Filipino comic book creators are bidding thanks and farewell to legendary comic book creator Stan Lee, who passed away early on Tuesday, November 13 at the age of 95.
The famed comic book writer who co-created beloved characters such as Spider-Man, the X-Men, Captain America, the Hulk, the Fantastic Four, Daredevil and Iron Man who now appear in various comic book titles, movie franchises, live-action and animated series and video games, was rushed to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles on Monday but was later pronounced dead.
He is survived by daughter J.C. Stan’s wife Joan passed away in September 2017.
Executives at Disney, the company that owns Marvel, which Lee helped grow throughout his life, were among the first to speak after his passing.
“Stan Lee was as extraordinary as the characters he created,” Disney chairman and CEO Bob Iger said in a statement.
“A superhero in his own right to Marvel fans around the world, Stan had the power to inspire, to entertain and to connect,” he added.
Kevin Feige, president of Marvel Studios also issued a statement on Lee’s passing.
“No one has had more of an impact on my career and everything we do at Marvel Studios than Stan Lee. Stan leaves an extraordinary legacy that will outlive us all,” the executive said.
Filipino comic book creators, from both the local community and the United States comic book industry, have shared their thoughts on the passing of the industry’s biggest name.
Marvel Comics Editor-in-Chief Axel Alonso in a tweet said that Lee “changed the world for the better.”
Among the many artists Stan Lee influenced
Artist Mico Suayan, who worked on Marvel titles such as “Thor,” “The Punisher,” “X-Men Legacy” as well as other titles under DC and Valiant Comics thanked Lee in a Facebook post.
“The dreaded day has come…RIP STAN LEE. Thanks for everything. Without you, I don’t know where I’ll be,” he wrote.
Leinil Yu, who has done the interior art for major Marvel event “Secret Invasion” as well as major titles “Avengers,” “New Avengers,” and “Wolverine” likewise credited Lee as an influence in his career.
In a post, he thanked Lee and fellow Marvel legend John Buscema for mentoring him and giving him a job he enjoyed.
Local illustrator Rob Cham, creator of the critically-acclaimed “Lost” and “Light” thanked Lee in a tweet.
I wouldn't be the man I am without Stan Lee
Exelsior, my dudes pic.twitter.com/kDrt7u1EDy
— r0bchAm (@robcham) November 12, 2018
Julius Villanueva, creator “Life in Progress,” also paid tribute.
RIP Stan Lee. Perhaps the best comics ambassador and co-creator of many great characters.
— julius villanueva (@zekemachine) November 13, 2018
Fans have also expressed their gratitude.
The Amazing Spider-Man (Lee, Ditko) 33 is my favorite(and probably the favorite of millions of others) comic by Stan Lee. It has helped me through some difficult times. Just thought I'd share it with you all.
Thank you Stan. RIP pic.twitter.com/DMPqvuxYAF
— carlos (@dabunta) November 13, 2018
Founding father
Born Stanley Martin Lieber to Romanian immigrants, the man who would later be known as Stan Lee first joined Timely Comics, Marvel’s progenitor in 1939.
Due to the popularity of rival DC’s superhero comics in the 1950s, Lee was assigned to create new stories and heroes that would counter the success of DC’s “Justice League.”
Among his early creations that would go on to be a mainstay in Marvel’s superhero universe were the super-powered Fantastic Four, which he created in collaboration with artist Jack Kirby.
In stark contrast with DC’s roster of superheroes who were either born with superpowers or depicted as flawless in combat and superior over all foes, Lee’s co-creations related better with new readers for their realistic origins. His co-creations such as Daredevil, Spider-Man, The Hulk and the X-Men all received their powers by circumstance, or experienced personal tragedies and struggles that motivated them to become heroes.
He became publisher of Marvel Comics in the 1970s, stepping away from writing to be the company’s public face and figurehead. He then helped in developing Marvel’s venture into television and film, and also helped write and develop a number of TV programs with other media companies.
In his later life, he experienced a number of legal troubles but returned to writing comics occasionally. He also appeared frequently in cameo roles in Marvel Studios’ films since the launch of its successful cinematic universe.
While the cause of his death is not yet known as of this writing, he is believed to have suffered from pneumonia and blurred vision in early 2018.
