Bill Maher blasted over 'disgusting' Stan Lee comments

Bill Maher is under fire for comments about Stan Lee's death. Photos / AP, Supplied

The company owned by Stan Lee has issued an extraordinary statement slamming TV personality Bill Maher's "disgusting" response to the comic book legend's death.

While other celebrities posted glowing tributes following news of Lee's death last week, Maher decided to write a blog post making light of the Marvel Comics director's legacy.

"The guy who created Spider-Man and the Hulk has died, and America is in mourning. Deep, deep mourning for a man who inspired millions to, I don't know, watch a movie, I guess," Maher wrote in an entry on his website called Adulting.

The comedian turned political commentator also questioned how adults could like comic books because it was something he had always believed "were for kids".

"The problem is, we're using our smarts on stupid stuff," Maher wrote. "I don't think it's a huge stretch to suggest that Donald Trump could only get elected in a country that thinks comic books are important."

In response to Maher's post, Lee's company POW! Entertainment penned an open letter to the comedian saying the X-Men creator's work had taught "tolerance and respect" while using comic books as "storytelling devices", Variety reported.

"To say that Stan merely inspired people to 'watch a movie' is in our opinion frankly disgusting," the statement read.

"Countless people can attest to how Stan inspired them to read, taught them that the world is not made up of absolutes, that heroes can have flaws and even villains can show humanity within their souls."

The statement finished by expressing "shock" at Maher's comments and quoting one of Lee's most famous comic book character quotes.

"Our shock at your comments makes us want to say 'Nuff said, Bill,' but instead we will rely on another of Stan's lessons to remind you that you have a powerful platform, so please remember: 'With great power there must also come — great responsibility!'"

Maher isn't the only celebrity to find themselves in hot water over Lee's death, with actor Armie Hammer also criticised for his response.

Hammer tweeted that celebrities who were posing photos of themselves with Lee "makes his death about you and how cool you felt taking a picture with him".

pic.twitter.com/ba8Sn4XLAW

— Armie Hammer (@armiehammer) November 15, 2018

But after a backlash from fans — and other celebrities including Jeffrey Dean Morgan — Hammer issued an apology tweet, writing that he would be "working on my Twitter impulse control".

Lee died in Los Angeles at the age of 95 last week. While his cause of death is not yet known the comic book writer had suffered from a string of illnesses in the last 12 months.