15/09/2025
The idea that DC's moves "saved" Stan Lee and launched Marvel's golden era is a popular theory in comic book history, and it's rooted in the intense rivalry and influence between the two companies. While "saved Stan Lee" might be a bit of an exaggeration, the story does highlight a pivotal moment that led to a creative revolution at Marvel.
Here's the generally accepted version of how it happened:
1. The "Golden Age" and the decline of superheroes: The first "Golden Age" of comics, from the late 1930s to the mid-1950s, saw the birth of iconic heroes like Superman and Batman (from DC's predecessor companies) and Captain America and the Human Torch (from Marvel's predecessor, Timely Comics). However, by the late 1950s, the superhero genre was in a slump. The Comics Code Authority, a self-censorship body created in response to public criticism, had stifled much of the creativity and popularity of the medium. Many superhero titles were canceled, and comics publishers shifted their focus to other genres like horror, westerns, and romance.
2. DC's revival and the Justice League: In the late 1950s and early 1960s, DC Comics decided to try a new approach. Editor Julius Schwartz revived the Flash, giving him a sci-fi origin story, and the new version was a hit. Building on this success, DC's publisher asked Schwartz to create a superhero team. The result was the Justice League of America, which debuted in 1960 and was an immediate commercial success.
3. The turning point for Marvel and Stan Lee: The success of the Justice League caught the attention of Marvel's publisher, Martin Goodman. He told his head writer and editor, Stan Lee, that he wanted a superhero team to compete with the Justice League. At this point, Stan Lee was reportedly considering leaving the comic book industry altogether, as he was tired of writing the same old generic, bland stories. His wife, Joan, reportedly encouraged him to create a story he would actually enjoy, telling him he had nothing to lose.
4. The birth of the Marvel Age: Inspired by this newfound creative freedom and the challenge from DC, Stan Lee teamed up with artist Jack Kirby. Instead of a team of perfect, god-like heroes, they created the Fantastic Four. The Fantastic Four were a dysfunctional family, full of human flaws and insecurities, who argued and had personal problems. This grounded, "human-in-superhuman" approach was a stark contrast to DC's idealized heroes and resonated deeply with readers.
The success of the Fantastic Four launched what is now known as the "Silver Age" or "Marvel's Golden Era." Following the new formula, Lee, Kirby, and other artists like Steve Ditko went on to create a pantheon of iconic characters, including Spider-Man, the Hulk, Iron Man, the X-Men, and the Avengers, all of whom had personal flaws and relatable struggles.
In this way, DC's decision to create the Justice League directly prompted Marvel to create the Fantastic Four, a move that gave Stan Lee the creative push he needed and, in turn, completely revolutionized the comic book industry.