Stan Lee was a fascinating figure in the world of superhero pop culture. The former editor-in-chief of Marvel Comics had been lauded in the latter half of his life as the face of the brand, so much so that he could be considered a controversial figure in the comics community. Regularly taking credit for revered artists like Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko certainly didn’t help his case. But even these marks against him could not tarnish Lee’s legacy in the broader cultural zeitgeist, with his official Disney+ documentary going so far as to omit some of these transgressions. In a broad sense, Lee was an easily likable mascot who played a role in the creation of some of Marvel’s greatest heroes. Even non-comic book fans could recognize Lee’s larger-than-life personality from a mile away. While he’s often been known for his cameos throughout Marvel’s tenure on the big screen, one of his best actually happened in a DC movie of all places.
2018’s “Teen Titans Go! To the Movies” features a scene in which Beast Boy (Greg Cipes), Cyborg (Khary Payton), Raven (Tara Strong), Robin (Scott Menville) and Starfire (Hynden Walch) sneak into the Warner Bros. studio backlot. where all the DC movies are filmed. Initially hidden in the background, an animated Stan Lee (voiced by the man himself) then runs towards the audience and proclaims his arrival. “Hey everyone, look at me! I’m Stan Lee making my subtle appearance,” Lee says as he strikes a whole bunch of poses based on Marvel comic book characters like Spider-Man and Wolverine. However, he left the scene after learning he was in a DC film. It would be a nice isolated moment, but he manages to do another an appearance that is somehow even funnier.
Stan Lee broke the barriers of comic book movies in Teen Titans Go! To the films
The climax of “Teen Titans Go! To the Movies” sees the comedic renditions of the beloved super team pursued by a group of mind-controlled DC supers. Lee comes out of nowhere and jumps on their moving golf cart with his usual enthusiasm. “I don’t care if it’s a DC movie. I love cameos!” Lee exclaims. Even though the Teen Titans shake him, he lands with his head held high and says his signature catchphrase: “Excelsior.” It’s one of those moments in cinema that doesn’t seem real. While Lee’s inclusion doesn’t match the weight of Bugs Bunny and Mickey Mouse occupying the screen at the same time in “Who Framed Roger Rabbit,” it’s still quite notable for comic book fans. Ego conflicts usually prevent something like the de facto mascot from hogging the spotlight in a rival company’s film.
This not only shows that the people at DC and Warner Bros. Animation are good sports, but also shows how “Teen Titans Go! To the Movies” is a great parody of the superhero movie industrial complex. I remember going to watch it with no prior context from the Cartoon Network series and being surprised at how much it made me laugh. It exists as both an interesting snapshot of the DC films of the Walter Hamada years, as well as a loving ode to the comic book company’s most underutilized characters. I won’t dare spoil the outcome, but “To the Movies” is worth a watch for easily the greatest depiction of the “Waynes shot in the alley” trope you’ll ever see.
“Teen Titans Go! To the Movies” is currently streaming on HBO Max.
