WTF: Marvel’s Stan Lee ‘Returns’ To Official Twitter To Tout NFTs Posthumously
Image via Phil Stafford / Shutterstock.com
Since their explosion of popularity this year, non-fungible tokens have come with their fair share of controversy. This hasn’t stopped countless brands from jumping on the bandwagon, though, and not unsuccessfully at that.
Visceral repulsion to tokens has taken shape, however, in comic book and superhero movie fans. Controversy has erupted in the fandom over the late Stan Lee’s Twitter account being used to promote NFTs of superheroes.
In a tweet sent on Tuesday, the account included a link to a site selling tokens of Chakra the Invincible, an Indian superhero. Mashable reports that this link belongs to Orange Comet, a firm specializing in NFTs and other “digital collectible experiences.”
From championing diversity to embracing new tech, Stan was 1 step ahead of the curve. To honor his innovative spirit, Stan's 1st Indian hero, Chakra The Invincible, debuts in his own NFT (digital art) collection from 7:30pm PT 12/27-12pm PT 12/29! Sign up: https://t.co/Crub8yo09X pic.twitter.com/p9cQcKxiUI
— Stan Lee (@TheRealStanLee) December 14, 2021
Criticism was quick to fill the replies of the tweets, with many users calling the move disrespectful. Some also bemoaned the fact that his Twitter account was never retired, and instead turned into a corporate tool.
Have some respect for a man, this is disgusting.
— 🍂🥖 Kéké 🥖🍂 (@Kekeflipnote) December 14, 2021
The fact they never retired his Twitter after his passing is one thing, but using him to promote something like n/f/ts is absolutely disrespectful… pic.twitter.com/njXiQhv4iU
— Arty the Goth 🅱unBoi 🍁🐇 (@SuperiorArtemis) December 14, 2021
Even Dictionary.com got in on the action, condemning the marketing as “defiling.”
The verb 'defile' was first recorded in 1275–1325, and comes from the Old French word 'defouler,' meaning "to trample on, violate."
— Dictionary.com (@Dictionarycom) December 14, 2021
“Honoring what would have been Stan Lee’s 99th birthday on December 28th, we are inviting all of Stan’s fans to celebrate his amazing legacy with us by sharing ownership in a limited NFT collectible around one of his first international superheroes,” writes Orange Comet on the website.
However, it’s pretty safe to say that this sentiment isn’t being shared by many.
This is so awful
— Jacksepticeye (@Jacksepticeye) December 14, 2021
I’m a “NFT Bro” and I think this is despicable
— TRB ΞLIJAH (@HawksNest) December 14, 2021
Couldn't you guys have just used @Marvel to shill this? This is just mighty disrespectful.
— Alditrus (@alditrus) December 15, 2021
NFTs shouldn't be done this way. This is terrible.
— Crazy Frog (@TrueCrazyFrog) December 14, 2021
[via Mashable, cover image via Phil Stafford / Shutterstock.com]
