Stan Lee, originally known as Stanley Martin Lieber (December 28, 1922 – November 12, 2018), was an influential figure in American comic book history. His journey began at Timely Comics, a family-run business that later evolved into the renowned Marvel Comics. Over the course of two decades, he became the driving force behind Marvel's creative endeavors, transforming it from a modest publishing division into a dominant multimedia corporation that left an indelible mark on the comics and film industries.

Working closely with talented collaborators at Marvel, most notably co-writers and artists Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko, Stan Lee co-created a roster of iconic characters, including the beloved superheroes Spider-Man, the X-Men, Iron Man, Thor, the Hulk, Ant-Man, the Wasp, the Fantastic Four, Black Panther, Daredevil, Doctor Strange, the Scarlet Witch, and Black Widow. The introduction of these characters in the 1960s revolutionized the superhero genre, infusing it with a more relatable and realistic approach. In the 1970s, Lee pushed the boundaries of the Comics Code Authority, indirectly leading to significant changes in its regulations.

During the 1980s, Stan Lee ventured into expanding Marvel's presence in other media, though the results were mixed. Even after retiring from Marvel in the 1990s, Lee remained an iconic public figurehead for the company. He often made memorable cameo appearances in films and television shows based on Marvel characters, holding an executive producer credit for many of these projects. These contributions propelled him to become the highest-grossing individual in film history by a considerable margin.

Throughout his life, Stan Lee's creative spirit never waned, and he continued to explore independent ventures well into his 90s. His immense contributions to the comic book industry earned him several prestigious honors, including induction into the Will Eisner Award Hall of Fame in 1994 and the Jack Kirby Hall of Fame in 1995. In 2008, he received the National Medal of Arts from the NEA, cementing his status as a true legend of the comic book world. His passing in 2018 marked the end of an era, but his legacy will forever inspire generations to come.

Stan Lee (Marvel)

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Artist

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Ultimate Comics: Avengers #1