Weāre all human and are the same in that respect, but itās our creativity that makes us unique and what helps our personality resonate. Creativity and imagination cannot be bought or taken - itās there from the get go - we all have it. Most of us go about our lives suppressing our flair however, whether itās on purpose, in fear of what others will think of it, or unintentionally, courtesy of being conditioned to be nothing more than mundane ā9 to 5ā 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, didnāt allow their creativity to be suppressed, but sadly, every superheroās story has a final page.
Stan Lee sadly passed today at the commendable age of 95. Youād think heād be able to enjoy his final golden years relaxing, witnessing the millions of peopleās lives heād influenced, reflecting on all the amazing things heād doneā¦ 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 ācarersā - the people he shouldāve been able to trust the most. If that wasnāt enough, he had to file a lawsuit against one of his own companiesā¦ all whilst losing his wife the year before, having being 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 heās done, am I selfish to wish that heād been given another 100 years? Regardless, his legacy lives on in the form of his creations, and you donāt have to be a genius to know that the superheroes and stories he left behind for us arenāt going anywhere anytime soon.
Most current creators are probably only doing what theyāre doing now because of him, let alone all the up and coming ones that are yet to follow in Stanās footsteps. Speaking for myself, the things Iāve done and the things Iām interested in are what they are because of him. I wouldnāt have written stories if it wasnāt for him. I wouldnāt have a Marvel blog consisting of 75,000 followers just like me if it wasnāt for him. I wouldnāt have a tiny bedroom ridiculously doused in Marvel collectibles, clothing, posters, comics, and movies if it wasnāt for him. Me and my younger sister wouldnāt have a common interest (thatās borderline religious) if it wasnāt 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 theyād 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 Iām paraphrasing here), āI wanted to make stories that are magical and fantastical. Superheroes are a different take on fantasy,ā and itās exactly that. Life sucks, and I know I probably shouldnāt rely on a single entertainment company to provide me with my fix of escapism, but Iām too far gone, and I fear my younger sister is too, haha! You donāt hear us complaining though, and I wouldnāt change my interests in the slightest. āEscapismā wasnāt an overstatement either. I live and breathe this stuff, itās ridiculousā¦ and it probably annoys people around me that arenāt as fanatic, but I donāt 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 mineās Stan Lee; his superpower being the ability to change my life among others, making weirdos like myself feel special. A true modern 'Marvelā if there ever was one. Iāll never feel as though youāre no longer with us, because you and your imagination is here forever. Youāll 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, youāve earnt it you legend. Excelsior!
Dec 28th 1922 - Nov 12th 2018
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