Amazing Fantastic Incredible: A Marvelous Memoir

Ninety-two-year-old subject Lee, co- writer David, and artist Doran create an entertaining, if decidedly rose-colored picture of the man behind Marvel in this lively comics memoir. Lee’s life has certainly been a full one, spanning multiple wars, presidents, and eras in the industry he has been such a part of. Lee maintains a jaunty tone through every slump and resurrection, which pairs wonderfully with Doran’s dynamic artwork and well-developed sense of comic timing. But as any longtime comics fan can tell you, Lee is a master of self-aggrandizement. According to him, he was ahead of every curve, sensitive to every employee, and behind every innovation of the 20th-century comics industry. This isn’t a fatal flaw—Lee is undeniably accomplished—but by the final page, the book’s tone of uncritical celebration begins to grate. Still, this is a worthwhile memoir for the interested layman—as long as it’s read with more than a few grains of salt. (Nov.)