I’ve spent the last several hours in tears at the news that Stan Lee – the creator of gorgeous comic book characters such as Spider-Man, Thor, Black Panther, etc. etc. etc. – has left this earth at the too-young age of 95. When I learned early this year that Stan Lee had been hospitalized, I knew somehow that the end was near for the comic book legend, but I still wasn’t ready for this loss. It hit me in the feels. Hard.

Stan Lee was without a doubt a visionary. He started his career in comics in 1939, and gave superheroes a new life with a series of beautifully done, flawed, and ultimately very human superheroes. I loved the beautiful colors and creative superpowers, but at the same time, I loved the all-too-human grit of characters like Daredevil and the Hulk, whose Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde was rage personified.

He was known for his endless imagination and his ever-present optimism. He loved comic books. He loved the heroes he created, he believed in justice and truth, and he spoke out against bigotry and hatred. His characters were rich in personality and personal strength – far from perfect human beings – but very much aglow with the kind of love that uplifts and inspires us upward and onward!

As I sit here in tears, contemplating the profound effect Stan Lee’s work had on my life, I remember learning English by watching Spider-Man cartoons and trying to find spiders to bite me as a kid, so I could climb walls (yeah, I did that – don’t judge).

I remember watching the old Hulk TV show with Bill Bixby, gripping the wooden arms of my dad’s armchair, scared to see the transformation from Bixby to a green, frightening Lou Ferrigno, and yet unable to turn away.

I remember watching Spider-Man and his Amazing Friends on Saturday mornings, procrastinating my chores and getting yelled at by my parents. I wanted to be Firestar and insisted that my parents call me by that name – much to their confusion.

I wanted to be a hero, and Stan Lee’s characters were a huge part of that inspiration.

Even when I got older, I would watch the Marvel movies and squeal in delight every time Stan Lee did one of his hilarious, quirky cameos! Yes, literally SQUEEEEE!!! I’m a fan to this day. I will go see any Marvel movie, and I watch them again and again. I adore the Easter eggs – the little gifts, small references, minor nods to the characters that helped shape me as a person.

And now Stan Lee is gone, leaving behind a super-human legacy and shoes that can never be filled.

His charity – the Stan Lee Foundation – sought to increase literacy and access to education throughout the United States, and was dedicated to promoting culture and the arts.

His influence, kindness, and dedication to justice will be the rock on which future generations will hopefully build monuments to make this world a better place.

Stan Lee was not without tragedy. He lost his wife last year to complications from a stroke. He was the victim of elder abuse, and luckily won an order of protection against his abuser.

He was accused of sexual harassment – an allegation he categorically denied.

And he wasn’t without his share of lying, social justice twats, whose mission in life is quite obviously to destroy everything that is good and right in this world with their whining, hysterical, attention-whoring garbage.

real talk, stan lee was racist, homophobic, and was accused of sexual harassment multiple times. he was creepy and underhanded. that doesn’t mean he deserved the elder abuse he got, or that he deserved to die. but i’m not wasting any time mourning that bitch.

— y’all heights (@xfrce) November 12, 2018

But thankfully, these psychotic zealots are few and far between. The fans love Stan Lee, and his death has left a massive hole in the world and in our hearts.

I will miss his quirky, effervescent appearances in my favorite movies. I will miss the smile that inevitably spreads all over my face when he appears on the big screen. I will miss his inspiring presence and his love not just for the characters he helped create, but also the fans that love them. The world is just a little darker without him.

Captain America says it best.

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

Excelsior, indeed, good sir!

Rest well. You have earned it.

Featured photo courtesy of Facebook.