Buh Bye, Stan Lee
Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2018 4:57 pm
Marvel Comics co-creator Stan Lee passed away today at the ripe ol' age of 95.
One positive thing to note was Lee got to see (and participate in) his pulp comic book characters grow into what could be considered today's popular folk hero mythology, unlike many of his co-creators, notably Jack Kirby. On the less positive side, Lee had a number of people "managing" his affairs in his last few years that were unquestionably not acting in his best interests. There were reports that even last Summer, his handlers were still trucking him out to comic conventions to do all-day signings (he'd sign *anything*) when he was clearly not in good enough health to deal with that sort of thing. And millions disappeared from his accounts to the point there was speculation he was on the verge of going broke.
Being an old geezer myself, I grew up on Marvel Comics in the mid-late 60's so I caught much of the golden age of Lee's tenure as it unfolded. I can absolutely related to what celebs like Gene Simmons and Kevin Smith have said about how Lee's stories and overall attitude played a large part in positively shaping young kids core values.
The world is a little more diminished today.
One positive thing to note was Lee got to see (and participate in) his pulp comic book characters grow into what could be considered today's popular folk hero mythology, unlike many of his co-creators, notably Jack Kirby. On the less positive side, Lee had a number of people "managing" his affairs in his last few years that were unquestionably not acting in his best interests. There were reports that even last Summer, his handlers were still trucking him out to comic conventions to do all-day signings (he'd sign *anything*) when he was clearly not in good enough health to deal with that sort of thing. And millions disappeared from his accounts to the point there was speculation he was on the verge of going broke.
Being an old geezer myself, I grew up on Marvel Comics in the mid-late 60's so I caught much of the golden age of Lee's tenure as it unfolded. I can absolutely related to what celebs like Gene Simmons and Kevin Smith have said about how Lee's stories and overall attitude played a large part in positively shaping young kids core values.
The world is a little more diminished today.