This particular blog entry comes out later than I wanted it to, admittedly. But obviously, some big news this week with the death of comic icon Stan Lee, who died at 95 years of age.
Stan Lee was a legend in the comic book world. He co-created some legendary super-heroes who have become institutions in modern American culture, and indeed, even globally. Such figures as Spider-Man, the Hulk, Thor, the X-Men, and the Fantastic Four, as well as the Black Panther, Daredevil, and Ant-Man.
I remember seeing the cartoon image of the bearded Stan Lee back in the days when I regularly read and kept up with comic books, particularly Marvel, which I personally always felt was more realistic, and thus, on many levels, more desirable than DC Comics. The characters behind the masks, such as Peter Parker, had real problems, from financial to relationships, as well as other issues. Bruce Banner could not reveal himself, had to keep his identity secret. Some of the heroes were a bit more aggressive, and could even be jerks at times, like Wolverine.
Indeed, there was a level of sophistication to the Marvel comics which the DC Comics heroes - with the notable exception of Batman/Bruce Wayne - simply could not compete with. They felt like real people, and the inner turmoil in their lives added a crucial touch of realism to them, and made them a bit less insulting to the reader's intelligence (in my opinion). It seems to me that DC Comics have now followed suit, and made their characters a bit more complex, and a little more human in the process.
In any case, obviously Stan Lee was enormously influential, and his work with the Marvel Universe - which he helped to create - was greatly appreciated. I was not the most popular kid in my school, but perusing through the comic books sometimes felt a bit like being with a friend. It takes a special kind of person to be able to reach out and do that for people, and I hardly think I am alone in feeling this way.
So, it is with sadness that we witness the passing of a true super-hero in his own right.
Indeed, there was a level of sophistication to the Marvel comics which the DC Comics heroes - with the notable exception of Batman/Bruce Wayne - simply could not compete with. They felt like real people, and the inner turmoil in their lives added a crucial touch of realism to them, and made them a bit less insulting to the reader's intelligence (in my opinion). It seems to me that DC Comics have now followed suit, and made their characters a bit more complex, and a little more human in the process.
In any case, obviously Stan Lee was enormously influential, and his work with the Marvel Universe - which he helped to create - was greatly appreciated. I was not the most popular kid in my school, but perusing through the comic books sometimes felt a bit like being with a friend. It takes a special kind of person to be able to reach out and do that for people, and I hardly think I am alone in feeling this way.
So, it is with sadness that we witness the passing of a true super-hero in his own right.
RIP, Stan Lee.
Like you, I was a huge fan of Marvel Comics superheroes as a kid, particularly Spider-Man and the Incredible Hulk. In addition to enjoying the animated Spider-Man series (dubbed in French during the Bois-d'Arcy days, and in the original English on this side of the pond), I thought the Spider-Man franchise starring Tobey Maguire was excellent (particularly the first two installments), and loved watching the Incredible Hulk television series starring Bill Bixby with you and Grampa. I love watching reruns to this day, even if the special effects during the hulk outs were understandably cheesy by today's standards. And you're right, there is something comforting as a kid about temporarily escaping to a fantasy world wherein it's just a matter of time until those heroes defeat the villains and all's right with the world again. RIP Stan Lee.
ReplyDeleteYeah, it's funny, because that is one of the American things that jolts memories (mostly pleasant) of both the United States & France. One of the rare things that do. Some Beatles music does the same thing, and maybe a few other things that are not coming immediately to mind. Maybe G.I. Joe for me. But when I think of some of the Marvel super-heroes, particularly Spider-Man, the Hulk, and Secret Wars, I have memories of both France and the U.S.. And yeah, Stan Lee helped to create a comfortable form of escapism for kids that also helped to appeal to their imagination, got them reading (and in some cases, drawing), and mostly had a positive overall message, I think. A lot to be said for all of that. RIP, Stan Lee.
Delete