It has been amazing to watch people’s reactions to the death of Stan Lee on social media in the past hours. Stan Lee, co-creator of Spider Man, The Hulk, Iron Man, Dr. Strange, Ant Man, Black Panther and many more Marvel superheroes, has died at age 95. For a good overview of his life check out this story or this one. As I reflect on his life and the legacy of superheroes he left behind, Lee helped people cope with life and living, created hope and distraction, and inspired courage and imagination. But that is not all.
A World of Heroes, Justice, and Good versus Evil.
Lee created an imaginary world of comics and later all kinds of media that included heroes, justice, and good versus evil. He saw it for what it was – entertainment – plus had the insight to understand it was much more. He wanted to distract people from life. He said, “Without it [entertainment], lives can be dull. Singing a song, playing sports — anything that entertains, that takes people away from their own problems, is good. Sounds obvious, but it’s good to be reminded.”
He made the characters real. They had real problems. In an interview he said, “So you see, comic books to me are fairy tales for grown-ups. Iron Man, the Avengers, Spider-Man and all the rest are popular for the same reason “Jack and the Beanstalk” is still popular after a million years. They’re good stories about characters that are like us but also larger than us. That’s the end of my philosophy lesson. It should be carved in stone.”
He observed people and knew how to connect with them. He explained:
The added appeal of so many of these characters is that they were extraordinary but ordinary at the same time. That made them relatable. The Fantastic Four had unusual powers, but they were also a kind of family with foibles. Mr. Fantastic, for instance, could be a real bore. And Spider-Man was like a lot of teenage boys—confused, troubled. He had problems trying to make his way in the world and coping with being a superhero. The Thing and the Hulk were disoriented monsters—monstrous freaks, as it were—which gave them a certain amount of pathos. The X-Men were magnificent misfits. Then you had Daredevil, who was blind but could do things better than most sighted people. I did not create Captain America, but I attempted to make him more than just a strongman who fought the bad guys. I tried to give him a personality and his own fears and hang-ups and frustrations. Or how about Doctor Strange? I love that guy, a surgeon whose hands get shattered in an accident. He has to struggle to find his way and eventually learns magic in the ancient mystical tradition. He becomes the most powerful magician the cosmos has ever known.
In many ways, he provided an alternative universe for people to get lost in but still mirrored our own. He understood inherently people enjoy heroes. People want good to prevail over evil. People desire justice. Yet, in the real world, often those things do not fit perfectly together like they can in the comics. He dreamed it, wrote it, and people followed it. Lee wrote stories he enjoyed. He understood that people then would enjoy them too and closely follow them. I think this is important for each of us.
Don’t Miss the Lesson of a Good Story
For Christians, as individuals, parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, friends, and church members, do not miss the power of the story. People enjoy stories. Often we forget that there are riveting stories throughout the Bible. The Bible is full of heroes, justice, and good versus evil. The Bible deals with real people who have real problems. The Old Testament especially tells of those who do extraordinary things for God and to help people. The Bible reveals our best and often our worst. You can see yourself in its pages.
The difference – the Bible is real. Sin and suffering are real. Ultimately, good wins over evil; however, in the individual stories, the good guys do not always win. Some times they are stoned, stabbed, or crucified. They tell the grand narrative of creation, man’s fall, the story of redemption, and ultimate consummation.
The Bible is the real story of us. But, the narratives are more than a simple story. The Bible points out sin, the need of forgiveness, and then living a life that honors God. All of that against our own flesh.
The ultimate, real-life hero – Jesus Christ (Hebrews 2:10) – versus make believe (Marvel characters and others). It makes me wonder, “What draws so many to these other characters, stories, and fables?” Simply put: at the end of the show or comic, we may feel good, be challenged, and want to be better versions of ourselves; however, there is no call for humble obedience, submission, repentance, and holiness.
Comics and entertainment use the pieces of humanity that make us who we are. There is enough reality and humanity in the stories that we connect with them. And what makes us really enjoy them is that there is no God to Whom we are responsible at the end.
Regarding Death and Dying
When I heard of Lee’s death, the question that dominated my thinking all day was, “After 95 years, did he go to heaven or hell?” Regardless of the fun he has provided for so many – my family included, the reality is, at the end of life every person faces a judgment (Heb 9:27). Lee made two interesting statements that leave me saddened.
Regarding writing his own obituary, he said, “Right, but when you’re dead, you’re finished.”
Regarding the end of his life, he told the interviewer:
I’m always looking ahead, even at this age. You know, my motto is “Excelsior.” That’s an old word that means “upward and onward to greater glory.” It’s on the seal of the state of New York. Keep moving forward, and if it’s time to go, it’s time. Nothing lasts forever. Hell, I’m 91 years old. If I have to go while I’m talking to you, I’ve had a long enough life. I’d hate to leave my wife and my daughter, but heaven knows it’s beyond me. And I don’t even really believe in heaven.
This is why I am sad today. Because now he knows. There is a heaven. There is a hell. There is no greater glory outside of Jesus Christ, of Whom he had no testimony of knowing. Excelsior is possible in Christ alone.
Where Entertainment turns into Reality
He entertained us. His cameo appearances are hilarious. Our family anticipates seeing him appear in the oddest of places. It is fun. But at the end of life, all the entertainment is over and we face the realities of God. I close with the words of Paul and the challenge to be prepared for that future day.
6 So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. 7 For we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.
9 Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. 11 Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences.
20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. 21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. (2 Cor 5:6-11, 20-21)