Marvel Superheroes | 2022

A collection of limited edition art OF iconic comic book covers signed by Stan Lee

STAN LEE

MARVEL SUPERHEROES 2022

1922-2018

Often credited with transforming the industry forever, the late Stan Lee was an American comic book writer, editor, former President and Chairman Emeritus of Marvel Comics. Born Stanley Lieber in Manhattan, New York City, on 28th December 1922, he graduated from high school early and eventually became an assistant at Timely Comics – which would later evolve into Marvel Comics. Following a stint in the United States Army, Stan was tasked by publisher Martin Goodman in the late 1950s to create a superhero team to rival that of DC Comics. The first superheroes Stan and artist Jack Kirby created were the Fantastic Four. In collaboration with Jack and Steve Ditko, he went on to co-create Spider-Man, the Hulk, the X-Men, Iron Man, Thor, the Silver Surfer, the Avengers and many other fictional characters. From the tip of his pen and the keys of his trusted typewriter flowed not only larger-than-life superheroes, but an exploration of social issues such as bigotry, injustice and discrimination. As a result, Stan’s Marvel Revolution extended beyond the characters and storylines to engage with his audience and create a community between readers and creators.

His unconventional approach may have got him into hot water with the Comic Codes Authority, but in 1984 Stan was awarded the National Medal of Arts by the United States Congress – the highest honour awarded to an individual artist in the USA. Previous recipients include Georgia O’Keeffe, Willem de Kooning, Roy Lichtenstein and Bob Dylan. Known as much for his rapport with fans as his impact on the world of comic books, he remarked in an interview with the Radio Times: “It’s always great when people come up to me and mention how much they like the characters I’ve created. It’s always a great feeling to hear that.” Such was Stan’s legend that upon his passing at the age of 95 in Los Angeles, California, on 12th November 2018, millions of messages poured in from around the world. In part, no doubt, because Stan Lee was a guiding voice for generations who needed to hear that it was okay to be different. We will forever remember his immortally self-deprecating, and yet simultaneously self-aware, words: “I feel that if you’re able to entertain, you’re doing a good thing.”

Washington Green and Castle Fine Art proudly presents the final instalment from the Superheroes series; iconic comic book covers, created, orchestrated and masterminded by the legendary Stan Lee. Penned and inked by some of the greatest artists to emerge from the comic book industry, these six classic covers feature some of the most influential characters that have dominated our society over the many years of Stan Lee’s reign at Marvel. This seminal series of work, curated between 2012 and 2018, was the result of a collaboration between Marvel’s Chairman Emeritus, the late, great Stan Lee and Castle Fine Art’s publisher, Washington Green. For this swansong release, we bring you The Amazing Spider-Man, Captain America, The Avengers, The Fantastic Four and The Mighty Thor. Ironically, for a last instalment, it is comprised of many firsts. ‘Amazing Fantasy #15 – Introducing Spider- Man’ is one of the most collectable comic books within the Marvel universe, has sold for record prices and it one of the most widely read comics of all time. All for good reason - it is the first time that Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko collaborated to bring us the first ever appearance of Spider-Man. It was one of Stan Lee’s personal favourites, and remains of high importance to Marvel fans across the world today. Similarly, ‘Fantastic Four #49’ marked a new direction for Marvel in the sixties, when Stan Lee recognised

the need for an ensemble cast of characters, to bring together different personalities, strengths and weaknesses in one team against their enemies. Crucially, this also sparked a move towards Stan Lee expanding upon his superheroes’ alter egos; soon the narrative would bestow almost equal importance on their time away from doing battle with evil, and add to his established focus on keeping his characters relatable and relevant. Thus the Fantastic Four made their debut, and are now referred to by many comic book aficionados as Marvel’s ‘first family’. Marvel’s other acknowledged ensemble, The Avengers, was the means by which Stan Lee reintroduced Captain America into the Marvel universe – in ‘The Avengers #4’ – after a hiatus of nearly twenty years since his debut in the 1940s, made under their previous company name of Timely Comics. Captain America represented the American ideal and, as a character that Stan Lee worked on with Jack Kirby at a time when both men were in far less senior positions, it was of great significance to them both to breathe new life into his story arc. It also presented the opportunity for the duo to retell Captain America’s journey into the popular domain, satisfying the previously unconvinced comic fans by taking his character narrative back full circle to where it first began.

COMIC BOOKS AND COVER ART

Flying in the face of the universally accepted maxim that warns us not to “judge a book by its cover” the cover of a comic is considered the most significant artwork within the book. A cover, much like a comic strip itself, tells a story, and sets the scene of imminent action and adventure. Like a movie director, the artist manipulates the viewer’s experience via his or her own vision and interpretation. The cover of a comic is considered the most significant artwork within the book. It is both a statement and an advertisement that will make the reader pick the comic up and buy it. Well executed, it can entirely transform the viewer’s understanding of a character and plot. The artist's use of composition, lighting and colour can help focus a reader’s attention on the important features on the cover.

However, as any Marvel aficionado will know, cover art can be as much a tool of misdirection as a glimpse into the ensuing narrative within. Whether the cover seemingly shows one or more of our heroes on the brink of death, or indeed the comic world as we know it coming to an apocalyptic end, the chances are that the inner pages will right the wrongs shown on the cover, and good will once again triumph over evil. Therein lies the delicacy of touch needed by the revered Marvel cover artists; the balance of messaging for the reader must be enticing yet elusive, with just enough of the plot played out on the cover to be not just a head-turner, but a page-turner also; new mythology for the twenty-first century.

Amazing Fantasy #15 - Introducing Spider-Man Boxed Canvas | Image Size 40" x 27½" | Edition of 195 | Framed £1,795 Giclée on paper | Image Size 24" x 16½" | Edition of 295 | Framed £1,250 Framed boxed canvas presentation style shown here

Captain America # 109 - The Origin of Captain America! Boxed Canvas | Image Size 40" x 27½" | Edition of 195 | Framed £1,795 Giclée on paper | Image Size 24" x 16½" | Edition of 295 | Framed £1,250 Framed boxed canvas presentation style shown here

Fantastic Four #49 - If This Be Doomsday! Boxed Canvas | Image Size 40" x 27½" | Edition of 195 | Framed £1,795 Giclée on paper | Image Size 24" x 16½" | Edition of 295 | Framed £1,250 Framed boxed canvas presentation style shown here

The Amazing Spider-Man #6 - King Size Special! Boxed Canvas | Image Size 40" x 27½" | Edition of 195 | Framed £1,795 Giclée on paper | Image Size 24" x 16½" | Edition of 295 | Framed £1,250 Framed boxed canvas presentation style shown here

The Avengers #4 - Captain America Lives Again! Boxed Canvas | Image Size 40" x 27½" | Edition of 195 | Framed £1,795 Giclée on paper | Image Size 24" x 16½" | Edition of 295 | Framed £1,250 Framed boxed canvas presentation style shown here

The Mighty Thor #154 Boxed Canvas | Image Size 40" x 27½" | Edition of 195 | Framed £1,795 Giclée on paper | Image Size 24" x 16½" | Edition of 295 | Framed £1,250 Framed boxed canvas presentation style shown here

Marvel Superheroes Set of 6 Boxed Canvas Edition | Image Size 40" x 27½" Framed £9,750 Giclée on Paper Edition | Image Size 24" x 16½" Unframed £4,950 | Framed £6,750

SUPERHEROES

The images contained within this literature are an artistic representation of the collection. To best experience our art, we recommend you contact your local gallery to arrange a viewing. © Washington Green 2022. The content of this brochure is subject to copyright and no part can be reproduced without prior permission. washingtongreen.co.uk