Stan Lee, the creator of some of the most iconic comic book characters, does not need any introduction. The former president of Marvel Comics died on Monday at the age of 95, leaving his fans all over the world grief-stricken and mourning.
Lee had created numerous iconic characters including The Fantastic Four, Spider-Man, The Incredible Hulk, The Avengers and X-Men, among others.
Until he retired from editing in 1971, Lee wrote all the copy for Marvel's covers. He was also known for making cameos in dozens of Marvel films.
Here are some interesting facts every Stan Lee fans definitely should know about:
1. Not his real name
Although the world knew him as Stan Lee, the charismatic comic book legend’s real name was Stanley Martin Lieber. Born on December 28, 1922 in New York, he opted to use Stan Lee as a pseudonym for what he thought would be his “lesser works” in the comic book world.
Hugh Jackman tweets about Stan Lee's death Screenshot
2. Hulk was gray
Initially, the Hulk was supposed to be gray. But according to Stan Lee, an issue with the printer turned the Hulk green. The printer had a hard time keeping the colour consistent.
Lee later said in a statement: “So as of issue #2, with no explanation, he turned green.”
Sad, sad day. Rest In Power, Uncle Stan. You have made the world a better place through the power of modern mythology and your love of this messy business of being human... pic.twitter.com/x6yZ6ClNSX
— Mark Ruffalo (@MarkRuffalo) November 12, 2018
3. The cameos
Stan Lee was known for his eccentric cameos in pretty much every Marvel movie. However, his cameos go beyond just Marvel movies.
In 2004, Lee appeared in the film "The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement," where he played a dignitary attending a royal wedding and even interacted with Julie Andrews. Apart from this, he also appeared in numerous films, TV shows and even animated movies and series.
4. Started his career in his teens
At age 17, Stan Lee became an errand boy at Timely Comics, the company that would evolve into Marvel. He got the job with help from his uncle.
Lee soon earned writing duties and promotions. He penned Western stories and romances, as well as superhero tales, and often wrote standing on the porch of the Long Island, New York, home.
5. “Excelsior!”
Stan Lee’s trademark catchphrase was “Excelsior!” a Latin word which generally means higher, superior or “Ever Upward.” Lee became Marvel's publisher in 1972. He went on the lecture circuit, moved to Los Angeles in 1980 and pursued opportunities for his characters in movies and television.
Through it all, he kept connected with fans, writing a monthly column called "Stan's Soapbox" in which he often slipped in his catchphrase "'Nuff Said" or the sign-off "Excelsior!"
The word Excelsior is also the motto and on the seal of New York State, where he was born.
Stan Lee created many iconic characters Screenshot
6. Favourite authors
Stan Lee’s favourite authors include Stephen King, HG Wells, Mark Twain, Arthur Conan Doyle, William Shakespeare, Charles Dickens, and Harlan Ellison.
7. Writing obituaries
Young Stan Lee wrote obituaries for celebrities at an undisclosed news office in New York.
In an interview later in his life, he had said that he eventually quit that job because it became “depressing.”
8. God or no god
Stan Lee was raised in a Jewish family that had immigrated to the US from Romania.
In a 2002 interview, when asked whether he believed in god, Lee replied: “Well, let me put it this way... [pause] No, I’m not going to try to be clever. I really don’t know. I just don’t know.”
Stan Lee created a universe where, if a character was beloved enough, they could never really die.
— Joss Whedon (@joss) November 12, 2018
Now THAT’S thinking ahead.
Thanks for so much of my life. You’ll never not be in it.
9. Early graduation
Stan Lee graduated high school early, at the age of 16 and a half in 1939. Afterwards, he had joined the WPA Federal Theatre Project.
10. Favourite super villain
Dr Victor Von Doom, mostly known as Dr Doom and the arch nemesis of Stan Lee’s first creation with Jack Kirby “The Fantastic Four,” was apparently Lee’s favourite super villain.
When asked, Lee said in an interview that if he could become a Marvel super villain he would love to be Dr Doom.
Tom Hardy starred as Eddie/ Venom Screenshot
