what do you do when you discover your passion when it’s coursing through your
passion when it’s coursing through your
passion when it’s coursing through your veins when it’s burning you what do you
veins when it’s burning you what do you
veins when it’s burning you what do you do I was lucky enough I found my passion
do I was lucky enough I found my passion
do I was lucky enough I found my passion when I was a kid and it was comic books
when I was a kid and it was comic books
when I was a kid and it was comic books and superheroes particularly Batman and
and superheroes particularly Batman and
and superheroes particularly Batman and all I wanted to do since I was eight
all I wanted to do since I was eight
all I wanted to do since I was eight years old was write Batman comics and
years old was write Batman comics and
years old was write Batman comics and show the whole world what the dark and
show the whole world what the dark and
show the whole world what the dark and serious true Batman was like but how was
serious true Batman was like but how was
serious true Batman was like but how was I going to do that I had three big
I going to do that I had three big
I going to do that I had three big problems I’m a blue-collar kid from New
problems I’m a blue-collar kid from New
problems I’m a blue-collar kid from New Jersey I didn’t come from money my dad
Jersey I didn’t come from money my dad
Jersey I didn’t come from money my dad was a stonemason my mom was a bookkeeper
was a stonemason my mom was a bookkeeper
was a stonemason my mom was a bookkeeper I couldn’t buy my way into Hollywood I
I couldn’t buy my way into Hollywood I
I couldn’t buy my way into Hollywood I didn’t have any relatives in Hollywood I
didn’t have any relatives in Hollywood I
didn’t have any relatives in Hollywood I didn’t know anybody in Hollywood how do
didn’t know anybody in Hollywood how do
didn’t know anybody in Hollywood how do you get there from here
you get there from here
you get there from here how do you make your dreams come true
how do you make your dreams come true
how do you make your dreams come true well you guys you are looking at the
well you guys you are looking at the
well you guys you are looking at the world’s total comic book geek my mom
world’s total comic book geek my mom
world’s total comic book geek my mom said that I learned to read before I was
said that I learned to read before I was
said that I learned to read before I was 4 years old from comic books I went to
4 years old from comic books I went to
4 years old from comic books I went to the first Comic Con ever held on the
the first Comic Con ever held on the
the first Comic Con ever held on the planet Earth a fleabag hotel in downtown
planet Earth a fleabag hotel in downtown
planet Earth a fleabag hotel in downtown New York 200 of us showed up at that
New York 200 of us showed up at that
New York 200 of us showed up at that first Comic Con first time fans were
first Comic Con first time fans were
first Comic Con first time fans were able to meet each other face to face or
able to meet each other face to face or
able to meet each other face to face or more appropriately pimple to pimple and
more appropriately pimple to pimple and
more appropriately pimple to pimple and by the time I graduated high school I
by the time I graduated high school I
by the time I graduated high school I had over 30,000 comic books dating back
had over 30,000 comic books dating back
had over 30,000 comic books dating back to 1936 my pop could not get his car
to 1936 my pop could not get his car
to 1936 my pop could not get his car into the garage from the day we moved
into the garage from the day we moved
into the garage from the day we moved into the house so instead he’d built
into the house so instead he’d built
into the house so instead he’d built three shelves on three walls and we went
three shelves on three walls and we went
three shelves on three walls and we went floor-to-ceiling with my comic book
floor-to-ceiling with my comic book
floor-to-ceiling with my comic book collection until it filled the whole
collection until it filled the whole
collection until it filled the whole place but how do you take your passion
place but how do you take your passion
place but how do you take your passion and make it your work my first
and make it your work my first
and make it your work my first opportunity came when I was in college
opportunity came when I was in college
opportunity came when I was in college early 1970s Bloomington Indiana Indiana
early 1970s Bloomington Indiana Indiana
early 1970s Bloomington Indiana Indiana University now the early 70s were a time
University now the early 70s were a time
University now the early 70s were a time of great experimentation on college
of great experimentation on college
of great experimentation on college campuses and that’s about all I’m going
campuses and that’s about all I’m going
campuses and that’s about all I’m going to say about that
to say about that
to say about that so in response to that Indiana
so in response to that Indiana
so in response to that Indiana University started an experimental
University started an experimental
University started an experimental curriculum department and this was the
curriculum department and this was the
curriculum department and this was the idea if you had a notion for a course
idea if you had a notion for a course
idea if you had a notion for a course that had never been taught in college
that had never been taught in college
that had never been taught in college before and could get the backing of a
before and could get the backing of a
before and could get the backing of a department on campus you then had the
department on campus you then had the
department on campus you then had the right to appear before a panel of Dean’s
right to appear before a panel of Dean’s
right to appear before a panel of Dean’s and professors and pitch it if they
and professors and pitch it if they
and professors and pitch it if they accepted it you could teach it on campus
accepted it you could teach it on campus
accepted it you could teach it on campus for up to three hours of credit I was a
for up to three hours of credit I was a
for up to three hours of credit I was a junior but I still could teach it on
junior but I still could teach it on
junior but I still could teach it on campus so I said this is great
campus so I said this is great
campus so I said this is great I mean comic books are a legitimate
I mean comic books are a legitimate
I mean comic books are a legitimate American art form as indigenous to this
American art form as indigenous to this
American art form as indigenous to this country as jazz superheroes are
country as jazz superheroes are
country as jazz superheroes are contemporary mythology I mean the
contemporary mythology I mean the
contemporary mythology I mean the ancient gods of Greece and Rome in Egypt
ancient gods of Greece and Rome in Egypt
ancient gods of Greece and Rome in Egypt all still exist except today they wear
all still exist except today they wear
all still exist except today they wear spandex and capes so if you don’t buy
spandex and capes so if you don’t buy
spandex and capes so if you don’t buy that keep in mind that the Greeks called
that keep in mind that the Greeks called
that keep in mind that the Greeks called him Hermes the Romans called him mercury
him Hermes the Romans called him mercury
him Hermes the Romans called him mercury and I just call him the flash the Greeks
and I just call him the flash the Greeks
and I just call him the flash the Greeks called him Poseidon the Romans called
called him Poseidon the Romans called
called him Poseidon the Romans called him Neptune Aquaman thank you so I get
him Neptune Aquaman thank you so I get
him Neptune Aquaman thank you so I get the backing of the folklore department
the backing of the folklore department
the backing of the folklore department in Indiana and they said Michael you’re
in Indiana and they said Michael you’re
in Indiana and they said Michael you’re right whether you call him Ulysses or
right whether you call him Ulysses or
right whether you call him Ulysses or Beowulf or Superman it’s all the same
Beowulf or Superman it’s all the same
Beowulf or Superman it’s all the same stories the same heroes and it’s the
stories the same heroes and it’s the
stories the same heroes and it’s the same themes so I walk in to pitch my
same themes so I walk in to pitch my
same themes so I walk in to pitch my course picture this my hair’s down to my
course picture this my hair’s down to my
course picture this my hair’s down to my shoulders I’m wearing a Spiderman
shoulders I’m wearing a Spiderman
shoulders I’m wearing a Spiderman t-shirt I got a pile of comic books
t-shirt I got a pile of comic books
t-shirt I got a pile of comic books under my arm and yes I am wearing my
under my arm and yes I am wearing my
under my arm and yes I am wearing my love beads thank you very much as I walk
love beads thank you very much as I walk
love beads thank you very much as I walk into this conference room it’s dark
into this conference room it’s dark
into this conference room it’s dark mahogany there’s a big conference room
mahogany there’s a big conference room
mahogany there’s a big conference room table their professors sitting around at
table their professors sitting around at
table their professors sitting around at the Dean sitting at the end I thought I
the Dean sitting at the end I thought I
the Dean sitting at the end I thought I had just walked into the secret sanctum
had just walked into the secret sanctum
had just walked into the secret sanctum of the Justice League and as I walk in
of the Justice League and as I walk in
of the Justice League and as I walk in the the Dean at the end you know he was
the the Dean at the end you know he was
the the Dean at the end you know he was an older guy he had this little pair of
an older guy he had this little pair of
an older guy he had this little pair of half glasses that were perched at the
half glasses that were perched at the
half glasses that were perched at the edge of his nose and he looks down at me
edge of his nose and he looks down at me
edge of his nose and he looks down at me over his glasses and says so you’re the
over his glasses and says so you’re the
over his glasses and says so you’re the fellow who wants to teach a course on
fellow who wants to teach a course on
fellow who wants to teach a course on funny books at my university I knew I
funny books at my university I knew I
funny books at my university I knew I was in deep trouble
was in deep trouble
was in deep trouble I then began the first pitch of my
I then began the first pitch of my
I then began the first pitch of my career he lets me speak for about two
career he lets me speak for about two
career he lets me speak for about two minutes and cuts me off he says mister
minutes and cuts me off he says mister
minutes and cuts me off he says mister Uslan stop he says come on I read comic
Uslan stop he says come on I read comic
Uslan stop he says come on I read comic books when I was a kid I read every
books when I was a kid I read every
books when I was a kid I read every issue of Superman I could get my hands
issue of Superman I could get my hands
issue of Superman I could get my hands on but all comic books are are cheap
on but all comic books are are cheap
on but all comic books are are cheap entertainment for children nothing more
entertainment for children nothing more
entertainment for children nothing more nothing less
nothing less
nothing less and I reject your theory well there’s a
and I reject your theory well there’s a
and I reject your theory well there’s a point in time in all of our lives that
point in time in all of our lives that
point in time in all of our lives that we have life-changing moments because I
we have life-changing moments because I
we have life-changing moments because I could have bowed my head picked up my
could have bowed my head picked up my
could have bowed my head picked up my funny books and turned and walked out of
funny books and turned and walked out of
funny books and turned and walked out of this room but instead figuring I had
this room but instead figuring I had
this room but instead figuring I had nothing to lose I stood my ground and I
nothing to lose I stood my ground and I
nothing to lose I stood my ground and I said Dean may I ask you two questions he
said Dean may I ask you two questions he
said Dean may I ask you two questions he said ask me anything you want I said are
said ask me anything you want I said are
said ask me anything you want I said are you familiar with the story of Moses and
you familiar with the story of Moses and
you familiar with the story of Moses and he looked at me like I was nuts and said
he looked at me like I was nuts and said
he looked at me like I was nuts and said yeah so I said very briefly
yeah so I said very briefly
yeah so I said very briefly could you just recite for me summarize
could you just recite for me summarize
could you just recite for me summarize the story of Moses well he folds his
the story of Moses well he folds his
the story of Moses well he folds his arms and sits back and says I don’t know
arms and sits back and says I don’t know
arms and sits back and says I don’t know what game you’re playing here mister
what game you’re playing here mister
what game you’re playing here mister Uslan but I’ll play this with you
Uslan but I’ll play this with you
Uslan but I’ll play this with you he said the Hebrew people were being
he said the Hebrew people were being
he said the Hebrew people were being persecuted their firstborn were being
persecuted their firstborn were being
persecuted their firstborn were being slain Hebrew couple placed their infant
slain Hebrew couple placed their infant
slain Hebrew couple placed their infant son in a little wicker basket and send
son in a little wicker basket and send
son in a little wicker basket and send him down the River Nile
him down the River Nile
him down the River Nile there he’s discovered by an Egyptian
there he’s discovered by an Egyptian
there he’s discovered by an Egyptian family who raised him as their own son
family who raised him as their own son
family who raised him as their own son when he grows up he becomes a great hero
when he grows up he becomes a great hero
when he grows up he becomes a great hero to his people I go stopped thank you so
to his people I go stopped thank you so
to his people I go stopped thank you so much
much
much I said Dean you said before that you
I said Dean you said before that you
I said Dean you said before that you read Superman comics when you were a kid
read Superman comics when you were a kid
read Superman comics when you were a kid by any chance do you remember the origin
by any chance do you remember the origin
by any chance do you remember the origin of Superman he said of course the planet
of Superman he said of course the planet
of Superman he said of course the planet Krypton was going to blow up scientists
Krypton was going to blow up scientists
Krypton was going to blow up scientists and his wife placed their infant son in
and his wife placed their infant son in
and his wife placed their infant son in a little rocket ship and sent him to
a little rocket ship and sent him to
a little rocket ship and sent him to earth
earth
earth there he’s discovered by the Kent’s who
there he’s discovered by the Kent’s who
there he’s discovered by the Kent’s who raised him as their own son when he
raised him as their own son when he
raised him as their own son when he grows up
grows up
grows up and with that he freezes stares at me
and with that he freezes stares at me
and with that he freezes stares at me for what I swear to you was an eternity
for what I swear to you was an eternity
for what I swear to you was an eternity and says your course is accredited
couldn’t believe it I am now the world’s
couldn’t believe it I am now the world’s first college professor of comic books I
first college professor of comic books I
first college professor of comic books I can’t believe I pulled it off I’m
can’t believe I pulled it off I’m
can’t believe I pulled it off I’m walking back to my apartment and all of
walking back to my apartment and all of
walking back to my apartment and all of a sudden inside my head I can hear my
a sudden inside my head I can hear my
a sudden inside my head I can hear my mom I can hear her voice
mom I can hear her voice
mom I can hear her voice Michael you can have the greatest
Michael you can have the greatest
Michael you can have the greatest creative ideas in the world but if you
creative ideas in the world but if you
creative ideas in the world but if you don’t market them if you don’t market
don’t market them if you don’t market
don’t market them if you don’t market yourself no one will ever know about it
yourself no one will ever know about it
yourself no one will ever know about it well I’m in Bloomington Indiana and I’m
well I’m in Bloomington Indiana and I’m
well I’m in Bloomington Indiana and I’m a junior
a junior
a junior I have no resources what am I going to
I have no resources what am I going to
I have no resources what am I going to do figuring I had nothing to lose I
do figuring I had nothing to lose I
do figuring I had nothing to lose I picked up a telephone and I called the
picked up a telephone and I called the
picked up a telephone and I called the United Press International back then
United Press International back then
United Press International back then that was as big a new syndicate as
that was as big a new syndicate as
that was as big a new syndicate as Associated Press’s today I got a
Associated Press’s today I got a
Associated Press’s today I got a reporter on the phone and proceeded to
reporter on the phone and proceeded to
reporter on the phone and proceeded to scream at him I said what is wrong with
scream at him I said what is wrong with
scream at him I said what is wrong with you you’re supposed to be the watchdog
you you’re supposed to be the watchdog
you you’re supposed to be the watchdog of society you’re not doing your job
of society you’re not doing your job
of society you’re not doing your job he goes calm down sir he goes what are
he goes calm down sir he goes what are
he goes calm down sir he goes what are you talking about so what am I talking
you talking about so what am I talking
you talking about so what am I talking about are you kidding me I hear that
about are you kidding me I hear that
about are you kidding me I hear that there’s a course on comic books being
there’s a course on comic books being
there’s a course on comic books being taught at Indiana University are you
taught at Indiana University are you
taught at Indiana University are you telling me as a taxpayer in this state
telling me as a taxpayer in this state
telling me as a taxpayer in this state they are using my money to teach our
they are using my money to teach our
they are using my money to teach our kids comic books
kids comic books
kids comic books this is outrageous this has got to be a
this is outrageous this has got to be a
this is outrageous this has got to be a communist plot to subvert the youth of
communist plot to subvert the youth of
communist plot to subvert the youth of America and I slammed down the phone
it took this man three days to find out
it took this man three days to find out if I you really did have a comic book
if I you really did have a comic book
if I you really did have a comic book course and if so who was the lunatic
course and if so who was the lunatic
course and if so who was the lunatic teaching it so he came down he
teaching it so he came down he
teaching it so he came down he interviewed me with pictures it was a
interviewed me with pictures it was a
interviewed me with pictures it was a third of a page and that story was
third of a page and that story was
third of a page and that story was picked up by virtually every newspaper
picked up by virtually every newspaper
picked up by virtually every newspaper in North America and a whole bunch in
in North America and a whole bunch in
in North America and a whole bunch in Europe my phone started a ring I was
Europe my phone started a ring I was
Europe my phone started a ring I was invited on radio and TV talk shows
invited on radio and TV talk shows
invited on radio and TV talk shows I had reporters coming to every one of
I had reporters coming to every one of
I had reporters coming to every one of my classes I had TV cameras coming to
my classes I had TV cameras coming to
my classes I had TV cameras coming to every one of my classes the NBC Nightly
every one of my classes the NBC Nightly
every one of my classes the NBC Nightly News the CBS Evening News and about two
News the CBS Evening News and about two
News the CBS Evening News and about two weeks later my phone rings and it’s this
weeks later my phone rings and it’s this
weeks later my phone rings and it’s this exuberant male voice hi is this Mike
exuberant male voice hi is this Mike
exuberant male voice hi is this Mike Uslan yeah hiya Mike this is Stan Lee
Uslan yeah hiya Mike this is Stan Lee
Uslan yeah hiya Mike this is Stan Lee from Marvel Comics in New York City
from Marvel Comics in New York City
from Marvel Comics in New York City I call this my burning bush moment this
I call this my burning bush moment this
I call this my burning bush moment this man was my god Oh for he uninitiated
man was my god Oh for he uninitiated
man was my god Oh for he uninitiated stan is the co-creator of the entire
stan is the co-creator of the entire
stan is the co-creator of the entire pantheon of Marvel superheroes he said
pantheon of Marvel superheroes he said
pantheon of Marvel superheroes he said Mike everywhere I look I’m seeing you on
Mike everywhere I look I’m seeing you on
Mike everywhere I look I’m seeing you on TV I’m reading about you in magazines
TV I’m reading about you in magazines
TV I’m reading about you in magazines what you’re doing is great for the whole
what you’re doing is great for the whole
what you’re doing is great for the whole comic book industry how can I help you
comic book industry how can I help you
comic book industry how can I help you two hours later the phone rings again a
two hours later the phone rings again a
two hours later the phone rings again a mundane male voice mr. Uslan my name
mundane male voice mr. Uslan my name
mundane male voice mr. Uslan my name Saul Harrison I’m vice president of DC
Saul Harrison I’m vice president of DC
Saul Harrison I’m vice president of DC Comics in New York City we publish
Comics in New York City we publish
Comics in New York City we publish Superman Wonder Woman I go yeah I’m
Superman Wonder Woman I go yeah I’m
Superman Wonder Woman I go yeah I’m Batman I know he goes we’ve been
Batman I know he goes we’ve been
Batman I know he goes we’ve been listening to you on the radio we’ve been
listening to you on the radio we’ve been
listening to you on the radio we’ve been reading about you in newspapers we think
reading about you in newspapers we think
reading about you in newspapers we think you were a very bright and innovative
you were a very bright and innovative
you were a very bright and innovative young man we’d like to fly you to New
young man we’d like to fly you to New
young man we’d like to fly you to New York City and discuss ways we could work
York City and discuss ways we could work
York City and discuss ways we could work together okay
together okay
together okay you got to understand this is a comic
you got to understand this is a comic
you got to understand this is a comic book geek dream come true I’m now in New
book geek dream come true I’m now in New
book geek dream come true I’m now in New York City they offer me a job I’m to
York City they offer me a job I’m to
York City they offer me a job I’m to work there summers and then they’re
work there summers and then they’re
work there summers and then they’re gonna put me on retainer when I go back
gonna put me on retainer when I go back
gonna put me on retainer when I go back to school at Indiana I’m there a short
to school at Indiana I’m there a short
to school at Indiana I’m there a short while a couple of weeks and at the end
while a couple of weeks and at the end
while a couple of weeks and at the end of the day about 6 p.m. I hear yelling
of the day about 6 p.m. I hear yelling
of the day about 6 p.m. I hear yelling and screaming coming from one of the
and screaming coming from one of the
and screaming coming from one of the editors offices down the hall and I go
editors offices down the hall and I go
editors offices down the hall and I go tearing I go are you ok he goes I am NOT
tearing I go are you ok he goes I am NOT
tearing I go are you ok he goes I am NOT ok this was the editor of a comic book
ok this was the editor of a comic book
ok this was the editor of a comic book called the shadow maybe some of you
called the shadow maybe some of you
called the shadow maybe some of you remember it was an Alec Baldwin movie
remember it was an Alec Baldwin movie
remember it was an Alec Baldwin movie about 20 years ago and it was a very
about 20 years ago and it was a very
about 20 years ago and it was a very mysterious superhero the forerunner to
mysterious superhero the forerunner to
mysterious superhero the forerunner to Batman and all of his adventures took
Batman and all of his adventures took
Batman and all of his adventures took place in the late 30s early 1940s he
place in the late 30s early 1940s he
place in the late 30s early 1940s he said I am NOT alright he goes I just
said I am NOT alright he goes I just
said I am NOT alright he goes I just found out we have to have a script
found out we have to have a script
found out we have to have a script tomorrow do in hard deadlines for the
tomorrow do in hard deadlines for the
tomorrow do in hard deadlines for the shadow I don’t have a script I don’t
shadow I don’t have a script I don’t
shadow I don’t have a script I don’t have a story I don’t even have an idea
have a story I don’t even have an idea
have a story I don’t even have an idea for a shadow story I said I have an idea
for a shadow story I said I have an idea
for a shadow story I said I have an idea for a shadow story he said you do I
for a shadow story he said you do I
for a shadow story he said you do I didn’t but so what
didn’t but so what
didn’t but so what the door was open this much and I put my
the door was open this much and I put my
the door was open this much and I put my foot into it and she’s alright come in
foot into it and she’s alright come in
foot into it and she’s alright come in sit down tell me what’s your idea for a
sit down tell me what’s your idea for a
sit down tell me what’s your idea for a shadow story so well you’re gonna love
shadow story so well you’re gonna love
shadow story so well you’re gonna love it
it’s really great well what’s it about
it’s really great well what’s it about it is about
it is about
it is about mmm smuggling and well what are they
mmm smuggling and well what are they
mmm smuggling and well what are they smuggle they are smuggling drugs
smuggle they are smuggling drugs
smuggle they are smuggling drugs well what’s unusual about that I said
well what’s unusual about that I said
well what’s unusual about that I said well let’s see you know my wife and I
well let’s see you know my wife and I
well let’s see you know my wife and I just got back from a trip to Niagara
just got back from a trip to Niagara
just got back from a trip to Niagara Falls I’m back in the 30s and 40s guys
Falls I’m back in the 30s and 40s guys
Falls I’m back in the 30s and 40s guys were going over the falls and barrels
were going over the falls and barrels
were going over the falls and barrels and walking across on tightropes
and walking across on tightropes
and walking across on tightropes I said picture the shadow battling a bad
I said picture the shadow battling a bad
I said picture the shadow battling a bad guy on a tightrope over Niagara Falls at
guy on a tightrope over Niagara Falls at
guy on a tightrope over Niagara Falls at night with a searchlights that goes
night with a searchlights that goes
night with a searchlights that goes Michael that’s a great cover it’s a
Michael that’s a great cover it’s a
Michael that’s a great cover it’s a great visual but what’s the catch of the
great visual but what’s the catch of the
great visual but what’s the catch of the story I said well I’ve been saving this
story I said well I’ve been saving this
story I said well I’ve been saving this for the last because this is really
for the last because this is really
for the last because this is really really special they were they were they
really special they were they were they
really special they were they were they were going over the falls and barrels
were going over the falls and barrels
were going over the falls and barrels the drugs were in a false bottom in the
the drugs were in a false bottom in the
the drugs were in a false bottom in the barrels they’re going over the Canadian
barrels they’re going over the Canadian
barrels they’re going over the Canadian side they’re washing up onto the
side they’re washing up onto the
side they’re washing up onto the American side that’s how they’re getting
American side that’s how they’re getting
American side that’s how they’re getting it through he goes well that’s unusual
it through he goes well that’s unusual
it through he goes well that’s unusual he goes listen could you have a full
he goes listen could you have a full
he goes listen could you have a full script on my desk by 6 o’clock tomorrow
script on my desk by 6 o’clock tomorrow
script on my desk by 6 o’clock tomorrow night I said not a problem
night I said not a problem
night I said not a problem he said go do it I’m now a writer for DC
he said go do it I’m now a writer for DC
he said go do it I’m now a writer for DC Comics
turn in this scrip two weeks later I’m
turn in this scrip two weeks later I’m walking down the hallway remember my
walking down the hallway remember my
walking down the hallway remember my hair’s down in my shoulders coming
hair’s down in my shoulders coming
hair’s down in my shoulders coming toward me is the most important editor
toward me is the most important editor
toward me is the most important editor in a history of comics a man named Julie
in a history of comics a man named Julie
in a history of comics a man named Julie Schwartz who was responsible in the
Schwartz who was responsible in the
Schwartz who was responsible in the comics for returning Batman to his dark
comics for returning Batman to his dark
comics for returning Batman to his dark roots it was responsible for Justice
roots it was responsible for Justice
roots it was responsible for Justice League flash Green Lantern the list goes
League flash Green Lantern the list goes
League flash Green Lantern the list goes on and on and he was a gruff guy once he
on and on and he was a gruff guy once he
on and on and he was a gruff guy once he got to know me was kind of a marshmallow
got to know me was kind of a marshmallow
got to know me was kind of a marshmallow but he was gruff and he sees me while he
but he was gruff and he sees me while he
but he was gruff and he sees me while he knows hey kid I know yes Julie I read
knows hey kid I know yes Julie I read
knows hey kid I know yes Julie I read your shadow script if it you did he goes
your shadow script if it you did he goes
your shadow script if it you did he goes yeah it didn’t stink I go oh my God
yeah it didn’t stink I go oh my God
yeah it didn’t stink I go oh my God thank you thank you so much and he said
thank you thank you so much and he said
thank you thank you so much and he said had to like to take a shot at writing
had to like to take a shot at writing
had to like to take a shot at writing Batman I still get the chills this dream
Batman I still get the chills this dream
Batman I still get the chills this dream I had since I was 8 years old comes true
I had since I was 8 years old comes true
I had since I was 8 years old comes true why Batman for me why did I fall in love
why Batman for me why did I fall in love
why Batman for me why did I fall in love with this character because he had no
with this character because he had no
with this character because he had no superpowers the only superhero with no
superpowers the only superhero with no
superpowers the only superhero with no real superpowers his greatest superpower
real superpowers his greatest superpower
real superpowers his greatest superpower is his humanity and man when I was 8 in
is his humanity and man when I was 8 in
is his humanity and man when I was 8 in my heart of hearts I really believed
my heart of hearts I really believed
my heart of hearts I really believed that could be this guy
that could be this guy
that could be this guy I thought if I studied hard and if I
I thought if I studied hard and if I
I thought if I studied hard and if I worked out real hard enough my dad
worked out real hard enough my dad
worked out real hard enough my dad bought me a cool car I could be him
bought me a cool car I could be him
bought me a cool car I could be him well my dream came true folks and then I
well my dream came true folks and then I
well my dream came true folks and then I panicked because now I didn’t have a
panicked because now I didn’t have a
panicked because now I didn’t have a dream oh my god I need a new dream 10
dream oh my god I need a new dream 10
dream oh my god I need a new dream 10 minutes for the Epiphany I need to show
minutes for the Epiphany I need to show
minutes for the Epiphany I need to show the world what the true Batman is as
the world what the true Batman is as
the world what the true Batman is as created in 1939 a Dark Knight a creature
created in 1939 a Dark Knight a creature
created in 1939 a Dark Knight a creature of the night stalking criminals from the
of the night stalking criminals from the
of the night stalking criminals from the shadows because I remembered back to a
shadows because I remembered back to a
shadows because I remembered back to a cold night in January 1966 when I
cold night in January 1966 when I
cold night in January 1966 when I couldn’t wait I’ve been waiting for
couldn’t wait I’ve been waiting for
couldn’t wait I’ve been waiting for months the Batman TV series was about to
months the Batman TV series was about to
months the Batman TV series was about to debut it comes on the air I’m so excited
debut it comes on the air I’m so excited
debut it comes on the air I’m so excited it’s in color that was good sets were
it’s in color that was good sets were
it’s in color that was good sets were extravagant but I was simultaneously
extravagant but I was simultaneously
extravagant but I was simultaneously thrilled and horrified by what I was
thrilled and horrified by what I was
thrilled and horrified by what I was seeing on TV because while the car was
seeing on TV because while the car was
seeing on TV because while the car was cool it hit me there playing Batman as a
cool it hit me there playing Batman as a
cool it hit me there playing Batman as a joke the whole world was laughing at
joke the whole world was laughing at
joke the whole world was laughing at Batman and that killed me and so right
Batman and that killed me and so right
Batman and that killed me and so right then and there I made a vow
then and there I made a vow
then and there I made a vow I was in my den downstairs but I made a
I was in my den downstairs but I made a
I was in my den downstairs but I made a vow just like young Bruce Wayne once
vow just like young Bruce Wayne once
vow just like young Bruce Wayne once made a vow but he made his vow over the
made a vow but he made his vow over the
made a vow but he made his vow over the bloody bodies of his parents in the
bloody bodies of his parents in the
bloody bodies of his parents in the street
street
street my parents were safe in the kitchen but
my parents were safe in the kitchen but
my parents were safe in the kitchen but I said somehow someday someway I am
I said somehow someday someway I am
I said somehow someday someway I am going to show the world the true Batman
going to show the world the true Batman
going to show the world the true Batman and I’m going to find a way to eliminate
and I’m going to find a way to eliminate
and I’m going to find a way to eliminate from the collective consciousness of the
from the collective consciousness of the
from the collective consciousness of the world culture these three little words
world culture these three little words
world culture these three little words POW zap and Wham
POW zap and Wham
POW zap and Wham so the day finally came when I thought
so the day finally came when I thought
so the day finally came when I thought it was my moment and I went back to the
it was my moment and I went back to the
it was my moment and I went back to the president of DC Comics who had mentored
president of DC Comics who had mentored
president of DC Comics who had mentored me into the company and I said Saul I
me into the company and I said Saul I
me into the company and I said Saul I want to buy the rights to Batman I want
want to buy the rights to Batman I want
want to buy the rights to Batman I want to start making dark and serious Batman
to start making dark and serious Batman
to start making dark and serious Batman movies and show the world the true
movies and show the world the true
movies and show the world the true character he was horrified and he was
character he was horrified and he was
character he was horrified and he was very fatherly to me he put his arm
very fatherly to me he put his arm
very fatherly to me he put his arm around me says Michael for God’s sake
around me says Michael for God’s sake
around me says Michael for God’s sake don’t do this I don’t want to see you
don’t do this I don’t want to see you
don’t do this I don’t want to see you lose all your money don’t you understand
lose all your money don’t you understand
lose all your money don’t you understand that since Batman went off the air in TV
that since Batman went off the air in TV
that since Batman went off the air in TV the brand is as dead as a dodo nobody’s
the brand is as dead as a dodo nobody’s
the brand is as dead as a dodo nobody’s interested in Batman anymore I said yeah
interested in Batman anymore I said yeah
interested in Batman anymore I said yeah but if we do it in a dark serious way
but if we do it in a dark serious way
but if we do it in a dark serious way nobody’s ever seen a comic-book movie
nobody’s ever seen a comic-book movie
nobody’s ever seen a comic-book movie like that it’ll kind of be like a new
like that it’ll kind of be like a new
like that it’ll kind of be like a new form of entertainment he said is there
form of entertainment he said is there
form of entertainment he said is there any way I can talk you out of this I
any way I can talk you out of this I
any way I can talk you out of this I said no I said all right come on in
said no I said all right come on in
said no I said all right come on in so if anyone wonders how a kid in his
so if anyone wonders how a kid in his
so if anyone wonders how a kid in his 20s was able to buy the rights to Batman
20s was able to buy the rights to Batman
20s was able to buy the rights to Batman to make into movies the very unglamorous
to make into movies the very unglamorous
to make into movies the very unglamorous answer is nobody else on the planet
answer is nobody else on the planet
answer is nobody else on the planet Earth
Earth
Earth showed up nobody else wanted it well I
showed up nobody else wanted it well I
showed up nobody else wanted it well I finally after a six-month negotiation we
finally after a six-month negotiation we
finally after a six-month negotiation we raised some money privately got the
raised some money privately got the
raised some money privately got the rights
rights
rights put it in my back pocket and I went out
put it in my back pocket and I went out
put it in my back pocket and I went out to Hollywood I went out to Hollywood
to Hollywood I went out to Hollywood
to Hollywood I went out to Hollywood sure I was going to have a slam-dunk
sure I was going to have a slam-dunk
sure I was going to have a slam-dunk easy time of this every studio is going
easy time of this every studio is going
easy time of this every studio is going to just line up at my doorstep how could
to just line up at my doorstep how could
to just line up at my doorstep how could they not how could they not understand
they not how could they not understand
they not how could they not understand the potential for sequels and
the potential for sequels and
the potential for sequels and merchandising games and toys and
merchandising games and toys and
merchandising games and toys and animation I was turned down by every
animation I was turned down by every
animation I was turned down by every single studio in Hollywood and that’s
single studio in Hollywood and that’s
single studio in Hollywood and that’s that’s not even the right way to say it
that’s not even the right way to say it
that’s not even the right way to say it I was virtually thrown at if everyone’s
I was virtually thrown at if everyone’s
I was virtually thrown at if everyone’s off
off
off they told me it was the worst idea
they told me it was the worst idea
they told me it was the worst idea they’d ever heard they told me I was
they’d ever heard they told me I was
they’d ever heard they told me I was crazy Michael you can’t do serious comic
crazy Michael you can’t do serious comic
crazy Michael you can’t do serious comic book movies Michael you’re nuts you
book movies Michael you’re nuts you
book movies Michael you’re nuts you cannot do dark superheroes Michael
cannot do dark superheroes Michael
cannot do dark superheroes Michael you’re out of your mind
you’re out of your mind
you’re out of your mind you can’t make a movie based on an old
you can’t make a movie based on an old
you can’t make a movie based on an old TV series it’s never been done I pitched
TV series it’s never been done I pitched
TV series it’s never been done I pitched the dark and serious Batman at Columbia
the dark and serious Batman at Columbia
the dark and serious Batman at Columbia Pictures the guy there had been head of
Pictures the guy there had been head of
Pictures the guy there had been head of production for about 20 years dapper
production for about 20 years dapper
production for about 20 years dapper silver haired gent and I pitched my
silver haired gent and I pitched my
silver haired gent and I pitched my heart out and at the end he looks at me
heart out and at the end he looks at me
heart out and at the end he looks at me gives me a tisk tisk and says Michael
gives me a tisk tisk and says Michael
gives me a tisk tisk and says Michael you’re crazy
you’re crazy
you’re crazy Batman will never be successful as a
Batman will never be successful as a
Batman will never be successful as a movie because our movie Annie didn’t do
movie because our movie Annie didn’t do
movie because our movie Annie didn’t do well are you talking about the little
well are you talking about the little
well are you talking about the little redheaded girl who sings tomorrow yeah
redheaded girl who sings tomorrow yeah
redheaded girl who sings tomorrow yeah well what does that have to do with
well what does that have to do with
well what does that have to do with Batman oh come on Michael they’re both
Batman oh come on Michael they’re both
Batman oh come on Michael they’re both out of the funny pages that was my
out of the funny pages that was my
out of the funny pages that was my rejection of Columbia it took us 10
rejection of Columbia it took us 10
rejection of Columbia it took us 10 years to get our first Batman movie made
years to get our first Batman movie made
years to get our first Batman movie made from the time we acquired the rights 10
from the time we acquired the rights 10
from the time we acquired the rights 10 years of rejection 10 years of being
years of rejection 10 years of being
years of rejection 10 years of being told my ideas were allowing 10 years of
told my ideas were allowing 10 years of
told my ideas were allowing 10 years of being told you’re no good you know what
being told you’re no good you know what
being told you’re no good you know what that does it really tests your mettle as
that does it really tests your mettle as
that does it really tests your mettle as a human being you’ve got to look deep
a human being you’ve got to look deep
a human being you’ve got to look deep inside yourself and go okay now is
inside yourself and go okay now is
inside yourself and go okay now is everybody right and I’m just being
everybody right and I’m just being
everybody right and I’m just being stubborn or do I really truly totally
stubborn or do I really truly totally
stubborn or do I really truly totally believe in this and believe in myself
believe in this and believe in myself
believe in this and believe in myself now I kept coming up with a ladder
now I kept coming up with a ladder
now I kept coming up with a ladder answer well around 1986 a young genius
answer well around 1986 a young genius
answer well around 1986 a young genius by the name of Tim Burton waltzes into
by the name of Tim Burton waltzes into
by the name of Tim Burton waltzes into our lives and through his vision and he
our lives and through his vision and he
our lives and through his vision and he deserves all the accolades for this
deserves all the accolades for this
deserves all the accolades for this through his vision he realized that if
through his vision he realized that if
through his vision he realized that if we are going to do a serious comic book
we are going to do a serious comic book
we are going to do a serious comic book superhero movie that will not get
superhero movie that will not get
superhero movie that will not get unintentional laughs from the audience
unintentional laughs from the audience
unintentional laughs from the audience it had to be not about Batman it had to
it had to be not about Batman it had to
it had to be not about Batman it had to be about Bruce Wayne the whole key it
be about Bruce Wayne the whole key it
be about Bruce Wayne the whole key it has to be about Bruce Wayne audiences
has to be about Bruce Wayne audiences
has to be about Bruce Wayne audiences must believe in Bruce Wayne and believe
must believe in Bruce Wayne and believe
must believe in Bruce Wayne and believe he is so crazed to the point of being
he is so crazed to the point of being
he is so crazed to the point of being psychotic that yes this is a guy who
psychotic that yes this is a guy who
psychotic that yes this is a guy who would get dressed
would get dressed
would get dressed as a bat and go out and fight a guy like
as a bat and go out and fight a guy like
as a bat and go out and fight a guy like the Joker which is why he realized
the Joker which is why he realized
the Joker which is why he realized Michael Keaton was the guy who could
Michael Keaton was the guy who could
Michael Keaton was the guy who could sell that role as Bruce Wayne to me I
sell that role as Bruce Wayne to me I
sell that role as Bruce Wayne to me I was afraid oh my god mr. mom is Batman
was afraid oh my god mr. mom is Batman
was afraid oh my god mr. mom is Batman what is happening to me but Tim was
what is happening to me but Tim was
what is happening to me but Tim was absolutely right
absolutely right
absolutely right absolutely right and that movie broke
absolutely right and that movie broke
absolutely right and that movie broke every box office record it was impacting
every box office record it was impacting
every box office record it was impacting the world culture in fact it has changed
the world culture in fact it has changed
the world culture in fact it has changed the very nature of Hollywood for better
the very nature of Hollywood for better
the very nature of Hollywood for better worse and the comic book industry as
worse and the comic book industry as
worse and the comic book industry as well after about two weeks of phenomenal
well after about two weeks of phenomenal
well after about two weeks of phenomenal box office I get a call and it’s the guy
box office I get a call and it’s the guy
box office I get a call and it’s the guy from 10 years ago at Columbia
from 10 years ago at Columbia
from 10 years ago at Columbia Michael I’m just calling to congratulate
Michael I’m just calling to congratulate
Michael I’m just calling to congratulate you on the success of Batman I always
you on the success of Batman I always
you on the success of Batman I always said you were a visionary ah
if aney if you don’t believe them when
if aney if you don’t believe them when they tell you how bad you are and how
they tell you how bad you are and how
they tell you how bad you are and how lousy your work is but if you then don’t
lousy your work is but if you then don’t
lousy your work is but if you then don’t believe them when they start to tell you
believe them when they start to tell you
believe them when they start to tell you how wonderful you are and how great all
how wonderful you are and how great all
how wonderful you are and how great all your ideas are and just continue to
your ideas are and just continue to
your ideas are and just continue to believe in yourself you’ll be ok we had
believe in yourself you’ll be ok we had
believe in yourself you’ll be ok we had another genius pop into our lives number
another genius pop into our lives number
another genius pop into our lives number of years later by the name of
of years later by the name of
of years later by the name of Christopher Nolan who completely
Christopher Nolan who completely
Christopher Nolan who completely reinvented the Batman mythos on screen
reinvented the Batman mythos on screen
reinvented the Batman mythos on screen and restored the darkness and dignity to
and restored the darkness and dignity to
and restored the darkness and dignity to Batman elevating the comic book movie to
Batman elevating the comic book movie to
Batman elevating the comic book movie to the point when you walk out of one of
the point when you walk out of one of
the point when you walk out of one of Chris’s movies you don’t have to say
Chris’s movies you don’t have to say
Chris’s movies you don’t have to say that was a great comic book movie you
that was a great comic book movie you
that was a great comic book movie you can say that was a great film so what a
can say that was a great film so what a
can say that was a great film so what a journey for me this has been and I told
journey for me this has been and I told
journey for me this has been and I told you in the beginning that my dad was a
you in the beginning that my dad was a
you in the beginning that my dad was a stonemason
stonemason
stonemason my pop had to drop out of high school
my pop had to drop out of high school
my pop had to drop out of high school when he was 16 to go to work to help his
when he was 16 to go to work to help his
when he was 16 to go to work to help his family through the depression he worked
family through the depression he worked
family through the depression he worked six days a week till he was 80 he loved
six days a week till he was 80 he loved
six days a week till he was 80 he loved what he did he was an old-world
what he did he was an old-world
what he did he was an old-world craftsman
craftsman
craftsman he would make fireplaces and things with
he would make fireplaces and things with
he would make fireplaces and things with brick and stone and mortar and it was
brick and stone and mortar and it was
brick and stone and mortar and it was amazing every day we’d see him get up
amazing every day we’d see him get up
amazing every day we’d see him get up before dawn with a smile on his face
before dawn with a smile on his face
before dawn with a smile on his face couldn’t wait to get to work and when
couldn’t wait to get to work and when
couldn’t wait to get to work and when you grow up in a house like that with
you grow up in a house like that with
you grow up in a house like that with someone like that how could you not want
someone like that how could you not want
someone like that how could you not want that for yourself how could you not want
that for yourself how could you not want
that for yourself how could you not want to wake up on a rainy Monday morning and
to wake up on a rainy Monday morning and
to wake up on a rainy Monday morning and say boy I can’t wait to get to work and
say boy I can’t wait to get to work and
say boy I can’t wait to get to work and that’s why I decided to pursue my
that’s why I decided to pursue my
that’s why I decided to pursue my passions my bricks and stones and I’m
passions my bricks and stones and I’m
passions my bricks and stones and I’m going to leave you with
going to leave you with
going to leave you with by Robert Frost that has been my
by Robert Frost that has been my
by Robert Frost that has been my guidepost since eighth grade and I
guidepost since eighth grade and I
guidepost since eighth grade and I continue to follow it today I shall be
continue to follow it today I shall be
continue to follow it today I shall be telling this with a sigh somewhere ages
telling this with a sigh somewhere ages
telling this with a sigh somewhere ages and ages hence two roads diverged in a
and ages hence two roads diverged in a
and ages hence two roads diverged in a wood and I
wood and I
wood and I I chose the one less traveled by and
I chose the one less traveled by and
I chose the one less traveled by and that has made all the difference thank
that has made all the difference thank
that has made all the difference thank you very much
you very much
you very much [Applause]
”
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