By Mark Rodriguez
I was shocked by the news today when someone at work told me. I thought he was joking and was waiting for him to crack a smile on him trying to fool me. But he showed me the websites and the updated Wikipedia article. I was surprised that Stan Lee has left us this Monday November 12th.
At 95, Stan 'The Man' Lee left us an entire legacy of characters that he either created or co-created that will continue to exist for years to come in the Marvel Universe. Such characters include The Fantastic Four, Spider-Man, The Avengers, Black Panther and The Incredible Hulk. Alongside other greats like Steve Ditko and Jack Kirby, Stan Lee created some of the most memorable characters of all time.
Born Stanley Martin Leiber, December 28, 1922, he helped create the foundation of Marvel comics with his ideas that went against what other superheroes were doing at the time. The Fantastic Four had no secret identities and the average Joe down the street knew who they were and where they lived. Spider-Man was a teenage superhero that starred in his own title, rather than being the sidekick of an older superhero. The most known change was... these heroes had real life problems. They don't choose to live the life of a superhero at all times and have more to worry about than just hiding their secret identity. Spider-Man would defeat Doctor Octopus.. but he'd also worry about paying rent. The Thing had amazing strength, but he was also stuck like that and had to deal with living with that appearance. Bruce Banner lived in fear of turning into the Hulk in a public place full of innocent people. It went beyond just superheroics.
The comics would eventually lead to cartoons, videogames, and of course, live action movies. He'd also begin to have cameos in several of these things, including reading the opening narration of 'Pryde of the X-Men' and starring as himself in the last episode of Spider-Man the Animated Series.
He'd of course be well known nowadays for his many cameos in the Marvel movies, starting with the Toby McGuire Spider-Man trilogy. He'd also make appearance in all of the movies in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as well as some of the X-Men films and the Deadpool movies. He even jumped ship for a quick cameo in the Teen Titans Go movie saying that 'he loves cameos'.
I mean there's gotta be something to be said to only help create these amazing characters in order to pay rent... to live long enough to cameo in the live action adaptations of the very characters he helped create. That just has to be amazing.
It took me a while to get into comics as a kid, but when I decided to finally jump in, I did get some of the Avengers and Spider-Man comics back in the day. The X-Men cartoon helped me get into their comics as well. I loved his Soapbox at the end of each issue back then, back when people still sent letters to comics and had them published. And say what you will in hindsight, it was mind-blowing seeing Spider-Man swinging through the city in live action during the first McGuire movie. Sadly, I never got to meet The Man in person though he did make a lot of public appearance at several comic cons, even ones in Vegas.
Marvel got me more into reading as a kid, and seeing such heroes as Captain America and Spider-Man would help out in trying to do the right thing. Aside from my parents and church as a kid, a lot of choices in my life were made with the thoughts 'what would Captain America do'? in regards to doing what's right or helping people in need. I kinda think these characters do help inspire people to be heroes and help others in need at times.
Rest in Peace Stan Lee, your legacy and the awesome guy that you are will always be remembered. Excelsior!! Thanks for bringing joy and a sense of wonder in the heart of so many people, young and old. You'll always Make Mine Marvel! 'Nuff said.
I was shocked by the news today when someone at work told me. I thought he was joking and was waiting for him to crack a smile on him trying to fool me. But he showed me the websites and the updated Wikipedia article. I was surprised that Stan Lee has left us this Monday November 12th.
Born Stanley Martin Leiber, December 28, 1922, he helped create the foundation of Marvel comics with his ideas that went against what other superheroes were doing at the time. The Fantastic Four had no secret identities and the average Joe down the street knew who they were and where they lived. Spider-Man was a teenage superhero that starred in his own title, rather than being the sidekick of an older superhero. The most known change was... these heroes had real life problems. They don't choose to live the life of a superhero at all times and have more to worry about than just hiding their secret identity. Spider-Man would defeat Doctor Octopus.. but he'd also worry about paying rent. The Thing had amazing strength, but he was also stuck like that and had to deal with living with that appearance. Bruce Banner lived in fear of turning into the Hulk in a public place full of innocent people. It went beyond just superheroics.
The comics would eventually lead to cartoons, videogames, and of course, live action movies. He'd also begin to have cameos in several of these things, including reading the opening narration of 'Pryde of the X-Men' and starring as himself in the last episode of Spider-Man the Animated Series.
He'd of course be well known nowadays for his many cameos in the Marvel movies, starting with the Toby McGuire Spider-Man trilogy. He'd also make appearance in all of the movies in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as well as some of the X-Men films and the Deadpool movies. He even jumped ship for a quick cameo in the Teen Titans Go movie saying that 'he loves cameos'.
I mean there's gotta be something to be said to only help create these amazing characters in order to pay rent... to live long enough to cameo in the live action adaptations of the very characters he helped create. That just has to be amazing.
It took me a while to get into comics as a kid, but when I decided to finally jump in, I did get some of the Avengers and Spider-Man comics back in the day. The X-Men cartoon helped me get into their comics as well. I loved his Soapbox at the end of each issue back then, back when people still sent letters to comics and had them published. And say what you will in hindsight, it was mind-blowing seeing Spider-Man swinging through the city in live action during the first McGuire movie. Sadly, I never got to meet The Man in person though he did make a lot of public appearance at several comic cons, even ones in Vegas.
Marvel got me more into reading as a kid, and seeing such heroes as Captain America and Spider-Man would help out in trying to do the right thing. Aside from my parents and church as a kid, a lot of choices in my life were made with the thoughts 'what would Captain America do'? in regards to doing what's right or helping people in need. I kinda think these characters do help inspire people to be heroes and help others in need at times.
Rest in Peace Stan Lee, your legacy and the awesome guy that you are will always be remembered. Excelsior!! Thanks for bringing joy and a sense of wonder in the heart of so many people, young and old. You'll always Make Mine Marvel! 'Nuff said.
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