Stan Lee: The True Story Of The Marvel Comics Legend

2018 has been a year of mourning for comic book fans. An no, we’re not talking about the Thanos finger snap erasing half of the Marvel universe -- we’re referring to the real life death of Marvel legend Stan Lee. Passed away at the age of 95, Lee has left a long legacy behind him -- and one that goes well beyond the recent years of cameo appearances in the MCU. For the casual fan, Lee is simply known as the creator of Marvel Comics, but his history is long, complicated, and filled with more twists and turns than the comics he wrote for. Take a journey with us as we explore the true story of Stan Lee -- his controversy with the creation of certain Marvel heroes, and the legacy he will leave behind.

What do you think of when you hear the name Stan Lee? For many, it will conjure up an image of the old Stan Lee, a man mostly used for appearances and representative of Marvel’s long history. Even at 95 years old, he had a coolness factor about him. The guy you’d wait in line at a comic convention for. One of the only guys you’d want to sign the front of a classic Marvel comic. The man you say “ah-ha” to when his cameo scene appears in a Marvel movie. But the real Stan Lee is more than just a novelty -- he is a pioneer, a visionist, and the face of Marvel. Like any face of a giant company -- Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg -- Lee has faced his fair share of challenges and debates over the years -- obstacles he has overcome to remain the face of Marvel in almost a revisionist history where many people have placed him as the sole creator of the company.

Check out these other ScreenRant documentaries!

Macaulay Culkin: The Rise And Fall Of A Child Star

Move Over Batman: The True Story Of DC's Arrowverse

Our Social Media:

Our Website

[somerandomguy]

"One person can make a difference"

[wateormelon]

Goodbye Stan Lee without you we wouldn’t be here with all these characters you made this come true
Rip Stan lee 1922-2018

[noelle-a-roo]

My library has a memorial for him and everytime I go and visit it because it reminds me of how my life changed due to his comics

[gracem]

The 19 people that disliked this were so overwhelmed with tears because of missing Stan, that the tears clouded their vision and they accidentally hit the dislike button

[thestevens]

I teared up watching this. Great job screen rant keep up with these great docs

[EpicCamraMan]

I honestly wouldn’t mind a Stan Lee movie in theaters, in the style similar to the Steve jobs movies.

[Serenityafterall]

I'm so glad that one of my son's got to take several pictures with Mr. Lee at Comic Con Japan !! 😁

[yobroabdel]

“Love seeing you two together again you always where my favorites”

-spiderman ps4 Stan Lee cameo

[Usussjjsososajbabqnqj]

*Stan Lee is now one with the force* 🙏

[toddtaliaferro]

I was born in early 1954 and got into Marvel comics and especially Spider-Man at an early age.

What I remember most about Stan Lee was his cool, flippant style of writing, particularly when answering fan letters.

Heaven help the fan who got on Stan's bad side. He could slice & dice a smartass with style and aplomb.

Something that kind of bothered me in recent years is how Lee was made to seem like the sole contributor to Marvel, rarely mentioning Kirby or Ditko.

Incidentally, I never quit reading DC comics, and always considered Superman the king of superheroes.

What Spider-Man had over Superman was the fact that he was just a kid, with the same kinds of problems that regular kids have, making him easy to identify with.

If you weren't around in the Sixties, you really missed some great years, and not just in the comics realm.

[alexa-iwyr]

Just the beginning made me tear up!! Bro, I love Stan Lee! He’s the man!!

[kimmiet.]

His Cameo in Civil War. “Is this the home of Tony Stank?! “ Classic. He will be forever missed. I would rush home to watch Spider-Man after school while doing my homework. The lessons taught through Marvel are because of Lee & Ditko. Ditko passed only 6 months prior to Lee.

[yellowroze]

Stan Lee is greatly missed! I loved The a new Marvel movie and trying to spot his cameo before anyone else who was watching it with me! Was like a game we had. I would love to see them definitely hide statues or paintings or something of Stan in future movies! Some traditions should never die! 💜

[conandorgan]

Black Panther wasn't African American he was AFRICAN.

[skwest]

I was a young kid when Spider-Man #1 was published. I won't go so far as to say that it was life-changing. It was a kind of placeholder for me... and a touchstone.
I'm sure that there were legitimate gripes, over the years, from partners, co-workers, competitors, etc. But I would only ask his detractors one question: Where might our Superheroes be, if Stan Lee had never existed?
I think the world is a better place for having had Stan Lee.

[Exoticvoid]

im doing a biography school project on stan lee, your video will rlly help tysm

[jedikfc]

Stan's narration in Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends is iconic of my childhood.

[duduxrma]

Stan ! I know your here😭❤️ Thanks my changing my bullied life, I changed my life after watching Spiderman ❤️

[ericavandemark]

In my opinion to honor Stan Lee properly make a new comic series based on his catchphrase. EXCELSIOR

[jonasbrothersrockist]

Rest in peace, Stan Lee. Your true Marvel fans will always love you. You will always be remembered by. Never forgotten. Marvel superheroes and supervillains are still your true family. No matter what. Marvel characters will still be praying for you with their hearts.