Stan Lee is famous across artists and comic book writers alike and is considered to be the face behind Marvel along with all of its works. So, naturally it is greatly disheartening to hear that the beloved author, artists, writer and more, was mistreated behind the scenes of it all with him supposedly being a victim to elderly abuse. This type of abuse is defined as: when a person knows the victim is elderly, then knowingly causes or makes it to where that elder suffers, or delivers inexcusable physical pain or mental suffering on the elder.
Recently, Jon Bolerjack, who was a close assistant to Stan Lee, has announced an upcoming documentary named, Stan Lee: The Final Chapter, which will talk about and show all the footage Bolerjack has filmed and collected over the years of the unfair treatment that Lee received. However, the public and fans of Marvel are starting to express their conflicted feelings about the situation as a whole.
Although Jon Bolerjack seems to want justice for Lee after his mistreatment, in order for him to release all the information that contains the footage, he has started a Kickstarter campaign (which is a platform that creators use to make projects and ask for money in exchange to fund them so they can continue the projects) that aims to reach 300,000 to complete the unfinished project. The Kickstarter additionally offers more rewards for people who fund them significantly more, such as giving tours of where Stan Lee was exploited, more information about the issue, collectibles, and more.
This has already seemed to rub people the wrong way.
Especially considering the fact that Bolerjack has had this information for years, and barely wishes to release it now, after Lee’s death. Some people are already beginning to suspect that this in itself is another form of exploiting Stan Lee.
Saying that, if Bolerjack truly wants justice for Stan Lee, he shouldn’t be asking for any form of money, and also mention that needing to pay for the truth just shows greed, and a lack of empathy or sense of moral code.
Pitman High School freshman, Alba Valencia-Mendoza, who is a big Marvel fan has also expressed her conflicted feelings about the issue in general during an interview regarding the drama, saying that it really is disturbing to hear all of this, especially coming from such a famous and popular platform such as Marvel.
In response, Bolerjack attempts to reason with the negative remarks. Stating that he plans on using the money from the Kickstarter for the upcoming documentary and all it would need—which would include, equipment rentals, editing, visual effects, legal fees, a crew, wardrobe necessities, music composition, and more.
Nonetheless, people are still not pleased with the idea in general. Additionally, the fact that Jon Bolerjack stated that he will not be releasing the footage unless the Kickstarter meets the $300,000 goal, has not helped the already negative feedback.