On November 12th at the age of 95, we lost a very important superhero in our world: Stan Lee. He brought to life Marvel characters like Spider-Man, Doctor Strange, the Hulk, Iron Man and Thor as well as some other characters like the X-Men and Fantastic Four. Creating a common world for his characters the way he did in the comics was no easy task. He developed a continuity between the different characters in order to give their stories a narrative flow that can be seen in movies like The Avengers. In addition to these complex characterizations, he will forever be remembered by some of his most famous quotes, one in particular being, “With great power comes great responsibility.” One of my favorite things he will be remembered for, however, are his highly anticipated and spontaneous cameos in the movies he helped develop.
Peek-A-Boo! Can you spot Stan Lee in these movie clips?
Iron Man When someone taps you on the shoulder and you look the wrong way: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBhiuFd5kN0
The Incredible Hulk
I sure hope Mountain Dew never has this effect on me: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjMMayhbAFc and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehAkYxYze7M
Fantastic Four
What a warm welcoming! I wish he could deliver my mail for me: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=damX80VyiO0
X-Men Apocalypse
Similar to the look on my face when teachers say I have exams at the end of this week: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dH21Zp7ZGJ8
Fun Fact: Stan Lee was able to use his superhero stories to address social issues. For example: the X-Men were representative of discrimination.
The Avengers
Oh, the irony. (find within the first 40 seconds): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGluoC4ERrA
Amazing Spider-Man
It’s okay Stan, we can all be a little oblivious sometimes! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZapELQXx9LM
Captain America: Winter Soldier
Come on, could anyone ever really fire this guy? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELWXUne8S2I
Guardians of the Galaxy 2
When your friends are ready to go but you’re just havin’ such a great time: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jq3GIYt7x4A and post credits of course https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRiuX8am-og
Fun Fact: Stan Lee defied the norm and chose for his characters to almost never wear a cape.
Avengers: Age of Ultron
He may be out of it, but he can still get out a muffled version of his catch phrase. What a trooper! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LuqHjo21Qgc
Amazing Spider-Man 2
How cool would it be to have Stan Lee at your graduation?! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXHssADhjM4
Fun Fact: Stan Lee had a tendency to name his characters in alliterate patterns such as Peter Parker and Sue Storm in order to make it easier to remember their names.
Ant-Man
I could listen to this guy tell stories all day, especially if Stan Lee is going to be in them! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzenUxrjhkU
Captain America: Civil War
When teachers try to take attendance at the beginning of the semester: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PlDVl2wwkM8
Doctor Strange
How I react when someone tells a joke that I don’t get. (about 45 seconds in) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5zNlNbvmMA
Deadpool
Suit up! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBiQRh8MLj0
Spider-Man: Homecoming
Classic old man move: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EsbEjr1iVc
Fun Fact: What a lucky duck! Stan Lee is the only actor that got to be in every Marvel Cinematic Universe film.
Thor: Ragnarok
When all you asked for was a trim… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fZpaCTMMDg
Ant-Man and The Wasp
It’s moments like these when you ask yourself, “Why me?” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMcm9lGmGCM
Avengers: Infinity War
I wish my bus drivers in high school had been this cool! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JzCyCBVd2s
Spider-Man 3
This one gives me goosebumps: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVoadkAMP4k
Fun Fact: When closing fan mail or personal contributions, Stan Lee concluded his messages by using his trademark catchphrase, “‘Nuff said.”
Is this the end of Stan Lee cameos? Thankfully, it is not! It has been confirmed that he filmed his cameo for the next avengers movie already so we can still expect his guest appearances in that one and potentially a few more. *fingers crossed*
Thank you, Stan Lee, for living an excelsior kind of life, you will be missed.
Good info found at: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0498278/bio?ref_=nm_ov_bio_sm
Pictures and gifs:
https://giphy.com/gifs/omaze-marvel-comic-books-d3yvDeQ9fES0JTfG
https://comicbook.com/marvel/2018/11/13/stan-lee-death-spike-lee-obituary-new-zealand/
https://giphy.com/gifs/clara-stan-lee-gwiyomi-song-2-4vu9bLrVAHjMc