Viewers of This Morning were less than impressed when actor James Nesbitt incorrectly said that Stan Lee created Superman during an interview.
Nesbitt currently stars in Stan’s drama series Lucky Man, and appeared on the daily programme to speak about his role as a detective who comes into the possession of an ancient bracelet that gives him supernatural luck.
Speaking to hosts Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby, James said: “Stan Lee, who came up with this – he also came up with Superman and all those great Marvel heroes – the superpower he always wanted was the ability to control luck.”
But viewers quickly picked up on the Northern Irish star’s error, with many pointing out that Superman was not only not created by Stan, but that the character is also part of the DC Comics world, not Marvel Comics.
One fan took to Twitter to write: “James Nesbitt just said Lucky Man was from the mind of Stan Lee, creator of Superman and other famous Marvel characters … Geek rage!”
James Nesbitt declares on @thismorning that @TheRealStanLee created SuperMan! #WhoKnew pic.twitter.com/OBgsDmRx8u
— sköl-hulk (8-8) (@nick__hulk) March 16, 2017
Another fumed that James committed “comic book blasphemy”, while one told Nesbitt to “do your research”.The disbelief continued as one viewer wrote: “@schofe Play it back but James Nesbitt just said Stan Lee created Superman?”“I just died a little that on This Morning James Nesbitt said Stan Lee created Superman,” wrote another disgruntled tweeter.
James Nesbitt just said Lucky Man was from the mind of Stan Lee, creator of Superman and other famous Marvel characters…Geek rage! pic.twitter.com/dxhxsuLlMv
— Chris White (@FirstAvenger83) March 16, 2017
James Nesbitt saying Stan Lee created Superman on This Morning pic.twitter.com/pla8qBvPXV
— Joel Davies (@Lazermonk) March 16, 2017
Apparently, according to James Nesbitt, Superman was created by Stan Lee and Marvel! #ThisMorning #ComicBookBlasphemy
— DJ Shades (@DJShadesUK) March 16, 2017
@schofe Play it back but James Nesbitt just said Stan Lee created Superman?
— Cider Belly (@beardyblob) March 16, 2017
@thismorning correction James Nesbitt, Stan lee didn't create Superman, superman is part of DC not marvel! Do your research! ??
— Scotty Thomas (@ScottySheened) March 16, 2017
Oh heck, James Nesbitt just said that Stan Lee created Superman on @thismorning ??
— Kathryn Williams (@KathW80) March 16, 2017
I just died a little that on This Morning James Nesbitt said Stan Lee created Superman ??
— ~? Tashya. ? (@TheAltBarbie) March 16, 2017
But there was support for the 52-year-old actor, who admitted during the chat that he was never a comic book fan as a child and he was more into football.One person wrote: “People whining James Nesbitt said Stan Lee created Superman. Did you also hear him say he wasn’t a big comic book fan? #ThisMorning.”Stan created a plethora of superhero characters for Marvel Comics in the 1960s including Iron Man, Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, the Hulk and the X-Men.
People whining James Nesbitt said Stan Lee created Superman. Did you also hear him say he wasn't a big comic book fan? #ThisMorning
— Sarah ?? (@Punkroez) March 16, 2017
Superman was created in the 1930s by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster before becoming one of the cornerstones of the DC Comics universe.
During his stint on the This Morning sofa, Cold Feet star James also praised Taken actor Liam Neeson.
Asked by Phillip if he is the first Northern Irish superhero, James said: “I think Liam Neeson will always be the Northern Irish superhero.”