28 Dec A Geeky Tribute to Stan Lee

Today I want to share a short tribute to Stan Lee. Without getting into the logistics and debates, I want to focus on his passion for the characters and acknowledge the hard work he put into making characters that we could look up and relate to, and his decision to change the world through a seemingly silly and meaningless contribution to the world.

Spoiler alert: it was never silly or meaningless.

This week, we watched the Stan Lee documentary on Disney Plus and I learned so much about the man who, with the help of his amazing artists, created Marvel as we know it today. The documentary starts with his humble beginnings in New York, and follows his accidental journey into the comic book world. It was amazing to see how one office job opportunity opened the door for him to begin writing and editing, to end up running one of the most successful comic book publishers of our time.

A Geeky Tribute to Stan Lee

Growing up with heroes

We’re taught as kids that having an imagination is the best thing ever.  It’s okay to believe in Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy, the Wizard of Oz, and the Easter Bunny.  We’re allowed to have Superheroes. We read about all their adventures, and even dress up like them. And then we grow up.  And we begin to worry about what’s cool and what people think about us. We forget about our heroes and close down our imaginations – placing it on the same dusty shelf as our comics, toys, and cartoons.  Why?  Because these things are no longer allowed, or accepted. After all, it’s time to start being an adult.  For some, it’s too geeky, too nerdy, and even sometimes embarrassing so we turn our backs and forget about everything that once made us happy.

And then we keep growing up – right into adults.  We are taught to get serious and stop believing in superheroes as “proper” adults. It’s time to focus on work and all the things on our to do list. We start to live to work and pay bills… get married… have kids… and then retire.  It’s all so boring. There’s no time and no room for heroes – we’re too busy trying to survive life.

Does adulting mean life without heroes?

But that is so flawed in so many ways.  Adulting doesn’t mean that you have to be super serious all the time. It’s like we’re told that if we have too much fun then people won’t take us seriously; that fun is only reserved for holidays and vacations. Otherwise, be serious and take your life and responsibilities seriously.

But I would argue against that way of thinking and way of life. While there is a time to be more serious and get things done, this doesn’t mean that you have to be that way all the time. Especially when what we do and how we behave IRL (in real life) is mostly influenced by those around us and the expectations they heap onto our shoulders. No one should have to bear the hopes and dreams of others. We often care too much about what people think.

It took me a long time to come to terms with that – twenty years, in fact, to discover that I was doing everything that was expected of me with no regard of what I actually wanted. One day I stopped and thought, ‘who cares about all of this? I don’t. Who actually gives a flying crap about what other people think? In the end, isn’t and shouldn’t it be about what you did to make yourself happy? For me, ‘adulting’ means handling my business, yes, but having the nerve to have a little fun while doing it.

I think that’s how Stan Lee lived, and that’s why he’s one of my heroes. And that’s why we take a moment to celebrate him every year on his birthday.

Stan Lee and his heroes

I am a creative, so imagination means everything to me.  It’s one of the main reasons I love art and crafting, collecting comic books, and watching animated shows (still).  And it is the reason I cosplay.  My heroes have always been strong characters in the comic world, and the way they face challenges head on.  You can face challenges and get shit done and still look up to your heroes. That is the amazing thing about “growing up”.  Especially when they teach you how to persevere, how to fight, and how to handle your flaws. 

Adulting 101 according to this Geek

My mother likes to shake her head at us when hubs and I start talking about cosplay, animated shows, and our geeky interests. But not without the comment under her breath: “You are just two toys-r-us kids.” I’ve probably mentioned this before on the blog, but it isn’t meant as a compliment. But why should I be ashamed of my hobbies, interests, and passions? Why should I be made to feel like a child or as if we’re immature because we collect comic books and attend comic conventions?

We don’t sit and watch the news all day being mad and depressed like the rest of the world. We choose to find positivity and fun in our little geeky corner of the world. And that makes us childish? You know the best part of being a ‘Toys-R-Us’ adult is that we know how to balance life and responsibilities with the freedom and imagination to have fun. 

gasp! What a concept!

It’s all about balance

I can throw on a closet cosplay while running errands on the weekends. And I have been known to do that. We can listen to DC or Marvel podcasts on Spotify while doing chores. And we can end a stress-filled adult workday with a little Lego Fortnite on the cozy couch rather than go to bed with news of shootings, politics, and war.

That kind of adulting, my friends, takes a mature level of balance and mindful self-care that feeds your soul rather than drains you of your life. Oh, and we get shit done.

And I think that’s the essence of this thing we call life. You find a way to live and to love the life you live – you have to. Because if you don’t love what you do and who you are then what do you have? Work, work, and work. That’s no fun. I saw how much Stan Lee loved what he did, even when he thought, ‘does this thing I do really have value compared to the important work that others are doing?’

What you do with your adulthood

But what’s important is not what you do, it’s how you do it and why. The best kind of employee (strictly speaking as an ex-HR professional, here) is the kind of independent problem solver who can work on a team, but who can also think independently and creatively. Creativity is a lost skill that many companies like to downplay and take for granted. Using your imagination to solve problems leads to innovation. And allowing people the freedom to be themselves gives them autonomy and ownership in what they do. #loyalty We’re not cogs. We’re human bodies with the ability to think and create and invent, and we can do anything. All it takes is the freedom to use our imaginations.

Stan Lee allowed us to do just that.  He created worlds and characters and experiences that let us live in our imaginations, even if just for an issue at a time.  And he did it because he loved it. And we keep collecting and reading and watching – well into adulthood – because we love it, too. Because it brings something positive to our days despite what’s going on around us.

According to Stan Lee

One of my favorite Stan Lee quotes sums up being an adult who grows up to be exactly what they want to be – what they’re meant to be – and unapologetically:

“I used to be embarrassed because I was just a comic-book writer while other people were building bridges or going on to medical careers. And then I began to realize: entertainment is one of the most important things in people’s lives. Without it they might go off the deep end. I feel that if you’re able to entertain people, you’re doing a good thing.”

In this regard, I want to be more like Stan – not embarrassed to be who I am while working towards who I want to be.  And in that, finding ways to do what I love to change my little corner of the world in positive and creative ways.

Happy Birthday, Stan!

So this small post of appreciation is for you, Stan Lee.  Thank you for all you’ve done and all you’ve given to your fans over the years.  Today, geeky-hearts and minds remember you and your contributions to our fandoms. And although you’re no longer with us, we know that you will live on through your work and in our imaginations.

“Excelsior!”, and happy birthday, dear friend. We miss you.