Everyone has heard the news by now. Stan Lee, the Marvel Comics patriarch who was responsible for a new era of superhero storytelling has died. CNN brought this news to us in their article, “Stan Lee, Marvel Comics visionary, dead at 95.”

This is not an article about a comic book creator. Yes, as the top writer at Marvel Comics and later as its publisher, Lee was widely considered the architect of the contemporary comic book. This man, however, was a true visionary. He was responsible for many great achievements, but his greatest legacy will be the co-creation of his characters and the way he helped to build the culture that comics have become. Marvel characters are known the world over, and their films have become huge successes. All because of his emerging creativity and lack of fear about trying something new.

In a past interview with the Washington Post, Lee said, “…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.”

Melody K. Smith

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