Marvel Comics legend Stan Lee dead at 95

Hollywood is in mourning today following the death of Marvel legend Stan Lee, the man behind iconic characters such as Spider-Man, Iron Man, Black Panther and the X-Men.

Tributes are pouring in for legendary writer, editor and publisher Stan Lee, who has died at the age of 95.

The “creative genius” Marvel Comics publisher — who brought to life iconic characters including Spider-Man, X-Men, Thor, Iron Man, Black Panther and the Fantastic Four — died early Monday morning at Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre in Los Angeles.

His cause of death is not yet known, although he had suffered several illnesses over the last year, including a bout of pneumonia.

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Stan Lee has died. Photo: AAP Image/ Brenton Edwards

Following the news, Marvel stars and other high-profile Hollywood figures shared their memories and paid tribute to the late comic book legend.

Stan...more than a master of stories, you always seemed like a master of living. I will look to you for inspiration for the rest of my life. You live on. xoxo Your Wasp
.
#liveon #StanLee pic.twitter.com/JRA2aRM3bG

— Evangeline Lilly (@EvangelineLilly) November 12, 2018

Thank you Stan Lee for making people who feel different realize they are special.

— Seth Rogen (@Sethrogen) November 12, 2018

There will never be another Stan Lee. For decades he provided both young and old with adventure, escape, comfort, confidence, inspiration, strength, friendship and joy. He exuded love and kindness and will leave an indelible mark on so, so, so many lives. Excelsior!!

— Chris Evans (@ChrisEvans) November 12, 2018

Rest in peace, Stan Lee. The many worlds of imagination & delight you created for humanity will last forever.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 12, 2018

Stan Lee created a universe where, if a character was beloved enough, they could never really die.

Now THAT’S thinking ahead.

Thanks for so much of my life. You’ll never not be in it.

— Joss Whedon (@joss) November 12, 2018

Lee — who was born Stanley Liebman — began his career in comics in 1939 at the age of 17 when he became an assistant at Timely Comics, which would later evolve into Marvel Comics.

He was appointed editor of the magazine in 1941 and held the position until 1972, when he became publisher.

Lee is credited with helping to usher in a new era of superhero storytelling, which went on to wield an enormous influence over the movie business.

In the late 50s, bored with the output of the company and with nothing to lose, he began experimenting with a new style of flawed, more human superheroes.

Lee created countless characters in his years working in comics. The first superhero group he dreamed up (alongside artist Jack Kirby) was the Fantastic Four — Mister Fantastic, Invisible Woman, Human Torch and Thing.

Following that success, Lee and Marvel introduced the world to the hugely popular Spider-Man, the Hulk, Iron Man, Thor, the X-Men and Daredevil in a short burst between 1961 and 1964.

Lee poses with one of his most iconic characters - Spider-Man.

As Lee once told the Washington Post: “I used to be embarrassed because I was just a comic-book writer while other people were building bridges or going on to medical careers.

“And then I began to realise: entertainment is one of the most important things in people’s lives. Without it they might go off the deep end. I feel that if you’re able to entertain people, you’re doing a good thing.”

Marvel characters are famous the world over, and its films have dominated the box office for years, making the Marvel Cinematic Universe the highest-grossing movie franchise of all time.

Lee famously made cameos in all of the Marvel movies - and one fan on Twitter has helpfully compiled them all into one clip for your viewing pleasure.

Here is every Stan Lee Cameo in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. (Part 1) pic.twitter.com/lYVGGJyc2K

— Ebuka Akara (@ebuka_akara) November 12, 2018

Despite his worldwide success, Lee certainly had his own troubles. Although the blockbuster movies made his characters worth billions, the publisher always maintained he saw very little of that wealth.

He had a rocky relationship with Marvel once it began churning out Hollywood movies, and sued the company in 2002 for royalties he claimed were owed for the first Spider-Man movie.

Spider-Man star Kirsten Dunst with Lee in 2002.

The case was settled three years later for US$10 million (A$13.9 million)

As of 2018, Lee’s estimated wealth was about US$50 million (A$69.5 million).

He is survived by his daughter J.C. His wife of 69 years, Joan, died in 2017.

Lee’s wife died after suffering a stroke. Photo: Mark Mainz/Getty Images

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