10 Stan Lee Facts For His True Believers
2. His Moustache Has Its Own Origin Story
Stan Lee is instantly recognizable due to his shaded glasses and trademark moustache. Like the superheroes he created, Stan’s moustache has its own complex backstory.
You see, Stan formed Marvel Comics with Jack Kirby. Jack drew the panels while Stan wrote in the dialogue and sound-effects. Although they created many wonderful characters and stories, Kirby had a falling out with Stan, forcing him to leave Marvel. It is unclear why but it is probably to do with the fact that Jack received no royalties from the characters that he created.
After Jack left Marvel, he worked for DC Comics and created the New Gods, which he saw as his proudest achievement. He was also thrilled working with DC since he was paid royalties for his characters.
To spite his former collaborator, Jack created a satirical version of Stan Lee in the 1972 comic, Mister Miracle. This character, which was called Funky Flashman, attempts to cash in the talents of the escape artist, Mister Miracle. The character has shaded sunglasses and a full beard like Stan did at the time. To disassociate from the character, Stan shaved his beard so he only had a moustache. He maintained this look until his dying day.
It’s also worth mentioning that Funky Flashman still appears in DC Comics nearly 50 years later.