Obituary Note: Stan Lee

Stan Lee

Stan Lee, the legendary chief writer and editor of Marvel Comics who created many of the most famous comics superheroes, died yesterday. He was 95.

The New York Times called Lee "a writer, editor, publisher, Hollywood executive and tireless promoter (of Marvel and of himself) [who] played a critical role in what comics fans call the medium's silver age." He was "a central player in the creation of Spider-Man, the X-Men, the Fantastic Four, Iron Man, the Hulk, Thor and the many other superheroes who, as properties of Marvel Comics, now occupy vast swaths of the pop culture landscape in movies and on television." The Times added that Lee and Marvel "revolutionized the comic book world by imbuing its characters with the self-doubts and neuroses of average people, as well an awareness of trends and social causes and, often, a sense of humor."

Read the paper's long obituary, illustrated with all of three photos, here.

A tribute at Golden Apple Comics

Lee was a longtime fan of Golden Apple Comics in Los Angeles, whose Spider-Man statue outside the shop is now wearing a black armband, according to Los Angeles magazine. Kendra Liebowitz, whose late father-in-law, Bill Liebowitz, founded the store in 1979, said, "He will be terribly, terribly missed." She also placed flowers around the statue to create a place for fans to mourn. One store employee added, "He kind of made this business. None of these shops would be around without Stan's contribution to the comic book world."

Today Fresh Air is re-airing an interview with Lee.

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