Mintable released and auctioned off an NFT collection dedicated to the life and work of comic legend, Stan Lee.
The “Stan Lee Legacy Collection” NFT auction features uncovered artworks by internationally-renowned painter Rob Prior, and never-before-seen personal photographs and videos taken by Jonathan Bolerjack.
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Each painting was selected and signed by Lee himself before his passing in 2018. The auction offers both real-life artworks and blockchain-backed NFTs, providing buyers with the opportunity to bid on large-scale paintings and their corresponding digital assets.
In a release, 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.”
The paintings, I Am Iron Man, Introducing Stan Lee: Master of Magic and The Infinity Gauntlet, incorporate Lee’s headshot into a collection of comic posters, where the visionary appears as either the hero, villain, or in a cameo role. Only one edition of each painting and NFT were available for auction.
“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?”
In addition to the paintings, the NFT auction also includes five never-before-seen photographs and videos of Stan Lee, captured by his longtime friend and caretaker, Jonathan Bolerjack.
The images also minted as NFTs, show some behind-the-scenes moments of the visionary’s public appearances, as well as personal memories from his final days.
“For decades, Stan has captivated audiences through the rich worlds and diverse personalities in the comic book universe,” said Bolerjack. “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.”