Yesterday, the world lost a uniquely-global icon. For me, Stan was very much more than even that. Having been indirectly introduced to him in 1978 through The Incredible Hulk TV series (my all-time favorite TV show), I soon became a Marvel Comics aficionado. To this day, I own a 5000-strong collection of vintage, original Marvel Comics. 70% of the items in my bedroom are ‘Stan’-related. And that includes my socks!
Growing up, it wasn’t easy being into this stuff. Social rejection due to the ‘geek’ status was tough to live with. To counter this, I took myself to my physical limit in an effort to emulate Stan’s creations. “Aim high, and you’ve got a chance of getting at least halfway there,” and about ‘half-way’ is as far as I attained. It was enough to shut the bastards up.
Following the rise of the Marvel movies in 2000, all of that changed, and the world finally ‘got me’.
Stan’s spirit is in all of my novels. While they are firmly affixed in the thriller genre, they all have elements of ‘the fantastic’, holding back just short of the impossible.
There will never be another Stan Lee. Even if his name isn’t known in some remote parts, I doubt there is anyone in the world who isn’t familiar with at least one of his characters. He was undoubtedly the most prolific and far-reaching writer, not only of our time – but in the history of literature.
Rest in peace, Stan. Excelsior!
Growing up, it wasn’t easy being into this stuff. Social rejection due to the ‘geek’ status was tough to live with. To counter this, I took myself to my physical limit in an effort to emulate Stan’s creations. “Aim high, and you’ve got a chance of getting at least halfway there,” and about ‘half-way’ is as far as I attained. It was enough to shut the bastards up.
Following the rise of the Marvel movies in 2000, all of that changed, and the world finally ‘got me’.
Stan’s spirit is in all of my novels. While they are firmly affixed in the thriller genre, they all have elements of ‘the fantastic’, holding back just short of the impossible.
There will never be another Stan Lee. Even if his name isn’t known in some remote parts, I doubt there is anyone in the world who isn’t familiar with at least one of his characters. He was undoubtedly the most prolific and far-reaching writer, not only of our time – but in the history of literature.
Rest in peace, Stan. Excelsior!
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