Stan Lee, one of the largest-looming figures in comic book history, passed away on November 12th. He is known for his extensive work for Marvel Comics, where he served as a writer, and later, the head of the entire company. He is also known by many for his extensive cameos in every Marvel movie.

Born Stanley Lieber, Stan grew up in New York during the Great Depression. He developed quite an appetite for reading, perusing the works of many famous authors. He bounced from job to job, until an uncle of his set him up as an assistant at Marvel, which was then called Timely Publications. His first gig writing for comics was a 2-page text story in Captain America Comics #3 called “Captain America Foils the Traitor’s Revenge”, under the pseudonym Stan Lee. He used the pen name as he was embarrassed to be writing for comics, which were not highly regarded at the time. He aspired to someday write “The Great American Novel” , and wanted to save his name until that happened. He became so famous under this name, however, that he legally changed his name to Stan Lee in the 1970s.

Stan Lee entered the army in 1942 as part of the Signal Corps, where his writing skill was used to write training manuals and films, though he also freelanced for Marvel at this time. He returned from service in 1945, and continued working for Marvel throughout the 50s. Lee became tired with the comedy, romance, and Westerns he wrote in the 50s, when superheroes were in decline.  When superhero comics were en vogue again, Lee was tasked by publisher Martin Goodman to come up with a competitor to DC comics’ successful Justice League. Hoping to add an emotional depth that comics up to that point had been lacking, he created the Fantastic Four, a team of misfits who would have to face internal problems instead of exclusively supervillains.Though this approach is commonplace now, back in the day it was revolutionary and it turned the previously  fairly insignificant Marvel, now under its current name, into the major success it is.

Stan Lee followed up this success with such recognizable icons such as the Hulk, Ant-Man, the Wasp, Doctor Strange, Nick Fury, the X-Men, Thor, and Spider-Man.

His successes caused his promotion to editor in chief, and in 1972, publisher. In 1981, he moved to California to create movie and TV deals for Marvel’s properties. Since then, he has cameoed in many Marvel movies.

Though he is no longer with us, Stan Lee left a massive impression on Marvel, comics, and all those who read them.

Excelsior