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To say that Marvel Comics writer/creator and all-around legend Stan Lee is being bled dry of virtually everything he has has officially become a literal statement. It’s bad enough that a former business associate who was involved with the comics creator’s for-profit charity Hands of Respect wrote a “loan” check to the company from Lee’s business account in the sum of $300,000. He also allegedly purchased an $850,000 condo in West Hollywood for the same company.
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According to TMZ, things have only continued to get worse for Stan the Man, as now the same business associate might be responsible for harvesting and selling Lee’s blood. Not only that, but so much was drawn during the incident by Lee’s nurse that it left him feeling lightheaded and dizzy. Considering he turned 95 years old at the tail end of 2017, that’s not only understandable, but dangerous. He can’t have much in the tank at this point to begin with.
The blood, which was acquired illegally through forged documents, was then mixed with ink and used to stamp numerous copies of The Mighty Thor #700, and a variant cover of Rise of the Black Panther #1. Even worse, the comics were then unloaded to the unsuspecting Marvel Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N. store on the Las Vegas Strip, where they were briefly sold complete with certificates of authenticity.
Of course, now that the scandal has come to light, legal rep for the Marvel Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N. Evan Michailidis was quick to point out they didn’t know of the deception:
We’re a retail store which purchased product from Hands of Respect LLC and DLK Brand Consulting LLC that appeared certified and obtained with authorization. The books were removed from our shelves immediately
Along with the obvious question of whether Lee’s tormentor(s) will eventually be taken down legally, we’re still pretty curious as to why anyone would want a product signed, stamped, or otherwise draped in an old man’s blood. Perhaps we’re just not as into comic books as we thought.
