(Richard Cartwright/ABC via Getty Images)
STAN LEE
Today, many Marvel fans are now in great sorrow as it has learned the co-creator of the Marvel universe has passed away.
Initial reports from TMZ showed that Stan was rushed to Cedars-Sinai Center from his Hollywood Hills residence earlier today. The Hollywood Reporter confirmed Stan was pronounced dead at the hospital. Stan, along with other artists Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko, created and co-created Black Panther, Spider-Man, X-Men, Thor, Iron Man, the Fantastic Four, the Incredible Hulk, Ant-Man and many others that went on to form the comic book world and later on, shape hollywood cinema.
Only born Stanley Martin Lieber; a New York native embarked on his career in the 1930s and performed all of the roles which included editor, writer and publisher. He got his first writing credit in “Captain America Foils the Traitor’s Revenge” in Captain America Comics issue No. 6. After adapting his moniker, the one we all have associated with him as, Stan Lee, he went on to serve in World War II and came back to Marvel. At the time it was known as Atlas Comics.
Several wins and creations started to exist following with the birth of Black Panther, Hulk, Thor, The Fantastic Four and all sorts of other creations. In the 70s, his profile boosted after he had become the face of Marvel at events like Comic Con. The comics generated their way to television and as time went on, it was created into the massive franchise we know, admire and love today. Even though Stan didn’t receive royalties from Marvel, his vision continued to grow with other projects. In addition to magic made with the characters he has created, he was extravagantly praised for giving them actual flaws and relatable personalities.
In April of this year, in an investigation by THR, it was revealed Stan’s estate was worth upwards of $70 million, leading to reports of a rough tug of war between his sole daughter J.C. Lee and her associates. Lee refuted the reports with his own video statement saying his relationship with J.C. had never been better. “Anybody who is saying anything else…is just spreading lies,” he said.
Stan’s place in Marvel history has always been adored – including a cameo in nearly every film to date. Before combating several illnesses, Lee would be jovial and, at most times, very bouncy to a fan’s delight. Stan made his first real cameo as the trial foreman in the trial of Bruce Banner in the 1989 TV movie, The Trial of the Incredible Hulk.
Stan is survived by his daughter J.C. and younger brother Larry Lieber. His wife, Jan, who he married back in 1947, died last year. We here at In Ya Ear Hip Hop send our deepest condolences to the family, friends and fans of Mr. Stan Lee.
