By now, you’ve probably heard about the passing of Stan Lee, former editor-in-chief of Marvel Comics, at the age of 95. Born Stanley Martin Lieber to poor, working-class Jewish immigrants from Romania, he adopted a pseudonym because he wanted to save his real name for “more serious literary pursuits” rather than “silly little comics.” Well, he never wrote a “great American novel.” His impact on our culture was far greater.
My brother Matthew and I spent more of our pocket money on comic books than anything else and we always shared. As bookish nerds who were frequently bullied, comic books provided a much-needed escape into a magical, fascinating world. People with great powers used them for good and bullies who liked to take their aggression out on others were cast as villains who got theirs in the end.
Unlike DC’s Superman –who was bulletproof and untouchably virtuous- and Batman, who was set with unlimited resources for his pet projects, Marvel superheroes were much more relatable. I remember an interview with Terri Gross on Fresh Air in which he talked about the creation of his most iconic character: Spiderman. Comics’ number one readership was boys in their early teens, but such were never the main protagonist. Adolescent boys like Robin were always the side-kick. Such relationships between grown men and teenage boys seemed problematic because “people would talk.” So they wondered how they could make a teenage boy the superhero. In addition to amazing powers, he would have family problems, unrequited crushes, an overbearing boss, and trouble paying the rent.
Another great fan favorite was the team of Uncanny X-Men. Mutants were people born genetically different. A character might have wonderful personal qualities such as a kind heart and witty humor. But their more obvious features would leave them ostracized such as wings, tails, fur, blue skin or glowing yellow eyes. Unfortunately, one’s eyes and skin tone may still be a liability if you fall outside the mainstream.
Stan Lee wasn’t the sole creator of the Marvel Universe. He was part of a team. But these creations were reflections of a deeply held philosophy that he articulated in what he called Stan’s Soapbox:
“Let’s lay it right on the line. Bigotry and racism are among the deadliest social ills plaguing the world today. But, unlike a team of costumed super-villains, they can’t be halted with a punch in the snoot or a zap from a ray gun. The only way to destroy them is to expose them –to reveal them for the insidious evils they really are. The bigot is an unreasoning hater –one who hates blindly, fanatically, indiscriminately. If his hang-up is black men, he hates ALL black men. If a redhead once offended him, he hates ALL redheads. If some foreigner beat him to a job, he’s down on ALL foreigners. He hates people he’s never seen –people he’s never known –with equal intensity –with equal venom. Now, we’re not trying to say it’s unreasonable for one human being to bug another. But, although anyone has the right to dislike another individual, it’s totally irrational, patently insane to condemn and entire race – to despise an entire nation – to vilify an entire religion. Sooner or later, we must learn to judge each other on our own merits. Sooner or later, if Man is ever to be worthy of his destiny, we must fill our hearts with tolerance. For then, and only then, will we be truly worthy of the concept that man was created in the image of God –a God who calls us ALL –His children.”
I never had the privilege of meeting him. But my dear friend Tony Hamm did at Comic-Con back in 1991.
“I asked him if he could sign a poster for me and he said, ‘Certainly, young man!’ And then as he got done signing it, I noticed there were about 15 people standing behind me, and then he said, ‘OK, I’ll sign one more.’ And he signed all of their posters and suddenly 15 people became 30 people and he said, ‘OK, one more, one more, then I have to go. Okay, one more, then I have to go….’ He ended up signing all of those posters and then finally, he said, ‘Folks, I really, really have to go. I can’t sign anymore.” And there was a young girl standing there. She was about nine years old, so adorable. And he looked down at her and said with a smile, ‘Oh, okay, one more.’ And he signed her poster. I will never forget what a kind and gentle man that he was and how generous he was with his time.”
Farewell, Stan Lee. Your memory is indeed a blessing.
Republished from San Diego Jewish World.