Stan Lee, the guy who created and co-created hundreds of iconic superheroes, including Spider-Man, Iron Man, Incredible Hulk, and Thor, is coming to Planet Comicon Kansas City at Bartle Hall May 20, 21 and 22. The legendary former publisher of Marvel Comics is scheduled to sign autographs, pose with fans for photo opportunities, and appear on stage for a Q&A session.

“Every year the show gets better,” said Planet Comicon Kansas City founder and CEO Christopher Jackson. “We are incredibly excited and truly honored to have Stan Lee coming to Kansas City. He is a visionary who has brought a whole pantheon of modern mythology to life. The incredible imagination of Stan Lee fills our theaters, toy stores, and television screens.”

Planet Comicon Kansas City has exploded in popularity and attendance since moving to the monster space at Bartle Hall in 2012. The annual show draws legions of fans of superheroes, science fiction, animation, television, movies, fantasy, and gaming, with acres of interactive exhibits, live art, costumes, performances and collectibles.

Other celebrity guests already announced for Planet Comicon in 2016 include Edward James Olmos (Battlestar Galactica, Miami Vice), Eve Myles (Doctor Who, Torchwood), Sean Maher (Firefly), Jason Mewes(Clerks, Mallrats) and Jason David Frank (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers).

In a joint press release on Marvel.com, Sony Pictures and Marvel Studios have announced that they are collaborating to bring Spider-Man into the Marvel cineverse and create new Spider-Man movies together. After lots of speculation and rumors, a deal Spider-Man fans have wanted has become a reality. A new Spider-Man will make his first appearance in a Marvel movie, followed by a standalone movie on July 28, 2017. The only announced Marvel movies between now aand the standalone film are Captain America: Civil War and Dr. Strange, which means Spider-Man will likely be in Civil War. The Spider-Man standalone film is the exact date as previously announced Thor: Ragnarock, which likely means that Thor will be moved back a month.

Rumors of Spider-Man's appearance in Avengers: Infinity Wars now seem extremely valid. The most interesting part of the press release is this: "Sony Pictures will continue to finance, distribute, own and have final creative control of the Spider-Man films." This is the only thing that gives me pause about the whole deal. But thankfully, Sony's control is limited to Spider-Man films. This deal opens up so many stories and characters to cross over, and as a fan, I could not be happier.

Via Marvel:

Bob Iger, Chairman and CEO, The Walt Disney Company said: "Spider-Man is one of Marvel's great characters, beloved around the world. We're thrilled to work with Sony Pictures to bring the iconic web-slinger into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which opens up fantastic new opportunities for storytelling and franchise building."

"We always want to collaborate with the best and most successful filmmakers to grow our franchises and develop our characters. Marvel, Kevin Feige and Amy, who helped orchestrate this deal, are the perfect team to help produce the next chapter of Spider-Man," said Michael Lynton, Chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures Entertainment. "This is the right decision for the franchise, for our business, for Marvel, and for the fans."

"Sony Pictures and Marvel Studios share a love for the characters in the Spider-Man universe and have a long, successful history of working together. This new level of collaboration is the perfect way to take Peter Parker's story into the future," added Doug Belgrad, president, Sony Pictures Entertainment Motion Picture Group.

"I am thrilled to team with my friends at Sony Pictures along with Amy Pascal to produce the next Spider-Man movie," said Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige. "Amy has been deeply involved in the realization on film of one of the world’s most beloved characters. Marvel's involvement will hopefully deliver the creative continuity and authenticity that fans demand from the MCU. I am equally excited for the opportunity to have Spider-Man appear in the MCU, something which both we at Marvel, and fans alike, have been looking forward to for years."

This is huge and I can't wait to see what comes of this friendship between Sony and Marvel! I am hoping they have also talked about the X-Men and the possibility of having them in future Marvel movies as well.