Stan Lee Honored at Savannah Film Festival
By Philip Schweier
October 31, 2012 - 09:30
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Comic
Book legend Stan Lee was honored at the Savannah Film Festival with a Lifetime
Achievement Award Tuesday evening. Echoing his cameo from Captain America:
The First Avenger, Lee quipped, “I thought it would be bigger.”
The award was presented by Savannah College of Art and Design President Paula
Wallace, who said, “Tonight we honor an artist who has become as iconic as the
characters he has created.”
She cited Lee’s motto, “Excelsior,” a Latin word meaning “ever upward,” as a
reminder “to strive ever upward.”
The ceremony included a series of clips from films based on Marvel
characters, many of which were created by Stan Lee in collaboration with
artists such as Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko. Wednesday morning, the Savannah
Film Festival hosted a screening of last summer’s The Amazing Spider-Man.
As with many of the movies based on Marvel Comics characters, Lee is featured
in a cameo role.
Stan Lee as the Fantastic Four's hapless mailman, Willie Lumpkin
After many humorous remarks touching on his celebrity status, Lee said he was
touched by the honor and appreciated the hospitality of Savannah. “It’s a
beautiful city. Everyone I’ve met seems to be interested in literature, art and
all things creative.”
Lee, who will turn 90 years old in December, had a pacemaker installed
last month, prompting a number of personal appearances to be cancelled. Lee’s
agent initially referred to the cancellations due to “serious
circumstances," but the former Marvel publisher shows no signs of
slowing down.
Though he was scheduled to leave Wednesday morning, Lee took time to tour the
Savannah College of Art & Design, which offers a four-year degree in
sequential art.
In closing, Lee offered his traditional “Excelsior!” drawing cheers from the
audience.
Praise and adulation? Scorn and ridicule? E-mail me at Philip@ComicBookBin.com