Stan Lee, Marvel Legend, Dies at Age 95

Marvel legend Stan Lee has passed away at the age of 95. The comic book writer, editor, and publisher will be remembered for creating the iconic characters in Spider-Man, X-Men, Thor, Iron Man, Black Panther, and more Marvel titles. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Lee died early Monday morning in Los Angeles.

Lee first entered the comics industry in 1939, when he worked for Marvel predecessor Timely Comics. Through his work there, he met artists and writers Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko, and in 1961, the group renamed the company Marvel Comics. They released their first original superhero series, The Fantastic Four, that year, and quickly expanded with series about Spider-Man, Doctor Strange, Daredevil, and the X-Men. The Avengers, featuring all the Marvel characters in one series, debuted as its own title in 1963, almost 50 years before the first Avengers film premiered in 2012.

In 1980, Lee was named publisher of Marvel Comics and moved to Hollywood to oversee the transition from comics to film and TV projects. The early shows, including the CBS drama The Incredible Hulk and an animated Spider-Man show (it ran from 1967 to 1970 on ABC), were successful, but that success paled in comparison to the films, which exploded in popularity after Disney bought Marvel in 2009. Lee was involved in production on each film, whether as a consultant or as an extra; Lee made a cameo in every Marvel film, often appearing as a regular person watering his lawn, working as a security guard, or delivering mail.

Lee’s daughter J.C. confirmed his death on Monday afternoon. “He felt an obligation to his fans to keep creating,” J.C. told Reuters. “He loved his life and he loved what he did for a living. His family loved him and his fans loved him. He was irreplaceable.”

Immediately after the news of Lee’s passing broke, fans — celebrities and regular people alike– took to Twitter to express their heartbreak.

Rest in Peace, Stan Lee. You will be missed.