Stan Lee, the Marvel Comic guru behind the Avengers, Ant-Man, Spiderman and many more heroes we’ve come to love and admire, passed away at the age of 95 on Nov. 12.

Through the comics he published and the many films that launched from their stories, Lee made a tremendous impact on American popular culture in his lifetime.

He will be remembered for his impact on comic fans around the world.  

Lee’s career in comics began in 1939, when he wound up as an assistant at Timely Comics in Manhattan.

After countless menial tasks, he wanted more. Within a few years, he got his wish and proposed his own story in an issue of Captain America Comics #3, with the story “Captain America Foils the Traitor’s Revenge.”

For the first time, Stan Lee’s name was on the byline. It was a moment that would change his life and would change American culture.

As Lee’s role in the comic world grew, so did the company. When Lee took charge at Timely Comics, they renamed themselves first as Atlas Comics and then finally transformed into the legendary Marvel Comics.

Even those not familiar with Lee may recognize the man with the iconic sunglasses and easily-recognizable smile who appeared in cameos in every one of the the over 25 films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

I repeat: That’s every one of the Marvel films.

Recently he even appeared in a DC Comics film, Teen Titans Go To The Movies. His cameos are never longer than 15 seconds, but fans go crazy for them.

Marvel has become a dominant force in Hollywood. Disney took ownership of the studios in 2009 for $4 billion dollars, and in the past decade Marvel has earned them more than quadruple that amount. Currently an untitled Avengers 4 film is in the works, and fans are still emotional about the latest film, Avengers: Infinity War.

You can’t go one day at BHS without seeing at least one student wearing a Marvel-related article of clothing. Some staff members are fans as well.

Senior Zoe Flate has been a Marvel fan since she was little. She recalls playing with action figures with her cousins until the break of dawn while watching the Avengers movies.    

“Even today, more than a decade later, I still watch the movies and the Netflix shows,” she wrote in an email. “It’s still a huge part of my life.”

“[Stan Lee] wrote my childhood,” she wrote. “Without the characters he created, I wouldn’t have the confidence to be who I am today.”

One aspect of the Marvel universe that Flate admires is its diversity.

“He assembled all these characters no matter the race, gender or religion, and I think that representation is what the world needs,” she wrote.

The Marvel films attract fans from all walks of life.

“It doesn’t just go across the world, it goes across race, gender and religion,” she added. “It brings people together… It also strengthens the bond of people who have been viewed as bad because they are different.”

Senior Sydney Leikin has also been a superfan from a young age. She and her brothers would wait to see every new Marvel movie together. She said that Marvel has become “a tradition” within her family.

Leikin also admires Lee’s ambition and creativity. He proved to her that even if something is crazy, you can still dream it.

“Stan Lee is such a great role model for kids to explore their imaginations,” she said.

Stan Lee has made an imprint on the world that no other human could possible do. His  heroes have saved lives beyond the comics they are written into. Lee will be missed dearly, but never forgotten for the superhero he was.