Stan Lee (1922–2018) began his long career with wartime Timely Comics, but “the Man” made comic book history with Fantastic Four #1, harbinger of a bold new perspective in comic book writing that endures to this day. With some of the industry’s greatest artists, he introduced hero after hero in The Incredible Hulk, The Amazing Spider-Man, The Uncanny X-Men, and more, forming a shared universe for rival publishers to measure themselves against. After a lifetime’s worth of writing and editing, Lee was involved in movies and television via his company POW! Entertainment. He was Marvel’s chairman emeritus and best-known public representative.

Chris Ryall is the cofounder and publisher at Syzygy Publishing, an imprint at Image Comics, that launched in January 2022. He is also the writer and cocreator of Syzygy titles such as The Hollows and Tales of Syzpense. He has worked with creators Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez, licensors such as Hasbro, Nickelodeon, Disney, and many more. In addition to Syzygy Publishing, Ryall is an EP on several upcoming series for BBC Studios and Paramount. Follow him on X @Chris_Ryall.