Stan Lee

 Today would have been Stan Lee's 100th birthday. I would be stunned if anyone reading this had no idea who he was, as his name has been synonymous with US popular culture since the middle of the last century.

 The Spectacular Spider-Man. The Invincible Iron Man. The Incredible Hulk- and a great many other cultural icons, spanning TV, movies, literature- and comic books.

 There were- and are- other creative minds at work on these. Have been from the start. But the guiding mind behind those minds- for decades- was Stan Lee.

 Who, despite my overwhelming love for a couple of characters run by a competing company? Made Mine Marvel, every time.

 Stan's success- often studied, often imitated, never equaled in such things? I think it came down to two reasons. Two not at all secrets.

 One? His characters dealt with the sort of problems his readership faced- though writ large, often during a large, world or worlds threatening crisis. Iron Man was a drunk with a bad heart and a worse conscience. Spider-Man was a kid who felt enormous guilt over the deaths of his uncle and first love. Trying to balance adult responsibilities on some narrow shoulders. The Hulk? Jeezus, where to begin with the problems dumped on Bruce Banner- but foremost? How do I deal with the rage I feel at being treated like shit? How- more to the point- at being treated like a big, dumb kid?

 Two? Stan knew the value of marketing an image. When you think of DC, or Image or what have you, other big players? You think of characters. But for Marvel- for my entire life? Stan Lee. Stan Lee the creator, Stan Lee the snappy epigramist and commenter. Stan Lee, the big, enthusiastic kid. The big kid who somehow got control of the candy store, and ran it like we would. Was that image true? Not always. Not entirely. Poke and prod and you'll find bruised egos, stepped on toes, all of the stuff you find in any life.

 Except for that last bit. The bit about being a big kid.

 And for me- as well as all of us who grew up with Stan Lee's Marvel?

 That was the sale.

 I might not have been sure about the character, the writers, the artists. But if Stan Lee thought it was worth a look?

 I looked. And more often than not, I bought. Here's to you, Stan. Excelsior!