough) or kill her off.
I think they should take a third route: They should actually introduce the character on screen. That will so startle the audience that the fact that her voice will sound a bit different won’t even register. She won’t be shouting, after all. I dunno who the hëll you’d get to play an obese woman with a Brooklyn accent; it would be challenging.
PAD
I’ve been gone for almost two weeks. First to LA for business meetings and Comikaze and now in Mexico City for La Mole convention. It’s been great and all, but I sorely miss my family.
PAD
In case you haven’t heard–and I suspect that’s the case for many of you–I’m writing a six-issue PHANTOM limited series for Hermes Press. First issue ships this week.
I suspect many stores aren’t intending to carry it because it’s off the Marvel/DC trail, so I would strongly suggest that if you’re interested, PLEASE order it in advance.
For years fans have asked what my ideal series was and I always said “The Phantom vs. Tarzan.” That is essentially the story that I have written. Is Tarzan actually in it? Not exactly, but it’s still mostly the same tale that I’ve been planning for years, so for heaven’s sake, don’t “I’ll trade paperback it” this time around. It’s a small press and needs all the support that fans can provide. Plus Sal Velluto has done wonderful artwork on it.
So please pick it up.
PAD
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