The comic writer Stan Lee, co-creator of iconic characters including Iron Man, the Fantastic Four, Spider-Man, incredible hulk, Daredevil, black panther and the X-Men, has died aged 95.
As the top writer at Marvel Comics and later as its publisher, Lee was widely considered the architect of the contemporary comic book. He revived the industry in the 1960s by offering the costumes and action craved by younger readers while insisting on sophisticated plots, college-level dialogue, satire, science fiction, even philosophy.
“I think everybody loves things that are bigger than life. … I think of them as fairy tales for grown-ups,” he told The Associated Press in a 2006 interview. “We all grew up with giants and ogres and witches. Well, you get a little bit older and you’re too old to read fairy tales. But I don’t think you ever outgrow your love for those kind of things, things that are bigger than life and magical and very imaginative.”
Many marvel superheroes such as Chris Evans, Robert Downey jr. and Mark Ruffalo paid tribute to Lee on social media. Chris Evans wrote on twitter “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!!”
Ruffalo wrote on Twitter that Lee let him “be extra human… superhuman even. I am deeply honored to have been a small part in the Stan Lee constellation.” Ruffalo shared a picture of his Avengers co-stars, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson and Downey Jr. He wrote alongside a picture of Lee and a statue of Hulk, “Sad, sad day. Rest In Power, Uncle Stan. You have made the world a better place through the power of modern mythology and your love of this messy business of being human.”
He used to film his cameo scenes in movies beforehand if something were to happen to him so it is not yet known as to which movie will be his last but hopes are high that he may turn up in both Captain Marvel and the fourth Avengers movie – both due out next year.