One of the most celebrated comic book icons, Stan Lee, is getting extra recognition today. Not for the return of The Fantastic Four, though. It's because of his blood. Yes, blood.
A report from TMZ claims an unidentified individual allegedly acquired the 95-year old's blood last year and may now be selling issues of Black Panther stamped with ink containing a potion of Lee's DNA. Several issues of Black Panther are for sale at the Marvel Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N. store on the Las Vegas Strip, according to TMZ. Each contains an authentication certificate that reads, "Hand-Stamped Signature of STAN LEE using Stan Lee's Solvent DNA Ink."
TMZ's sources say Stan Lee's stolen blood was discovered back in October. Lee's close friend, Keya Morgan, reportedly learned that an associate gave Lee's nurse fake documents ordering a blood sample.
"We're told Stan's people believe the former business associate has commissioned pens -- presumably linked to Stan and Marvel -- and the pens have an ink substitute ... blood!!!," writes TMZ.
The copy of Black Panther with Lee's blue signature is selling for $250. The second, signed in gold, is $500. With Black Panther still dominating at the global box office, and the character's continued role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, these copies are looking pretty good to collectors. The value will only rise, regardless of this bizarre and legally questionable situation.
TMZ reports Lee hired attorney Jonathan Freund to get to the bottom of the issue, and says the culprit's alleged plan did not stop with vampiric tendencies. The unidentified person also stole $300 thousand and reportedly bought a $850 thousand-dollar condo with the money. TMZ did not identify their source.
Uncommon Knowledge
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Autumn Noel Kelly started as a staff writer for Newsweek in 2015. She covers anything in the comic book world—TV ... Read more
