Today, a legend, an icon, a hero, an inspiration, and a renowned creator passed away. At the age of 95, the former brain fuel behind Marvel Comics, Stan Lee, died after struggling with numerous health conditions. As many mourn the loss of an idol, I figured it was important to truly cement his importance as both a creator and a regular human being.
Stan Lee was a man who preached about important issues and struggles both personal and political through gripping, fantastical stories of epic proportions. He was the one who created the likes of Spider-Man, the X-Men, Hulk, and many others with partners Steve Ditko and Jack Kirby at his side. Using these characters, he tackled the social issues surrounding ethnic groups and discrimination through X-Men, helped make scrawny nerds feel powerful with Spider-Man, and so on.
These weren’t just corporate ideas made to print money or spawn toy lines, these were characters and stories with purpose, meaning, and a sense of heart. They felt genuine because they were genuine and perhaps that’s why Stan Lee’s creations have continued to stay relevant and lead billion-dollar film franchises.
Stan Lee’s characters were always people presented as flawed yet extraordinary. He made it feel ok to be different, something important to seemingly everyone no matter your reason for being different. Whether you have a different skin color, a disability, a different sexuality, he gave a place for those to feel welcome and accepted in these worlds. He made people feel like they weren’t alone, like these characters went through the same struggles yet always persevered!
The most widely relatable one is, of course, Peter Parker/Spider-Man. A down on his luck geek who can’t get the girl he wants, struggles to pay his rent, and has a complicated dual-identity that prevents him from truly excelling as either Peter or Spider-Man. While most of us probably don’t have super strength or the ability to climb walls and shoot webs out of our wrists, many identify with his struggles.
There’s something about him that strongly connects the reader to him. What’s more important is that Stan Lee uses this to channel positivity through the downsides of Peter Parker because he always somehow finds a way to be optimistic whether it’s through his wisecracks, the ability to save the day, or just maybe even get the girl. It shows a light at the end of the tunnel, that things do get better even in the darkest hours. Giving up shouldn’t be an option because, with strength and courage, you can overcome anything.
Stan Lee himself was also an optimist. In all of my years of following him through films, documentaries, conventions, and so on, I have never seen the man frown or be upset. Last year, I got to meet him and while it was a bit sad to see that he couldn’t see very well and had a very hard time hearing, he was eager to talk to everyone, sign your stuff, take a picture with you, and so on.
This weary man who was obviously very tired didn’t let it hold him back from being someone we should all aspire to be. Someone who brings smiles wherever he goes, someone who offers nothing but love and warmth, someone who can make a change by just being a decent human being.
My heart breaks to know that he’s gone but after all the good he has done in the world, I can’t say that he hasn’t earned the rest. To say he’ll be missed is just not even coming close to the truth, he left a mark on the world in a way no one else could by using his creativity to bring attention to important issues and using it all for good rather than being greedy and using his talents for nothing but money.
The world changed because of Stan Lee, there aren’t enough word and paragraphs for me to write about why he is such an important figure in our world but he is someone who has shaped the lives of many and will hopefully continue to long after his passing. As he says in his brief cameo in Spider-Man 3, maybe one man can make a difference.
Rest in Peace, Stan Lee – Excelsior!
