Stan Lee, who was known for creating some of the most famous superheroes of all time including Black Panther, Iron Man, and the Fantastic Four, has died today at the age of 95. Lee died one year after his wife, Joan, died at 95.

Stan Lee had an impact on American society with his creation of Marvel comics and has always been adored by many. According to NBC News, Lee, whose real name was Stanley Martin Lieber, began his career as an office assistant at Timely Comics in 1939 before it was renamed Marvel Comics.

More human, flawed characters

Marvel wanted to create heroes that the average person could connect with.

They wanted to show people with flaws and more human ideals to society. They usually are struggling and try and find a way to make ends meet.

According to the New York Times in 1992, Lee said he tried “to make them real flesh-and-blood characters with personality.” Lee wanted to make more realistic characters that people could relate to.

Successful movie adaptions have been made

Lee’s comics have been famously made into live-action Movies with many of them a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe of intertwined stories. Some of those films, including Iron Man and The Avengers, have gone on to become some of the biggest box office successes of all time, grossing over a billion dollars.

Black Panther, which came out February of this year, shattered racial barriers after making over a billion dollars as well at the box office.

The movie featured an almost all-black cast. According to the New York Times, it went on to become the fifth biggest opening weekend of all time.

Some of the worlds biggest A-list actors have portrayed the famous heroes, like Robert Downey Jr. who plays Iron Man and Benedict Cumberbatch who plays Doctor Strange.

Celebrities mourn Lee’s death

Many celebrities have reacted to Lee’s death on Twitter, including Chris Evans who played Captain America. According to NBC News, he said, “There will never be another Stan Lee. For decades he provided both young and old with adventure, escape, comfort, confidence, inspiration, strength, friendship and joy,"

Scarlett Johansson, known for her role as Black Widow, said in a statement that the "galaxy just gained another Dog Star.

Thankful everyday to be a small part of Stan’s universe. He was a legendary visionary and a true artist," she said.

Hugh Jackman, who's known for playing Wolverine, said in a tweet, "We’ve lost a creative genius. Stan Lee was a pioneering force in the superhero universe. I'm proud to have been a small part of his legacy and .... to have helped bring one of his characters to life."
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