Stan Lee: The Creator of Spiderman, X-Men and More

Marvel Icon’s Military Service and the Untold Struggles of His Final Years

March 13, 2025: Marvel Comics legend Stan Lee is widely celebrated for creating Spider-Man, the X-Men, the Avengers, and the Fantastic Four, but few know about his service during World War II. The upcoming documentary, Stan Lee: The Final Chapter, directed by Jon Bolerjack, sheds light on his military years and the tragic final phase of his life, where he endured exploitation, manipulation, and mistreatment.

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🪖 Stan Lee’s Military Service: The ‘Playwright’ Soldier

📌 After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Stan Lee enlisted in the US Army (1942-1945) and was initially assigned to the Signal Corps, where he worked on repairing telegraph wires and communications.

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📌 Recognizing his exceptional writing skills, the Army transferred him to the Training Film Division, where he was given the unique military classification of ‘Playwright’—one of only nine men to receive this designation.

📌 His duties included:
✅ Writing training manuals
✅ Creating cartoons for the military
✅ Producing instructional videos for soldiers

After the war, Lee returned to Timely Comics, which later became Marvel Comics, where he revolutionized the comic book industry.

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🎖️ Stan Lee Honored for His Service

📌 In 2017, Lee was inducted into the Signal Corps Regimental Association at Joint Base Lewis-McChord and awarded honorary membership in the 2nd Battalion 3rd Infantry Regiment for his contributions during WWII.

📌 This unsung chapter of Lee’s life adds a new dimension to his legacy, showing that his impact extended far beyond comic books.

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📽️ Stan Lee: The Final Chapter – A Painful Truth

🎬 Director Jon Bolerjack reveals that in his final years, Stan Lee faced exploitation by former business partners, who took advantage of his fame and fortune.

💬 “I spoke to him at length about this, even toward the very end of his life. He wanted his struggles to be known as a warning to others,” Bolerjack shared.

📌 The documentary will uncover the darker side of Lee’s later life, showing how he struggled behind the scenes despite being adored by millions.

📌 Stan Lee passed away in 2018 at the age of 95, leaving behind an unparalleled legacy in storytelling and creativity.

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