Marvel Comics burst onto the scene in the early 1960s, quickly becoming the cool, countercultural home of superheroes. Central to this meteoric rise was its flamboyant writer and editor-in-chief, Stan Lee—long celebrated as the genius behind Marvel’s most iconic characters. But how much of Marvel’s success can truly be credited to Lee, and how much to the artists and writers whose contributions were overshadowed?
In this engaging lecture, Dr. Keegan Lannon will delve into the thorny issue of authorship at Marvel, unpacking the complex collaborations, controversies, and behind-the-scenes tensions that shaped the Marvel Universe. Drawing on his expertise in comics, rhetoric, and writing, Dr. Lannon will offer a fresh perspective on who really created Marvel’s legends—and why it matters.
Dr. Lannon is a lecturer at the University of Illinois Chicago, specializing in comics studies, and is also one of our Resident Speakers at Lectures on Tap.
Get a drink, connect, and learn at Lectures on Tap! 🙌
The Den Theatre and comedy club is pleased to host Lectures on Tap - "The Origin of Marvel Comics: Creators and Controversies" on November 30, 2026 at 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago’s Wicker Park neighborhood.
Tickets are currently available at thedentheatre.com or by calling (773) 697-3830.
