Stan Lee, the comic book legend who helped create iconic superheros including X-Men, the Avengers and Spider-Man, has died at age 95 on Monday in Los Angeles.
Lee, born Stanley Lieber on Dec. 28, 1922, began his career in 1939 and joined the Marvel Comics in 1961, according to reports.
Lee is considered as one of the most legendary names in the history of comic books and the leading creative force behind the rise of Marvel Comics. He co-created some of the most famous fictional characters in comic lore, such as Spider-Man, X-Men, the Fantastic Four, the Avengers, Black Panther, and many more. He worked in collaboration with artists like Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko.
His decades-long work is said to have revitalised the cominc book industry, and played a critical role in building the Marvel Universe as fans know and love it today. The characters he assisted in creating have spawned television shows, cartoons and multiple blockbuster Hollywood movie series. Most of the films were made after Disney acquired Marvel in a 4-billion-dollar deal in 2009.
Lee's daughter J.C. Lee said in a statement to Reuters that Lee "felt an obligation to his fans to keep creating."
Dozens of tributes from celebrities and entertainment moguls poured in after news of Lee's death came to light, including Deadpool's Ryan Reynolds, X-Men's Hugh Jackman and Guardians of the Galaxy's Zoe Saldana. Chris Evans, the actor who plays Marvel Comics' Captain America, said on Twitter, "He exuded love and kindness and will leave an indelible mark on so, so, so many lives."
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!!
— Chris Evans (@ChrisEvans) November 12, 2018
We’ve lost a creative genius. Stan Lee was a pioneering force in the superhero universe. I’m proud to have been a small part of his legacy and .... to have helped bring one of his characters to life. #StanLee #Wolverine pic.twitter.com/iOdefi7iYz
— Hugh Jackman (@RealHughJackman) November 12, 2018
Today we lost one of the greats. @TheRealStanLee, you were a inspiration and superhero to us all. Thank you for contributing so much- and giving us all something to aspire to!
— Zoe Saldana (@zoesaldana) November 12, 2018
#ripstanlee pic.twitter.com/GzFhwgU0WA
Disney on Monday tweeted in remembrance of the comic legend. In the tweet, Disney CEO Robert Iger said Lee was as extraordinary as the characters he created.
"A super hero in his own right to Marvel fans around the world, Stan had the power to inspire, to entertain, and to connect," said Iger.
Stan Lee was as extraordinary as the characters he created. A super hero in his own right to Marvel fans around the world, Stan had the power to inspire, to entertain, and to connect. The scale of his imagination was only exceeded by the size of his heart. .@TheRealStanLee pic.twitter.com/u2Dux0oGLu
— Robert Iger (@RobertIger) November 12, 2018
With IANS inputs