Marvel legend Stan Lee, who revolutionised pop culture as the co-creator of iconic superheroes like Spider-Man and The Hulk who now dominate the world's movie screens, has died. He was 95 years old.
Lee, the face of comic book culture in the United States, died early Monday in Los Angeles after suffering a number of illnesses in recent years.
"With a heavy heart, we share our deepest condolences with his daughter and brother," said Marvel Comics and its owner The Walt Disney Company in a statement.
PHOTO: AFP"We honor and remember the creator, voice and champion of Marvel... Every time you open a Marvel comic, Stan will be there."
The New Yorker, known for his distinctive tinted glasses and impish grin, ended up in the comics business by accident, thanks to an uncle who got him a job when he was a teenager filling artists' inkwells and fetching coffee.
"I felt someday I'd write the 'Great American Novel' and I didn't want to use my real name on these silly little comics," Lee once said, explaining why he had forsaken his given name, Stanley Lieber.
PHOTO: AFPLee rose through the ranks to become a comics writer - making millions of superhero fans dream of his fantastic universes and humans with extraordinary powers - and eventually led the Marvel empire for decades as its publisher.
From Spidey to Black Panther to the X-Men and the Fantastic Four, Lee collaborated with other authors and illustrators to put his lively imagination on the page.
Iron Man, Thor and Doctor Strange would follow - and today, all three heroes have multi-film franchises that rake in hundreds of millions of dollars.
PHOTO: AFP"Stan Lee was as extraordinary as the characters he created," said Disney CEO Bob Iger. "A superhero in his own right to Marvel fans around the world, Stan had the power to inspire, to entertain, and to connect."
'The King' and 'The Man'
Lee has appeared in cameo roles in nearly every movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe - including as a bus driver in Avengers: Infinity War, a film that united many of the indelible characters he brought to life.
"I used to be embarrassed because I was just a comic book writer while other people were building bridges or going on to medical careers," Lee said.
PHOTO: AFP"And then I began to realise: entertainment is one of the most important things in people's lives. Without it, they might go off the deep end."
Born on December 28, 1922 to Jewish immigrants who migrated to the United States from Romania, Lee got that first assistant's job at age 17 at Timely Comics and began rising through the ranks.
After a stint in the US Army during World War II Lee returned to comics, teaming up with illustrator Jack Kirby in the 1960s to invent the Fantastic Four and Spider-Man.
The Marvel Universe
Lee and his collaborators churned out hit after hit and he took over at Marvel in the 1960s, creating the "Marvel Universe" - all of the heroes existed in the same time and story crossovers were frequent.
It's a model now adopted by the Hollywood producers beyond the Marvel Cinematic Universe - which releases its 21st film, "Captain Marvel," in March next year.
PHOTO: REUTERSLee formally left Marvel in the 1990s but remained chairman emeritus. He was the brand's most recognisable face, giving lectures and speaking at comics conventions.
In recent years, as Lee reached his 90s, he ran into legal troubles and scandal. A massage therapist sued him for sexual assault, accusing him of inappropriate touching during two sessions in 2017. Lee denied the allegations.
Hollywood quickly took to social media to pay tribute to the late superhero of comics.
PHOTO: REUTERS"There will never be another Stan Lee. For decades he provided both young and old with adventure, escape, comfort, confidence, inspiration, strength, friendship and joy. He exuded love and kindness and will leave an indelible mark on so, so, so many lives. Excelsior!!," Chris Evans, who recently hung up his Captain America shield, wrote in a heartfelt post.
https://twitter.com/ChrisEvans/status/1062066692631732224
"I owe it all to you. Rest In Peace Stan," stated Robert Downey Jr of Iron Man fame.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BqF4sgmgDvH/?utm_source=ig_embed
Spider-Man, aka Tom Holland expressed his gratitude to the late legend and wrote, "How many millions of us are indebted to this guy, none more so than me. The father of Marvel has made so many people so incredibly happy. What a life and what a thing to have achieved. Rest in peace Stan."
https://www.instagram.com/p/BqF79B2nPIa/?utm_source=ig_embed
Mark Ruffalo, who essays Marvel's Hulk, said, "You let us be extra human... superhuman even. I am deeply honored to have been a small part in the Stan Lee constellation."
You let us be extra human... superhuman even. I am deeply honored to have been a small part in the Stan Lee constellation. pic.twitter.com/qmCrNHXUy1
— Mark Ruffalo (@MarkRuffalo) November 12, 2018
M'Baku of Black Panther, Winston Duke stated, "Thank you, Stan Lee. You gave us characters that continue to stand the test of time and evolve with our consciousness. You taught us that there are no limits to our future as long as we have access to our imagination. Rest in power!"
THANK YOU, @TheRealStanLee. You gave us characters that continue to stand the test of time and evolve with our consciousness. You taught us that there are no limits to our future as long as we have access to our imagination. Rest in power! #EXCELSIOR #StanLee #rip pic.twitter.com/hnSmnHIDln
— Winston Duke (@Winston_Duke) November 12, 2018
Hugh Jackman, who was Marvel's Wolverine over the years wrote, "We’ve lost a creative genius. Stan Lee was a pioneering force in the superhero universe. I’m proud to have been a small part of his legacy and .... to have helped bring one of his characters to life."
We’ve lost a creative genius. Stan Lee was a pioneering force in the superhero universe. I’m proud to have been a small part of his legacy and .... to have helped bring one of his characters to life. #StanLee #Wolverine pic.twitter.com/iOdefi7iYz
— Hugh Jackman (@RealHughJackman) November 12, 2018
Josh Brolin, who recently joined Marvel universe with Avengers latest installment wrote, "To those of us who have been so deeply affected by the humanity of his imagination, the understanding of reaching beyond our potential and the necessity of tapping into our immeasurable imaginations, we thank you and are forever indebted."
https://www.instagram.com/p/BqF22YYF3W2/?utm_source=ig_embed
Chris Pratt, who plays Star Lord in Guardians of the Galaxy, said, "Thanks for everything Stan Lee! What a life, so well lived. I consider myself extraordinarily lucky to have gotten to meet you and to have played in the world you created."
Thanks for everything Stan Lee! What a life, so well lived. I consider myself extraordinarily lucky to have gotten to meet you and to have played in the world you created.
— Chris Pratt (@prattprattpratt) November 12, 2018
🙏♥️ pic.twitter.com/ryUjG7PL8D
Spider-Man's nemesis, Venom, who was recently portrayed by acclaimed star Tom Hardy took to social media to express loss.
"With the greatest of respect," he captioned a picture with Lee.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BqF8ax9g4k6/?utm_source=ig_embed
Avenger's Winter Soldier, Sebastian Stan, wrote, "Thank you great legend. You will be missed. I wouldn’t be here without you."
https://www.instagram.com/p/BqF6rYvnRyG/?utm_source=ig_embed
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