On April 10th, the Hollywood Reporter posted an article about the treatement of legendary comic creator Stan Lee with claims of elder abuse.

The article, along with another video showing Lee needing prompting in how to sign his name, have spread across the internet leading for calls to “stand by Stan.”

Lee has created a video, also posted by the Hollywood Reporter, saying that the relationship with his daughter and another compatriot is fine.

So who to believe? There’s absolutely issues involving Lee’s money and theft. And weird stories about use of his blood. But, straight from his mouth, he’s fine. His other issues are most likely those of a 95 year old person as recounted by a recent visit from Todd McFarlane. The reality is somewhere in between.

Should we be concerned? Absolutely. Just like any individual, we should care and hope they are being treated well and ask to make sure they are. What we shouldn’t be doing is using hyperbole for hits.

Lee in his video talks about media running rampant unchecked where rumors become news in minutes. But in all those reports, it seems like no one asked Stan “the Man” himself.

Who should you believe? The fact is, none of the reports are the complete truth. There’s ulterior motives from all sides. The question that matters is, what does Stan Lee think? And from that, we can go straight to the video:

I want to say as desperately as I can my relationship with my lovely daughter J.C. is wonderful. My relationship with my good friend Keya Morgan is great. We’re best friends.

And most importantly:

Everything in my life is going the way I want it to.

Unfortunately it looks like whatever time Lee has left on the planet won’t be about celebrating his accomplishments and what he’s created but instead a circus to website clicks and pick whatever can be gotten from the carcass.

After an article about the state of Stan Lee, with claims of elder abuse, and follow ups by various sites, it’s very clear that someone needs to step in an help the ailing comic legend.

Numerous creators have spoken out including Mark Waid who went to Facebook to discuss the topic.

You know this is serious if I’m actually linking to Bleeding Cool, who’s welcome to pick this up if they like.

Neal speaks the truth. Stan needs a Max Anderson, not a Rooster F*ck*ng Hannigan. Maybe you like Max personally, maybe you don’t, but there is not a single working comics professional who hasn’t seen or isn’t aware of how protective, vigilant, and devoted Max was when he was at Stan’s side. There isn’t a one of us who doesn’t suspect that what Stan was put through last weekend at SVCC would never have happened under Max’s watch. Knowing Stan as I do, having worked closely and spent time with him over the years, I’m with Neal: Stan needs Max.

Our thoughts are with Lee and hope he gets the responsible care he needs and deserves.