Stan Lee, co-creator of Marvel Comics, passed away this Monday at age 95. Marvel Comics remembers his legacy, how involved he was in the characters we know and love today, and how he always spoke directly to his readers.
On Monday, comic icon Stan Lee passed away at age 95. His influence across comics and entertainment spread far and wide, but it was at Marvel that he built his career and reputation. The company released a touching obituary on its site to honor Lee’s legacy.
Lee’s work as Editor-in-Chief of Marvel produced some of the most iconic superheroes that we know today.
“A rich collection of characters grew out of his nonstop plotting sessions with his artists, including the Fantastic Four, Spider-Man, Thor, Iron Man, the Hulk, the X-Men, and more,” Marvel’s obituary reads. “Today, it would be almost impossible to find a corner of the Marvel Universe that Stan didn’t have a hand in.”
But Lee did more than just create the world of Marvel comics; he also directly spoke to the readers, creating a personal touch that hadn’t been seen before.
“When something mattered to Stan, you felt it in his words, whether in an editorial or in the stories themselves,” Marvel continued in the statement. “With passion for the medium, he helped refine and reform the Comics Code Authority and addressed hot-button issues like discrimination, drugs, and intolerance.”
The full statement can be read on Marvel’s site. Above it all is an image of “Smiling Stan” Lee, with one of his most notable quotes.
“ I used to be embarrassed because I was just a comic book writer while other people were building bridges or going on to medical careers. And then I began to realize: entertainment is one of the most important things in people’s lives. Without it, they might go off the deep end. I feel that if you’re able to entertain, you’re doing a good thing.”
