Stan Lee Licensing Set to Expand
Kartoon Studios, Inc. announced the rapid commercial expansion of its legendary Stan Lee IP, as the company dramatically scales its Stan Lee consumer products business under the leadership of formerMarvel EVP Bob Sabouni, who now oversees The Stan Lee Legacy Program. This expansion is marked by a series of high-value brand partnerships and the continued leverage of the Marvel film and Walt Disney Company theme park licenses, obtained from Kartoon Studios., representing a material step forward in Kartoon Studios’ strategy to unlock shareholder value through premium legacy IP monetization.
Recent licensing and activation deals with industry leaders — including Madame Tussauds, Panini Publishing, and Topps — underscore the long-term market potential of the Stan Lee brand and its unique ability to attract both iconic collaborators and multi-generational fans.
Strategic Partner Highlights:
- Madame Tussauds: Deal renewal for the lifelike Stan Lee wax figure in New York City, with expansion discussions across multiple international locations.Madame Tussauds marks a major milestone in immersive brand experiences.
- Panini Publishing: Launched a limited-edition San Diego Comic Con card activation as a prelude to a broader collectible card line, targeting global trading card markets.
- Topps: Secured a sidecar license that operates alongside Marvel’s exclusive trading card deal — providing Stan Lee Universe with rare access to Topps’ vast collector network and distribution platform.
In addition to these marquee deals, Kartoon Studios continues to build a diversified consumer product portfolio across categories:
- Multi-Verse: Fine art collectibles drop
- Saturday Morning Cards: High-end lacquered collectible cards
- Galkin: Designer sunglasses partnership
- Gallery 1988: Curated Stan Lee fine art gallery show
- Better Magnets: Nostalgia-driven magnets and pins
“We are executing on a focused strategy to convert Stan Lee’s extraordinary cultural equity into ongoing revenues and long-term shareholder value,” said Andy Heyward, Chairman & CEO of Kartoon Studios. “Having led programs at Marvel that generated billions of dollars in retail sales, Bob Sabouni has built a growing roster of world-class partners, adding to the Marvel film and Walt Disney theme park licenses, we have put in place. Our goal is to build a highly scalable, global consumer products business around one of the most iconic names in pop culture. Bob brings over two decades of brand licensing expertise, having led programs at Marvel that generated global retail sales across toys, apparel, collectibles, publishing, and experiential events. He is recognized for building partnerships with top-tier entertainment, retail, and lifestyle brands and for pioneering integrated licensing strategies that bridge physical and digital experiences, and we are privileged to have him as part of our Kartoon Studios team. Of course, this will only support the rollout of Stan Lee superhero IP, starting with The Excelsiors, debuting by year’s end in graphic novel form, and later in media.”
Sabouni added: “We are working on and expect to announce another dozen licenses in various categories before year’s end. Stan Lee’s name resonates across generations and continents. By combining the film and theme park licensing rights—secured by Marvel and Disney—with carefully chosen brand partnerships and content deals, we can deliver authentic, high-quality products and experiences that deepen fan engagement, create meaningful new revenue streams, and ensure Stan’s rightful place as the Father of Pop Culture endures for generations to come.”
The Stan Lee Universe initiative also benefits from a powerful direct-to-consumer marketing engine, with over 30 million followers across Instagram, Facebook, X, YouTube, and TikTok. This built-in fanbase supports product launches, brand collaborations, and content initiatives.
As Kartoon Studios continues to invest in its IP franchises, the Stan Lee Universe is expected to emerge as a cornerstone growth driver across the company’s consumer products, media, and experiential verticals.
