8 Times Good Comic Book Creators Went Bad!

1. Stan Lee - DC Universe

Stan Lee Batman
DC Comics

If comics had an equivalent to The Beatles - a band of geniuses who changed the world of popular music in the 1960 and '70s - then it would be the founding fathers of Marvel Comics, Stan Lee, Steve Ditko and Jack Kirby.

Between them, this trio created the X-Men, Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, the Avengers, Doctor Strange and an endless list of supporting characters, villains and worlds.

Eventually, both Kirby and Ditko would leave Marvel and create characters for their "distinguished competitor", including the New Gods and the Question. Lee, on the other hand, would remain where he was and become the company's public face - despite constant claims that he had merely ridden the coattails of more talented men.

In the early 2000s, the impossible would happen: Stan Lee would join DC Comics.

That move was akin to one of The Beatles playing on a Rolling Stones record. The idea was that Lee, along with an all-star group of artists, would reimagine the DC Universe and give readers Lee's take on Batman, Wonder Woman and Superman.

However, instead of getting John, Paul or George, DC Comics and the fans got Ringo Starr and the books were dated, silly and, the most unforgivable crime of all, boring.

Alternative Recommendations: Fantastic Four

Contributor
Contributor

Kevin McHugh is a code-monkey by day and a purveyor of the unpleasant by night. Having had several comics published by Future Quake Press he is now moving into prose. An avid fan of punk rock, cheap horror movies and even cheaper fast-food Kevin can be found pontificating either on Twitter or over at WhatCulture Comics where he is a regular contributor. He lives in Edinburgh with his wife and two daughters.