Here's a breakdown of the key events:
* Early Days: Stan Lee was a key creative figure at Marvel, but he was not the owner. The company was initially owned by Martin Goodman.
* 1960s and 1970s: Lee was instrumental in Marvel's success, creating iconic characters and stories like Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, and the X-Men. He became publisher and oversaw a period of significant growth for the company.
* 1970s and 1980s: Financial difficulties led to Marvel being sold to Cadence Industries in 1976. Lee stayed on as publisher for a short time.
* 1980s and 1990s: The company changed hands a few times, going through various ownership structures.
* 1990s: Lee left Marvel in 1998 to start his own company, POW! Entertainment. He continued to be involved with the Marvel brand through various licensing deals and appearances.
* 2009: Disney purchased Marvel Entertainment for $4 billion.
So, Stan Lee never "sold" Marvel, as he never owned the company. He played a crucial role in its success, but his ownership was limited to his shares as an employee. His departure in 1998 was more about seeking new opportunities and exploring his own entrepreneurial ventures.