A celebration of comic icon Stan Lee’s life and work will be debuting on next-generation NFT platform Mintable as it unveils the Stan Lee Legacy Collection. Internationally renowned painter Rob Prior worked alongside Lee to select each of the monumental works, and Lee personally signed each of the works before his passing in 2018.
This historic auction combines fine art, pop art, and NFTs, providing buyers with the opportunity to purchase large-format paintings and corresponding NFTs of each painting. In addition to these pieces of comic book history, the auction also features works by photographer and producer Jonathan Bolerjack. The NFT drop and auction are set for August 6, 2021 at 6:00 PM ET.
Celebrity artist Rob Prior said: “For almost two years before his passing, I worked closely on this project with Stan, and while he’s not here today to see it unveiled to the world, I can’t possibly imagine a more befitting medium than an NFT to showcase it. Stan’s legacy is ever-enduring, one that will continue to permeate the comic book industry forever, and to see his final project immortalized on the blockchain is reflective of that fact.”
Sold as a 1 of 1 auction, only one copy and NFT of each of the respective paintings are available for sale. The paintings are entitled ‘The Infinity Gauntlet’, ‘Introducing Stan Lee: Master of Magic’, and ‘I Am Iron Man,’ each of which incorporates Stan Lee’s image prominently, either as the hero, villain, or in a cameo role. To complete the collection, a mystery NFT will be unveiled during a special livestream event with the Bad Crypto Podcast, co-hosted by Joel Comm, on August 6, 2021, an hour before the collection goes live. A portion of the proceeds from the NFT sale will also go to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library which supports childhood literacy, a cause that was close to Lee’s heart throughout his lifetime.
A beloved pop culture icon described as the godfather of Marvel Comics, Lee played a pivotal role in shaping the commercial success and popularity of American comic books. Having co-created characters such as Spider-Man, the X-Men, the Hulk, Iron Man, and many more, Lee’s legacy gave rise to the many beloved superhero characters that have transitioned from niche comic fandoms to a multibillion-dollar mainstream blockbuster empire. His fame increased when he began appearing in cameos throughout the Marvel cinematic universe. Lee died in November 2018 at the age of 95.
“Stan meant so much to so many people, not just comic book fans, and through all of these enduring cameos in the films, he touched millions of lives,” Prior continued. “But he was always conscious of where he started, of honoring the comic book industry and the fans who make it what it is. How fitting is it, then, that he chose to celebrate his legacy with cameos on some of the most iconic comic covers in history?”
Prior is an internationally renowned painter, illustrator, and motion picture director with a decorated career spanning over thirty years across gaming, comics, film, and television. Prior’s works have been exhibited in museums and galleries across North America, Europe, and Asia. Throughout his career, Prior has worked with major names such as Marvel, D.C., and Image Comics, with notable credits including Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Terminator, Deep Space 9, Game of Thrones, and Heavy Metal Magazine. Prior is also well-known for his live painting performances, which embody art, entertainment, and excitement. Each year, Prior paints for audiences exceeding 250,000 spectators.
In addition to the paintings from the Stan Lee Legacy Collection, the NFT auction will also feature five never-before-seen photographs and videos of Lee from the collection of long-time friend and later caretaker, Jonathan Bolerjack. Issued as limited edition NFTs, these pictures and videos show private moments during Lee’s many public appearances, as well as personal photographs of Lee during his final days.
A long-time friend of Lee, Bolerjack said: “For decades, Stan has captivated audiences through the rich worlds and diverse personalities in the comic book universe. While his role in the industry is undeniable, there was so much more to Stan than the public figure that many fans have seen at conventions or in film cameos. My hope is that this NFT collection can shed a light on a side of Stan as a person that many people have yet to see.”
Described as a friend to Lee by many in the comic book industry, Bolerjack was one of Lee’s closest companions in his final months. Bolerjack most notably played a critical role in ending Lee’s attendance at any conventions and public signings to prioritize his health and well-being.
Zach Burks, CEO of Mintable, said: “At Mintable, we wanted to design a drop format that would enable anyone to own a piece of Stan’s legacy through a mix of exclusive auctions and open editions designed for casual collectors as much as superfans. We are thrilled to be working with Rob and Jonathan on this collection which celebrates Stan’s life and career for the many comic book fans and enthusiasts, as well as budding writers and illustrators around the world.”
“There is no more legendary name in all of fandom than Stan Lee,” said Joel Comm, co-host of The Bad Crypto Podcast and The Nifty Show. “Rob Prior’s long-standing relationship with Stan led to what will be known as some of the most desirable works of art in the MCU. To offer these incredible pieces as NFTs married to the original physical works will go down in history as a watershed moment for NFTs, art, and pop culture”
Comic book collectors and enthusiasts will be able to purchase the never-before-seen works featured in the Stan Lee NFT collection on https://www.mintable.app/StanLeeLegacy which will go live at 6:00 PM ET on August 6, 2021. To see the unveiling of the mystery NFT, tune into a livestream on the Bad Crypto Podcast at 5:00 PM ET on August 6, 2021.
About
Mintable is a next-generation non-fungible token (NFT) marketplace built on the blockchain. Launched in 2018, Mintable has pushed the NFT industry forward by being the first to design gasless minting, batch minting, and royalties, empowering artists and creators to monetize their work via NFTs. Mintable’s gas-free minting option allows the everyday person to get involved with NFTs without any prior knowledge in coding or upfront cost of minting an asset – a great way for everyone to get into crypto. In 2021, Mintable announced the backing of a list of high-caliber investors including renowned venture capitalist and television personality, Mark Cuban, Sound Ventures, a venture capital firm founded by Ashton Kutcher and Guy Oseary, and TIME Ventures, the investment fund for Marc Benioff. To date, Mintable has sold and auctioned works by Grammy Award-winning artists, 20th-century avant-garde artists, and various high-profile artists and celebrities.
For more information, visit mintable.app