Stan Lee, one of the legendary authors and comic-book creators in comic book lore, is coming to Culver City on Saturday afternoon, in honor of Free Comic Book Day.

At 4 o’clock, the 93-year-old Mr. Lee will be signing autographs at the Teen Center, 4153 Overland Ave., adjacent to the Vets Auditorium.

The Comic Bug Culver City, down the block at 4267 Overland, also is participating.

Raffles will be held. Raffle tickets will be given out until 1:30, and winners will be announced at 2.

An early employee of the company that would evolve into Marvel Comics, Mr. Lee is credited, along with artist Jack Kirby, with launching the superhero team the Fantastic Four in 1961. Popular characters such as Spider-Man, the X-Men, the Hulk and Thor soon followed.

According to his biography, Mr. Lee was called upon by his boss in the early 1960s to create a series for Marvel Comics that could compete with rival DC Comics’ hit title Justice League of America.

Citing writing influences such as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Jules Verne, and following the encouragement of his wife Joan, Mr. Lee did away with some of the usual superhero conventions.
Marvel Comics became a popular franchise. Mr. Lee was promoted to editorial director and publisher in 1972. He later moved to the West Coast to be involved in Marvel’s film ventures and eventually became chairman emeritus.

For additional information, Benjamin Kim may be contacted at ben@thecomicbug.com