By Christian Franklin
In 1939, the world was introduced to Timely Comics, more recently known as Marvel Comics. In a time when the world was at the brink of war, one man helped shape popular culture for years to come. Stanley Martin Lieber, also known as Stan Lee, played a crucial part in delivering some of the greatest stories ever told.
I mean, everyone and their dog knows who Spider-Man is. The Hulk, Iron Man, Thor and Captain America. The X-Men and The Fantastic Four. Your parents grew up with them. Your grandpa read the comics. The unforgettable stories of these extraordinary individuals have captivated audiences for as long as pop culture has existed.
Lee was not only the biggest icon of Marvel Comics, but he was also one of the biggest pop-culture icons in the world. You would have to travel far and wide to encounter someone who had never even heard of Marvel Comics. The comics, the movies and the games are treasured in the hearts of many.
Who would have thought one man’s imagination could impact the lives of hundreds of millions worldwide? Who would believe the ingenious mind of one man and his storytelling would inspire generations?
So, why should we remember Stan Lee? What does this man mean to you? Or to me? After all, it was his fictional work which took fans to whole new worlds, dimensions and different universes.
Flashback to the year 2004: We find a 7-year-old boy, outgoing and easily fascinated by popular culture. This little boy, who had just been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, would soon discover something that would forever change his life: Marvel Comics.
This little boy vividly remembers walking into a movie theater in Fort Worth, TX to watch Spider-Man 2, which starred Tobey Maguire in the titular role. There, the little boy would be impacted by the world Stan Lee would lay out for generations to come.
The boy would grow up reading Marvel comics, watching every single Marvel movie and engaging in mindless hours of Marvel video games and lore. Even throughout his teenage years, the boy would be inspired by the stories Stan Lee created. A big part of his life would be invested in Marvel Comics.
The boy would eventually write an editorial for his college newspaper in memory of what Stan Lee means to him. Because, to answer the question, “what does Stan Lee mean to me,” he meant the world to me.
Through his imagination and gift for storytelling, I could escape the real world and dive into a world where heroes resided. A world where for once I was engaged and passionate. A world where it was cool to do the right thing. A world where individuals with incredible gifts and powers would selflessly serve others. This would inspire me to be a better person, and Stan Lee is the one who I can thank for that.
While we may mourn over his death, Stan Lee should be celebrated. He was a gift to the world and will always hold a special place in the hearts of millions.
“Excelsior” was his most common catchphrase, meaning “upward and onward to greater glory.” So, in the famous words of Stan Lee: “Excelsior, true believers!”
The Talon welcomes all viewpoints. Realizing there may be an opposing view to today’s editorial, the Talon invites any Oklahoma Christian student to write an opposing editorial that is signed and less than 800 words. For more information on editorial guidelines or to submit an opinion idea, please email Hannah Brewster, the Talon’s opinion editor.
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