Stan Lee, the creative dynamo who revolutionized the comic book and helped make billions for Hollywood by introducing human frailties in Marvel superheroes such as Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four and the Incredible Hulk, died on Nov 13, 2018. He was 95. (P
Stan Lee, the creative dynamo who revolutionized the comic book and helped make billions for Hollywood by introducing human frailties in Marvel superheroes such as Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four and the Incredible Hulk, died on Nov 13, 2018. He was 95. (P

Thank you Stan Lee... for a galaxy of Marvel superheroes

Stan Lee, the creative dynamo who revolutionized the comic book and helped make billions for Hollywood by introducing human frailties in Marvel superheroes such as Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four and the Incredible Hulk, died on Nov 13, 2018. He was 95
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Stan Lee, creator of comic-book franchises such as 'Spider-Man,' 'The Incredible Hulk' and 'X-Men, passed away at the age of 95. (Photo: File / AP)
Stan Lee, creator of comic-book franchises such as 'Spider-Man,' 'The Incredible Hulk' and 'X-Men, passed away at the age of 95. (Photo: File / AP)
As the top writer at Marvel Comics and later as its publisher, Lee was widely considered the architect of the contemporary comic book. He revived the industry in the 1960s by offering the costumes and action craved by younger readers while insisting on sophisticated plots, college-level dialogue, satire, science fiction, even philosophy. (Photo | AP)
As the top writer at Marvel Comics and later as its publisher, Lee was widely considered the architect of the contemporary comic book. He revived the industry in the 1960s by offering the costumes and action craved by younger readers while insisting on sophisticated plots, college-level dialogue, satire, science fiction, even philosophy. (Photo | AP)
In this Jan. 10, 1976, file photo, Stan Lee, standing, publisher of Marvel Comics, discusses a 'Spiderman' comic book cover with artist John Romita at Marvel headquarters in New York. (Photo | AP)
In this Jan. 10, 1976, file photo, Stan Lee, standing, publisher of Marvel Comics, discusses a 'Spiderman' comic book cover with artist John Romita at Marvel headquarters in New York. (Photo | AP)
Many of his characters, including Spider-Man, the Hulk and X-Men went on to become stars of blockbuster films. He won the National Medal of Arts in 2008. (Photo | AP)
Many of his characters, including Spider-Man, the Hulk and X-Men went on to become stars of blockbuster films. He won the National Medal of Arts in 2008. (Photo | AP)
Lee scripted most of Marvel's superhero comics himself during the '60s, including the Avengers and the X-Men, two of the most enduring. In 1972, he became Marvel's publisher and editorial director; four years later, 72 million copies of Spider-Man were sold. (Photo | AP)
Lee scripted most of Marvel's superhero comics himself during the '60s, including the Avengers and the X-Men, two of the most enduring. In 1972, he became Marvel's publisher and editorial director; four years later, 72 million copies of Spider-Man were sold. (Photo | AP)
The first big-budget movie based on Lee's characters, 'X-Men,' was a smash in 2000, earning more than $130 million at North American theaters. 'Spider-Man' did even better, taking in more than $400 million in 2002. A Marvel movie empire would emerge after that, one of the most lucrative mega-franchises in cinema history, with the recent 'Avengers: Infinity War' grossing more than $2 billion worldwide. In 10 years, the Marvel Cinematic Universe film shave netted over $17.6 billion in worldwide grosses. (Photo | AP)
The first big-budget movie based on Lee's characters, 'X-Men,' was a smash in 2000, earning more than $130 million at North American theaters. 'Spider-Man' did even better, taking in more than $400 million in 2002. A Marvel movie empire would emerge after that, one of the most lucrative mega-franchises in cinema history, with the recent 'Avengers: Infinity War' grossing more than $2 billion worldwide. In 10 years, the Marvel Cinematic Universe film shave netted over $17.6 billion in worldwide grosses. (Photo | AP)
In the late 1990s, he looked to capitalize on the Internet craze, offering animated 'Webisodes' of comic-like action. Stan Lee Media also sought to reach out to Web-savvy youth through deals with pop artists the Backstreet Boys and Mary J. Blige. (Photo | AP)
In the late 1990s, he looked to capitalize on the Internet craze, offering animated 'Webisodes' of comic-like action. Stan Lee Media also sought to reach out to Web-savvy youth through deals with pop artists the Backstreet Boys and Mary J. Blige. (Photo | AP)
In 2000, Lee agreed to write stories for DC Comics, reinventing Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and other signature characters for Marvel's one-time rival. DC Vice President and Publisher Paul Levitz had nothing but praise when the agreement was made. (Photo | AP)
In 2000, Lee agreed to write stories for DC Comics, reinventing Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and other signature characters for Marvel's one-time rival. DC Vice President and Publisher Paul Levitz had nothing but praise when the agreement was made. (Photo | AP)
Unlike DC Comics' iconic heroes, many of whom had been destined for greatness as the last sons of doomed planets, Amazon royalty or rightful kings of the sea, the likes of Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, Iron Man, the Ghost Rider and the Incredible Hulk composed a catalog of human frailties — schmoes who inadvertently, or negligently, wandered into the traffic of destiny. (Photo | AP)
Unlike DC Comics' iconic heroes, many of whom had been destined for greatness as the last sons of doomed planets, Amazon royalty or rightful kings of the sea, the likes of Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, Iron Man, the Ghost Rider and the Incredible Hulk composed a catalog of human frailties — schmoes who inadvertently, or negligently, wandered into the traffic of destiny. (Photo | AP)
Marvel is a calibrated commercial juggernaut now, its stories drowning in the merchandise that amplifies them. It has been dismissed as mass-produced storytelling for a mass-produced age. Yet somehow, among the things Lee manages to leave behind is a lingering sense — snake oil, maybe, but potent nonetheless — that with Marvel's tales, still, anything might happen.  (Photo | AP)
Marvel is a calibrated commercial juggernaut now, its stories drowning in the merchandise that amplifies them. It has been dismissed as mass-produced storytelling for a mass-produced age. Yet somehow, among the things Lee manages to leave behind is a lingering sense — snake oil, maybe, but potent nonetheless — that with Marvel's tales, still, anything might happen. (Photo | AP)

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