On Monday November 12, Stan Lee the man behind Marvel Comics, and some of the most iconic comic book characters of all-time passed away at the age of 95. The staff of Pop Break reflects on the loss of the famed comic book man.
Bill Bodkin (Editor-in-Chief): In the 9 years since this site came to being there have been great losses in the world of pop culture — David Bowie, Chris Cornell, Robin Williams, Prince, Roger Ebert — the list goes on and, sadly on.
Yesterday, one of the true pillars of popular culture for the better part of the past 60-70 years, passed away at the age of 95. Lee’s impact on the entire world of pop culture is staggering. Outside of possibly Walt Disney, few creatives had such a permeating influence on not just the comic book world, but film, television, music, professional wrestling, video games, fashion, and more.
His creations gave refuge and solace to those in times of need, they brought joy to the hearts of millions, and inspired generations of creatives — who went on to inspire even more generations to come.
We mourn the loss of a man who lived a long life, and who through his imagination gave all of us so much. Rest in peace, good sir.
Anthony Toto (Staff Writer/Social Media Editor): Stan Lee<, where would this world be without your creative endeavors? So many of us are eternally grateful and forever indebted to Stan Lee’s legacy. The heartfelt warmth, emotional conviction, and editorial pedigree of his work will never be duplicated. So many creators dream about producing one story or piece of art, which resonates for countless generations over the course of history. He created an endless library of once-in-a-lifetime heroes and most importantly, unordinary people who succeed and struggle just like us.
He gave us outcasts an outlet to feel at home, often better than the realities of our real-life situations and more inspiring than anything we ever learned in school and beyond. My heart is truly broken, what an immense feeling of grief but I like to think he lived such a long and beautiful life because he was able to see the effects of his work bring this world so much closer on a scale rarely ever seen before in modern history.
Let’s also mention this incredible fact, Stan Lee’s work heavily influenced some of the most integral and innovative artists in music history such as Michael Jackson, Run-D.M.C., Kiss, Metallica, Wu-Tang Clan, and so many more. Imagine the complexion and trajectory of music without those artists being inspired by the work of Stan Lee at pivotal moments in their youthful upbringing and early creative development? Rest In Peace, Stan Lee!
Michael Vacchiano (Contributor): Those who’ve met the great Wizard of Marvel, Mr. Stan Lee, will tell you just nice and friendly he has always been to his millions of fans. I was very fortunate to be one of those fans a few years ago when I ran into him…by accident, no less!
Having gone to the New York Comic Con back in 2013, I had just gotten done with a meet-and-greet and photo op with Sigourney Weaver, one of my all-time favorite pop culture icons. After basking in the glow of the woman named Ripley, I went to find the rest of my comi-comrades. Thinking nothing could top my recent awesome experience, I was soon proven wrong. It was then that I noticed a couple of security guards walking past me and escorting a small elderly man in dark glasses and a green sweater.
Upon first glimpse, I knew right away… “Stan Lee!” I shouted. He looked right at me, waved, and smiled. “Hey, how are ya?” he said in that sweet-natured voice of his. Music to my ears! The whole spontaneity of the moment was truly great. But him being the appreciative and giving person he was, he acknowledged me when he clearly didn’t have to. That’s something I’ll always remember and treasure.
Class act all the way, and he will be missed.
Michael Dworkis (Senior Editor): When I learned of Stan Lee’s passing, I slumped in my chair, as though I found out something tragic in my life happened. Then it occurred to me, this ticks the box. You never realize how much a person impacted your life and things you’ve done until this person is gone. It’s as though one would go through a mental eulogy of all the influences a person had.
Comic books became a massive part of my life. The creative mind and talent of Stan Lee gave birth to a legion of comic book icons of which ideals and morals would, subconsciously become part of the person I am today. I envisioned I could be as tall as Captain America. “With great power comes great responsibility” has been a major part of my moral compass.
I posted on Facebook a phrase “Baruch Dayan Emet.” Translated it means, Blessed is the True Judge. This could mean, Stan Lee has fulfilled his mission, and it is time for the legacy to be entrusted to us to pass down unto others. Stan Lee, as many know was Jewish. Many of his characters, whether Jewish or not, possessed qualities of Jewish people from his time. Oppression, the need to find a hero to rise up and become stronger, but not just in physical power, but the power of being a positive influence and role model.
A Jewish philosopher by the name of Maimonides had a famous statement about the art of giving charity. “A great Mitzvah is giving to the poor without knowing to whom one gives, and without the recipient knowing from who he received. For this is performing a mitzvah solely for the sake of Heaven. This is like the “anonymous fund” that was in the Holy Temple [in Jerusalem]. There the righteous gave in secret, and the good poor profited in secret.” Many superheroes wore masks and often attempted to fulfil their acts without reward. We don’t need to know who is behind the mask, is was more important to see someone carry out an act of heroism and kindness.
Maybe I’m nuts, but I believe this was the message Stan Lee put into his creations.
At Comic-Con 2016, I had the opportunity to meet Stan Lee, and while everyone on line brought comics, posters, prints, and the like… I bought something completely different. His manager with him said no one has ever asked him to autograph what I brought… A yarmulke with Spider-Man on it.
I am never wearing it again.
Daryn Kirscht (Staff Writer): This is truly a sad day. The world has lost one of its brightest people in Marvel’s Stan Lee. While everyone is mourning his death, and justifiably so, I think he would want us to also celebrate his life and all of his accomplishments.
Just think about it: some of the most popular fictional characters of all-time, such as: Spider-Man, X-Men, Fantastic Four, Daredevil, Black Panther, Thor, and Iron Man, were either created or co-created by him. He also changed the landscape of comics in a time when they were looked down upon when compared to other forms of media, such as films, television, or novels.
The impact he has left on our generation should never be forgotten, just like his classy cameos in every Marvel film. He rose from childhood poverty and crafted one of the fullest lives imaginable by touching the hearts of so many. He may have ascended to reunite with Steve Ditko and Jack Kirby, but he will always remain here in spirit. Excelsior!
Rob Crowther IV (Staff Writer): From my very first Spider-Man comic to reviewing the Teen Titans Go! Movie (where he had a cameo), Stan Lee has probably been one of the most inspiring pop culture figures throughout my life. I know a lot of us writers and interviewers would not be the creators we are today without our love for Stan’s creations. From creating some of the most iconic characters to fully embracing his cameos in the MCU, the man was a national treasure.
I don’t know if anyone else watched that “Who Wants to be a Superhero” show but I actually own both seasons. Let me tell you, Stan Lee shined as he tests contestants’ fortitude and integrity with superhero-esque challenges. The beauty of this show is that you really got to learn about Stan’s genuine personality and how he believed in heroes in the world of fantasy and the real world. It didn’t matter if he was talking about his own characters or DC characters the man was a role model and a true believer.
Not only did the innovator create so much in the comic world but he always conducted himself with decorum and a sense of humor. The enthusiasm and rapport he had with his fans was unmatched. I will never forget his content, his cameos, and his sage advice in, Mallrats. “Don’t wait. Because all the money, all the women, and even all the comic books in the world, they can’t substitute for that one person.”
Thank you Stan.
Stan Lee. A True Believer.
Excelsior!
Sheena Fisher (Comic Book Editor): Learning that Stan Lee has died is like learning that a close family member died. Stan Lee adored his fans and was genuine about everything he said. I’ve never had the pleasure of meeting him in person and that is a huge regret. But, he has touch so many peoples lives with all the characters he had a hand in creating.
One of my absolute favorites from Stan is the X-Men. As a person that felt like I never fit in seeing these mutants try to fit in and live beside humanity really clicked for me as a kid. I grew up in poverty so my clothes were different. Sure, I didn’t have powers or physical tell-tale signs of mutation, but going to school with a lot of kids that came from rich families the X-Men helped me survive feeling like an outsider. Heck knowing about the X-Men even helped me make friends. I’m sure many fans out there have a group of heroes, or a specific hero that they can say the same for. Rest easy Stan, you’ll live on in our hearts forever.
Laura Dengrove (Senior Editor): Stan Lee changed my life.
There’s nothing else in these trying moments that come to my mind, other than that phrase.
In a world so full of darkness and hate, he was truly a beacon of hope and light for many to turn to. Those who felt tiny in a big dark world, learned to be strong and fight for what was right. He didn’t just create superheroes, he created people, people we came to know, love, and even consider family.
For many, his comics and films have been used as an escape, something to hold on to and aspire to be, even if you didn’t have the powers to match.
Spider-Man showed you to always fight for the little person, Captain America taught us justice and morality, X-Men showed us it’s ok to be different, for that makes you unique and powerful, and Deadpool…well he taught us how to laugh.
And laughter is what we need right now, and kind thoughts as we remember all the good that Stan Lee brought us. We laugh at the memory of his undeniably charming cameos, we smile at the characters who grace the silver screen and written page, and we remember that with great power, comes great responsibility.
Matthew Widdis (Contributor): Where to begin?
For starters, I choose to acknowledge the passing of Stan Lee, the Homer of the 20th century, in the spirit of an Irish wake: bittersweet remembrance made sweeter by reflecting on his legacy and his impact on our lives and culture.
In our modern day, movies and TV shows about Hercules, Robin Hood, King Arthur, and even The Bible fail to connect with audiences and critics but the modern mythology that Stan Lee helped to create now dominates our culture. Four of the top five grossing films of all time are from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, predicated on Stan Lee’s imagination, and account for nearly $30 billion when including non-MCU properties: X-men, Fantastic Four, and Spider-Man.
But I was introduced to Stan Lee long before those stories became profitable for the mightiest mouse of them all or took the chill out of Netflix. Among some of my earliest memories are hearing his voice narrate Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends. Before long, I was reading his “Excelsior!” tagline in the letters pages that used to conclude comic books.
I discovered the Marvel pantheon in its entirety: a storm god sent to Earth to serve man in humility, a blind lawyer seeking justice on rooftops and redemption in the confessional, a man who is more feared as a green giant seeking solitude than as a nuclear weapons developer, a group of young people swearing to protect a world that hates and fears them for being different, a knight in cybernetic armor with a literal broken heart.
That may be the greatest gift that the one-time Stan gave the medium of comic books and the art of story-telling: that heroes and villains are people, feet of clay and all of that. Fantastic and flawed, they spoke to me over the past 35 years, teaching me about love, loss, and life, through their stories.
