Remembering Stan Lee

There are few people who have left as deep a fingerprint on modern pop culture as the Marvel Comics editor

Stan Lee.
(Image credit: AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Stan Lee was a man inseparable from his catchphrase, excelsior! He translated it once, on Twitter, explaining that the Latin word meant, "upward and onward, to greater glory!" The exclamation point, though, was what felt most important, characteristic of Lee's optimism. There seemed to be no limits to what he could, or wanted, to accomplish.

On Monday, the legendary Marvel Comics writer, editor, and publisher passed away at 95, and it's difficult to imagine the world without him in it. Even in his twilight years, as his eyesight failed and rumors of elder abuse circulated, he was a force to be reckoned with; in his final interview, from October, he revealed he was still working on new projects. As social media reacted to the news on Monday, there was a sort of unifying awe and disbelief.

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Jeva Lange

Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.