I would wake up in the middle of the night when I was little and scream “Spider-Man” for him to come rescue me from my nightmare, from being scared, from the World! Spider-Man was my hero so I did not need to be afraid. I read the comics (cheap copies nothing valuable), saw the cartoons, and was Spider-Man’s biggest fan!
Yes, I grew up to discover Stan Lee and am amazed at his story. It is not that Stan Lee had a humble upbringing or that he joined the United States Army it is the fact that Stan Lee knew he was writer, wanted to be a writer and pursued his dream.
Stan Lee got his start at Timely Comic (later to evolve as Marvel Comics) and he started off filling the ink in the inkwells. Stan Lee’s duties consisted of getting lunch for the office, proofreading, and erasing pencil marks from finished pages. Captain America 3 gave Lee a big break!! It was the episode where Captain America’s trademark became the ricocheting shield-toss. Stan Lee published many of his works but even he wanted to quit on himself.
In 1950 when Stan Lee was about to change careers he got a phone call to develop superheroes that he and Jack Kirby would respond to with Fantastic Four, Hulk, Iron Man, Thor, X-Men, with Bill Everett, Daredevil; and with Steve Ditko, Doctor Strange and Marvel’s most successful character, Spider-Man. It took the phone call and the right people to promote Stan Lee’s talent!
Stan Lee also went on give credit where credit was due by adding a credit panel on the splash page of each story, naming not just the writer and penciller but also the inker and letterer. “I always sympathized with people who did work for hire, I was one of them”~Lee
Stan Lee also wrote a three part series on dangers of drugs in a Spider-Man Comic for the U.S. Health Education and Welfare. Stan Lee also touched on real life topics of racism and bigotry. In comic books and through his other writings he also discussed prejudice and discrimination.
It took a phone call to bring back Stan Lee and now he has comic books, cartoon series, and movies! Not to mention he did create my childhood hero!! What will it take to get you to believe in your dreams and passions. To continue even when you want to quit on yourself?
How awesome to remind people that the world needs heroes. And how Awesome, it is to be able to create heroes to inpire everyone. Everyone needs to have a role model to assist others to strive for a greater good by living their purpose. I think the greatest thing you can do for someone is to ainspre them to be greater than they think they are capable of.
You nailed it with “living our purpose”!! I love to focus on the living the purpose theme because it is possible!! We just have to do it and by doing so it inspires others! Lovely comment! Thank you!
Francis, I have to say I am disappointed to not see dressed as Cat Woman (one of my personal favorites) see: Michelle Pfieffer.
I never figured you to be a big comic book fan. My nephew’s favorite super here is Spider Man. Thanks for sharing.
What a great post! I love that Spider Man was your hero as a kid, its seems so wonderfully unique for a little girl. I think your story reflects the power of patience and of keeping our hearts in the right place. If we can keep our focus on the dream, and patiently step closer to our goals, we will win!
Such a pleasure to find you here, Francis.
~Melody Lea Lamb
Thanks Todd and Melody!! Holding to our dreams even we want to quit on ourselves will pull our focus through! I love Stan Lee’s story because he is an exemplification of true ‘Success’! Thanks for your comments!
We never grow Francis , i still have this little girl in me that never & ever i can take her out of me , spider man , superman , snow white & others ,every movie keeps something in our little personality when we was kids to this moment , i enjoyed reading your article !
great post
Great Blog on heroes and inspiration of a man who created heroes!!! I believe his story should be shared via a The memories of childhood sitting reading comic books ad the images that they created not only on paper in the hero illustration style and great ink and artworks but also the story that it creates within your mind as you read it… I a world so harsh with so many that are self absorbed in only making money, it is nice to see and read about people who helped to inspire and lived the hardships of work for hire creates to the artists in this medium… I personally loved so many of his characters he created and ohhhh the colors that Doctor Martin dyes have that are used in the coloring of those illustrations are something to just love!!!
How it upset me so when I came back from college to find my mother had sold my baseball card and comic book collections!!!
Love the pic Francis! I was always a batman sorta girl myself but I love the story of Stan Lee’s journey and posts like yours are what continue to inspire me to live my dream! Thanks Francis for always being such a great encourager!
Stan,
When can we get together and do a DO-OE, I have always felt the same, but about Superman! haha, sorry bud! That is super neat though, its always fun to dream and go back to those days!
Thanks for the enjoyable post!
Michael
I never really got into Spider Man until my little nephew discovered him. I didn’t know much about Stan Lee either, for that matter. I think it is commendable that such an accomplished and well respected artist never forgot his roots and always remembered “the little people”. It is admirable, especially in a world where most people that make it big seem to forget all of the people behind the scenes who help to make it happen.
The fact that he served his country also is a testament to his honor and desire to keep his integrity. It is nice to know that someone like Stan Lee once served our great country to enable us to keep the freedoms we have. Clearly, his characters are reminders of that. What a great article to kick off the 4th of July weekend! God Bless America!
Reading of this blog made me recall 2 memories..The first one of me as a young kid reading a large number of comic books and the other a recent trip to Hollywood were I saw many Characters standing outside “Hollywood’s Grauman’s Chinese Theater THANKS! Good information on Stan Lee things I did not know. Much appreciated RICH :0)
nothing,awesome picture
i love how he gave credit to all the “little people,” and how he worked his way up to the top. very inspiring story.
i don’t know what it will take to get me to believe in myself. i wish i could just reach into my pocket and pull out some confidence.
What a great post! I have always loved his work and now knowing more about him just makes me love him more
I love the cameos in the movies!
Stan Lee’s story highlights 2 important characteristics in becoming a success.
1) You have to start somewhere, even if that is at the bottom. You can never be too humble, and whatever career you go into, you must be willing to be patient and learn.
2) If you are serious about pursuing a passion, you should never give up. Sometimes it is at that very moment that you will get your “big break.” Fortunately for all of us, Stan got that phone call that changed his life, and gave us some great superheroes in the process.
Thanks Francis for sharing this story with us….It reminds us all that we need to work hard and never give up on our dreams.