Farewell, Stan Lee!

Comics intrinsically create parallel worlds for youngsters. The grandiose they are built, the loftier experiences the readers could draw. Stan Lee, who passed away this week, understood this inherent philosophy way back in the 60s and 70s and created some of the finest superhero characters and mind-numbing stories, taking youngsters on a ride, sometimes on an intergalactic trip, giving them a time of their life.

Actually, Stan Lee to a great extent was behind the superheroes, who starred in comic books then, transitioning to the silver screen now, without losing their sheen! Today, these superheroes are a huge rage! Whether it’s casting spider webs donning the red-faced mask or the green beefcake hurling tanks across the battlefield or the military man throwing his blue-and-red stripped shield to protect his fellow friends, or the ‘unequalled four’ moulding and melting into the foreground before delivering the fatal attack, Stan Lee’s visionary thinking had created a lively world of superheroes, the today’s millennials are madly in love with and would do anything to share its spirited glory.

Yes! We are referring to ‘'Marvel Movies”. Stan Lee, the man instrumental in the creation of ‘Marvel Cinematic Universe’ and the release of movies such as ‘Iron Man’, ‘The Incredible Hulk’, ‘The Avengers’, ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’, ‘Avengers: Infinity War’, ‘Thor: Ragnarok’, ‘Captain America’, ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’, and numerous others, is simply phenomenal. While most people are mapping their retirement plans by their early 40s, Lee has been carving his name in golden letters on the silver screen with his amazing marvel stories even in his 90s. What a colossal attitude!

Lee’s brilliant mind co-conceived many superhero characters in collaboration with co-writers/artists Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko along with the Marvel team. Spider-Man, The Hulk, Thor, X-Men, Doctor Strange, Fantastic Four and the Ant-Man are some characters that have etched their names in the history books. The string of works he has produced speaks of his genius.

All his characters and their movies were total sell-outs to global audiences. While everyone thought this sudden attraction to “Marvel Movies” would fizzle out; to the utter surprise and dismay, it gathered momentum. What’s more, novelty and multidimensional cinematic values delivered top dollars’ worth of viewing to global audiences, raking in huge moolah for producers.

However, one question keeps popping up: how did Stan Lee create this vast canvas of works that speak of flawless characters and incredible stories? Agreeably, he was a team man! First, he would give out the synopsis of a story to his artists and he would then lend them creative liberties to draw pictures as they imagine in their eye of the mind, giving full scope for imagery. After it’s completed, Stan Lee would fill up the blurbs and boxes with his story. Brilliant, isn’t that?

In fact, Black Panther is another of his “Marvel”lous creation. Although the character was created much earlier, it only caught everyone’s eyes with the movie ‘Black Panther’. While the script kept one deeply engrossed, the cinematic production was too awesome to overlook. The rich narrative coupled with the usage of high-technology gadgetry puts Africa on a different pedestal.

The whole story gives the audiences goosebumps while carving a distinct place for itself. How Black Panther story is crafted and how it rose to occupy its rightful spot in the hearts of audiences is a secret only Lee could perhaps tell. What’s more! Watch carefully, you will find Lee doing a cameo role in the movie. He is known to do a lot of cameos in Marvel movies.

From the beginning, Lee was passionate about becoming a writer, but unfortunately, poverty stood him up against pursuing his career! In fact, he took up menial jobs to survive before landing the job as Assistant at the new Timely Comics, a Martin Goodman’s company. From then on, it was a no-turning-back. After Simon and Jack Kirby, creative partners left the company, Goodman installed Lee as Interim Editor. This gave him an opportunity to rise through the ranks.

Over a period, he created a technicolour virtual kingdom, where the good fight against the bad - in print as well as on-screen - while the whole world watches and applauds. Frankly, Lee was like no other. He may have left this world.

But he definitely created an alternate universe for his readers and viewers to revel in forever. At his sad demise, it’s only apt for us to remember a quote from his Marvel Movies “Heroes are made by the path they choose, not the powers they are graced with”. Farewell, Stan Lee!