“Excelsior!”: RIP to Marvel Comic Legend, Stan Lee

This week, the comic book world lost a legend. You can’t think of Marvel comics without immediately thinking about Stan Lee – the lead visionary who played a massive role in growing Marvel comics into what it is today. Along with game-changing artists like Jack Kirby, Steve Ditko, Don Heck, Gene Colan, and John Romita, Stan Lee was involved in conceiving an entire shared universe of humanized characters and stories, but also built a connection with fans on a personal level from comic con appearances, to the “Stan’s Soapbox” section he introduced in comics. The characters and stories Stan Lee worked on bringing into the world have inspired kids and budding comic artists for generations past and generations to come.

We wanted to share some tributes that a few of the comic book creatives in our Artist Shop community have posted about Stan. Check them out below. And Stan? Thank you for the stories. Excelsior!

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I am very deeply saddened to learn that Stan Lee had passed away today. My very first in-studio job in anything comic related was at Stan Lee Media and everyday felt like the best day ever for young me- just being in the same office as Stan, having these hilarious memories, moments, motivations.. I can still clearly remember his very first words to me the first time I met him for the job interview- ” Did all these amazing things come from your mind?”( in the trademark Stan Lee voice). I know he’s asked many creators this same exact question, but at the time it was tremendously meaningful, inspirational, and pushed me to this day. Thank you and excelsior, Stan.

A post shared by dustin nguyen (@duss005) on Nov 12, 2018 at 2:31pm PST

 

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I don’t have the words other than “Thank You” You expanded my imagination and set the bar extremely high. We’ll do our best to continue your legacy.

A post shared by Ron Richards (@ronxo) on Nov 12, 2018 at 1:57pm PST

 

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Remembering to take my childhood copy of the Fireside “Captain America: Sentinel of Liberty” collection and a Sharpie with me when I met Stan Lee for the first time was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

A post shared by Chris Roberson (@chrisroberson) on Nov 12, 2018 at 6:12pm PST

 

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“There can not be enough said about the type of man that Stan Lee was and the enormous impact that he has had on the world. His passion for storytelling was second-to-none and his work changed the world of comics and entertainment forever. It was an honor to partner with Stan in bringing some of his creations to life during our work together on STAN LEE’S THE MIGHTY SEVEN. The world is a better and brighter place because of the stories and characters that Stan helped create. Stan leaves behind an unmatched creative legacy that will be remembered forever. Excelsior.” – Archie Comics CEO/Publisher Jon Goldwater

A post shared by Archie Comics (@archiecomics) on Nov 12, 2018 at 12:51pm PST

 

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RIP Stan Lee. Art from the Garbage Pail Kid card I did of Stan. Was told he loved it. Thanks for the inspiration. #ripstanlee #stanlee #garbagepailkids

A post shared by Mark Pingitore (@magicmarkerart) on Nov 12, 2018 at 11:43am PST

 

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An old pal of mine back at the comic shop I worked at, a guy who could have given two fucks about most things, stood in line at SDCC and got his book signed and had the biggest damn smile when he came back -because, as he said, “Come on, it’s fucking Stan Lee!” One of my favorite things being at comic conventions over the years was talking to folks who were going to meet Stan Lee for the first time. It was always the highlight of their show. Even if it was only for a few seconds it was a lasting memory to be treasured. Regardless of the complicated history (to put it VERY lightly) he leaves behind, I’m still pretty bummed I never got a chance to meet ‘The Man’ in person, if even for a moment. Because come on, it’s fucking Stan Lee!

A post shared by Jonathan La Mantia (@jonathanlamantia) on Nov 12, 2018 at 6:23pm PST

 

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It was a great pleasure to meet Stan Lee ‘backstage’ , as it were, at Toronto Fan Expo. Here we are holding the signed by Stan, written and illustrated by me Inhumans page from a story I did some years back. (No, I’m not selling it!) May his afterlife be exciting and full of illiteration and fun adventures like the ones we grew up reading ! #ripstanlee

A post shared by thejillthompson (@thejillthompson) on Nov 12, 2018 at 4:05pm PST

 

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Co-creator of The Fantastic Four, and Spider-man, and so much more. This picture was taken at The Harvey Awards during Baltimore Comicon 2011. Thank you, Stan Lee. Rest In Peace.

A post shared by Dean Haspiel (@deanhaspiel_art) on Nov 12, 2018 at 11:42am PST

 

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RIP Stan Lee. We’ll all miss you, and hope you’re already reunited with Joan. Thank you for helping to build this gigantic sandbox we all get to play in. (Thanks to our own Nick Accardi for putting this together). #stanlee

A post shared by Devil’s Due (@devilsdue) on Nov 12, 2018 at 4:17pm PST

 

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Los Angeles Times today. Full article as an illustrated tribute to the one and only Stan The Man – by Butcher Billy. @latimes

A post shared by Butcher Billy (@thebutcherbilly) on Nov 13, 2018 at 9:08am PST

Featured image comic panel is from Stan Lee Meets Spider-Man. Sources include Marvel and Laughing Place.