Marvel Legend Stan Lee Has Passed Away at the Age of 95; What Did He Mean To you?

Stan LeeMarvel by Joey Paur

We all knew that this was coming, but I still wasn’t prepared for it to actually happen. Marvel Comics legend Stan Lee has passed away, and as I write this I’m filled with all kinds of emotions, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t shed some tears.

Stan Lee was 95-year-old when he passed away. He lived a long and incredible life and it was just his time. He’s left an amazing legacy of characters, stories, and fun movie cameos behind for the fans to remember him by.

I’ve been a fan of Stan Lee ever since I was introduced to his comics as a kid. As you know, he is the creator of several characters many of which I loved and inspired me in my life. The influence Lee and the characters that he and the Marvel creative team created were a huge part in me becoming the geeky fanboy that I am today.

Of all the characters that he created, though, it was Spider-Man that I loved the most. He is the character that had the most impact on my life. He was a character that I was able to really relate to and the one that I always wanted to be when I grew up.

In 2014, Lee told the Chicago Tribune, "I used to think what I did was not very important. People are building bridges and engaging in medical research, and here I was doing stories about fictional people who do extraordinary, crazy things and wear costumes. But I suppose I have come to realize that entertainment is not easily dismissed.”

Not only that, but these characters and stories meant so much to people! He helped spark the imagination in kids and inspired so many of them to grow up to be creative storytellers and artists. There are a lot of kids who grew up reading Marvel Comics that ended up becoming great artists, storytellers, and filmmakers that we have today! Lee was such a huge influence in their lives and mine!

His characters weren’t perfect. They were superheroes, but Lee showed us that even superheroes have to deal with real life problems, had depression, anxiety, and relationship issues. These characters and stories helped teach us about what it’s like to be human. Sure, he did it in cool colorful comic book form, but there were life lessons and substance there for us to grab onto and relate to.

Wow… I’m just taking this all in and feeling the sadness kick in. Stan Lee will be missed, but he’s left an epic legacy behind and his memory will live on in the stories and characters he helped create. His memory will also live on in the minds of the fans, who he always took time to try and meet! Hell, the guy never stopped going to the conventions to meet and talk to his fans! He freakin’ loved us!

I just want to give Stan Lee an “Excelsior!” shout out. We love you Stan!

What did Stan Lee mean to you?

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