STAN LEE, 95, has passed away. WHOA. Everyone’s childhood came rushing back. The fluid memories of the characters that substantially raised our generation were suddenly clear as a bell. Funny how that happens. We talk about Stan Lee and laugh at his cameos. “Hey man, I wonder what he’ll do for the next one” – a line repeated many times in the last fifteen years. What a legacy. What a damn legacy. Marvel has been a part of us so long that we don’t know where to start to actually thank the man who started it. Where do you begin? You begin by telling your kids about his antics and stories, telling people about the new comics you picked up, and by being creative. Nothing says thank you more than sharing with the next generation and encouraging them to be crazy thinkers, create, draw. Think.
Our Editor-In-Chief, Stoney, Wanted to share some thoughts…
I can distinctly remember buying comic books and action figures from Mount Juliet Video & Comics as a kid. That was where it all started for me – that X-Men cartoon, the awesome toys, all of the distinct and colorful characters. It was an entirely different world and, even at a young age, I remember thinking, “who comes up with all this stuff?” But, comics are one of the first things I ever took an interest in that made me feel creative. That’s when I was just figuring out that I wanted to write my own stories. I can remember writing and drawing my own “comic books” using the heroes and villains I wanted to. I didn’t know it at the time, but I know it today: Stan Lee was one of my major influences as a creator.
To adequately speak to his creativity and vision would be nearly impossible. His influence on our culture has been evident for the better part of the last half-century. But, while he was an entertaining and charismatic man, how relentlessly he turned his ideas into reality deserves recognition as well. Not only is he responsible for brightening the lives of millions of people, but he is a champion of hustle. He showed the world what is possible when you dedicate yourself to something you love. Marvel is an entertainment juggernaut today, but it all started as an idea. Lee is among history’s upper echelon of creators in my book, and the world is a better place because he imagined, because he worked, and because he lived.
Mose had this to say…
I just want to say thank you Stan Lee for the Marvel Universe and for his cameo in “Mallrats.”
My brother and I used to watch Spider-Man cartoons and X-Men cartoons religiously. We lived for them. Back then, it wasn’t widely as available unless you had a parent into comics. So that was our exposure growing up and now you can’t go five seconds without hearing or reading an article. Man. What a world. What a world Stan Lee created. My life virtually revolves around Marvel now, so I guess I can also thank him for the wonderful hobby I get to write about every week. I’ll leave you with this:
That’s the idea that will live, forever.
Beta Ray Greg and The SoBros Network
