Legible Partners with Kartoon Studios to Launch New Stan Lee Comics
In a monumental fusion of creativity and technology, Legible Inc. (CSE: READ) (OTCQB: LEBGF) (FSE: D0T) has announced a partnership with Kartoon Studios (NYSE AMERICAN: TOON), the controlling partner of “Stan Lee Universe, LLC.” The collaboration will see the launch of a line of digital and print comic books based on never-before-released stories and characters by Stan Lee.
Kartoon Studios selected Legible, a leading online ebook and audiobook streaming platform and multimedia publisher, to develop and distribute approximately 12 original comic book series, based on Stan Lee’s creations. These series will be accessible to a global market across Legible’s broad publishing and reading platform.
The announcement follows Legible’s recent acquisition of print and digital print rights to bring a selection of Kartoon Studios’ IP to life through multimedia-enriched eBooks, featuring audio, video, animations, and print comic books.
Celebrating Stan Lee’s Legacy
“We are celebrating Stan Lee’s 100th birthday this year, and what better way to honor this true legend than to launch STAN LEE COMICS, with a logo that Stan had created himself, and bring his never-before-seen creations to life through this series of new digital and print comic books,” stated Jon Ollwerther, Kartoon Studios Executive Vice President of Business Development.
“We are also excited to expand our relationship with Legible, who we believe is the ideal partner to help us bring these exciting Stan Lee creations to his legions of True Believer fans throughout the universe. With the never-before-seen comics, Stan also left us his unique editorial page as well, Yakkin’ with Stan, which will highlight each comic. Not unlike Stan’s Soapbox, which graced every Marvel Comic, Yakkin’ with Stan will speak to all the ‘True Believers’, leaving Stan’s unique take on everything from superheroes to world affairs, and of course ending in his signature, “EXCELSIOR!”
A New Era for Publishing
“Legible is honored to be selected by Kartoon Studios as the partner to bring STAN LEE COMICS and Stan Lee’s heretofore unseen incredible stories and characters to the public for the first time,” said Legible Inc. Founder and CEO, Kaleeg Hainsworth.
“We know that this is only the beginning for these properties and the brands they will give rise to, and we’re thrilled to bring these new worlds, fantastic characters, powerful stories, and visionary themes to Stan Lee’s fans and to a global audience as never before in digital and print. Legible is bringing publishing and reading into the twenty-first century, and there is just no better way to do so than with Stan Lee, who was always ahead of his time.”
Stan Lee’s Centennial Celebration
The launch is part of the ongoing Stan Lee’s Centennial Celebration, which began on December 28, 2022, on what would have been Stan’s 100th birthday. The celebration includes the launch of a new online store featuring three Stan Lee collections: Stan Lee Comic, Stan Lee Retro, and Stan Lee Centennial, with additional product categories debuting throughout 2023.
The celebration also includes the critically-acclaimed premiere of Marvel Studios’ Stan Lee Documentary at the Tribeca Film Festival in June, followed by its debut on Disney +. In addition, a first-ever exhibit, “Excelsior! The Life and Legacy of Stan Lee,” will launch at the Comic-Con Museum in July, featuring never-before-seen items donated by auction houses and private collectors.
With many more initiatives and product launches planned into 2024, the legacy of Stan Lee continues to inspire and captivate audiences worldwide.
