Stan Lee has left behind the multiverse he created, the superheroes who were born from his gifted mind, a legacy that will take a lot to top, shoes so big they may never get filled again, and endless memories for his fans the world over, writes Aakash Aggarwal
Sorry if I sound dramatic, but love for comics is a little like your faith in God. Without belief what is God but a rock or a mythical person that you have never seen? Without belief, a comic is some animated story made for kids. And thus, for the believers — who frequent the temple of belief when they pick up the latest comic book — the passing away of Stanley Martin Lieber, popularly known as Stan Lee, is the loss of their high priest.
Unlike mere mortals who leave behind a grieving family and friends along with their worldly possessions, Stan Lee has left behind much more. He has left behind the multiverse he created, the superheroes who were born from his gifted mind, a legacy that will take a lot to top, shoes so big they may never get filled again, and endless memories.
The zest for life and the energy he possessed made one wonder if Stan had some of the superpowers the characters he created had. In fact, over the years, as I gorged on everything that the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) dished out, I have begun to look forward to Stan Lee’s special appearances as much as I look forward to the sneak peek into the future timeline. As a postman, as Hef, as Larry King, as a neighbour, as a rejected wedding guest to a person just enjoying his book on the subway, it is quite interesting that he chose to be a common man always.
It is difficult to choose his best special appearance: His laugh-riot cameo when he appears in Fantastic Four? His first line in Hulk? Or as the Army Man who remarks about Captain America, “I thought he’d be taller,” he is amazing. But for me, the two that will always stand out are the time when he gave Thor, the God of Thunder, a haircut in Thor: Ragnarok, and when he delivers a package for the Iron Man as a postman and asks if he indeed is Tony ‘Stank’ in Captain America: Civil War.
His cameo in Avengers 4 is confirmed and MCU fans will have one chance to bid him goodbye in 2019. But in the heart of their hearts, everyone expected him to live beyond 100 because he was a superhero in his own right. Aware of his mortality, Stan Lee had said in a 2010 documentary, “I want to do more movies, I want to do more television, more DVDs, more multi-sodes, I want to do more lecturing, I want to do more of everything I’m doing. The only problem is time. I just wish there was more time.”
But I think the one quote that will perhaps leave his fans most teary-eyed is the one where he spoke about them — his fans — and their significance in his life. In a recently made public video, he is seen saying: “It’s an equal love-fest. I love my fans. I cannot tell you how much I love my fans. Sometimes, at night, when I’m sitting here, and I’m thinking, ‘Oh, what’s it all about?’ and then I get a letter from a fan, or I read something, or I see something, or I remember something, and I realise, it’s so lucky to have fans... fans who really care about you. And that’s the reason I care so much about the fans, because they make me feel so great, and there’s something, if you think about it, is just so wonderful about somebody caring about you as I care about them, whom you’ve never met, who may live in another part of the world. But they care, and you have something in common, and occasionally, you contact each other. This business of fans, I think is terrific, and I love ‘em all.”
But beyond the many comic books, the breathtaking movies, the characters that you will never forget, Stan Lee was an inspiration as just Stan Lee too. He said, “It’s fun doing something that hasn’t been done before.” Stan was so great at what he did because he loved what he did. He couldn’t wait to think of a new idea. He couldn’t stop putting his thoughts on paper. By his own admission, he finished most of his work in the first sitting. When asked about hanging up his boots, he said: “Most people say ‘I can’t wait to retire so I can play golf or go yachting’ or whatever they do. Well, if I was playing golf, I would want that to finish so I could go and dream up a new TV show!”
In his own inimitable way, Stan Lee told us never to grow up. He saw the world as a comic book with everyone in it playing a different character. He, who described comic books as “fairytales for grown-ups”, told us about the importance of never letting go of the fun in life. He said, “I used to be embarrassed because I was just a comic book writer, while other people were building bridges or going on to medical careers. And then I began to realise: 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.”
I think my way of giving a tribute to the genius of Stan Lee would be through the work that he dedicated his life to. Just imagine, if the superheroes he created walked into his funeral to pay respects to their creator, what would have they said?
Spider-Man: “He sure spun a web around us all and the trappings of the MCU were too tempting to resist.”
Hulk: “He smashed the naysayers like only he can and showed us how to live life.”
Iron Man: “I may be Iron Man, but he is the ‘Man’. If it wasn’t for him, none of us would be here.”
Dr. Strange: “You know I could use the Time Stone to look into the future. But with him gone, I see no future.”
Groot: “I am Groot.”
Thor: “It is strange. I am Odinson. But in a way, all of us, each one of us, is LeeSon.”
Black Panther: “He has left a huge hole in our lives. Before Wakanda Forever, it will always be Stan Lee Forever.”
If you’re one of those who is wondering what the fuss is all about, have been ignorant enough to not have heard of Stan Lee or unfortunate enough to ignore all superhero movies as “not your thing”, if the only thing you remember about comics is a childhood memory where your school screened Batman for you or when you flipped through your desi Chacha Chaudhary or Nagraj, there is no moment better than now to jump on the bandwagon. Take a day off or invest a weekend, invite your friends, get some popcorn in the microwave, and set the tone for a movie marathon.
Here are six MCU superhero movies that you may have missed but shouldn’t have:
Iron Man (2008)
Now one of the most famous utterances from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Iron Man describes himself as a “genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist”. As one of the most succinct but accurate descriptions, Tony Stark is the son of legendary inventor and weapons contractor, Howard Stark. When Tony Stark is assigned to give a weapons presentation to an Iraqi unit led by Lt Col James Rhodes, he’s given a ride on enemy lines. That ride ends badly when Stark’s Humvee is attacked by enemy combatants. He survives — barely — with a chest full of shrapnel and a car battery attached to his heart. In order to survive, he comes up with a way to miniaturise the battery and figures out that the battery can power something else. Thus is born the Iron Man. He uses the quite primitive but effective engineering marvel to escape from the cave in Iraq. Once back home, he begins work on perfecting the Iron Man suit. But the man who was put in charge of Stark Industries has plans of his own to take over Tony’s technology for other things.
The Incredible Hulk (2008)
You meet Dr Bruce Banner, a mild-mannered scientist who turns into a giant green monster under emotional stress. Whilst on the run from the military, Banner comes close to a cure. But all is lost when a new creature emerges: The Abomination. He must now choose between saving the world and becoming normal again.
Thor (2011)
The demi-God warrior, Thor is outcasted from the Kingdom of Asgard by his father Odin for his arrogance. He must now learn to live among humans on Earth as an ordinary fellow human being. Falling in love with scientist Jane Foster teaches Thor the much-needed lessons, and his new-found strength comes into play as a villain from his homeland sends dark forces towards Earth.
Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
The cause of much irritation to my friends, this may be my favourite movie because it tells you that intent matters more than anyone else. It is 1942 when the US has entered World War II, when you meet the sickly but determined Steve Rogers who is disappointed at being rejected yet again for the Army. However, his fate changes when Dr Erskine recruits him for the secret Project Rebirth. Making use of his big heart, quick thinking and clear conscience, Rogers undergoes the experiment and his weak body is suddenly transformed into the maximum human potential. When Dr Erskine is exterminated by an agent of Nazi Germany’s secret HYDRA research department (headed by the Red Skull), Rogers must bring to fore his abilities as the super soldier and save his comrades who need him. He goes on a successful adventure that truly makes him Captain America, and his war against Schmidt begins.
Doctor Strange (2016)
Marvel’s Doctor Strange makes you first meet super talented neurosurgeon Dr Stephen Strange, who is on top of his game. With hands that work like magic and a brain that is superior, he operates on the most complicated of cases as an artist fussing over his latest creation. But a tragic car crash changes it al. He must now learn to put his ego aside and enter a secret world of mysticism and alternate dimensions. Based in New York City’s Greenwich Village, Doctor Strange must act as an intermediary between the real world and what lies beyond, utilising a vast array of metaphysical abilities and artifacts to protect the MCU.
BlaCk Panther (2018)
Just when you thought you had seen it all, came Black Panther. The incomparable Prince T’Challa must fight for his place in the technologically advanced African nation of Wakanda to prove his worth as the new king. As you enter a mythical world of tradition and modernity, where gender and race is often subverted, you will see T’Challa get challenged by factions from his own Wakanda. He must join hands with CIA Agent Ross and use all the might of the Wakandan special forces to prevent Wakanda from being dragged into a new-age war.
The writer is a communications professional
