Marvel Comics icon, Stan Lee (Stanley Martin Lieber) has sadly passed away. A writer and editor for Marvel Comics, Lee became one of the most famous comic book creators in history, co-creating such iconic characters as Spider-Man, the Avengers, the X-Men, Hulk and Fantastic Four.
His comic career began in 1941, when Lee – aged 17 – first had a prose story published in the fifth issue of Captain America Comics. However, it was in the 1960s when Lee secured his reputation in pop culture history.
Born Stanley Lieber, he changed the his name in order to “save that name” for serious writing, assuming that writing comics would be a brief stop on the way to becoming a novelist or playwright. Instead, his comic book career would span almost seven decades, and rather than moving on to a more “respectable” medium, Lee helped to transform the American comic book into the major pop culture powerhouse that it is today.
Marvel Comics (and the movie studio born from it) has generated billions in its time, and none of that would have happened if Lee hadn’t listened to his wife, Joan, in 1961 when Marvel Comics was in trouble. The comic book industry was fairing badly, and Lee was sure that he’d soon be out of a job. Joan had one thing to say to try and lift his spirits: before you leave, do one comic book that you will be proud of.
And in doing this, Lee made history. This comic was Fantastic Four #1, which saw the team-up of Lee and Jack Kirby, and brought with it success that changed everything for Marvel. It signified the arrival of a dynamic, new brand of superheroes, far different from the usual breed. The team fought with each other, one was a rock monster, none of them had secret identities, and they were driven at times by the same impulses we all have. Fans adored it.
This mix of superhero concepts and melodrama continued with Spider-Man, who appeared first in Amazing Fantasy #15, created by Lee and Steve Ditko. Peter Parker was a scrawny teen with glasses, who often lost battles, worried about money, and had a tough time at school due to bullies and knockbacks from disinterested girls. He was a characters that Lee would often say was closest to his heart, and to his own childhood, growing up in New York as a bookish boy with big dreams and a small life.
Lee’s wife Joan passed away last year, also at the age of 95, and her passing set off a power struggle between friends, advisors, managers, and attorneys. In August, Keya Morgan, a memorabilia dealer and one-time advisor to the Lees, was ordered by a judge to stay away from Lee for three years after allegations of elder abuse surfaced.
Stan Lee continued to work well into his later years and was especially known for his cameos in each of the Marvel Studios releases – something which would become a fan favourite feature to spot in the films, and will surely be sadly missed.
Tom Lallas, Lee’s attorney said in a statement: “Stan Lee is, and forever will be, an American icon. All superhero fans around the world mourn his passing. There will never be another like him. Since the death of his beloved wife Joan on July 6, 2017, his most fervent desire was to join her. May they hold each other in the blissful, warm embrace of their love for eternity.”
Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige said in a statement after Lee’s death, “No one has had more of an impact on my career and everything we do at Marvel Studios than Stan Lee. Stan leaves an extraordinary legacy that will outlive us all. Our thoughts are with his daughter, his family, and the millions of fans who have been forever touched by Stan’s genius, charisma and heart. Excelsior!”
Alan Horn, chariman of Walt Disney Studios remembered Lee saying, “It’s impossible to overstate Stan’s influence on popular culture. I was able to get to know Stan over these past several years through his work with Marvel Studios, and was always impressed by his irrepressible energy and vitality. We’ve lost a true creator. My thoughts are with his family and friends during this difficult time.”
Along with these, many of Hollywood’s biggest names also shared memories of and farewells to Stan Lee, including Avengers stars Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans:
Rest in peace, Soldier.
Comic book creator @TheRealStanLee has passed away at the age of 95. Lee served in the #USArmy Signal Corps during WWII from 1942-1945. We are deeply grateful for his service to our country and for his tremendous support to servicemembers. #Excelsior! pic.twitter.com/P9tdwoxxx2
— U.S. Army (@USArmy) November 12, 2018
There will never be another Stan Lee. For decades he provided both young and old with adventure, escape, comfort, confidence, inspiration, strength, friendship and joy. He exuded love and kindness and will leave an indelible mark on so, so, so many lives. Excelsior!!
— Chris Evans (@ChrisEvans) November 12, 2018
#RIP Stan Lee, who spoke out against anti-Semitism decades ago, writing: "Sooner or later…we must fill out hearts with tolerance."
(via @BoingBoing) #StanLee pic.twitter.com/YDEQ6PlP5x
— Carl Quintanilla (@carlquintanilla) November 12, 2018
Born before Edwin Hubble discovered the expanding universe, he ultimately created an expanding universe of his own – one of scientifically literate superheroes such as Spider-Man , The Hulk, Iron Man, & Black Panther.
Stan Lee RIP: 1922 – 2018— Neil deGrasse Tyson (@neiltyson) November 12, 2018
Thank you for making everyone feel that they could be super, Stan. Your world will live on, and continue to bring joy to people everywhere. Excelsior!
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