We’re all human and are the same in that respect, but it’s our creativity that makes us unique and what helps our personality resonate. Creativity and imagination cannot be bought or taken - it’s there from the get go - we all have it. Most of us go about our lives suppressing our flair however, whether it’s on purpose, in fear of what others will think of it, or unintentionally, courtesy of being conditioned to be nothing more than mundane “9 to 5” drones from the cot to the grave.
Imagine people capable of such unparalleled imagination that it literally changes/shapes and influences the world, pioneering the majority of pop culture. Stan Lee, amongst the likes of Steve Ditko and Jack Kirby to name a few, didn’t allow their creativity to be suppressed, but sadly, every superhero’s story has a final page.
Stan Lee sadly passed today at the commendable age of 95. You’d think he’d be able to enjoy his final golden years relaxing, witnessing the millions of people’s lives he’d influenced, reflecting on all the amazing things he’d done… but life being as cruel as it is, pneumonia proved to be a difficult battle. Seemingly in the eventual clear, alleged claims of elder abuse were filed against the people closest to him, including greedy family members and ‘carers’ - the people he should’ve been able to trust the most. If that wasn’t enough, he had to file a lawsuit against one of his own companies… all whilst losing his wife the year before, having been married for an incredible 69 years. He deserved a better retirement than that, yet he STILL went to conventions for the sake of meeting fans and showing how much he cared, sitting for hours to say hello and sign things. Though most people will never reach such an age, let alone acomplish anything close to what he’s done, am I selfish to wish that he’d been given another 100 years? Regardless, his legacy lives on in the form of his creations, and you don’t have to be a genius to know that the superheroes and stories he left behind for us aren’t going anywhere anytime soon.
Most current creators are probably only doing what they’re doing now because of him, let alone all the up and coming ones that are yet to follow in Stan’s footsteps. Speaking for myself, the things I’ve done and the things I’m interested in are what they are because of him. I wouldn’t have written stories if it wasn’t for him. I wouldn’t have a Marvel blog consisting of 75,000 followers just like me if it wasn’t for him. I wouldn’t have a tiny bedroom ridiculously doused in Marvel collectibles, clothing, posters, comics, and movies if it wasn’t for him. Me and my younger sister wouldn’t have a common interest (that’s borderline religious) if it wasn’t for him. I remember being beyond obsessed with Spider-Man as kid, to the point where I used to pick up spiders in the hopes that they’d bite me so I could swing on webs and climb walls. I remember being 7 years old, literally praying to God that I could be Spider-Man, and I remember how dissapointed I was when nothing happened!
One of my favourite things he said in response to being asked why people love superheroes so much was (and I’m paraphrasing here), “I wanted to make stories that are magical and fantastical. Superheroes are a different take on fantasy,” and it’s exactly that. Life sucks, and I know I probably shouldn’t rely on a single entertainment company to provide me with my fix of escapism, but I’m too far gone, and I fear my younger sister is too, haha! You don’t hear us complaining though, and I wouldn’t change my interests in the slightest. “Escapism” wasn’t an overstatement either. I live and breathe this stuff, it’s ridiculous… and it probably annoys people around me that aren’t as fanatic, but I don’t care. These superheroes come in all shapes and sizes, come from all walks of life and have powers beyond belief - everyone has a favourite hero, and mine’s Stan Lee; his superpower being the ability to change my life among others, making weirdos like myself feel special. A true modern 'Marvel’ if there ever was one. I’ll never feel as though you’re no longer with us, because you and your imagination is here forever. You’ll live on in the hearts and minds of people like myself. I can never come close to explaining to anyone just how much Marvel has shaped me. Rest in peace Stan the Man, you’ve earnt it you legend. Excelsior!
Dec 28th 1922 - Nov 12th 2018
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