Stan Lee Receives the First New York Comics Legends Award!
The New York Comic Con kicked off in high style tonight, with a special VIP party held in honor of Stan Lee--at which the co-creator of Spider-Man, the X-Men, the Hulk and countless other classic characters received the first New York Comics Legends Award, honoring New York creators (though Lee calls California home these days, he's a native New Yorker). The party was held at the Virgin Megastore in Times Square, and co-sponsored by Virgin and the convention itself. It was attended by such mainstream comics luminaries as writer Grant Morrison (All-Star Superman, Doom Patrol) and writer Peter David (The Incredible Hulk, Star Trek)--who introduced Lee with a personal story of how The Man wrote David a letter of recommendation years ago, for a court hearing held when he was waging a child custody battle during his divorce. (The judge was apparently flabbergasted.) Artist and current Marvel chief Joe Quesada followed David, and said a few words highlighting the less successful characters in Lee's ouvre (anyone remember The Porcupine? The Enfant Terrible?) Lee then took the stage to say thanks to the assortment of fans and professionals gathered, and of course to pitch his new book of political humor, Election Daze. (Hey, he is Stan Lee, right?) Partygoers were then treated to an assortment of food (the open-faced mini-cheesburgers and the liquid cheesecake balls were okay, but the smores squirters owned the night) served by Spider-Man-motifed lads and lasses, and treated to a variety of cocktails in spider-ring-bedecked glasses. (Check all this out in our gallery of images from Comic Con's first day.) Goody bags stuffed with Virgin comics and memorabilia were also given to all attendees. Though, truth be told, the $350 ticket price tag was pretty steep--and was in no way justified by a Virgin T-shirt, a graphic novel penned by Guy Ritchie, and some Dan Dare iPod skins. To be honest, we felt a bit guilty picking up this stuff, since we had free admission with our press pass. Still, all's fair in love and comics. Or as Lee would say, "Excelsior!"
