The experience of reading a printed comic book will never change

"The experience of reading a printed comic book will never change, but now, thanks to the digital age, there are many different ways to enjoy the same story. Digital comic books, of course, can be interactive in many different ways, allowing the reader to feel like a participant in the story." — Stan Lee

In this powerful reflection, Stan Lee speaks to the enduring power of the printed comic book, a timeless form of storytelling that has remained largely unchanged for generations. The experience of turning the pages, feeling the weight of the book in one’s hands, and encountering the narrative in a linear, physical form is a ritual as ancient as any written tradition. The comic book itself, in its printed form, carries the echoes of an older world, a world where stories were shared through oral tradition or written manuscripts, each page imbued with the essence of the storyteller’s voice. This experience, though constant and unchanging, has now been transformed by the digital age, offering new methods by which we can engage with these beloved tales.

Yet, as Stan Lee suggests, while the printed comic book may remain unchanged in its fundamental nature, the advent of digital comics has introduced a vast array of possibilities. The reader, once a passive observer, is now invited to become an active participant. Digital comics allow for interaction in ways the printed medium could never have envisioned, offering new dimensions of engagement through touch, movement, sound, and even choice. Technology has breathed new life into these stories, creating an entirely different kind of experience—a fusion of the old and the new, where the narrative remains the same, but the method of consumption is transformed.

The same transformation is mirrored in other forms of human expression. Consider the ancient world of storytelling: the oral tradition was the primary means by which stories were passed down. The listener would sit by the fire, captivated by the storyteller’s voice, the rhythm of the tale, and the shared experience of the community. Then, came the written word, with books and manuscripts offering a new way for individuals to engage with stories. Yet, as printing technology advanced, a deeper transformation occurred, allowing the spread of stories far beyond the reach of the spoken word. Johannes Gutenberg, in his invention of the printing press, created a revolution in storytelling, just as digital technology is now doing with the comic book.

But the digital age brings with it more than mere transformation—it brings participation. In ancient mythologies, the hero was often tasked with engaging directly with the gods, the elements, or the trials of life itself. The hero was active, not passive. The interactive nature of digital comics invites readers to step into the shoes of the hero, to experience the journey in a personal, involved way. Just as the ancient Greek tragedians sought to make the audience feel as though they were participating in the drama, so too does the digital comic book pull its reader deeper into the narrative, inviting them not just to read, but to live the story.

Consider the example of video games—a relatively recent form of entertainment, but one that has completely redefined the relationship between the audience and the story. The earliest video games were simple, passive experiences, much like watching a play or reading a book. Yet, over time, as technology advanced, video games began to offer greater interactivity. Games such as The Legend of Zelda and The Last of Us provide players not just with a story, but with choices, actions, and consequences. These games create a deeper level of engagement, allowing players to become participants in the unfolding drama, just as digital comics now allow readers to interact with the story, moving beyond mere spectatorship.

Stan Lee’s insight is a powerful reminder that innovation need not erase the old; rather, it can enhance and expand it. The printed comic book will always retain its place in the hearts of those who cherish it, just as the written word has endured through centuries. Yet, as technology offers new ways of experiencing stories, it opens new doors to creativity, and we, as the audience, are given the chance to experience tales in ways our ancestors never could have imagined. The digital comic, in its interactive form, is not a replacement for the printed form; it is an expansion, a way of engaging with the same story on a deeper, more personal level.

Thus, the lesson here is clear: we must embrace the new, not as a replacement for the old, but as a tool for enriching and enhancing the experiences that have shaped us. Whether in storytelling, art, or any other form of human expression, progress does not negate the value of tradition; it builds upon it, offering new pathways to engagement and understanding. In our own lives, let us adopt this approach. Let us cherish the legacy of the past while welcoming the opportunities that the future brings, knowing that the beauty of our stories—whether told through the printed page or the digital screen—is in the connection they create, the experiences they offer, and the lives they shape.