While Stan Lee is often hailed as the father of modern Marvel stories, his cameo inThe Fantastic Four: First Stepsfinally corrects a repeated issue with the Marvel Comics' live-action adaptations. The tradition of including cameos, tributes, and homages to Stan Lee in Marvel projects stretches back long before theMarvel Cinematic Universe (MCU)began in 2008.
However, as wonderful as theStan Lee cameosmay be - and as much as he is owed great respect - there was one major issue as a result of this repeated stress on Lee as an individual creator.
Stan Lee Shares An MCU Cameo With Jack Kirby In Fantastic Four: First Steps
Many viewers buy into the myth that Stan Lee was the singular mastermind behind Marvel, but in truth he relied heavily on his collaborators to bring ideas to life.Jack “the King” Kirby was one of the most prolific and inspired co-creators with Lee, helping to bring these stories to life.
Kirby has often been viewed as the artist who brought Marvel stories to life. In reality, he was far more, not least because of the so-called “Marvel method” in which Lee initially penned only a vague outline and trusted Kirby to create the images, with Lee then adding detailed text. As Lee himself observed in a 1968 interview withThe Comics Journal:
Some artists, of course, need a more detailed plot than others. Some artists, such as Jack Kirby, need no plot at all. I mean, I’ll just say to Jack, “Let’s let the next villain be Dr. Doom.” … or I may not even say that. He may tell me. And then he goes home and does it. He’s so good at plots, I’m sure he’s a thousand times better than I. He just about makes up the plots for these stories. All I do is a little editing … I may tell him that he’s gone too far in one direction or another. Of course, occasionally I’ll give him a plot, but we’re practically both the writers on the things.
Kirby’s contribution hasn’t always been given the respect it deserves, butThe Fantastic Four: First Steps' Lee cameoincludes a delightful nod to Kirby as well. The Silver Surfer flies through the streets of New York, withtwo men standing at the window looking out. These are clearly meant to be Lee and Kirby, sporting their signature looks.
The walls are decorated with comic book pages and sketches, with a logo for Timely Comics prominently displayed;this was the company that transitioned into Marvel in 1961, where both men worked. Even the setting is appropriate, because Lee and Kirby always claimed Marvel stories were set in “the world outside your window.”
The Fantastic Four: First Steps Finally Gives Jack Kirby The Credit He Deserves
The Fantastic Four: First Stepspays homage to Jack Kirby in a variety of ways. Even the universe’s designation, set inMarvel’s 828 universe, is a nod to Kirby’s birthday; August 28th. The film beautifully captures the magic and charm of Kirby’s original drawings which brought the Fantastic Four to life back in the 1960s.
The movie even includes a beautiful quote from Kirby himselfin the end-credits.
If you look at my characters, you will find me. No matter what kind of character you create or assume, a little of yourself must remain there.
At last, the MCU has given credit to Jack Kirby, a man whose influence on modern-day comic books cannot be overstated. It’s wonderful to seeThe Fantastic Four: First Stepscorrect this glaring oversight, and hopefully the MCU continues to credit the incredible talent behind these stories.
