I've just learned that the chief architect of the MARVEL Universe, STAN LEE, has passed away. There will be many fine tributes on other blogs to 'the man' I'm sure (as well as some scurrilous comments from the anti-Stan brigade), but all I want to say at this time is that I was privileged to meet him, shake his hand, and have a chat with him as he signed autographs. All sensible people know that, without Stan, US comicbooks may not have been around today, so we owe him a great deal of appreciation and a huge debt of gratitude. Condolences to his family, friends, and fans. The world will never again be the same.
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As a child, I used to read Enid Blyton books- safe, almost twee stories that I felt could actually have happened somewhere. But that somewhere wasn't anywhere I every daydreamed about between books, or itched to know more about.
Then, one summer, two books came into my possession that simply blew my little mind: Doctor Who and the Cave Monsters and Origins of Marvel Comics. Both astounded and amazed me- even though it was two decades since they were originally published, they seemed fresh, new and vibrant to me. I read and re-read the debuts of the Fantastic Four, Spider-Man, the Hulk til I knew them off by heart, and I thought endlessly about the universe they took place in, creating my own stories and discovering more and more about the characters that had captivated me.
Once I discovered the stories of Lee and Kirby, and Lee and Ditko, I never went back to Enid Blyton.
Thanks for everything Stan , for the fun, the excitement, the comfort your stories and creations brought me, and the friends I made through comics.
Sleep well, Stan, you will never be forgotten.
Indeed he won't, DS, indeed he won't. I remember buying Origins of Marvel Comics when it first came out - thought it was a great read. (Still do.)
Although it's the news we've expected for a while, it still doesn't make it any easier.
RIP Stan. The world is just that little bit sadder and smaller without you in it.
( That's a wonderful photo, Kid. It must be a treasured memory. )
There's several photos that were taken on that day back in 1991, Cer. A few of Stan by himself and, as well as the one on show here, a similar one where we're doing the 'old pals' act (shaking hands). Also pics of Stan and Spidey together, plus Spidey on his own. Hard to believe it was over a quarter of a century ago - only seems like a year or two back at most. A treasured memory for sure.
I can't remember a time when I wasn't aware of Stan Lee - I remember he introduced the Spider-Man and his Amazing Friends cartoon (which I'm almost certainly misremembering as him cheerily announcing 'Hi there True Believers, this is Staaaaan Lee'), but even before that I remember reading a comic* in what must have been the late 70s and finding it equally intriguing and hilarious that the name Stan Lee sounded almost exactly like Stanley (which, I later found out, was the point!).
I will be digging out my copy of Origins of Marvel Comics for my bedtime reading tonight.
* - almost certainly a Hulk comic, since at that age, I had zero interest in reading anything that didn't involve either the Hulk or Superman.
It must have been great to meet him, Kid, I'm sure its a day you'll never forget.
Sad to read of the great man's passing - he seemed like he could go on forever! - his legacy certainly will. For his sake it is gratifying that he lived long enough to be part of the Marvel Universe that now permeates so much of our pop culture and fills so many cinema screens. And that all sprang from his fertile imagination and the results of his collaborations with fellow legends such as Simon, Kirby, Ditko and the like. Personally I know that my childhood, adolescence and adulthood have been made so much richer and more enjoyable through exposure the Marvel comics. RIP Stan.
The number of people whose lives have been affected by Marvel (and in particular when Stan was more involved in it) in the same way that yours (and mine) was, PC, is probably in the millions. I'll be lucky if anyone even notices when I die, but Stan's death has made a huge impact on the lives of those he touched through his stories and characters. I think I'll be re-reading a few of Stan's comics tonight.
Your comment was lying in wait as I typed my reply to PC, DS, and there you are saying you're going to read some of Stan's work, same as myself. Two great minds, eh? Yeah, meeting Stan was amazing - Mr. Charisma should've been his nickname. Yeah, I'll never forget that day unless I get amnesia - or something worse. In the meantime though, it provides a warm glow when the world seems cold.
I met Stan when he visited the UK in 78 or 79. He signed my Journey Into Mystery 83 for me. Yes ok he didn't write all the stories. But all the stories bore his signature, they had his sensibility. And we can see what an effective dialogue writer and editor he was by seeing the work Kirby and Ditko did without him. They worked best as a team. It's a sad day for the comic book world .
The BBC News at Ten just did a nice piece on him. Good to see that his death hasn't been ignored by the British media, PS.
Oh good grief, just heard. I always knew this day would come one day, but it still kicked me in the stomach.
He must have made billions of people on this planet happy. He will go down in history. 'Nuff said!
A very sad occasion.. Stan Lee sure made a massive impact in the comic book world. I would say he and Walt Disney would be the two major icons in the World of Comics ..RIP Stan Lee
I was hoping he'd make at least 100, JP, but not to be, alas. Hope you're doing well.
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And that impact is clear to everyone, LH - the anti-Stan brigade aside, who deny him any creative input at all into the comics and characters he worked on.
BBC Newsnight has just done an extended piece on Stan, with an interview with Jonathan Ross.
Never met Stan, but will always remember his voiceover advertising MWOM 1, and his reading out Kirby's return to Cap (Cap 193) live on Nationwide. And of course his comics, not just the stories, but the bullpen pages, the features, the covers, the triumphs and the tragedies, the loves and the losses. He inspired many; unleashed the best of Kirby, Ditko and brought out of obscurity the likes of Buscema, Colan and Romita.
Stan more than anyone invented the modern super-hero. His style captured a generation.
Excelsior!
I'll have to see if it's on iplayer, S64. I remember the MWOM #1 ad, though I didn't see it until either the Saturday night or Sunday, after I'd bought it. Yes, it's a sad day, but he made a lasting impression on the world of comics.
He will be missed by comic book fans, and even by people who are not into comics, but who recognized that old guy in the funny cameos in Marvel movies. But we should be grateful that he had a long life and such a successful career.
Indeed, TC. A hugely successful career. I for one am grateful that I discovered the Marvel Age when Stan was still at the helm. As you'll perhaps remember, I worked on a couple of Masterworks volumes, and having my name listed on the same page as Stan Lee (and Jack Kirby and others) was an immense thrill for me.
Stan Lee was an important part if so many if our childhoods. He will be missed, but never forgotten and he might be restored in the next Avengers movie.
Most (Well make that all)of my friends have no interest in comics, so it says a lot that when Stan passed as many texted me to say "did you hear Stan Lee died.." than when Bowie passed. I can still recall the utter excitement of seeing that banner heading on page 1 of every Marvel comic back in the day "Stan Lee presents" were getting on ourselves a bit Kid but how lucky were we to have experienced the Stan Lee effect as it happened. Sadly its now "nice said " the coolest old guy I never met
I really don't know what to say. A sad day.
I'd heard he'd recorded a few cameos in advance, BP, so I hope they use them. They'll get a big cheer I'm sure. You're right about him never being forgotten - he had a huge impact on comics.
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I first experienced the Stan Lee effect second-hand, PM - as in the Alf, Bart & Cos 'tribute act' in the Power Comics. However, then I discovered the real thing not too long after. Marvel Comics never seemed quite the same when they dropped the 'Stan Lee Presents' intro.
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A sad day says it all, OD. 'Nuff said. I wonder if they'll make a movie about Stan one day? There's a great story to be told.
Hi Kid, yeah, I'm fine and hope you are too. Still struggling with the house renovation (groan!) - it never ends!
Anyway, Stan's not really dead - he's immortal! His legacy has made him so!
Immortality of a kind, JP, but it's better than nothing and more than most of us get. Right, that's enough chit-chat, back to work with you.
This coming Friday (Nov 16th) will be 44 years since I read my first ever Marvel comic, Planet Of The Apes #5. Stan Lee created Marvel UK for which I'm forever grateful :)
That photo of you and Stan is something for you to cherish, Kid.
And it's nice to hear from John Pitt again!
And this coming Thursday (15th), it'll be 27 years to the day (except it was a Friday back then) since I met Stan Lee. Mind-boggling, eh? And I certainly cherish that photo, CJ, which is why I'm forever showing it on the blog. Always nice to hear from JP - and you too.
Thanks for the nice words, Kid and CJ, one day I will return with a helluva lot of catching up to do. In the meantime, hope all Crivites have a great xmas!
And I'm sure all Criv-ites wish you likewise, JP.
Took down a Masterworks volume off the shelf last night and re-read the epic FF v Galactus trilogy - now that's a piece of story telling! Those were the days. Always frustrates me that one of Stan's best creations, The fantastic Four is such a great read as a comic (well back in the 60s and early 70s for my tastes) and yet this greatness has so far eluded the capabilities of any filmakers trying to bring these characters to the screen. Gives the rights back to Marvel!
Anyway, got sidetracked there, re-visited the Fabulous FF last night as a tribute to Stan the Man.
I re-read Creepy Tales #68 for the first time in 50 years (though I've read a few of the stories in other presentations since then) and felt as if I was only 9 years old again. In think I'll have a look at The Stan Lee Universe (a book by TwoMorrows) later tonight. So much to choose from.
Glad I caught up with this tribute Kid. See I am paying attention, when I get time. That pic of you and the Man is priceless. So sad that he's gone. I felt the same when Forry Ackerman passed away, another pioneer and one who helped me become a happy monstrous boy in the Sixties. Stan has been in my life, like so many others, since the day I could read and childhood would have been lot emptier without his glorious comics and creations. Thanks for keeping the comics flame alive Kid and glad you're blogging again.
All our legends are dying, Woodsy, and aren't being replaced. Who in any field of endeavour is as legendary as the pioneers we grew up with? There's no modern Stan Lee, no modern Bob Hope, no modern John Wayne. An era is passing and will soon be gone. What, if anything, will replace it to the same degree? No wonder I prefer to live in the past - the future is a scary country. Glad you're enjoying the blog. Don't be a stranger now.
I was posting about Stan on Twitter yesterday and trying to sum up all that he means to me and to the business of comics, and suddenly it hit me that Wren's epitaph suits Stan to a T. 'If you seek his monument, look around you.'
Nuff said.
That's true in my house, OD - there's spiderwebs everywhere. Very apt though.
Thwip!
And Thwup!, Thwap!, and Thwop! for good measure, OD.
Just heard he had one more character left for us - Dirt Man.
Will get you a link...
https://www.nme.com/news/film/stan-lees-daughter-reveals-they-created-one-final-super-hero-2402420
Thanks for that, JP, I'll take a look. (As will others I'm sure.)
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