It’s a sad day all around the world, because a legend has passed. Beloved Marvel creator Stan Lee passed away last Monday morning due to medical complications. Instead of being sad, lets celebrate the 95 years of creation and joy that Stan Lee left on the world.

Lee’s career began in 1941 at age 17 when he wrote a small section of a Captain America comic. It was 20 years later in the 1960’s where he firmly cemented his legacy. When Lee was an editor, he was tasked with revitalizing Marvel’s superhero catalogue in response to rival company DC making hand over fist money due to their reinvention of the Flash.

Lee began to create characters unheard of in comics at the time, one’s who had every day problems. In response to the Justice League, Stan and longtime co-creator Jack Kirby, created the Fantastic Four. Mr. Fantastic, The Human Torch, The Invisible Woamn, and the Thing, weren’t just another superhero team, they were a family. This introduced a whole new dynamic in comics.

Lee firmly believed in creating “A world outside your window” kind of feel to Marvel. He didn’t want characters like Superman in his world because perfect people don’t exist. He developed Marvel’s most successful character ever because he wanted a character his readers could relate to. Spider-Man was created to be a superhero who’s every day life would impact his hero duties. Was Peter not making enough money at work? Well then Spider-Man can’t afford web fluid to help him fight. It wouldn’t be hyperbolic to say that Lee revolutionized the way comics were told and the industry is better for it.

His legacy expands beyond comics, into the world of modern pop culture. One of the biggest assets Lee ever had is that he was an extremely charismatic man, who brought enthusiasm wherever he went. Not only was he the most popular creator at Marvel, he was beloved by his fans because he met them at cons with the same energy that they brought to see him.

Lee stepped away from his duties at Marvel around the 1990’s to go on to try different creative ventures that never caught fire quite like his previous work, but its not like he ever forgot about his creation. He continuously was brought on to advise the creation of Marvel TV and film as an executive producer, and his input was sought after by many of his fellow creators.

He is most well known today for his many cameo appearances in Marvel’s Cinematic Universe, where he will continue to live on the silver screen.

At the end of the day, we lost an icon of pop culture. Lee was not a perfect person but his enthusiasm for his creations and the joy he brought millions over his long life is what we should remember. Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Silver Surfer, The Fantastic Four, The Avenger, Spider-Man… etc, while he may be gone his creations and ideas will continue to live on through his many creations. Thank you Stan Lee, Excelsior.

R.I.P. Stan Lee, 1922-2018.