If one has to list top 10 saddest moments in Avengers: Endgame, Stan Lee’s cameo will definitely make it to the list. After all, it was the last time he appeared in a Marvel film, in random cameos that became a running gag among the fans. Such is the admiration and adoration Stan Lee enjoyed. And why would he not – he gave us a whole universe of our own, creating a family of people all over the world crying, laughing & smiling together!
What stands apart for Lee is his talent to give his creations complex, naturalistic personalities as opposed to characters back in the day which were perfect in every way. His superheroes weren’t just superheroes; they were humans – they had their weaknesses, misgivings and setbacks, which made us connect to each and every character. From Tony Stark’s alcoholism, Banner’s anger issues, Thor & Loki’s family feuds – each superhero was a flawed human. With iconic female characters like Captain Marvel, Black Widow & Scarlet Witch to introducing diversity with Black Panther & Falcon, he gave everyone a superhero to look up to. He didn’t only create popular superheroes, but he also created some exemplary antagonists you can relate to & will hesitate before hating. Loki, Magneto, Kingpin – all his villains were well-drawn and had an independent story-line.
That being said, Lee didn’t single-handedly create these characters. He often collaborated with Steve Ditko and Jack Kirby to breath life and personality in these characters. Even then, most of his creations didn’t realize their full potential immediately. Lee established grounds for these characters, it was the later writers/creators who elevated them with their imagination. He laid the foundation stones, on which countless other story-tellers built their stories.
Superhero universe crossovers weren’t a thing Stan Lee invented, but he was the one who proved the creative potential of shared universes. A story wasn’t restricted to just one superhero or just one comic – it was something that could go on for years and involve every possible scenario one could think of. The revolution he brought into the comics industry extended beyond the characters and story-lines – He changed the way comic books engaged the readership and built a sense of community between fans and creators.
Lee’s true legacy at Marvel Comics isn’t any one character or franchise, but it is the sense of belonging and acceptance he gave to the comic fans and inspiration and insights he has provided to generations of creators. So, the best way to pay tribute to him is by pushing your creative boundaries and keep on creating.
Excelsior!
Featured Image: Gage Skidmore [CC BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)]