Nearly two years ago (2018) on November the 12th, marked a sad day for comic book and superhero movie fans alike as the world lost one of the most creative storytelling minds ever: Stan Lee.
Lee was the man behind the formation of Marvel Comics and the creation of such great characters as Spider‐Man, Captain America, the X‐ Men, and Iron Man to name but a scant few. Stan Lee’s art of crafting stories about super‐science, space operas, radioactive superheroes, and all kinds of futuristic and fanciful worlds was truly digital in the analog world of comic books.
Born on December 28, 1922 in New York City, Stanley Martin Lieber (known to his fans as Stan Lee) was influenced creatively at a young age by books and movies. He cited the swashbuckling adventures of Errol Flynn in his classic heroic roles from early cinema as a particular inspiration.
At fifteen, Lee was the winner of the New York Herald Tribune’s Biggest News of the Week essay contest for 3 straight weeks. One of the editors there suggested that he pursue a career as a professional writer. Lee claimed that that advice probably changed his life.
Lee was married for 69 years to Joan Boocock with whom he had two daughters: Joan Celia (J. C.) and Jan Lee (who died shortly after delivery).
Though he had worked for several publications, it is his work with Marvel Comics that he is most remembered for.
Lee was hired as an assistant to the then Timely Comics in 1939 and stayed with the publication as it evolved into Marvel Comics in the during the 1960s—he also did a stint in the U.S. Army in 1950s.
Stan Lee was responsible not only for the co‐creation of many of the iconic characters that grace comics, books, and film but also for the controversial and poignant story lines that at times held up an ugly mirror to society and the human condition. But it should be noted that his stories about heroism and the honorableness of humanity are truly his hallmark achievements.
Ultimately, Lee became Editor‐in‐Chief of Marvel Comics and presided over some of its most profitable and exciting years. His collaborative works with some of the greatest graphic artists in the world like Jack Kirby have been featured on television (live and animated), film, radio, Internet, books, live events, and even VR (i.e. video games)—through numerous multi‐media projects both with Marvel and outside of Marvel.
In his later years, he not only became the face of Marvel Comics but a staple of fan‐driven events such as San Diego Comic‐Con, and pop‐culture conventions all over the world—right up until his 95th year!
Even Digital Batman had a chance to see the great Stan Lee at Boston Comic Con 2017!
Lee is also remembered for his numerous cameos in virtually every Marvel film up until his death.
And he created The Stan Lee Foundation, founded in 2010, to focus on literacy, education, and the arts.
Finally, among some of Lee’s greatest accolades, he was inducted into the comic book industry’s Will Eisner Award Hall of Fame in 1994 and the Jack Kirby Hall of Fame in 1995. He received the NEA’s National Medal of Arts in 2008. In 2011, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Though his accomplishments and accolades are too numerous to mention here, one thing about Stan Lee is undeniable: he was a consummate Progressive Pioneer of storytelling that has transcended every form of media that exists today!
Iron Man 
Spider-Man 
Captain America 
X-Men
Comic books to me are like fairy tales for grown-ups.
Stan Lee