Thu Aug 21, 2008 — by Rick Marshall

Behind the Scenes With "Stan's Soapbox"

Excelsior... through the years!

Just about a week ago, it was announced that the ol' "Stan's Soapbox" columns that ran in Marvel Comics from 1967 to 1980 will be collected in an upcoming paperback published by (and benefiting) The Hero Initiative, the very worthwhile organization that is also the "first-ever federally chartered not-for- profit corporation dedicated strictly to helping comic book creators in need."

In true form, Stan "The Man" had this to say about the collection:

"Wow! What a kick it is for me to see all my old Soapbox columns printed in one great volume!," said Stan Lee. "Reading them now is like taking a trip back through the history of Marvel in those great ol' days when the fans and I would rap about how our batty Bullpen was exploding with new heroes, new villains and more far-out, fun-filled, fantastic new ideas than you could shake a radioactive spider at! And, best of all, every Stan's Soapbox book sold means more money for the great Hero Initiative cause. No wonder I'm so proud of this book and the cause that it serves! Heck, I might even buy two copies!"

While the 144-page collection is scheduled for a November 2008 release and sporting a $14.99 price tag, as well as commentary from Marvel luminaries like Joe Quesada, Kevin Feige and Roy Thomas, there's one thing the collection won't include: the original typed copy straight from the desk of Marvel's Main Man himself. Lucky for us, former Marvel Comics Assistant Editor Scott Edelman recently posted a scan of one of those aforementioned drafts -- as well as some thoughts on how he ended up with them.

One of my duties as an Assistant Editor at Marvel Comics in the mid-'70s was to write all of the text for each Bullpen Bulletins page except for Stan's Soapbox. (Thanks for the opportunity to channel my childhood idol, Len!)

Which meant that Stan would hand me a yellow sheet of paper each month on which he had typed out his musings, complete with edits in the form of crossed-out clauses and handwritten additions. I'd hand both his text and mine (for the rest of the page) to a different Stan, Stanley Aaron, the typesetter who would make it all look pretty so it could then be pasted up for print.

Even without the drafts, the Stan's Soapbox collection looks like a great opportunity to get all sorts of nostalgic about comics days gone by. I've posted the full press release after the jump, with more information about the project. (Oh, and we're told that's not the final cover art.)

(via The Beat)

The wit and wisdom of the caliph of comics is on display for all to see in one mighty volume!

For the first time ever, ALL of Stan Lee's groundbreaking, legendary "Stan's Soapbox" columns from 1967 to 1980 are collected in one edition, published by The Hero Initiative. Stan's Soapbox: The Collection will be available in both comic stores and bookstores everywhere in November, 2008.

The Soapbox columns will even be presented in a historical context, so you can immerse yourself in the flavor of the day, and get a sense what was happening right outside Stan's window when he penned 'em. Some are poignant, some informative, some touching, and some funny. But they're all memorable! In addition, a bountiful bevy of celebs also write about their most memorable columns, including:

• Marvel Editor in Chief Joe Quesada

• Marvel Studios President of Production Kevin Feige

• Former Marvel Editor in Chief and comics historian Roy Thomas

• And a vast variety of great names from the fields of comics, literature, politics and academia

"Wow! What a kick it is for me to see all my old Soapbox columns printed in one great volume!," said Stan Lee. "Reading them now is like taking a trip back through the history of Marvel in those great ol' days when the fans and I would rap about how our batty Bullpen was exploding with new heroes, new villains and more far-out, fun-filled, fantastic new ideas than you could shake a radioactive spider at! And, best of all, every Stan's Soapbox book sold means more money for the great Hero Initiative cause. No wonder I'm so proud of this book and the cause that it serves! Heck, I might even buy two copies!"

Coming in at an amazing 144 pages, this full color trade paperback will retail for $14.99.

The Hero Initiative is the first-ever federally chartered not-for- profit corporation dedicated strictly to helping comic book creators in need. Hero creates a financial safety net for yesterdays' creators who may need emergency medical aid, financial support for essentials of life, and an avenue back into paying work. It's a chance for all of us to give back something to the people who have given us so much enjoyment. For more information, call 310-909-7809 or visit www.HeroInitiative.org

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