An appearance by Stan Lee at a comic book convention is perhaps a little like Jesus Christ turning up to Mass.
While Supanova is a broad church catering to anime, gaming, cosplay and all imaginable facets of geekdom, Stan was undoubtedly the man this Sunday (19 November), though he faced a new challenger in a 13-year-old girl named Eleven.
Surely the creator of Spider-Man and The Incredible Hulk couldn’t be eclipsed by a child star? Stranger things have happened.
Click here to read the Supanova Brisbane 2017 review.
Watching Q and A discussions at conventions can be a fascinating experience, even if you are unfamiliar with the featured artist.
How will a potentially weary artist respond to a question they may have heard countless times prior? How will besotted fans try to devise unique questions that demonstrate the extent of their fandom?
The joy of watching Stan Lee’s session, though, came from observing his apparently unstinting enthusiasm and his ready array of canned one-liners. He still relishes relating how his observance of an innocuous fly scampering up a wall inspired the creation of the web-slinging Spider-Man.
The imminent feature debut of one of his previously less well-known creations, 'Black Panther', though, garnered his most effusive praise. As the first African superhero in comic book history, it is a creation that demonstrates how far ahead of the pack Lee was in the mid-'60s.
While his hearing may have deteriorated, Lee, like all great heroes, has a side-kick/interpreter to back him up on his adventures but also to provide comic-relief. At the end of the hour Lee received a standing ovation, which was no surprise; he received one on the way in too!
While Lee filled Madman Cosplay Theatre to capacity during his second appearance at Supanova Adelaide, the bleachers were overflowing for the one-off presence of Millie Bobby Brown.
Her character, Eleven, on Netflix smash 'Stranger Things' has such magnetic appeal because she seems to possess an awareness beyond her contemporaries. The intensity of her eyes suggests that profound knowledge resides within that closely cropped head.
With extraversion, confidence and self-awareness, she talked her long-term plans (working for UNICEF, a singing career), welcomed fans on stage for hugs and rap battles, and diplomatically steered her answers away from potential spoilers or future contractual arrangements.
Already networking with the Kardashians and former child star Leo Di Caprio, we cross our fingers that Millie sets her sights at keeping up with the latter, avoiding the paparazzi and perils of Hollywood in the process.
If Supanova can bring Stan Lee to Adelaide, is an Avenger out of the question? A Jedi? Even a Batman? A good one, not Bat-fleck or Val Kilmer! We will have to wait until 2018 to see.
Click here to read the Supanova Adelaide 2016 review.
