Can you imagine some of the biggest comicbook movies of today without computer generated visual effects? We can point to The Amazing Spider-Man (1978) series starring Nicholas Hammond, the 1990 Captain America movie starring Matt Salinger, or even Lou Ferrigno in the classic Incredible Hulk (1978) TV show for some prime examples.
These shows and films employed the most creative special effects of their time to bring these beloved comicbook characters to life on the big and small screens. They made ole’ webhead look as if he was climbing up a wall. They transformed puny Doc Banner into the towering green goliath of the Hulk. They returned Captain America’s red, white, and blue shield to his hand after he lobbed it at a villain.
When you compare these past, more simple feats to the modern visual effects of Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017), where Peter Parker dangles on the side of an invisible jet, or Avengers: Infinity War (2018) where Thanos throws an entire moon at Iron Man, you can see that special effects have come a long way in the years since.
Some would credit the current boom in superhero movies to the modern technological advancement of visual effects. Stan would often say that the technology has finally caught up to the storytelling. To go even further, others might acknowledge the imaginations of Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, Steve Ditko, and countless others for dreaming up such fantastical worlds and characters as almost a challenge to visual effects inventors and artists to bring these ideas to life.
It is in this spirit that we are proud to relay that the Visual Effects Society (VES) has announced that it will be posthumously inducting Stan Lee into the Visual Effects Society Hall of Fame along with other entertainment giants Walt Disney and Stanley Kubrick.
“Our VES honorees represent a group of exceptional artists, innovators and professionals who have had a profound impact on the field of visual effects,” VES Board Chair Mike Chambers said. “We are proud to recognize those who helped shape our shared legacy and continue to inspire future generations of VFX practitioners.”
Stan was no stranger to the VES. He was honored at the 10th Annual VES Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel when he received a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012.
At the time Stan said, “As a writer there is nothing more rewarding than to see your creations brought to life on the screen and I am indebted to all of the incredibly talented artists who have contributed to my projects. Visual effects have played a pivotal role in the ongoing success of Marvel’s characters and allowed fans to experience their stories in an entirely new way. It is truly a great honor to receive this award from the Visual Effects Society.”
Stan was always awed and fascinated by visual effects and how they brought scenes he only thought possible in four-color comicbook panels to live-action blockbuster movies. We can’t think of a higher honor for Stan The Man. EXCELSIOR!