“You know, I guess one person can make a difference.”
-Stan Lee from Spider-Man 3
On November 12, 2018, the world EVERY SINGLE UNIVERSE lost one of its purest and most precious treasures: the one and only Stan Lee, co-creator of Marvel Comics, champion for misfits, and movie cameo extraordinaire (amongst many, MANY other heroic accomplishments).
I can say with 100% certainty that there’s no possible way I would still be here if it weren’t for this incredible, loving, creative genius. My heart is in pieces, but I’m trying to take comfort in the fact that he will be immortalized for eternity and beyond through all of his characters and their stories.
While I am fully aware of how silly it seems to get so devastated by a “celebrity death,” I still can’t help but feel a massive void in my soul from this heartbreaking loss. I grew up with his comic book characters; I identified with their stories. Spider-Man was the first superhero movie I ever saw, and I have been a total geek ever since. Peter Parker was my soul– a shy, awkward, nerdy outcast who suddenly gets the opportunity to save the world and become a true hero, someone people can trust and believe in. That was all I ever dreamed of (*and that’s literally the ONLY scenario that I would EVER allow a spider near me :p ), and I aspired to live by a “hero” code of morality from that point on.
Stan Lee’s stories gave me hope. Comfort. Joy. They were an escape from a cruel reality, where I always felt like I didn’t belong anywhere or with anyone, and that my life didn’t have any worth. They gave me a chance to bond with people who are different from me, and also provided an opportunity for me to see my friends more often (*it’s now a tradition to see the Marvel films together).
As cheesy or pathetic as it may make me sound, I live for those moments. I love going to Marvel films on opening night, sitting in a theater with a diverse group of people, and enjoying something collectively. It’s a hate-free zone– and those are pretty damn hard to come by these days. I love how inclusive the experience is, and how there’s an unspoken agreement of respect, peace, and acceptance — an understanding that we’re all here to enjoy this moment together, so let’s forget about life for a while and get lost in the wonderfully entertaining Marvel Cinematic Universe that Stan worked so hard to create and bring to life. For those couple fleeting hours, nothing else matters except what’s on the screen, and it’s downright therapeutic.
The difference that Stan made in the world will never be forgotten, and it will live on through his life-changing art and powerful words. He was never afraid to stand for justice and fight for what’s right, and I think we should all live by his example.
THANK YOU, Stan Lee, for creating characters and stories that helped me escape reality for a little while and find my true self along the way. You taught me that being different isn’t a weakness or a flaw– it’s a strength and a superpower. You saved my life and millions more with your stories and all-inclusive creative vision. 🥀🖤
Thank you for being a light in life, a beacon of hope, and an absolute inspiration. 🙌🏻You are and always will be the greatest superhero. ❤️ Excelsior!
The sun will shine on us again. 🙌🏻🙅🏻♀️🌞❤️
“Nuff said.” 🖤
Xx,
K
Fashion for Your Thoughts 