It is hard to forget Stan Lee once you know of him - the bespectacled, mustachioed man with a booming voice, bright smiles and larger than life presence. He was the face of Marvel Comics, and even in his 70's, he was had more energy than those younger than him. The legendary writer, editor and publisher of Marvel Comics, who co-created several iconic comic book characters like Spider-man, Iron Man and Black Panther, loved being connected to the fandom as well as the people who worked in producing comics. Until recently, he attended a number of comic conventions meeting thousands of fans each year.
On Monday morning (13 Nov), Stan Lee pass away at the age of 95 in Los Angeles.
The last few years had been tumultuous for Stan Lee. He battled with pneumonia with legal issues and problems with trusted managers and caretakers which surfaced after his beloved wife Joan died in 2017 at the age of 69. Still, when long time friends like Todd McFarlane and Rob Liefield visited him while he was unwell earlier this year, he was energetic enough to offer positive messages to the fans and creators.
If it were not for the spunky, friendly personality of Stan Lee, occasional superhero comic book readers like Red Dot Diva, would not have ventured to read more of such stories. Due to the pop-culture hype that he is able to create, including his numerous cameos in the international movie blockbusters from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, thousands more fans around the world got to know about Marvel's publications and their beloved comic book characters.
At San Diego Comic Con in 2014, Red Dot Diva was lucky enough to watch him in action, promoting kids books in a collaboration between 1821 Comics and is own label, Stan Lee's Kids Universe. He was the ultimate charmer, and exuded a palpable sense of confidence and positive energy while he introduced the two books being published. Thanks to a PR contact, Red Dot Diva was introduced to him after the press gathering, and managed to have a photo taken with him. It was a little blurry, but the moment was pure magic.
Talking about magic moments, ask any geek or comic book creator who had met Stan Lee in real life, and they could probably tell you an anecdote or two about those few but special seconds or minutes. You were either awestruck, or gushing with deep felt appreciation. Mostly, you feel tremendously inspired by the man who had spent his lifetime creating characters and stories that we can all enjoy.
Here are two touching tributes to Stan Lee by Red Dot Diva's friends - David Goei, and Wayne Rée.
David Goei:
Wayne Rée:
This is an extract from Wayne's eulogy. You can read the entire piece on his Facebook Page.
"Stan wasn't just a co-creator, or the face, for better or worse. He wasn't just that familiar cameo, or the narrator that introduced us to the cartoons.
He was all those things.
He was an advocate. He elevated and enriched the comic industry, popular culture on a whole, their practitioners and their consumers.
He made us more than comic readers or fans. He made us True Believers and part of the Merry Marvel Marching Society.
He was The Man."
And, indeed he was.
Goodbye, our dear Generalissmo.
Excelsior!
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