Giants may eventually fall, but legends? Legends live forever. That’s the kind of man that Stan Lee was, a larger than life figure who was seen as the always-smiling face of comic books at their very best. Decades after he had retired from his typewriter and the genre-defining work that he pioneered with titans such as Jack Kirby, John Romita Sr and Steve Ditko, Stan Lee, was still an ambassador for comic books.
Whether it was a cameo in a Marvel movie, providing narration for cartoons based on his work or even signing an autograph for awed fans, Lee was a beloved and cherished icon of the medium that he gave so much to. Lee’s greatest legacy however? The stories that he gave to people with his interactions, creating new tales to astonish whenever he crossed paths with comic book writers, artists and fans.
With his passing, Lee’s own story may be over, but the legend he created will live on forever as the comic book industry paid their respects to a man who was a mentor, an inspiration and most importantly, a friend.
Today, we pause and reflect with great sadness on the passing of Stan Lee: https://t.co/J0cwgdn677 pic.twitter.com/eOBdZAqdZ0
— Marvel Entertainment (@Marvel) November 12, 2018
— JoeQuesada (@JoeQuesada) November 12, 2018
Today on #DCDaily, we pay tribute to the legendary Stan Lee. Stay-tuned for a dramatic reading of THE TERRIFICS featuring @echoK and more: https://t.co/d6lBfV5wDi pic.twitter.com/Z26C1Am3SL
— DC (@DCComics) November 12, 2018
Thank you, Stan Lee, for your creativity, your generosity, your sense of humor, and the heroes you shared with us all. Your work has inspired us more than we can say, and will do the same for so many future comics creators. #Excelsior
— Valiant Comics (@ValiantComics) November 12, 2018
If the reports are accurate, it’s a sad day for all us at Top Cow.
R.I.P. @TheRealStanLee pic.twitter.com/q3cscPcyUo
— Top Cow (@TopCow) November 12, 2018
“Everything we do today-the comics we make, the creators we work with, the stories we tell-would not be possible but for the trailblazing efforts of Stan Lee.He is and always will be the brightest visionary in our industry.AfterShock mourns the loss of comics’ greatest pioneer.” pic.twitter.com/fzdR4KDTOs
— AfterShock Comics (@AfterShockComix) November 12, 2018
#StanLee #nuffSaid #StanLeeRIP pic.twitter.com/tLCU7WoBT4
— John Buscema (@JohnBuscemaArt) November 12, 2018
#StanLee pic.twitter.com/PbVz4mFF9b
— Alex Ross (@thealexrossart) November 13, 2018
This is bitter news. We were lucky to have him.
Untold millions of lives made better by stories.
Endless people who learned responsibility from Spider-man, acceptance from the X-men, self-forgiveness from the Hulk.
Stan Lee put better heroes in our vision.
Forever the Man.
— GAIL SIMONE (@GailSimone) November 12, 2018
RIP @TheRealStanLee He made everyone feel like a kid in his presence no matter what your age. pic.twitter.com/JYeWXq8iKb
— Jim Lee (@JimLee) November 12, 2018
Farewell, my friend. You’re not only responsible for the boy I was, but also the man I am today. I will miss you all my days. Read it all here: https://t.co/3ni6SLKhWW pic.twitter.com/6naCfXP7HO
— KevinSmith (@ThatKevinSmith) November 12, 2018
I don’t have words for this. My life has been so incredibly changed by this mans creations and words. I’m going to celebrate him today by putting in the work and writing his characters the absolute best way I know how.
Thank you, Stan.
I love you, True Believers.
Excelsior. https://t.co/rkvoh3m8w2
— DONNY CATES (@Doncates) November 12, 2018
You make it to 95 and you have a life that’s that extraordinary and touch so many others, there is no reason to mourn, only to cerebrate.
— Layman (@themightylayman) November 12, 2018
Saddened to hear the news, R.I.P. @TheRealStanLee. Our thoughts are with his family & friends. #excelsior
— Image Comics (@ImageComics) November 12, 2018
This arrived at Marvel not long after I began working on Thor in 1983. I was amazed Stan even knew who I was. It was a generous and surprisingly personal gesture on his part. Hangs on the wall of my studio, a reminder to try to do good work. Thank you, Stan. Excelsior, indeed. pic.twitter.com/9tkoBKU1Bx
— Walter Simonson (@WalterSimonson) November 13, 2018
The legendary Stan Lee — Rest In Peace (95th birthday portrait) #RipStanLee #StanLeeRIP #StanLee pic.twitter.com/Xqxm6zFm1y
— Bill Sienkiewicz Art (@SienkiewiczArt) November 12, 2018
He was the most influential writer, editor, and publicist in the history of comics. The nerdy voice of so many generations. He wanted to write the great American novel. He did.
(And once I got him to laugh at a dick joke while we were taking a pic. These are framed on my desk.) pic.twitter.com/oO4T6sb8ra
— Tom King (@TomKingTK) November 12, 2018
THREAD FOR STAN LEE.
Stan Lee gave us more than co-creations X-Men, Iron Man, Hulk, Fantastic Four & Spider-Man. He gave us creeds to live by. Principles to emulate. Villains (and racism) to fight. He gave me vital cornerstones of my belief system. My sense of responsibility. pic.twitter.com/KxUpP7m23h— Brad Meltzer (@bradmeltzer) November 12, 2018
The last thing Stan Lee wrote for Marvel he did for me, for the Marvel 75th Anniversary Special—a retelling of the very first text story he wrote for Timely, this time as a comic story illustrated by Bruce Timm. So Stan’s first Marvel story was also his last Marvel story.
— Tom Brevoort (@TomBrevoort) November 13, 2018
As I’m sitting here trying to put words in the mouths of the characters he made immortal, characters that have literally changed my life, all I can really come up with is: Thank you, Stan.
— Jason Aaron (@jasonaaron) November 12, 2018
“My Moments With Stan”. @brianmbendis reflects on Stan Lee in The New York Times https://t.co/uGksKTXIb6 pic.twitter.com/GfsM20iNzY
— MIT CMS/W (@mit_cmsw) November 12, 2018
Rest In Peace Stan pic.twitter.com/zgRihKARWY
— Adam Kubert (@AdamKubert) November 12, 2018
RIP Stan Lee. Thank you. pic.twitter.com/683dWw2y3J
— laurence campbell (@getcampbell) November 12, 2018
Last Updated: November 13, 2018
Admiral Chief
November 13, 2018 at 10:57
This is something we all need to aspire to: Leaving such an impression and effect on people long after we leave this mortal plane
G8crasha
November 13, 2018 at 11:10
I was actually getting all choked up reading the tributes, and I’m not even a massive comic book fan!