Today we celebrate the life of Marvel Comics icon, Stan Lee. The famous co-creator of Spider Man, Daredevil, The Avengers, The Fantastic Four, Thor, X-Men, Black Panther, and Iron Man passed away at age 95. The Marvel Comics icon was easily the most well-known person in the comic book world. His prolific career spanned 80 years and his legacy will continue to live on for years to come.
Lee succeeded in his goal of creating comic books featuring his vision of vulnerable, flawed heroes and turned that success into so much more. The real-life superhero understood the purpose of his art was to give his fans and readers not just entertainment, but an escape from reality. He saw his career as a lifestyle that he loved and not merely a job. Throughout his career, even as he became increasingly famous, he reached out and formed a connection with his fans; the outpouring of emotion on social media since the announcement of his death is an illustration of how he touched so many people’s lives.
In a statement, his daughter J.C. said, “My father loved all of his fans. He was the greatest, most decent man.”
At this point in history, the MCU is larger than just one man, and Stan Lee’s vision, imagination, and creativity are an undeniable part of pop culture. His lifetime of contributions to the world of comics and entertainment are a testament to his own dedication and brilliance, and he lives on through his work and everything and everyone that he inspired.
Excelsior!