"How I Invented Spider-Man" by Stan Lee, Quest, July/August 1977

Lee describes his evolution from writing simple superhero stories to developing complex, relatable characters with real-world problems. He explains his philosophy of creating heroes who face everyday challenges like acne, dating, and financial troubles alongside their superhuman responsibilities. The article details how Spider-Man was developed as a teenage character who struggles with ordinary adolescent issues while fighting crime, and discusses how this approach revolutionized comics. While Lee presents this as his personal creation story, the character was actually co-created with artist Steve Ditko, with initial concepts by Jack Kirby.