Stan Lee is dead

Stan Lee, a legend in the comics industry and in the world of entertainment, died at the age of 95 today.

I grew up reading comic books. I learned to read from comic books (and newspapers, and MAD Magazine) - a mix of Gold Key (Donald Duck, Uncle Scrooge), Harvey (Baby Huey, Richie Rich, Little Lulu), DC (Batman and Superman, Swamp Thing, some horror), and Marvel. Marvel was what I gravitated toward: The Avengers, Spider-Man, Ms. Marvel, Man-Thing, Howard the Duck - weird, flawed heroes, haunted by doubts, fighting past their fears to do what was right. (Or burning at its touch anyone who knew fear - Man-Thing was more tragic and strange than strictly heroic.) When I was nine, Star Wars joined the Marvel camp, and my loyalty was secured.

Comics were more than just stories and pictures. Editorial commentary was peppered through the pages, often referencing past issues that established things being mentioned in the current story, or upcoming issues that would continue the story. The letters page allowed readers to share their opinions. And many Marvel comics featured "Stan's Soapbox" - a feature that allowed Editor-in-Chief Stan Lee to talk directly to readers.

("Smiley" refers to one of his nicknames, "Smilin' Stan Lee.")

Stan Lee was a constant presence in the Marvel universe, narrating the opening and closing segments of the Fantastic Four Saturday morning cartoon (which replaces Human Torch Johnny Storm with the robot pal H.E.R.B.I.E.), always closing with his catchphrase "Excelsior!"

To non-readers, comic books seem like childhood fantasy and escapism - or, more often, as mere seed material for highly lucrative TV and movie franchises. (Most "comic cons" these days have very little to do with comic books, and comic artists and writers are shunted aside for actors, directors, and screenwriters.) But comic books have been seminal in the development of many children. And for many of those children who grew up in the late 20th century, Stan Lee laid the groundwork and guided the steps. And while he will live on through his creations, his absence will be sorely felt. He will be missed.