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A new documentary, Stan Lee: The Final Chapter, will try to shed light on the alleged exploitation and abuse Marvel Comics legend Stan Lee endured in his final years. Directed by Jon Bolerjack, who was previously an assistant to Lee, the documentary is based on extensive footage taken over the final four years of Lee’s life. Bolerjack’s close relationship with Lee allowed him to capture the nuances and struggles the legendary creator went through as he deteriorated in health.
Stan Lee, who was famous for co-creating such superheroes as Spider-Man, the X-Men, and the Fantastic Four, died in 2018 at the age of 95. Although he was quite old and suffering from various health problems, Lee kept appearing publicly and attending autograph signings. The documentary accuses these activities of being arranged by people who wanted to make money, usually sacrificing Lee’s health.
Bolerjack has started a Kickstarter to raise funds to complete the documentary and is aiming for $300,000. The campaign offers a variety of rewards to the supporters, including tours of the locations for the film. This has created controversy, with critics complaining that it is counter to the message of the film about exploitation. Bolerjack has replied that the rewards are not intended to be exploitative but are in place to provide value to the supporters.
The documentary also explores previous claims of elder abuse on Lee’s ex-business associates. Lee filed a restraining order against his ex-business manager, Keya Morgan, who was arrested in 2018 on suspicion of elder abuse offenses. Bolerjack’s documentary tries to provide a comprehensive look into such occurrences, with interviews carried out with key figures in the comic book industry, including Mark Waid, Rob Liefeld, and Roy Thomas.
Bolerjack claims the documentary is a means of honoring Lee’s legacy by revealing what Lee’s final years were like and a cautionary note on the perils of exploitation in show business. He knows the risk he takes to make this tale public but is determined to ensure Lee’s story is made public.
Stan Lee: The Final Chapter, as planned, will be released by the end of the year, providing the public and the fans with a heartbreaking look into the struggles of one of the most legendary figures in comic book history.
