"Some people will say, "Why read a comic book? It stifles the imagination. If you read a novel you imagine what people are like. If you read a comic, it's showing you." The only answer I can give is, "You can read a Shakespeare play, but does that mean you wouldn't want to see it on the stage?"

13 likes

Source: Stan Lee Delves Into the Past of Iron Man. Interview with Brian Gallagher, www.movieweb.com. September 30, 2008.

About the author

Stan Lee

Comic Book Writer, Editor

Stan Lee was a comic book writer and editor, co-creating iconic characters like Spider-Man and the X-Men, revolutionizing the superhero genre.

All quotes by Stan Lee →

Same author

More quotes by Stan Lee

See all →
Stan Lee Comic Book Writer, Editor

"I used to be embarrassed because I was just a comic-book writer while other people were building bridges or going on to medical careers. And then I began to realize: entertainment is one of the most important things in people's lives. Without it they might go off the deep end. I feel that if you're able to entertain people, you're doing a good thing."

Read quote
Stan Lee Comic Book Writer, Editor

"When you work with people whom you like and you admire because they're so good at what they do, it doesn't feel like work. It's like you're playing."

Read quote
Stan Lee Comic Book Writer, Editor

"I'm a frustrated actor. My ... goal is to beat Alfred Hitchcock in the number of cameos. I'm going to try to break his record."

Read quote
Stan Lee Comic Book Writer, Editor

"I'm no prophet, but I'm guessing that comic books will always be strong. I don't think anything can really beat the pure fun and pleasure of holding a magazine in your hand, reading the story on paper, being able to roll it up and put it in your pocket, reread again later, show it to a friend, carry it with you, toss it on a shelf, collect them, have a lot of magazines lined up and read them again as a series. I think young people have always loved that. I think they always will."

Read quote