Stan Lee

Stan Lee was an American comic book writer and editor. He was born in New York City in 1922. He helped create some of the most popular superheroes of all time. Characters like Spider-Man, the Hulk, and the X-Men came from his imagination.

Early Life and Career

Stan Lee started working at a comic book company when he was just 17 years old. He wrote his first comic story in 1941. For many years, he wrote simple superhero tales. Then in the 1960s, he started creating heroes with real-life problems and feelings.

Marvel Comics

Lee co-created Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, the X-Men, Iron Man, Thor, and the Hulk. His heroes were different because they had everyday struggles like paying rent or fitting in at school. Marvel Comics became one of the biggest entertainment companies in the world. Lee's characters now star in blockbuster movies seen by millions.

Fun Facts

• Stan Lee made a cameo appearance in nearly every Marvel movie.
• Spider-Man was inspired by watching a fly crawl up a wall.
• Lee's catchphrase was 'Excelsior!' which means 'ever upward' in Latin.

Did You Know?

Stan Lee was once told that a comic about a spider hero would never sell because people do not like spiders. Spider-Man went on to become one of the most popular superheroes ever.